IRENA Scholarship Program

Kalle Hashmi
Empowering Youth
IRENA Organization
Formally established in 2011
Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
First global intergovernmental organisation
headquartered in the Middle East
132 Members (August 2014)
37 countries in the process of becoming Members
IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC)
Bonn, Germany
Permanent Observer to the United Nations


Key FACTs
IRENA Organization
Mission
Mandate: To promote the widespread and sustainable use of
renewable energy worldwide

Objective: To serve as a centre of excellence, advisory
resource, and network hub for renewable energy

Scope: All renewable energy sources produced in a
sustainable manner
IRENA Organization
IRENA Membership
37 States in Accession
132 Members
IRENA Organization
Structure
Supreme organ of the Agency
Convenes once a year (World Future Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi)
Includes a delegation from each Member of the Agency, who together participate in
the Assembly's deliberations and decisions
The Assembly:
discusses and approves IRENAs Work Programme and Budget;
debates and provides guidance on IRENAs programmatic and strategic
direction and the Agencys activities;
acts as the international convening platform for substantive discussions on
renewable energy topics;
elects the members of the IRENA Council and makes decisions relating to the
supervision of the Agencys institutional structure, regulations and policies.
Assembly
Secretariat Council
IRENA Organization
Structure
Assembly Secretariat
Council
Consists of 21 Members of the Agency, elected by Assembly
Convenes twice yearly
Facilitates consultations and cooperation among all Members
Considers IRENAs draft Work Programme and Budget as well as other
programmatic, strategic or institutional matters
Assists in decision-making by providing recommendations to the Assembly
IRENA Organization
Structure
Assembly
Secretariat
Council
Consists of Director-General (Adnan Z. Amin, Kenya) and staff
Prepares Work Programme within framework of IRENAs mandate and
Medium-term Strategy
Implements and provides progress reports to Members
Communicates with Members and other stakeholders on Agency activities and
facilitates communication among Members
Establishes cooperation to create synergies, implement the Agencys
programmes, and deliver on IRENAs mandate
Programmatic Divisions:
Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre (KPFC)
IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC)
Country Support and Partnerships (CSP)
Project based approach



IRENA Organization
Structure
Assembly
Secretariat
Council
The IRENA Secretariat consists of:
120 people
Over 50 nationalities
Professional staff
Junior professional associates and interns
Full-time consultants and contractors
In November 2014, we shall be moving in with you at Masdar City at the new
IRENA Headquarter

9
Country Support and
Partnerships
Aim
To supports countries in the development and
implementation of national and regional
renewable energy strategies.
Purpose
Translate the findings of the Agency into national
and regional initiatives according to substantive
country needs and provides feedback to guide
future IRENA activities.

Global Engagement
CSP Across the Globe
10
Latin America and the Caribbean
RRAs in Grenada, Peru and Nicaragua
Geothermal Energy Initiative in Latin America
(Andes)
Strategy for Capacity Building for the LAC Region
Workshop on Regulations for Geothermal Energy
Development
Study on cogeneration with agricultural and
industrial residues in Latin America and Caribbean

Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS)
RRAs in Senegal, Ghana, Niger
and The Gambia
Capacity Building Workshops for
ECOWAS Region focused on Solar
PV


Eastern and Southern Africa
RRAs in Mozambique, Zambia and Swaziland
African Clean Energy Corridor Initiative
Capacity Building Workshops on Small Hydro

Middle East and North Africa
RRAs in Oman and Mauritania
Promoting Renewable Energy
Manufacturing
IRENA Scholars Initiative with Masdar
Institute
Capacity Needs Assessment for Dubai
Solar Program
South East Asia
RRAs in Mongolia and Philippines,
Project on Energy Market Integration
in East Asia
Strategy for Capacity Building for
South East Asian countries
Pacific Islands
RRAs in Vanuatu, Fiji and Marshall
Islands
Expert Assistance on PPAs
Training Workshops for Solar PV
Global Renewable Energy Islands
Network (GREIN)

