MenuSiNERGi [s iːn ɛ ʀ ɡ iː] offers advice in the fields of energy, climate, and development. We operate internationally and follow a transdisciplinary approach: we create synergies and enable innovation through combining different topics and perspectives.
Since its origins in 2007, SiNERGi has established a reputation as a reliable partner. We welcome the opportunity to continue working with you at this trendsetting nexus in the future. Our realistic and implementation-oriented advice is based on hands-on experiences in the management of international cooperation projects, and our practical research experience ensures that our services comply with scientific standards.
Services
Please find below a short overview of the services we offer, along with a summary of our technical and methodical expertise. You can find examples of our work in the “references” section.
Services
- Advice & support for your projects, ranging from demand assessment and planning, via implementation and impact-oriented M&E, to project and impact evaluations
- Analyses, strategy development and supporting scientific research
- Designing and conducting workshops and trainings
Technical expertise
- Climate politics, market mechanisms, and emissions trading
- Energy transition and grid-integration of renewable energies
- Dezentralized and off-grid energy supply
- Regulation, support policies, and financing mechanisms
- Business models and plans
- Country focus on China
Methodical expertise
- Process faciliation for learning and change management
- Theory-based and counterfactual evaluation methods
- Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses
- Technical assessment and energy accounting
- Economical, financial and cost-benefit analyses
Team
Dr. Miriam Schröder
Miriam co-founded SiNERGi, and is a managing director. With 16 years’ experience, she has developed a solid track record in advising clients on energy and climate issues. At this nexus, she works on market mechanisms and results-based financing, renewable energy deployment policies and financing models, and off-grid energy access. Her consultancy work is well grounded in hands-on implementation experience gained from 2 years of co-managing the Energising Development Project for the promotion of mini-grids and solar home systems in Rwanda.
Miriam complements her technical expertise on renewable energies with a sound toolbox of social science evaluation design and data analysis methodologies. She wrote her PhD thesis on "Evaluating the effectiveness of provincial CDM centres in China – lessons learned for capacity development", holds a master’s degree in political science, and graduated from the Centre for Rural Development (SLE).
Miriam is passionate about life-long learning, and embraces the challenge of acquainting herself with new topics in a short period of time. She enjoys training and moderating, and has lectured at several universities, such as the New York University in Berlin. In addition to publishing extensively in her own right (view publications), Miriam serves as a reviewer for a number of journals, including Applied Energy, Climate Policy, and Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China.
Miriam speaks English, French, Chinese and German.
Email:
Dr.-Ing. Mirco Gaul
Mirco is also a co-founder and director of SiNERGi. As an energy and process engineer with a focus on renewable energies, he has 16 years’ experience of advising on energy issues in the context of international development cooperation. At the nexus of energy and development, he advises on the implementation of energy programmes, the design of conducive regulatory and policy framework conditions, the development of business models, and energy investment projects.
Mirco enjoys working in different roles and assignments, whether as manager, team leader, consultant, or colleague. He likes both working with people and number-crunching for technical or economical assessments. He has followed the technical and political debate on the evolution of renewable energies for the last two decades, and has acquired ample technical and economical expertise. His methodical skills cover technical analysis, economical assessment, market & policy studies, and strategy development, as well as monitoring and impact evaluation.
Mirco completed his PhD on comparative energy and cost analysis of energy services at the TU-Berlin, where he also received his master (Dipl.-Ing.) in energy and industrial engineering. He has completed a post-graduate programme on international development at the Centre for Rural Development (SLE, HU-Berlin). Mirco is a reviewer for journals such as Regional Environmental Change, Energy for Sustainable Development and Journal for Sustainable Development, and publishes in his field of expertise (view publications by Mirco).
Mirco works in German and English and understands Spanish.
Email:
Maurice Kayisire
Maurice Kayisire has more than 10 years of experience in supporting private-sector led electrification in Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Hydropower Engineering. He possesses sound experience in both on and off-grid rural electrification and in the development of small hydropower projects. Maurice has for several years managed a construction company working mainly on electrification projects and has advised companies in the development of energy projects.
