The USAID and NREL Quarterly Newsletter

October 2024 Edition

This edition of the USAID-NREL Partnership newsletter highlights the growing portfolio of buildings and energy efficiency projects, the Lao People's Democratic Republic's efforts to deploy electric vehicles, USAID and NREL's collaboration to advance gender equity in clean energy initiatives, and more.

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Scaling Up Building Decarbonization Activities Across the USAID-NREL Partnership

We spend most of our time in buildings, which account for 40% of global energy consumption. As a result, building decarbonization is essential for enhancing heat resilience and achieving climate goals. With this in mind, it is no surprise that buildings and energy efficiency are becoming a growing priority for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Partnership, with more USAID Missions considering building-sector work to reach their climate targets.

As building-sector programming becomes more common across USAID's portfolio, net-zero-energy buildings—powered by renewable energy and equipped with energy efficiency technologies—will become a focal point in efforts to decarbonize the sector. The USAID-NREL Partnership is seeking opportunities to illustrate how USAID Missions can integrate energy efficiency into their work. Although many USAID energy programs have not traditionally focused on buildings, a variety of policies and tools, such as efficiency standards, low-emissions construction codes, and public- and private-sector-based retrofits programs, are available to lower energy consumption.

In September, USAID/Energy Division, along with representatives from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL's) Energy Efficiency for Development program, presented some of these policies and tools at USAID's Global Energy Training Conference. We discussed how energy efficiency and net-zero-energy buildings are critical for achieving climate targets in a cost-effective manner while ensuring grid reliability by moderating load growth and peak demand.

LBNL also presented its Net Zero Buildings Guide, which supports USAID Missions in identifying locally appropriate tools and policies. Missions such as those in Serbia and Mexico have already made strides in improving building energy efficiency and shared their success and lessons learned at the training.

The month prior, in August, Kristen Madler and I attended the NREL Partner Forum, where we met with government and private sector leaders to discuss decarbonizing buildings and communities with support from U.S. Department of Energy tools and experts. We identified opportunities to develop the workforce involved in these efforts and explored strategies for accommodating the increased electrical demand from building electrification and grid-edge technologies. We also met with leading researchers on cutting-edge tools—such as ResStock™, ComStock™, and REopt^®—to determine how these innovations can be adapted for international use.

One upcoming project is a collaboration between NREL, LBNL, and the mayor of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic on pursuing net-zero retrofits for public buildings, including City Hall. This effort aims to reduce electricity costs and establish a fund for scaling energy efficiency and distributed photovoltaics (PV) across public buildings in the Dominican Republic.

In Mexico, the Energy Efficiency for Development program continues to support the USAID-Mexico Mission in deploying building codes, conducting commercial building audits, and advancing net- zero public buildings in Mexico City. USAID is also partnering with Fibra Uno, Mexico's largest and oldest real estate investment trust, to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 and reach 100% net-zero emissions across its shopping mall and office portfolio by 2028, setting a scalable model for global commercial real estate.

Looking ahead, we will continue leveraging the USAID-NREL Partnership's expertise to explore new building decarbonization opportunities worldwide. This includes developing strategies for modeling building decarbonization in low-data environments, deploying scalable energy efficiency and distributed generation solutions, and improving access to cooling technologies while ensuring heat-resilient electricity systems.

I appreciate the efforts of all USAID Missions and partners in addressing building energy efficiency through the USAID-NREL Partnership and beyond. We look forward to continuing this important work and enhancing global energy efficiency and heat resilience in the years ahead.

Best regards,

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Featured News

USAID and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Deliver Energy Efficiency Training for the Hotel Industry in Quintana Roo, Mexico

USAID and LBNL partnered with the Quintana Roo Secretariats of Ecology and Environment and Tourism to enhance energy efficiency in the hotel industry, a vital sector in Mexico's tourism industry. This summer, they trained over 90 managers from 69 hotels in the pilot program, Energy Efficiency in the Hotel Industry in Quintana Roo, supported by the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres.

