{"id":7234,"date":"2026-07-29T07:17:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T07:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aastu.edu.et\/research\/?page_id=7234"},"modified":"2026-07-29T08:07:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T08:07:12","slug":"sustainable-energy-center-of-excellence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aastu.edu.et\/research\/sustainable-energy-center-of-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Message from the Head of the CoE<\/h2>\n \n

It is with great pride and purpose that I welcome you to the Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence (SE, CoE)<\/strong> at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU). As one of the eight Centers of Excellence established with a national mission, our Centre stands at the forefront of Ethiopia's transition toward a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive energy future.<\/p>\n \n

The Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence is dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and capacity building across the energy value chain \u2014 from generation to efficient utilization \u2014 guided by the principles of sustainability, equity, and technological advancement.<\/p>\n \n

We aim to bridge the gap between research and practice, fostering collaboration among academia, industry, government, and development partners. Our mission is not only to generate cutting-edge knowledge but also to provide practical solutions that contribute to Ethiopia's and Africa's broader sustainable development goals.<\/p>\n \n

We believe that sustainable energy is the foundation for economic growth, environmental protection, and social progress. We are committed to nurturing skilled professionals, developing context-appropriate technologies, and influencing policy directions that ensure equitable access to clean and reliable energy.<\/p>\n \n

I warmly invite researchers, students, policy-makers, and industry leaders to engage with us in order to collaborate, innovate, and make a lasting impact. Together, we can build a sustainable energy future for Ethiopia and beyond.<\/p>\n \n

\n

Samson M. Atnaw (PhD)<\/p>\n

Head, Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\ud83d\udcde<\/span> Phone:<\/strong> +251944781495<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udce7<\/span> Email:<\/strong> se.coe@aastu.edu.et<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd<\/span> Location:<\/strong> Addis Ababa Science and Technology University<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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About the CoE<\/h1>\n \n

The Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence (SE, CoE)<\/strong> at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) serves as a national hub for interdisciplinary research, innovation, and knowledge exchange in the field of sustainable energy. Established with a mandate to support Ethiopia's energy transformation, the Centre brings together expertise from across disciplines to address the country's diverse and evolving energy challenges.<\/p>\n \n

Our research and development efforts are structured around six strategic thematic areas<\/strong> that reflect national priorities and global sustainability goals:<\/p>\n \n

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\n \ud83d\udca7<\/span>\n Hydropower<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \u2600\ufe0f<\/span>\n Solar Energy<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83c\udf3f<\/span>\n Biomass Energy<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83c\udf2c\ufe0f<\/span>\n Wind Energy<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83c\udf0b<\/span>\n Geothermal<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83d\udd0b<\/span>\n Energy Efficiency & Storage<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

With more than 100 members<\/strong>, including seasoned researchers and professionals from across AASTU, the Centre functions as a collaborative platform where science, technology, and policy intersect. This multidisciplinary team works collectively to design innovative solutions, generate evidence-based insights, and develop practical tools to enhance energy access, reliability, and sustainability.<\/p>\n \n

Beyond research, SE, CoE is deeply engaged in education, outreach, and partnership development \u2014 supporting national capacity-building efforts and promoting technology transfer. Through its initiatives, the Centre strives to strengthen the link between academic excellence and real-world impact, ensuring that knowledge generated within the university contributes directly to Ethiopia's socio-economic transformation. In addition to postgraduate program in the field of sustainable energy engineering and sciences, the center conduct short term and certification trainings tailored to specific needs of the industry.<\/p>\n \n \n

Core Values<\/h2>\n \n
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\n \ud83c\udf31<\/span>\n Sustainability<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83d\udca1<\/span>\n Innovation and Creativity<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \u26a1<\/span>\n Practical Impact<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83e\udd1d<\/span>\n Collaboration and Partnership<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

