Solar Energy for a Decarbonised Future - Knowledge Transfer for Environmental Education and Awareness (SolAware)

Following the liberation from ISIS, extensive reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts would be essential for numerous areas within Mosul city in Iraq. Integrating solar energy infrastructure into the reconstruction endeavours can offer a dependable and environmentally friendly energy source for residences, commercial establishments, and public facilities. This initiative helps diminish the dependence on conventional energy sources, which face disruptions or prove costly during the post-war phase. Iraq, with its sunny climate and increasing energy demands, is an ideal candidate for harnessing solar energy. However, the successful adoption of solar technology requires not only infrastructure development but also environmental education and awareness programmes.

To address these challenges, this Research Environment grant strives to foster collaboration between Teesside University (TU) in the UK and the University of Mosul (UoM) in Iraq. Together, they aim to enhance Iraq’s proficiency in solar technology. Through hands-on workshops, students will acquire practical skills to advance solar power. Joint research projects involving both UK and Iraqi researchers on the area of solar microgrids which will encourage sustained research collaboration. Novel educational materials will seamlessly incorporate solar topics into Iraqi and UK universities curricula. Outreach campaigns will raise awareness among Iraqis about the benefits of solar energy. In essence, this initiative will empower Iraqis to embrace solar solutions, offering clean electricity and supporting sustainable development. In doing so, it will strengthen research capacity in solar technology and solar microgrids and nurture impactful cooperation between the two institutions.