The training encompassed modules on energy efficiency awareness; measures; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; energy audits; and financing options, using the BETTER | Mexico toolkit for evaluations and recommendations. The initiative aims to establish a hotel labeling program as part of the Quintana Roo 2030 Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, promoting sustainability and competitiveness. The collaboration provides a framework for similar energy efficiency initiatives in the tourism sector throughout Mexico and Latin America.

For more information, visit the BETTER | Mexico webpage.

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Laos Visit to NREL Campus Accelerates Progress Toward Sustainable Mobility Goals

The Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) has a goal: to transition to 30% of all vehicles on the country's roads to electric by 2030. To achieve this, the country is creating an electric vehicle roadmap and developing its electric vehicle infrastructure, including implementing reliable charging options that can meet consumer demand, ensuring charging infrastructure is publicly available and affordable, and offering convenient at-home charging. A key challenge will be developing the necessary technical capacity, skills, and systems to support this transition, particularly in using legal frameworks for effective regulations and standards.

To support these initiatives, NREL, with support from the USAID-Laos Mission, hosted a delegation of 10 Lao government ministers for several days of tours, demonstrations, and discussions. The delegates, representing Lao PDR's ministries of energy and mines, electricity, research institute, and transport, explored NREL's research and tools that could help Laos meet its sustainable transportation and energy targets. USAID and NREL have provided technical support to Lao PDR over multiple years, addressing sustainable transportation, energy system resilience, and renewable energy planning.

During the tour, NREL and Lao delegates discussed topics ranging from the impact of charging infrastructure on the electric grid, policies to incentivize electric vehicle adoption, and gender-based travel data patterns to inform equitable transport and electrification strategies. Notably, the tour was the first time that all four key ministries sat at the same table for 7 straight days, allowing the delegates to understand each other's challenges, collaborate, view NREL's state-of-the-art technology, and develop a vision for the future of Lao PDR.

Learn more about NREL's partnership with USAID in Laos by reading more about the delegate's visit or exploring the USAID-NREL Lao PDR webpage.

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Haiti Works Toward Building a More Resilient Future

As of 2022, about 49% of the population of Haiti had access to electricity, with only 2% in rural areas compared to up to 80% in urban areas. However, even in regions with high electricity access, reliability is often an issue. Haiti also faces significant challenges in establishing dependable energy, including widespread poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels.

To overcome these obstacles, Haiti is working toward a more resilient future with the support of USAID and NREL. This collaboration includes a variety of projects intended to enhance energy resilience, such as developing energy modeling frameworks and training on resilient energy planning, as well as initiatives to scale up mini-grids, agrivoltaics, and off-grid solar.

One notable initiative is a modeling framework and accompanying training series using NREL's open-source Engage™ energy modeling tool. This tool offers exercises tailored to Haiti's energy needs, including expanding the power system and addressing fuel shortages. Another collaborative project aims to formulate a comprehensive energy sector master plan to guide Haiti toward a sustainable, secure, and resilient energy future. The USAID-NREL Partnership envisions further collaboration to strengthen Haiti's renewable energy sector, including additional training, implementation support, and pilot projects.

Learn more about NREL's partnership with USAID in Haiti: read the full story and visit the USAID-NREL Haiti webpage.

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USAID and NREL Design Action Plan To Advance Gender Equity in Clean Energy Initiatives

Although women constitute half of the global workforce potential in energy, fewer women than men are found in areas like planning, policymaking, business, engineering, research, and management. Furthermore, energy sector work often assumes that benefits will flow equally to men and women, adopting a "one-size-fits-all" approach. This kind of approach does not typically lead to equal benefit-sharing and can have negative consequences.