Objectives of the CoE<\/h2>\n \n
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\n \ud83d\udd2c<\/span>\n 1. Advance Applied Research and Innovation in Sustainable Energy<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83c\udfed<\/span>\n 2. Strengthen Technology Transfer and Industry Linkages<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83d\udcda<\/span>\n 3. Build Capacity and Foster Knowledge Dissemination<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

Vision of the CoE<\/h2>\n \n
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As part of the university's core mission in research, technological innovation, and industry linkage, the center envisions building the national capacity of Ethiopia to become a leader in the field of clean and sustainable energy by transforming research outputs into practical industrial solutions.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

Mission of the CoE<\/h2>\n \n
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The Centre's mission is to serve as a hub of knowledge and innovation by conducting problem-solving and cutting-edge research focused on the needs of society, adapting and transferring technologies, and supporting industries to enhance their productivity and competitiveness.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

Identified Thematic Research Areas of the CoE<\/h2>\n \n
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\n \u2600\ufe0f\ud83d\udca7<\/span>\n Solar and Hydropower Energy Integration<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83c\udf0b\ud83c\udf2c\ufe0f<\/span>\n Geothermal and Wind Energy Development<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83c\udf3f\ud83d\udd0b<\/span>\n Bioenergy, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Storage<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83c\udf0d<\/span>\n Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Climate Resilience<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83d\udcca<\/span>\n Energy Policy, Planning, and Innovation<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n
\n \ud83d\udc65<\/span>\n Sustainable Energy and Social Sciences<\/strong>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

Thematic Areas and Corresponding Thematic Chairs<\/h2>\n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
S.N<\/th>\n Thematic Area<\/th>\n Name<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
1<\/td>\n Solar Energy<\/td>\n Dr. Misrak Girma<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\n Hydropower<\/td>\n Dr. Getachew Tegegne<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\n Geothermal Energy<\/td>\n Mr. Habtamu Wagaw<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\n Wind Energy<\/td>\n Dr. Teshome Goa<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\n Biomass Energy<\/td>\n Dr. Sintayehu Mekuria<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\n Energy Efficiency and Storage<\/td>\n Dr. Aklilu Tesfamikael<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\n Energy and Environment<\/td>\n Dr. Abebe Worku<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\n Energy and Social Sciences<\/td>\n Dr. Geremew Teklu<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

