• ▸ To provide facilities and infrastructures to facilitate advanced research works in mineral exploration, extraction and processing.
• ▸ To produce high caliber MSc and PhD holders with extraordinary technical knowledge and development capabilities.
• ▸ To provide technology-based innovations for the development of new technique to speed up the exploration and mining processes.
• ▸ To promote organizational innovation involving government, industries and academia.
• ▸ To give capacity building training on proper utilization of advanced technologies (laboratory equipment, materials, software and work process) to government and private institutions.
• ▸ To provide advanced treatment methods for mine waste and tailings.
• ▸ To have better knowledge of where the most promising mineral resources are located in the country to direct mineral exploration/mining or manage land use plans and infrastructure investment.
• ▸ To undertake or manage research and development studies to improve existing processes, or to apply existing processes.
• ▸ To organize national/international workshops, conferences and seminars to link universities, research centers and industries.
• ▸ To provide quality and cost-effective consultancy service in the field of mineral exploration, mining and processing to the public to contribute for sustainable economic growth and developments.

No externally funded research grants currently available.

The consultancy work conducted by the CoE so far:

• ▸ Training on Mine Modelling for Industry (Part I, II, III) for MIDROC Staff (3-round) — Completed
• ▸ Safety Audit and Management of Lega Dembi Tailings Dam at the MIDROC Gold Mines — Completed
• ▸ Decommissioning of cyanide facilities of Lega Dembi, mine site MIDROC Gold Mines — Completed
• ▸ Environmental audit and social performance MIDROC Gold Mines — Completed
• ▸ Geoscience Research Methodology and Scientific (Research Article) Writing for Ministry of Mines — Completed

1. ITEGE Project Background

The "International Training for Ethiopian Geothermal Energy" (ITEGE) project is part of the "Academia Partnerships Africa-France" (PEA) program funded by the French Development Agency (AFD). Spanning 4.5 years, ITEGE aims to advance the development of geothermal energy in Ethiopia. The project brings together Addis-Ababa Sciences and Technology University (AASTU) for Ethiopia and CY Cergy Paris University (CYU), Sorbonne University (SU) and Lorraine University (UL) for France.

Ethiopia is crossed by the East African Rift (EAR), from the Afar (near Djibouti) to Lake Turkana (Kenya), where the continental lithosphere is thinned. The numerous faults formed during rifting allow the groundwater to circulate between the depth and the surface. This geothermal hot water, which is sometimes abundant, is a source of heat that can be used directly to heat buildings or green houses, to dry food or paper. It can also be used for aquaculture. When the water is very hot (above 150°C), the so-called high enthalpy geothermal energy is suitable for producing electricity. In all cases, this energy is considered renewable, and its exploitation allows us to fight against global warming.

The Ethiopian government is committed to developing this resource in addition to hydroelectricity, which depends on rainfall and is hence more irregular. Kenya started investing in geothermal electricity in the 80s and has since become one of the largest producers in the world. With an even greater potential than Kenya, the development of geothermal energy in Ethiopia should enhance the country's economic development.

This development requires a highly qualified workforce, both in geosciences, to understand the subsurface and identify the geothermal systems to be exploited, and in engineering, to access the underground resource through potentially deep boreholes, and to exploit it at the surface (buildings, turbines for electricity production, heat exchangers, etc). The upstream phase, known as geothermal exploration, is critical for any project development. Most of the risks being of geological nature, a thorough understanding of the geothermal system is essential to conduct a reliable economic assessment and ensure long-term sustainable exploitation.

The partnership between AASTU, CYU, SU and UL will accelerate the training and provision of graduate students in geothermal exploration for the socio-economic sector related to geothermal energy, i.e. universities, government agencies, associations and the private sector. This project is carefully designed to align with the needs of Ethiopian Geothermal sector development and is in line with the United Nations recommendations on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 13 (climate action) and 17 (partnerships for the goals).

2. Project Objective

The main goal of the partnership is to assist in the implementation of exploration geothermal energy training programs at various levels.

3. Project Implementation

• i. Introductory course to Geothermal Energy for BSc, years 3 and 4. Geothermal exploration option will be implemented as a specialization in the existing BSc in geosciences, transfer of course material completed, and additional training for Ethiopian instructors achieved. Upon completion of the PEA, the BSc teaching in AASTU will operate without the involvement of the French partners.
• ii. MSc: Exploration geothermal option in the Master's in Geosciences will be completed first. Then, the creation of a Master's degree dedicated to geothermal energy will be implemented. Eventually upon completion of the PEA, opportunities will be offered for online courses taught by French partners for specific topics, courses shared between the French university and AASTU geothermal master's programs, and even double diplomas (to be studied).
• iii. PhD: PhD programs planned as part of the PEA program will be completed. A privileged relationship will exist between doctoral schools at the end of the PEA.
• iv. Professional Continuing Education: Professional training programs (intensive and short-term) aimed at the socio-economic sector will be implemented. Several topics are needed such as geosciences fundamentals for geothermal, exploration geophysics, exploration geochemistry, geothermal systems, well drilling, geothermal reservoir characterization and flows, geothermal reservoir management, thermodynamic cycles and heat exchanges, geothermal power plants.

4. Project Partners

i. Funded by:

French Government Agencies (ANR and AFD)

ii. Implementing Universities:

5. Major Actions Planned (Work Packages)

The project will be implementing under 6 work packages (WP1-WP6). All of the packages will be implemented in integrated manner.

6. Academic Programs and Resources

• ▸ Curriculum and teaching materials (Modules) for Geothermal Energy Resources exploration, modeling and extraction — BSc, M.Sc. and Ph.D. (Under construction)
• ▸ Application and Admissions: Clear instructions, entry requirements, and links to apply will be soon available (Under construction)

7. News, Events & Resources

• ▸ Events: A calendar of upcoming workshops, symposia, or guest lectures
• ▸ Publications & Gallery: A space for academic papers, project newsletters, media, and photos of training sessions

8. Contact

Principal Investigators and Project Manager: (in AASTU and in France)

Departmental contact information at AASTU and the French partner universities.

For more information, please contact the MEEP CoE office at AASTU.