Sustainable Energy Development in East Africa

Despite numerous initiatives, reliable and equitable access to energy remains out of reach for large parts of the population in East Africa. While renewable energy projects are on the rise, ensuring their sustainability and long-term impact continues to pose significant challenges. This book presents the results of an international and inter-disciplinary research project that brings together expertise from engineering science, economics, the social sciences, and education. Its goal: to develop practical, context-sensitive approaches to improving energy access in East Africa. Aimed at scientists, students, and practitioners engaged in energy development, this book offers a rich collection of ideas and solutions to support their work. These solutions are based on the significant benefits of sharing knowledge and insights with other disciplines, making energy development a collaborative effort.

Christine Freitag (*1964) is professor of education science at Paderborn University. Her main focus is on comparative education, linked to different perspectives on Education for Sustainable Development.
Katrin Temmen (*1969) is professor of didactics of technology at Paderborn University. Her main focus is on innovative didactic concepts for engineering courses and technical teacher training.
Stefan Krauter (*1963) works on sustainable energy supply. His Ph.D., finalized in 1993, dealt with accurate yield prediction of solar PV. From 1996 until 2006 he lectured as a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the State University of Ceara, both in Brazil. In 2006, he co-founded Photovoltaic Institute Berlin, during 2008-2010 he served as Professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Biberach, since 2010 he is a Professor at Paderborn University, filling the chair of Electrical Energy Technologies.
Tobias Klaus (*1967) is a political scientist by training and works as Director of International Projects and Research at the ECOLOG Institute for Social-Ecological Research and Education in Lüneburg. He has also implemented a number of rural electrification and infrastructure projects in several African and Asian countries.
Burkhard Hehenkamp (*1969) is professor of institutional economics and economic policy at Paderborn University. His research centers on institutional design in various areas of application such as health care markets, sustainability, and industrial organization.
Henrietta Acquah-Swanzy is a researcher and PhD candidate in Economics at Paderborn University. Her work integrates quantitative modeling, empirical field studies, and data analytics to examine energy use, decision-making, and the role of social networks in the sustainability of microgrid energy systems.
Asiimwe Henry is currently a lecturer in the department of Development Studies, under the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Makerere University, Uganda. He recently completed his Doctoral Studies at Paderborn University, Germany. His research focus is on Intersectional Discursive Analyses on Gender and Sustainable Renewable Energy Development.
Prof. Joachim Böcker was head of the department of Power Electronics and Electrical Drives of the Paderborn University for almost 20 years. He and his team focused on research topics in the fields of electromobility, efficient power conversion, energy management and smart grids. He is author and co-author of more than 300 research papers. Joachim Böcker retired in 2023 but he is still active in some academic functions.
Henrik Bode is a research associate at the department of electrical engineering at Paderborn University. His research interests are the development of OER materials and sustainability in energy systems.
Paul Bogere lectures Electromagnetics and Physical Electronics in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, Uganda. His work focuses on knowledge transfer strategies for the sustainability of microgrids.
Ulrich Hilleringmann has been Head of the Sensor Technology Group at Paderborn University since 1999. His main research areas are wireless sensor technology and flexible electronics. Within the ART-D project, he is responsible for power measurement and consumption control.
Josephine Nakato Kakande is a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, Uganda. Her work focuses on sustainable energy systems, renewable technologies, grid integration, demand side management, efficiency and smart grid solutions.
Dr. Teddy Mangeni holds a Doctorate in Educational Sciences. Her research interests focus on stakeholder capacity-building in the context of sustainable development and conflict studies.
James Musana (PhD) is a researcher on Education for Sustainable Development. He holds a doctorate in Educational Sciences. His main focus is on Education for Sustainable Development, Sustainability Education and Catholic Education.
Ibrahim Mwammenywa is a researcher and lecturer in ICT and Electrical Engineering at the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Dar es Salaam. His work focuses on sensor systems using the Internet of Things and the integration of ICT solutions into electric grids, such as smart grids.
Irene F. Ngoti is a PhD candidate in Economics and Social Sciences at Leuphana University, currently completing her doctoral studies. Her research interests include Institutional economics, Rural renewable energy, and Sustainable infrastructure.
Lillian Donna Namujju is an Energy Economist, Policy Analyst, and Renewable Energy Systems Specialist at Makerere University, Kampala. Her research examines sustainable solar energy systems with a focus on how technical innovation, institutional dynamics, and policy frameworks intersect to advance inclusive and sustainable energy access.
Godiana Hagile Philipo is a Lecturer at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha, Tanzania. She holds a Doctor of Engineering from Paderborn University, with research focusing on sustainable energy systems, demand-side management, renewable integration, and smart grids in Africa's energy transition.
Stefan Trittler has been active in the PV minigrid / off-grid sector for more than 15 years, during which he has held a number of roles including engineering, project management, sales and R&D. In his current position as Project Principal and Head of Innovation at Asantys Systems GmbH he contributed to the Art-D project. In addition to his PV off-grid experience, he has travelled to numerous countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America and has a special focus on rural electrification in these regions.