To intentionally involve tailored approaches for integrating women into energy planning, the USAID-NREL Partnership developed its Action Plan for Gender Integration in Energy Activities. The Action Plan outlines concrete actions, roles, and responsibilities of USAID and NREL staff, recommends implementing new activities that integrate gender into projects (including tools and trainings), and advises incorporating gender into the scoping and design of projects. While these recommendations are targeted toward USAID-NREL activities, they can be applied broadly across other energy programs. Women are key stakeholders in the clean energy transition and including them in energy projects ensures that they will benefit more equitably from energy advancements.

Learn more about gender integration activities in the USAID-NREL Partnership by visiting this USAID-NREL Gender webpage.

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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and USAID Address Supply Chain Challenges for Energy Equipment in Uganda

Energy Empowers East Africa is a collaborative initiative between LBNL and USAID, aimed at empowering women as key agents of change in promoting clean, affordable, and efficient energy use across East Africa. The program focuses on the efficient and productive use of electricity to create economic and social opportunities by leveraging electricity for production and essential services.

On July 23, 2024, the Energy Empowers East Africa team hosted a webinar addressing supply chain challenges for energy production equipment in Uganda, attracting 51 participants. The panel featured representatives from the Uganda Solar Energy Association, tech startup EnerGrow, and development partners such as RTI's Power Africa Empowering East and Central Africa and USAID's Strategic Investments Activity. Discussions during the webinar focused on strategies to improve last-mile distribution, enhance access to finance, foster partnerships, and promote gender inclusion in the efficient and productive use of electricity sector.

In 2023, Energy Empowers East Africa conducted a participatory survey to establish baseline data on energy access and its productive use in women-led businesses in Uganda. The findings highlighted significant challenges, including the limited availability of modern energy-efficient equipment in rural areas, restricted financing access, low prioritization of energy efficiency in vendor stocks, and inadequate support before and after purchase. Uganda's energy sector paradoxically has an installed capacity of 2,000 MW—well above the peak demand of 1,100 MW—yet struggles to generate last-mile demand for productive energy use. Addressing supply chain inefficiencies is vital for developing the efficient and productive use of electricity industry and expanding energy access in rural areas.

Learn more about the Energy Empowers East Africa.

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Women in Power System Transformation Welcomes Nine Global Interns

The transition to a clean energy future depends not only on innovative technology but also diverse perspectives. The Women in Power System Transformation (PST) Program, a joint initiative from the USAID-NREL Partnership and the Global Power System Transformation Consortium, plays a critical role in ensuring that women from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds contribute to shaping the global power sector. This summer, NREL welcomed five Women in PST interns, while the Electric Power Research Institute welcomed four interns to provide experiential learning opportunities aligned with the ongoing goals of the Global Power System Transformation Consortium. The Women in PST interns at NREL represented various countries, including Nepal, Lao PDR, Senegal, and Zambia.

While at NREL, the interns toured the South Table Mountain Campus and the Flatirons Campuses, connected with NREL's Director, Martin Keller, and participated in coffee chats and technology symposiums with professionals from NREL, the Electric Power Research Institute, Texas A&M University, and Vestas, gaining insights from top technology innovators in the power sector. They worked on advanced technical projects that not only honed their skills but also made a tangible impact on power system resilience, renewable energy integration, and grid modernization. The interns also participated in John Hopkins University's Self-Empowerment and Equity for Change training program, which is designed to enhance leadership skills, build confidence, and empower participants to overcome workplace obstacles.

The Women in PST interns contributed to a wide range of impactful projects during their time at NREL. Jennifer Bui focused on developing advanced simulation models using NREL's Sienna software to study inverter-based resources in large networks, helping to ensure that future grids, with high renewable energy penetration, remain stable and efficient. Mbiko Banda's work concentrated on enhancing competitive electricity markets in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), where she identified key barriers to market participation and proposed strategies to increase renewable energy investments. Ndeye Khady Diop Dieng worked on deploying battery energy storage systems in Barbados, contributing to the country's transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Nimmi Regmi applied her skills in load flow and voltage stability analysis to use Python and ETAP software to optimize power system operations and support renewable integration. Finally, Souphavady Phothisath supported Laos' efforts to expand electric vehicle infrastructure by creating a tutorial for the OpenPATH™ platform while also addressing gender disparities in the clean transportation sector.

