Energy demand analysis using MAED

Organisers: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

About the training

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are jointly organising a training workshop on the use of the Model for Analysis of Energy Demand (MAED) as a tool for energy system modelling for planning. this training aims to build capacities for energy demand analysis and planning in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. The training workshop will use theoretical concepts, simulations, and practical exercises to prepare participants for the use of the MAED.

ICIMOD’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Capability for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (REEECH) Initiative aims to enhance the capability of key players in the renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) sector for sustainable supply management, effective use of RE&EE solutions, and climate change mitigation. This training aligns with those objectives. The training is also part of REEECH’s objectives of providing capacity building and training for policy makers in ICIMOD’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – to create methodological aspects of decision support tools and their relevance for the formulation of energy policy and strategies. The training addresses critical barriers to the deployment of RE&EE technologies and services in the RMCs.

About the MAED

The IAEA developed the MAED, which evaluates future energy demand based on medium- to long-term socioeconomic, technological, and demographic development scenarios. Energy demand is disaggregated into a large number of end-use categories corresponding to different goods and services. The influence of social, economic, and technological driving factors from a given scenario is estimated. These are aggregated to give an overall picture of future energy demand and growth.

Objectives

The main objective of the training is to introduce the design and functionality of the MAED to professionals from the RMC governments and academia and consequently enhance their capacity to use it. The training will support the development of local capabilities in energy data compilation and energy demand assessment in various sectors of the economy, help prepare projections of energy needs under alternative scenarios of socioeconomic developments, and build capacity on the use of the MAED.

This training will provide information and tools on the critical parameters of the MAED associated with the design and simulation of energy scenarios and projections. The training will focus on the methodological aspects of the tool and its relevance for the formulation of energy policy and strategies to promote renewable energy and sustainable development in the RMCs. The training will also facilitate the exchange of experiences among RMC professionals and international experts regarding the use of the energy modelling tools for energy planning and analysis and provide an opportunity to share knowledge and engage in discussions.

Training details

The course will consist of (1) specialised lectures on methodologies embedded in the IAEA’s MAED, input data preparation, calibration of base year energy consumption, construction of scenarios, and interpretation of model results; (2) discussions on energy statistics and data collection; and (3) work sessions for hands-on training on the MAED model and on preparation of a demonstration case study for energy demand projections. During the course, the participants are expected to identify data needs to initiate national demand assessment case studies at a later stage.

Expected outcomes

The MAED can be used to determine energy demands based on medium- to long-term socioeconomic, technological, and demographic development scenarios. These projections and scenarios will help policy makers understand how various renewable energy resources can be integrated to provide sustainable development and achieve the Nationally Determined Contribution renewable energy targets. This can be used to estimate the financial capacity of proposed energy scenarios and projections. Besides the direct training benefits, the workshop will also facilitate learning and experience sharing between relevant government and academicians of the RMCs, which will contribute to future cooperation in climate-resilient energy planning in the region.

Target audience

The target audience will be designated government officials (policy makers and decision makers) and academicians who have specialised knowledge of, or experience in, contemporary energy issues as well as basic skills in the use of the energy planning models. The participants should possess a high-level understanding of energy development issues. The organising team is strongly committed to identifying suitable women participants. All participants must have successfully completed distance learning on the MAED prior to this in-person workshop.

Participation and registration

No registration fee is charged to participants. This training is by invitation only to ICIMOD’s partner institutions from its RMCs. Selected participants will be informed about travel and logistical arrangements separately.

Background

Energy is an essential input for achieving most Sustainable Development Goals under the UN Agenda 2030. Therefore, the transition to sustainable energy is a major priority and central to the national development strategies of the HKH region.

Quantitative scenario analysis is generally used to assess and compare the cost-effectiveness of different transition pathways and to inform policymaking. Nevertheless, data on energy demand and supply for mountain areas of the HKH region are lacking, which makes any assessment challenging and deters the design of context-specific energy policies and strategies.

Recent studies in the HKH region indicate heavy dependence on traditional biomass in households (i.e. cooking, heating, water boiling), relatively high energy use for agricultural activities, and increasing trends of urbanisation, among others. How the region handles its energy resources and energy needs will significantly affect the health and the well-being of its population and the sustainability of the region’s ecosystems and economy.

Agenda