South Eastern Europe
Facilitating Development of
Renewable Energy Action Plans for
South East European Countries

IRENA Scholarship Program

A CSP Initiative.
The Program is offered through the support of the Government of
the United Arab Emirates, to students enrolled at the Masdar
Institute of Science and Technology.
The two year program inducts 20 students annually with the fourth
batch to be selected in August 2014.
The IRENA Scholarship Programme offers scholars:
Exclusive access to the IRENA Lecture Program- 6 lectures per academic year;
Short Term Assignments sponsored by IRENA;
Long Term collaborative research projects between IRENA and Masdar;
Participation in IRENA events;
Internship Opportunities;
Most Importantly an excellent networking potential;
What and Why?
Where the Masdar Students fit
within IRENA?
12
Socio Economic Aspects of RE
Socio-Economic Value of
Renewable Energy
Analyses value-creation opportunities along solar and wind
value chains
Analyses policy instruments for creation of RE industries
- Showcases best practices
- Develops concrete policy recommendations and guidelines
- Provides tools and case studies to maximise economic
value creation
- Advises on RE enabling policies
Disseminates evidence on socio-economic value added from
RE deployment
http://irevalue.irena.org/
Socio Economic Aspects of RE
We Seek Student
Engagement in
1. Improving/updating the existing knowledge on renewable energy employment
factors. (Literature Review)
The latest employment factor database (Rutovitz and Harris, 2012) for renewable energy
technologies is two years old. RE employment estimates require an up-to-date and
comprehensive employment factor database. The student would perform a literature review
to improve the Rutovitz and Harris (2012) database using latest information.

Focal Person: Arslan Khalid akhalid@irena.org

2. Literature Review on the productive uses of off-grid renewable energy
technologies
In this task, the different off-grid technologies that offer opportunities for value creation
through productive uses will be explored. These include wind pumps, solar dryers, water
wheels and biomass conversion technologies, among others. The study will provide
technology-specific information, including factsheets about their different productive uses
(e.g. typical specs, pay-back periods) and their potential impact on employment and income.

Focal Person: Diala Hawila dhawila@irena.org

Socio Economic Aspects of RE
We Seek Student
Engagement in

Mini Grids
Analysis of policy and regulatory measures to support the deployment of renewable
energy based mini-grids for rural electrification in developing countries.
Focal Person: Salvatore Vinci SVinci@irena.org
Global Atlas

Largest-ever initiative to assess
renewable energy potential on a global
scale
Compiles data on high-resolution maps
67 countries contributing data (as of
January 2014)
Initially includes solar and wind data, and
will expand to cover bioenergy,
geothermal and other renewable energy
sources
Will incorporate cost data and available
infrastructure


http://globalatlas.irena.org/
Global Atlas and other
Knowledge areas
We Seek Student
Engagement in
Global Atlas
1. Global Atlas Marine Energy: Analyze maps and datasets that could bring added
value to the marine energy sector.
2. Global Atlas Infrastructure datasets: Assist in gathering datasets on roads,
transmission network, cities etc.
Other knowledge areas
1. RE Knowledge Gap Analysis: Identify key elements of information that are not
apprehended by IRENA yet.
2. Environmental Impact Assessment: Analyze and document the IRENA EIA matrix
for six resources.
3. Analyze RE myths and the dynamics for their propagation: Analyze test strategies
to access RE myths and miss concepts.
4. Analyze education gaps across the world wide and how will those needs be
fulfilled- Compare education capabilities to RE targets worldwide on a geographic
basis.