Through the Women in PST internship program, the USAID-NREL Partnership aims to equip women with the technical skills and leadership experience needed to thrive in key power sector institutions. By offering hands-on project work, mentorship, and opportunities for professional development, Women in PST is empowering interns to become leaders in addressing global energy challenges.

Learn more by visiting the Women in Power System Transformation webpage.

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Bhutan Boosts Power System Resilience Through Solar PV Development

While Bhutan is abundant with clean hydropower, increasing the country's use of solar energy could reduce expensive power imports and bolster energy resilience during the country's winter months. With the aim of transforming its energy landscape, Bhutan invited teams from USAID and NREL to visit the country from Aug. 6–15, 2024. This visit included a series of strategic meetings, training sessions, and on-the-ground site visits between these organizations, local experts from the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership, and Bhutan's power generation utility, the Druk Green Power Corporation. Discussion topics focused on solar resource assessment, PV technology, utility grid integration, economic analysis, and the exploration of relevant case studies. These experts also attended an on-site resource measurement training, visited a solar site, and met with experts from the Royal University of Bhutan and the College of Science and Technology. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions exploring cutting-edge solar PV technologies, financial modeling, and performance metrics.

These sessions were designed to equip the Druk Green Power Corporation with the tools necessary to drive Bhutan's renewable energy future, elevating the technical expertise and ability of the staff to develop and deliver solar energy projects. This visit built on several previous online workshops focused on strengthening the Druk Green Power Corporation's capabilities in conducting solar PV site assessments and feasibility studies, as well as an online workshop about agrivoltaics, or the colocation of solar PV and agriculture. This approach addresses Bhutan's challenge of limited land availability due to its mountainous terrain. Through these collaborative efforts, Bhutan is positioned to make significant progress in integrating renewable energy technologies, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Explore how to conduct a solar PV feasibility study tailored to Bhutan's context by reading this knowledge product: Building Capacity: Solar Photovoltaics Site Assessment and Feasibility Study. Additionally, learn about the South Asia Group for Energy by visiting the USAID-NREL South Asia webpage.

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USAID and NREL Provide End-to-End Assistance for Bangladesh's Clean Energy Future

With companies and investors looking to advance their clean energy objectives through offshore wind development, the Bangladeshi government has identified gaps in understanding and support for this emerging industry. To address these needs, USAID and NREL partnered with the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority to create an introductory virtual training. The agenda covered offshore wind technology fundamentals, port infrastructure, market development, and supply chains, and featured a high-level assessment of offshore wind resources in Bangladesh. The training, which included insights from VL Offshore, a U.S.-based manufacturer of offshore infrastructure, attracted 150 participants. The training slides and recording on YouTube are available for those interested in learning more.

In parallel, as Bangladesh aims to develop its economic zones sustainably, the deployment of electric public transportation is a priority. USAID and NREL collaborated with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority to provide initial guidance on appropriate electric vehicle infrastructure for the Mirsharai Economic Zone. The full study is ongoing and will be completed in 2025. This foundational guidance equips the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority to make informed decisions on sustainable transportation infrastructure, establishing a replicable model for other economic zones across the country.

As Bangladesh's energy grid evolves with these and other advanced technologies, cybersecurity is emerging as a critical concern. The USAID-NREL Partnership also worked with the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh to review its draft cybersecurity policy and baseline assessment findings. In a meeting held in Dhaka on July 2, 2024, NREL and USAID experts discussed interim findings and provided actionable recommendations to strengthen the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh's cybersecurity strategies. The full study is ongoing and will be completed in 2025. A more secure power grid will be essential to achieving Bangladesh's clean energy, reliability, and affordability goals.

Learn more about NREL's partnership with USAID in Bangladesh by visiting the USAID-NREL Bangladesh webpage.