He is well familiar with EnDev Rwanda’s approach of results-based financing for solar off-grid solutions and mini-grids. Being an entrepreneur himself and having worked for several private sector companies before, Maurice has a good understanding of business’ needs and is passionate about the promotion of private sector led energy markets in Africa. Maurice works in French and English and speaks German, Chinese, Swahili and Kinyarwanda.
Email:
Annika Tillmans
Annika is an environmental psychologist with 7 years of research and international work experience in off-grid renewable energy technologies. She has conducted research on how stakeholders communicate knowledge in the implementation processes of solar home systems. Annika managed a distribution company for pico solar systems in Uganda, and worked for fosera Solarsystems, who manufacture pico solar technology.
Annika has comprehensive experience in data collection through interviews and questionnaires, qualitative and quantitative research, and data analysis. Her interests focus on the perspectives of end users, on challenges for small and medium sized enterprises in the solar markets of developing countries, and on the barriers to dissemination which can be induced by too much or too little political regulation.
Email:
Martin Seißler
Martin co-founded SiNERGi in 2007 and was managing director until January 2015. During his time with SiNERGi, Martin advised clients on energy and climate issues, focussing on renewable energy deployment policies and financing and business models.
In 2013 Martin founded Velogista, Germany‘s first cycle logistics operations startup using electric heavy load cargo bikes for inner city sustainable logistics. Martin served as Velogista‘s managing director until the end of 2018: he developed the business model, build and led the team and oversaw operations.
Martin has gained a thorough understanding on the foundations needed for deploying sustainable city logistics and passenger transportation. At the national and international policy level, he promotes the idea of sustainable city logistics. He is also co-founder and expert board member of the German Cycle Logistics Federation (RLVD). As a consultant he advises municipalities, companies and institutions on the topics of setting up sustainable fleets, switching fleets to cargo bikes and integrating cargo bikes into operational processes.
Martin holds a Diploma as a Business Sinologist (2003) and is a Certified Financial Manager (2012). Martin works in German and English and speaks Chinese and French.
Dr. Gerrit Hansen
Gerrit is a researcher, political advisor and independent consultant with over 10 years experience working on climate policy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, attribution of climate impacts, green finance and renewable energy technologies. She holds a doctorate from Wageningen University, a diploma in Environmental Engineering from the TU-Berlin, a MSc in Global Change Management from the HNEE, and has published extensively in high ranking journals.
Gerrit specializes in science-based policy advice and has ample experience in project management, developing political strategy in both international and local contexts, and in facilitating and moderating workshops and panels. Gerrit is also a certified conflict mediator. Former employers and clients include research institutes, UN organizations, government agencies, think tanks and NGOs. Her current main affiliation is with the German IPCC Coordination Office and she is also a guest scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
Gerrit works in English and German, speaks Spanish, understands French and Norwegian.
You can contact Gerrit via her personal website www.gerrit-hansen.net.
References
We work for a variety of clients from governments, public and non-public implementing organisations, the private sector, research institutes and universities. Major clients include World Bank Group, KfW Development Bank, GIZ, GFA, BMU, and BMWi.
We deliver our products in German or English. For our research, we also use Chinese, French and Spanish.
The following selected references are categorised according to our offered services, technical expertise and methodical expertise.
Services
Advisory services along the project cycle
Development and implementation of an impact-oriented monitoring system for a rural electrification programme in the West Nile region of Uganda. Publication of the monitoring design (impact hypotheses, data collection with control groups) in 2012: Tracing the Impacts of Rural Electrification in West Nile, Uganda - A Framework and Toolbox for Monitoring and Evaluation. Baseline survey in 2013 and three monitoring surveys in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Quantitative data was collected from national institutions and by a field survey for which 55 local enumerators conduct 2,500 interviews with households, schools, businesses, and health centres using structured questionnaires and a double-difference approach. Complementary qualitative interviews and workshops. Since 2017 surveys are conducted by using tablets for the quantitative interviews. In cooperation with comit GmbH.