Focal Person: Nicolas Fichaux Email: NFichaux@irena.org

ADFD Fund
Commitment from United Arab Emirates of USD 350 million over
seven years as Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
concessional loans
Technical review by IRENA
Supporting innovative, replicable renewable energy projects in
developing countries
6 projects were selected for funding by ADFD from the projects
recommended by IRENA in the first cycle
The 6 projects selected were from Ecuador, Maldives, Mali,
Mauritania, Samoa, and Sierra Leone
The second cycle is currently being implemented










http://adfd.irena.org/
ADFD Fund
Short-term assignments:
1. Video production for the 2
nd
cycle projects.
2. Selection of technical experts
3. Creative development of our front end website
4. Creative development of our backend website for applicants,
experts and Committee
5. Preparation of press conference for January 2015 Assembly









Focal Person: Name and Email


















We Seek Student
Engagement in
ADFD Fund
Long-term assignments
1. Development of impact assessment framework
2. Integration of project outcomes with other IRENA activities
3. Development of alternative financial guarantee mechanisms for
developing countries to obtain financing.
4. Development of interactive Information management system to
quickly and efficiently capture project technical and commercial
information.








Focal Person: Name and Email


















We Seek Student
Engagement in
IRELP
1.
2.







Focal Person: Name and Email















Aims to develop a robust and highly skilled labor pool.
Creates awareness about skills gaps and labor shortages in the
renewable energy sector.
Raises the profile of renewable energy as an attractive career
option.
Increases awareness of, and accessibility to, renewable energy
education opportunities and resources.
Assists, where possible, in adapting education and training
structures to enable a global renewable energy transition.
http://irelp.irena.org
IRELP
Short Assignments
Gathering Data on National Training Capacities
The IRENA Renewable Energy Learning Partnership (IRELP) is currently
carrying out a statistics project in order to assess the training capacities
of the 26 countries included in IRENAs REMAP initiative. The student
shall be primarily researching within his/her own country. (Approximately
2 weeks)
Research on Higher Education and Vocational Training in
Renewable Energy
The task of the assigned Scholar would be to research education and
training currently available in their home region. There is a particular
need to populate data from Asia, Africa and South America.
(Approximately 2 weeks)
Blog Assignment on the IRENA Community
Focal Person:
Stephanie Pinnington, Email: SPinnington@irena.org








Focal Person: Name and Email














We Seek Student
Engagement in
IRELP
Short Assignments
Blog Assignment on the IRENA Community
The International Renewable Energy Agency has recently launched an
online forum called the IRENA Community. The Community provides an
open space where individuals can ask questions, share ideas and start
debate on renewable energy topics. Scholars will be requested to engage
on the Community and write a weekly blog/discussion post.
(Approximately 4 weeks)


Focal Person:
Stephanie Pinnington, Email: SPinnington@irena.org








Focal Person: Name and Email














We Seek Student
Engagement in
IRELP
Global Renewable Energy
Islands Network (GREIN)
GREIN is a platform for pooling knowledge, sharing best practices
and seeking innovative solutions for accelerated uptake of clean
and cost-effective renewable energy technologies on islands.

GREIN develops clusters of interested islands aimed at resolving
specific issues

Development of an interest cluster involves gathering interested
islands, selecting a cluster leader and preparing a work plan to
resolve common issues

Interest clusters on renewable roadmaps and grid integration
were activated at the Pacific Energy Summit in March 2013

IRELP
We Seek Student
Engagement in

Short-term assignments:

Research on renewable energy market in islands

Financial investment is essential to successful renewable energy
transition in small islands. Student is expected to research on four
aspects: political commitment, market opening, technical
planning and capacity building on selected islands. This results will
then be further processed and be written as Renewable Islands:
Setting for Success, a major IRENA publication on renewable
energy investment on islands.

Focal Person: Yao Zhao Email: yzhao@irena.org








Focal Person: Name and Email














Renewable Energy Roadmaps
REMAP 2030
http://irena.org/remap/
IRENA is the RENEWABLE ENERGY HUB for the UN Secretary-
Generals Sustainable Energy for All
(SE4ALL) initiative
Goal to increase renewables to 30% of global energy
mix by 2030

RENAs Global Renewable Energy Roadmap, REMAP 2030
Assesses implications for countries, sectors and
technologies
Evaluates impact on sustainable development,
climate change, cost, investment implications, and
policy

Grid Integration
Clean Energy Corridors

As part of IRENAs clean energy
corridor projects, IRENA has started
to implement Enabling Regulatory
Environments into regional and
national power systems.