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Deploying Renewable Energy Through Wholesale Markets in Southern Africa

Southern Africa has substantial untapped renewable energy resources and the platform for regional electricity trade through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). These two components combined have the potential to improve electric reliability and access, while also meeting electricity demand growth and decarbonization goals. However, according to this NREL report, there are barriers to new renewable energy resources being deployed through SAPP regional electricity markets. One of the key findings of this NREL research is that the private sector lacks confidence in these markets, which prevents investment in critically needed generation and transmission infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Energy and USAID Power Africa supported NREL's research in an effort to help grow renewable energy development in SAPP. SAPP is a group of 12 countries in the Southern African region with 22 electricity market participants, mostly comprising national utilities in each country. In the report, stakeholders prioritized the main obstacles to well-functioning competitive markets and renewable energy development in the region. NREL also compiled an inventory of potential solution options and identified strategies that could address priority obstacles. For example, these strategy options include independent operation of transmission systems and improved data access and market transparency to boost investor confidence in the power sector and encourage new entry into the market.

Learn more about the work of USAID on the USAID Power Africa webpage and learn more about the work of SAPP on the SAPP website.

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Meet the Team—Dr. Adarsh Nagarajan

Adarsh Nagarajan leads a group of researchers on power systems design and planning at NREL, with a focus on advanced power systems research relating to fast-changing energy systems. He is also a principal researcher with deep expertise in emerging technologies research on distribution systems, especially those associated with energy storage and distributed energy resources. Additionally, he also leads the business development with strategic partners within the Grid Planning and Analysis Center.

His experience encompasses computer modeling of power systems; grid integration of distributed energy resources; modeling, control, and monitoring of energy storage systems; and the design, system integration, control and dynamics, protection, and seamless grid integration of low-inertia systems (microgrids).

He has authored over 40 technical publications. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and is active in standards creation. Nagarajan received a Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 2014 from Arizona State University and has received various recognitions, such as best paper from R&D100, notable technology awards, and more.

Read our conversation with Adarsh about his career trajectory and insights into his work with the USAID-NREL Partnership.

How did you decide on a career path in power systems design and planning?
As I recall, I have always been an electrical engineer by training. As I pursued my education, I continued to get deeper into R&D related to fast-transitioning power grids and have been there ever since. I always liked the math and physics behind the models of synchronous machines, and my dissertation was developing reduced order models for solar PV inverters. This led me to learning power electronics in detail along with control systems.

Tell us about the scope of your work with the USAID-NREL Partnership. What projects are you a part of?
I lead the South Asia Group for Energy that enables us to work in South Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives. South Asia brings together countries with diverse needs. On one end, India is planning to triple their solar and wind shares, whereas Bhutan is planning to deploy their first solar in the country. Our scope of work for each country is interesting and unique.

Why is it important to work with other countries around the world on implementing, designing, and planning power systems?
Countries around the world are embarking on their clean energy transitions, each at a unique pace, yet all moving toward the same goal—a more sustainable future. However, it is neither efficient nor wise for every nation to navigate these transitions independently, especially when valuable knowledge and solutions already exist elsewhere. As a national lab, NREL has the privilege of sharing the lessons we've learned, helping other countries avoid common pitfalls. By offering these insights proactively, we can accelerate global progress and prevent unnecessary delays, ensuring that countries can leap over challenges instead of waiting for them to arise. Our timely interventions save valuable resources and ultimately benefit us all.

What do you see as the biggest obstacles for countries trying to address grid integration challenges for various emerging technologies, such as solar, wind, and energy storage systems?
The primary obstacles countries face in addressing grid integration challenges for emerging technologies like solar, wind, and energy storage are the lack of access to best practices and lessons learned from other nations, as well as insufficient funding and sponsorship. These barriers hinder the effective adoption and implementation of innovative energy solutions.