Client: Ministry of Energy, Uganda / KfW Year: 2011 - 2019
Miriam Schröder and Mirco Gaul were seconded to GIZ as project managers for the Energising Development (EnDev) programme in Rwanda. They supervised the implementation of three components which supported private sector investment in (1) On-grid hydropower generation with installed capacity of 100-1,500 kW; (2) Results-based financing (RBF) for solar and hydro mini-grids of 5-100 kW; and (3) Results-based financing for solar companies investing in rural retail and after-sales service. The management team was responsible for achieving targets, managing a team of 5 staff plus international and national consultants, and administrating a 10 million Euro budget. The assignment required close cooperation with government partners, development partners, and the private sector for negotiating solutions on policies and financing options for energy investment projects.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014-2016
SiNERGi has supported the International Climate Initiative since 2009 with desk-top appraisals of more than 100 project ideas and proposals and with about 80 final desk-top evaluations.
Client: GIZ Years: 2009-2016
SiNERGi supported the development of three full project proposals in Kenya and Nepal for the 2nd call of the EnDev RBF facility, funded by DfID. In Kenya, GIZ worked towards creating a market for private sector operated mini-grids. In Nepal, Practical Action targeted the development of a sustainable market for hoodstoves, while SNV proposed the development of a combined commercial PV and stove supply chain.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014
SiNERGi advised country managers from GIZ, SNV, and Practical Action within the Energising Development (EnDev) programme on developing project concept notes for the 1st and 2nd tranche (2012 and 2013) of a results-based financing (RBF) facility, funded by DFID. This also involved Mirco Gaul and Miriam Schroeder providing analytical and conceptional feedback on project notes from GIZ country offices in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Kenya, Indonesia, Nepal, Rwanda, Uganda, and Vietnam.
Client: GIZ Year: 2012/2013
SiNERGi supported a project progress review for the second phase of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP). Deliverables included a mission report and a programme proposal for the new phase, and were based on a review of project documentation, field visits, and stakeholder interviews.
Client: GIZ Year: 2013
On GIZ’s behalf, Mirco Gaul led a planning mission which used a results-based approach to develop a project proposal for the Indonesian Energising Development country office to support the private sector development of micro hydro power in Indonesia. The proposal was developed for the Energising Development Results-Based Financing (EnDev RBF) facility.
Client: GIZ Year: 2012
Supporting the mid-term evaluation of projects such as energy-efficient stoves, solar home systems, micro-hydro power, and the productive use of energy (e.g. solar drying of coffee and cacao) which promote rural energy services, and recommending improvements to such projects, in Nicaragua (2007) and Honduras (2007 & 2008).
Client: GIZ Year: 2007/2008
Evaluation of six CDM projects in China via interviews with project developers.
Client: carbon market company Year: 2008
Supporting the preparation of a project promoting micro-hydro power in the context of the multi-donor Program Energising Development. This included two short-term consulting assignments in Jakarta and Bandung, analysing the local environment and conducting stakeholder interviews to identify objectives, strategies and partners.
Client: GIZ Year: 2009
Analysis and strategy development
SiNERGi compiled a comprehensive reader on energy access for the Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation, on behalf of KfW, which provides an overview of literature on the topics of technologies & costs, productive use, business models, project financing, and impact monitoring.
Client: KfW Year: 2014
Survey on opportunities to protect the climate, mitigate CO2, and sequest carbon in the areas of land-use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). The report assessed possible measures regarding their CO2-mitigation potentials, costs, methodological challenges, and potential impacts on sustainable development. Incorporating the national and international debate on LULUCF, the report recommends political measures to the German parliament for an integrated and long-term approach to mitigating CO2 in the land-use and forestry sector.
Client: Büro für Technikfolgenabschätzung des Deutschen Bundestages (tab) Year: 2010
SiNERGi conducted a study on developing the small hydro-power (SHP) sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project included expert interviews, field visits, and desk-top reviews on regulatory challenges for SHP sector development in seven countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa). This project was conducted in cooperation with a freelance consultant. The final report is available on the GIZ website.
Client: GIZ Year: 2010
SiNERGi authored two overview studies on subsidy schemes currently used by Energising Development (EnDev) and comparable programmes to disseminate solar home systems and improved stoves (link to publication). Case studies from 12 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Honduras, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uganda) were presented and analysed.
Client: GIZ Year: 2008
The SiNERGi team wrote and updated various country studies (Dena-Länderprofile) on renewable energy markets which analysed the energy market and support policies and provided an overview of all relevant activities in the fields of wind energy, solar thermal energy, photovoltaics, biomass, biogas, biofuels, geothermal energy, and hydro power. The Renewable Energy Export offers these market analyses to small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them gain access to new countries.
