Work Plan

In order to define the most adequate strategies and determine the most cost-effective ways to improve the indoor environment quality (IEQ) and to reduce the exposure of families to poverty using sustainable energy systems, this study will seek to answer: (1) what are the different socioeconomic groups, energy sources, and building types currently used in Cabo Delgado region; (2) which are the different possible intervention strategies; and (3) how cost-effective is each intervention strategy.

To reach these goals, the project is tailored in four main stages. The initial stage characterizes the socioeconomic aspect of the target population, the built-environment with all its performance-related features, and the energy sources and usage types. This will be accomplished by carrying out statistical surveys supplemented by field surveys and inquiries. This information allows to determine which are the buildings and family aggregates that will be used as reference cases. In the second stage, in situ surveys of the reference cases’ structural and construction pathologies are performed, and their energy consumption and IEQ are monitored using sensors and data loggers to register environmental parameters in several spaces of each reference building. The collected information is then be used in the third stage to model and evaluate the reference buildings. The models are validated using the monitored data. Afterwards, different intervention strategies are studied to determine the energy benefit of every combination of renewable energy technologies (photovoltaic and solar collectors), ventilation, and use of more energy efficient domestic equipment or replace them by other with different final energy source. The benefits of each action are taken into consideration in future climate change scenarios using morphed local weather data to match IPCC projections and by evaluating the impact on the thermal comfort and on the systems performance. The economic feasibility of each intervention strategy package will be analyzed, thus allowing to select the most cost-effective ones. In the last stage, the strategies are implemented in the reference buildings and their real benefits evaluated. This information is valuable to help decision makers to tailor better policies and financial incentives that will increase the quality of life of the population.

These four stages will be carried out by a close work of the two institutions’ members. To assure high research standards, several workshops, technical training, and short courses will be carried out for the local team members. Using the knowledge transfer by the training sessions and execution of the activities, the basis for a laboratory on energy and sustainability will be established. In addition, to educate and engage the target population, dissemination and communication activities will be organized to spread the importance of sustainability and its benefits to the local development.

To accomplish the research plan and its objectives, 7 work packages (WP) were drawn to be carried out during the 36 months of the project duration.

WP1 – In Work Package 1, the target population is surveyed and characterized, in particular the different types of houses, energy sources used, and dwellers/families that may be used as case study. This includes the survey of the construction systems, dwellers conditions, occupation and usage profiles, and socioeconomic characterization of the families. An initial statistical survey is used as a basis for carrying out field surveys and inquiries to identify the reference cases to be used in the study. This WP is carried out with consultation with the Pemba Municipality (Rosário Ngomua). WP1 has the collaboration of Mozambican AKDN in Pemba (Joaquin Chale).

WP2 – Once the case studies have been identified, the monitoring of the indoor environmental quality and energy consumptions of dwellings are carried out in Work Package 2. This consists of assessing indoor air quality conditions (concentration of particulate matter, CO₂, CO, volatile organic compounds and other pollutants), thermal comfort parameters (temperature and humidity), survey of energy consumptions, and individualized monitoring of domestic equipment consumptions. Outdoor environmental climatic conditions are measured using the nearest weather stations in the region at the time of monitoring. The dwellings’ monitoring is performed using appropriate measurement equipment, metering, and/or comparing energy bills. This allows the evaluation and characterization of dwellings in terms of air quality and energy, in order to define the basis for the problem under analysis. In addition, construction and structural surveys are carried out to determine if any existing pathologies do not undercut the energy and thermal performance of the buildings. All data are recorded in a database. In the absence of national regulation on data protection of the households to be studied, European data protection regulation are adopted.

WP3 – In Work Package 3, technological and economic feasibility studies are carried out according to the general characterization of the dwellings, focusing on solutions for thermal and photovoltaic energy generation, ventilation, replacement of domestic equipment, and adjustment of consumption profiles. For this purpose, different scenarios are modeled and different measures are evaluated using dynamic simulation, according to the climate change forecasts for the next 30 years. The economic viability of each scenario is assessed, so that the resulting improvement strategies can be benchmarked according to their possible implementation.

WP4 – In Work Package 4 and once the most promising intervention strategies for improving people’s quality of life have been identified, these are implemented and operationalized in the case studies. Operational strategies are monitored to determine the effective impacts on the families’ quality of life, in the environment, energy and economic components. Comparative assessments of the impacts and benefits to these families’ quality of life, energy autonomy and poverty risks reduction are reported. Consequently, the best results are then extrapolated to housing settlements in Cabo Delgado region, in order to extend and analyze the positive impacts of the project in a more general level. Results are discussed and shared with the Provincial Directorate of Mineral Resources and Energy (consulting Tiago Parela). In parallel, pedagogical actions on energy and environmental sustainability are carried out for the target families of the implemented strategies, thus also promoting the increase of their educational level.

WP5 and WP6 – Throughout the project Work Package 5 takes place, which comprises the strengthening of the research capability of local academic institutions and promoting their role as agents of progress in society. To this end, in addition to the direct intervention of these institutions in WP1 to WP4, with the respective increase of technical and scientific knowledge, various training activities, short courses, workshops, networking and lectures are held. The scientific and technical training of the Lúrio University staff and the purchase of scientific equipment are the basis for creating a laboratory on energy and sustainability in the university. At the same time, Work Package 6 takes place in which the project results are disclosed and disseminated at international conferences and scientific journals.

WP7 – Work Package 7 includes the project management and coordination tasks, as well as the definition of the data management plan (DMP). The DMP defines how the information is stored, in which format type, how data is accessible, who is responsible for storing and sharing it, which information could be made public and the duration of the embargo when applicable.