The list of tangible projects to be
identified during the stakeholder
consultation will be prioritized and
form the Enabling Regulatory
Environment Action Plan (EREAP).





Focal Person: Name and Email








Focal Person: Name and Email














Grid Integration
We Seek Student
Engagement in

Zoning and Resource Assessment: The methodology was used
to identify developable, high resource potential renewable
energy zones for solar (both utility scale photovoltaic and
concentrated solar power) and wind technologies based on
multiple criteria.

Enabling Regulatory Environments: Analyse enabling regulatory
environments in various countries and evaluate how different
regulations can improve the integration of renewable power
sources into the power network.







Focal Person: Name and Email








Focal Person: Name and Email














RRAs
Renewable Readiness
Assessment (RRAs)
A Holistic Assessment Methodology
An RRA is a holistic assessment of conditions for renewable energy deployment in a
country, and the actions necessary to further improve these conditions. The RRA
comprises a methodology that includes developing a background report, stakeholder
workshops, completion of templates and a final report.

Implementation
Country led process executed in cooperation with IRENA.

RRA Deployment
The RRA methodology has been applied in more than 15 countries and the action
plans developed have resulted in numerous important developments.



RRAs
We Seek Student
Engagement In
RRA Initiation and Demonstration of Intent: Draft the Background
Paper

RRA Follow Up: As a follow up to the RRA, focus on priority areas
which have been identified through the RRA process and develop
detailed action plans.

RRA Process: Evaluate how effective the RRA process is in
comparison to other methodologies available for accessing the
renewable energy sector in different countries.

RRA Impact Assessment: Develop consultation







Focal Person: Name and Email








Focal Person: Name and Email














Application
31
How to Apply for IRENA
Scholarship?
Its not too LATE ! You have two additional weeks to apply for the
IRENA scholarship program. Your application should mention your
faculty at Masdar Institute and include a latest CV and a
Statement/Letter of Purpose.

The application has to be sent to Joice Priya, Academic Programs
Supervisor at Masdar Institute at jpriya@masdar.ac.ae

Students who have already applied through the Masdar
Application Process and checked the IRENA Scholarship box, do
not need to Apply Again!

The final deadline for applications is 13 September 2014.








Focal Person: Name and Email








Focal Person: Name and Email














The Selection Criteria
Criteria Weightage
Interest in renewable energy technologies and their applications.
Interest in International Development Projects in particular specific
IRENA projects
30

Strong motivation and clear approach for development of knowledge,
skills and experiences in a specific focus area
Preference to focus areas which are mutually relevant to IRENA and
Masdar
30
Academic accomplishments in terms of prior education, achievements,
certifications, GRE and TOEFL scores.
20
Diversity of background is preferred.
Relevant work experience to match interests in specific focus areas
20
A selection committee comprising three IRENA staff members shall select the scholars and
the results shall be disclosed in the first week of October 2014.
Tips
Based on the selection criteria, tailor your motivational letter to
show why you are the right candidate.

Update your CV.

IRENA offers opportunities to perform research with real
application in various regions and countries across the globe.
Additionally, IRENA offers tremendous opportunities for exhibiting
your work internationally and networking. Compel your advisors
to pursue collaborative research projects with IRENA in areas of
your interest. Start communicating with us, your advisors and keep
going.

Lastly and most importantly, BE PROACTIVE, its competitive out
there!!















Focal Person: Name and Email














Contacts
Let us help you out further

Kalle Hashmi
Email: Khashmi@irena.org

Bilal Hassan
Email: Bhassan@irena.org

Joice Priya
Email: jpriya@masdar.ac.ae


Thank you