Research Projects<\/h2>\n \n

A. Internally Funded Research Grants<\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Title of the Project<\/th>\n Grant Year<\/th>\n Name of PI<\/th>\n Status<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
Computational and Experimental Analysis and Performance Improvement of the Pump as a Turbine for Micro-hydropower Application<\/td>\n 2021<\/td>\n Dr. Misrak G<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Evaluation of eco-friendly options for enhancing sustainability of lake Ziway: the case of selected watershed around lake Ziway, South east Ethiopia<\/td>\n 2018<\/td>\n Mhiret Elias (MSc)<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Impact assessment of land use, land cover and climate change on watershed hydrology in rainfed regions of Ethiopia (Upper Blue Nile Basin) using Remote sensing, GIS, Hydrological, GCM models and Multivariate Statistical Techniques<\/td>\n 2019<\/td>\n Brook Abate (PhD)<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Sustainable Renewable resources Optimization in Un-electrified Region in Ethiopia<\/td>\n 2021<\/td>\n Abraham Debebe (PhD)<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Understanding the Prospects of hydropower Reservoirs System to present and future hydro-climatic variability in the Genale Dawa Basin Ethiopia<\/td>\n 2021<\/td>\n Elias Bezabeh (MSc)<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Improving the Combustion Performance of Jatropha, soybean and caster biofuels and their blends to single cylinder compression ignition engine and to the diesel<\/td>\n 2022<\/td>\n Dinku Seyoum (PhD)<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Nanostructured Semiconductor Materials for Photovoltaic and Photo\/Electrochemical catalytic renewable fuel generation: Synthesis, Characterization and device Fabrication<\/td>\n 2021<\/td>\n Getachew Adam (PhD)<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Assessment of climate change impacts on the meteorological, agricultural and hydrological extremes in the upper Blue Nile River Basin, Ethiopia<\/td>\n 2021<\/td>\n Getachew Tegegne (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Designing improved renewable energy (wind energy) integration to the grid based on power network reliability responses<\/td>\n 2022<\/td>\n Teshome Goa (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Development of Solar Box Cooker for one size family and Comparison of cooker performance, and cooking quality<\/td>\n 2022<\/td>\n Arkbom Hailu (MSc)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Evaluation of Remotely sensed Actual Evapotranspiration products for water availability Assessment in Urban-Rural Continuum Catchments: The Case of Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia<\/td>\n 2022<\/td>\n Yohannes Degu (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Design, Construction and Application of low-cost rooftop rainwater harvesting technologies for Domestic use in Ethiopia and produce a guideline document<\/td>\n 2022<\/td>\n Abebe Worku (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Soil Erosion Estimation and Risk Assessment<\/td>\n 2023<\/td>\n Israel Tessema (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Small Scale, Wind Turbine with Blended Airfoils for Horizontal Axis Rotation<\/td>\n 2023<\/td>\n Aklilu T\/michael (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Simultaneous Extraction and Transesterification reaction of no-edible oilseeds triglycerides for biodiesel production using renewable resource derived heterogeneous catalyst<\/td>\n 2023<\/td>\n Ali Shemsedin (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Mascrostachyus Biodiesel-Diesel Blend with Antioxidant on the performance and Emission Characteristics of CI Engine<\/td>\n 2024<\/td>\n Samson Mekbib (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Impact of Climate and land use\/cover change on River flow, soil Erosion and hydropower in the upper Awash Basin<\/td>\n 2025<\/td>\n Mulugeta Admas (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Wind Energy Forecasting for Uncertainty Reduction and Grid Integration using deep learning method<\/td>\n 2025<\/td>\n Milkias Berhanu (PhD)<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Development and performance analysis of top lit updraft: natural draft gasifier stoves with various feed stocks<\/td>\n \u2014<\/td>\n Arkbom Hailu<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n \n

B. Externally Funded Research Grants<\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Title of the Project<\/th>\n Grant Year and PI<\/th>\n Funding Agent<\/th>\n Status<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
Impacts of SGP supported Projects in Natural Resource Conservation and Improvements of Communities' Livelihood: The Case of Negele Arsi, Hawasa Zuria and Borecha woredas<\/td>\n 2022
Dr. Bereket Tesfaye<\/td>\n 		SGP, UNDP<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Access design and develop small wind turbine for water pump and household electrification for small community<\/td>\n 2024
Dr Milkias Berhanu<\/td>\n 		Ethiopian Water Technology Institute<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Capacity Building for Synergies, Impact Assessment, and Management of International Higher Education Cooperation Funds-IMPACT HE<\/td>\n 2024
Dr Tsedekech G\/M<\/td>\n 		EU<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Solar Jobs for Young Women: Training, Certificate and job placement for solar maintenance technicians and assistant professionals, focused on young women engineers<\/td>\n 2024
Dr. Getachew Adam<\/td>\n 		Invest for Jobs and AASTU<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Long Term Europe-Africa Partnership on Renewable Energy: Energy Village<\/td>\n 2022
Dr. Getachew Adam<\/td>\n 		EU and AASTU<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Climate cooking stove production and test<\/td>\n 2023
Dr. Yohaness Regassa<\/td>\n 		Tridalhouse<\/td>\n Completed<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n \n

C. Consultancy Services<\/h3>\n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Title of the Project<\/th>\n Grant Year<\/th>\n Client<\/th>\n Status<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study of the Abijata-Shalla Soda Ash<\/td>\n 2025<\/td>\n Abijata-Shalla Soda Ash<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Consultancy service for Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Testing of Low-Speed Weight-In-Motion System<\/td>\n 2025<\/td>\n Ethiopian Toll Roads Enterprise<\/td>\n On Progress<\/span><\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

Collaborations<\/h2>\n \n
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National<\/h3>\n