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Overview

LEAP Energy, in collaboration with the SOLTRAIN and SUNNY projects, is organising the webinar “From Innovation to Implementation” on 29 September 2026.

The 90-minute online session will bring together researchers, project developers and implementers from Africa and Europe to explore how sustainable energy research can move beyond pilot projects towards practical, scalable and lasting solutions.

Webinar Focus

Drawing on experiences from LEAP Energy, SOLTRAIN and SUNNY, the webinar will explore:

• Translating scientific and research results into practical energy solutions
• Moving from research and demonstration to real-world deployment
• Addressing technology-adoption challenges
• Scaling demonstration projects
• Applying sustainable energy innovations across different African and European contexts

Examples will include solar thermal energy, water heating, wastewater treatment, sustainable energy solutions for refugee and host communities, solar home systems, smart solar irrigation and solar-powered cold storage.

Speakers

The webinar will be moderated by Karen Gibson, Director of So Solar and Chairperson of the Solar Industries Association of Botswana.

Speakers include representatives from:

• SOLTRAIN: Wolfgang Gruber-Glatzl (AEE Institute), Dr. Karen Surridge (SANEDI) and Ivan Yaholnitsky (Bethel Business and Community Development Centre)
• SUNNY: Prof. Boris Heinz (TU Berlin), Alain Harelimana (Solektra Rwanda) and Niena Adu-Acheampong (AKOFRESH)
• LEAP Energy: Léonard Lévêque (LGI Sustainable Innovation) and Rabia Parker (ICLEI Africa)

Who Should Attend?

The webinar is particularly relevant for:

• Sustainable energy researchers
• Project developers and implementers
• Renewable energy practitioners
• Technology and innovation organisations
• Organisations involved in research-to-market and technology deployment
• Stakeholders interested in Africa–Europe energy collaboration