Client: dena Year: 2007 - 2009
SiNERGi conducted an extensive market analysis of the biofuel sector in twelve countries (including Germany, China, India, Japan, USA, and Brazil) which, among other things, looked at supporting policies, production volumes, and emerging market trends to assess whether companies in the biofuel sector were interested in engaging in developing countries, and evaluate their current activities in that direction. Data was gathered through 65 interviews and a document research, and the country-specific market analyses were complemented by an assessment of the global commodity exchange for ethanol, biodiesel and plant oils.
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
SiNERGi conducted a needs assessment for the transfer of renewable energy technologies among companies and market organisations in three African countries (Rwanda, Uganda, and Ethiopia) and three Asian countries (Pakistan, Vietnam, and Afghanistan). The objective of the assessment was to identify existing barriers to technology transfer, and to discuss possible measures to support an improved technology transfer with key actors in the field. The focus was on how to facilitate information- and knowledge-transfer, for which SiNERGi developed suggestions for a web-based Interface for Renewable Energy Technology Exchange (RETEX).
Client: GIZ Year: 2008
Interview-based market study on “The development of a market for biofuels in China in partnership with German industry – interests, opportunities, and risks”
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
Report on the statistical coverage of heat supplies from renewable energy sources in Germany as a contribution to the EU project "Thermal Energy from Renewables - References and Assessment" (EIE-ThERRA).
Client: Berliner Energieagentur Year: 2007
SiNERGi supported the IFC Lighting Myanmar programme in designing a pilot project for results-based-financing (RBF) for solar products. Based on an assessment of Myanmar’s regulatory and policy framework, the maturity of its solar market, and the financing sector, key market barriers were identified and addressed with a results based subsidy mechanism. Outputs include an operations manual detailing processes and procedures and a package of templates and worktools for project implementation.
Client: World Bank Group Year: 2017 - 2020
Trainings and events
SiNERGi conducted trainings on emissions trading for participants from developing countries and emerging economies in Beijing, Madrid, Costa Rica and Dublin. The trainings, which lasted two weeks, were conducted on behalf of GIZ and in cooperation with Ecologic within the framework of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and funded by the European Commission. They offered an introduction to the economics of emissions trading and an overview of existing emissions trading schemes, and discussed crucial design elements of a trading scheme in-depth.
Client: GIZ/European Commission Year: 2011 - 2012
SiNERGi organised an information event for small- and medium-sized German companies on “Geothermal Energy in Indonesia” as part of the German Ministry of Economics and Technology’s Export Initiative for Renewable Energies. The event was organised in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and the German Geothermal Association.
Client: Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi) Year: 2012
The SiNERGi team offered advice to business customers visiting the “German Industry Booth” at international trade fairs in countries including France, USA and Thailand on all questions related to renewable energy technologies and policies, and at each fair moderated an event on either “Renewables made in Germany” or “Energy Efficiency made in Germany”. The booth was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Client: BMWi/BAFA Year: 2009 - 2011
Representatives of Indonesian companies were invited to take part in a round trip to Germany to get first-hand information on German technologies, have direct contact with German business partners, visit sites of interest, and discuss the challenges of implementing biomass & biogas projects.
Client: German Trade and Invest (GTAI) Year: 2011
Presenting and moderating a group exercise as part of a training programme for German project managers entitled “Renewable energy support policies in developing countries”.
Client: RENAC Year: 2009
SiNERGi supported the visit of a Chinese delegation to Germany by organising and leading their three-day business trip to observe examples of good practice on how to use energy efficiency measures and renewable energies to achieve low-carbon production processes in business and industrial parks.
Client: Implementing organisation Year: 2009
SiNERGi developed and taught a module on international climate politics at the Centre for Rural Development, Humboldt University, Berlin.
Client: SLE Year: 2011
On behalf of the Renewable Energies Export Initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), SiNERGi organised a fact-finding mission to Croatia for small- and medium-sized German companies.