If you could give any advice to young or early-career persons, what would it be?
As researchers, we are often trained to focus on publishing articles, conference papers, and journal entries—milestones that can lead to earning advanced degrees. For a long time, I thought the impact of our work ended with citations. That was until I had the opportunity to visit other parts of the world—to see how a control center operates, how outage management systems are handled, or how long-term energy planning is done in different regions. These experiences opened my eyes to the broader influence our R&D can have globally. Citations are valuable, of course, and I still strive for them, but I now realize there is so much more we can achieve. The real impact lies in how our work shapes the real world, beyond academia, improving systems, solving problems, and advancing communities. It's about applying knowledge where it truly makes a difference.

Finally, tell us a little bit about yourself. How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I've got a family with two kids, which means outside of work, my life is a constant mix of amazing chaos and kid-related adventures. When I'm not playing referee or being used as a jungle gym, I try to sneak in a run—still dreaming of the day I'll conquer an ultramarathon (because who doesn't want to run for hours, right?). I also have a not-so-secret love for reading, probably reading more books than necessary—if that's even a thing. As for social media, I like to keep it simple by steering clear of the never-ending doom scroll. I'm all about a happy, drama-free life and enjoying the little things.

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Resources

Find all the publications, recordings, and resources outlined in this newsletter and more, at a glance.

Tools, Data, and Expert Assistance

Updated I-JEDI Model Enhances Economic Impact Analysis of Renewable Energy Projects

The growing demand for accurate economic assessments of renewable energy projects requires tools that reflect the latest economic conditions. To address this, the USAID-NREL Partnership updated the International Jobs and Economic Development Impacts (I-JEDI) spreadsheet tool with new economic data, inflation adjustments, and revised costs for solar PV and wind energy. These updates enable users to more precisely estimate job creation, earnings, and economic growth related to renewable energy projects in Colombia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, and Zambia. This update ensures that decision makers can align renewable energy initiatives with economic development goals, leading to more informed investment and policy decisions.

Explore the I-JEDI tool's latest updates and learn how it can help you assess the economic impacts of renewable energy projects in countries worldwide.

USAID-NREL Toolkit Empowers Global Low-Emission Transport Solutions

The global transportation sector faces a pressing need for sustainable solutions that address mobility, environmental impact, and equitable access across diverse populations. To meet these challenges, the USAID-NREL Partnership updated its Electric Vehicle and Sustainable Transport Toolkit on Greening the Grid, integrating the transport sector's connections to the built environment, energy grids, and social equity. New sections cover data collection, gender mainstreaming, and a new Projects page, providing transport stakeholders and policymakers with tools for developing low-emission systems in emerging economies. These updates reduce emissions while fostering resilience and improved mobility access for all.

Explore the toolkit to support your country's transition to cleaner, more equitable transportation solutions.

Publications

Action Plan for Gender Integration in Energy Activities, USAID-NREL Report (2024)

Introduction to the 3-Part Agrivoltaics Knowledge Series: Agrivoltaics 101, NREL Presentation (2024)

CARILEC Resilient Energy Community CoP for Cybersecurity Workshop Series: Cybersecurity Assessment Tools, NREL Presentation (2024)

Super Resolution for Renewable Energy Resource Data With Wind From Reanalysis Data (Sup3rWind) and Application to Ukraine, NREL Presentation (2024)

Technical and Economic Screening for Potential of Distributed Energy Resource Integration at Chervonohrad Water Utility in Ukraine (Ukrainian Translation), NREL Technical Report (2024)

Merefa Community Microgrid: Supporting Distributed Energy Resource Deployment in Ukraine, NREL Fact Sheet (2024)

Building Capacity: Solar Photovoltaics Site Assessment and Feasibility Study, NREL Fact Sheet (2024)

South Asia Group for Energy-India, NREL Fact Sheet (2024)

Evolving Competitive Markets in SAPP: Leveraging Competitive Wholesale Electricity Markets To Drive Renewable Generation Capacity in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), NREL Technical Report (2024)