Client: Energiewächter Year: 2011
Technical expertise
Climate politics, market mechanisms and emissions trading
SiNERGi conducted trainings on emissions trading for participants from developing countries and emerging economies in Beijing, Madrid, Costa Rica and Dublin. The trainings, which lasted two weeks, were conducted on behalf of GIZ and in cooperation with Ecologic within the framework of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and funded by the European Commission. They offered an introduction to the economics of emissions trading and an overview of existing emissions trading schemes, and discussed crucial design elements of a trading scheme in-depth.
Client: GIZ/European Commission Year: 2011 - 2012
In cooperation with GFA and a freelance consultant, SiNERGi forms the Evaluation management team of the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Ministry of the Environment. Tasks include providing methodological advice on aspects such as developing an homogenous approach for IKI project evaluations, conducting yearly cluster analyses, and giving methodological guidance for up to six impact evaluations.
Client: GFA/Federal Ministry of the Environment (BMU) Year: 2017 - 2021
SiNERGi has supported the International Climate Initiative since 2009 with desk-top appraisals of more than 100 project ideas and proposals and with about 80 final desk-top evaluations.
Client: GIZ Years: 2009-2016
Survey on opportunities to protect the climate, mitigate CO2, and sequest carbon in the areas of land-use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). The report assessed possible measures regarding their CO2-mitigation potentials, costs, methodological challenges, and potential impacts on sustainable development. Incorporating the national and international debate on LULUCF, the report recommends political measures to the German parliament for an integrated and long-term approach to mitigating CO2 in the land-use and forestry sector.
Client: Büro für Technikfolgenabschätzung des Deutschen Bundestages (tab) Year: 2010
Evaluation of six CDM projects in China via interviews with project developers.
Client: carbon market company Year: 2008
SiNERGi developed and taught a module on international climate politics at the Centre for Rural Development, Humboldt University, Berlin.
Client: SLE Year: 2011
SiNERGi provided support to a consultancy firm which assessed the consistency by which rules for calculating China’s emission factors for CDM projects are applied.
Client: European consulting year: 2011
SiNERGi conducted an analysis of CO2 labelling programmes for car fuel economy standards in India, South Korea, and China for a German consultancy.
Client: Ecologic Year: 2011
Energy transition and renewable energies
The SiNERGi team offered advice to business customers visiting the “German Industry Booth” at international trade fairs in countries including France, USA and Thailand on all questions related to renewable energy technologies and policies, and at each fair moderated an event on either “Renewables made in Germany” or “Energy Efficiency made in Germany”. The booth was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Client: BMWi/BAFA Year: 2009 - 2011
Representatives of Indonesian companies were invited to take part in a round trip to Germany to get first-hand information on German technologies, have direct contact with German business partners, visit sites of interest, and discuss the challenges of implementing biomass & biogas projects.
Client: German Trade and Invest (GTAI) Year: 2011
Presenting and moderating a group exercise as part of a training programme for German project managers entitled “Renewable energy support policies in developing countries”.
Client: RENAC Year: 2009
SiNERGi supported the visit of a Chinese delegation to Germany by organising and leading their three-day business trip to observe examples of good practice on how to use energy efficiency measures and renewable energies to achieve low-carbon production processes in business and industrial parks.
Client: Implementing organisation Year: 2009
The SiNERGi team wrote and updated various country studies (Dena-Länderprofile) on renewable energy markets which analysed the energy market and support policies and provided an overview of all relevant activities in the fields of wind energy, solar thermal energy, photovoltaics, biomass, biogas, biofuels, geothermal energy, and hydro power. The Renewable Energy Export offers these market analyses to small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them gain access to new countries.
Client: dena Year: 2007 - 2009
SiNERGi supported a German company in its application for the “Solar Rooftop Programme”, through which the German Energy Agency offers funding for the installation of solar thermal or photovoltaic panels on buildings such as Embassies which represent Germany abroad.
Client: German solar company Year: 2008
SiNERGi conducted an extensive market analysis of the biofuel sector in twelve countries (including Germany, China, India, Japan, USA, and Brazil) which, among other things, looked at supporting policies, production volumes, and emerging market trends to assess whether companies in the biofuel sector were interested in engaging in developing countries, and evaluate their current activities in that direction. Data was gathered through 65 interviews and a document research, and the country-specific market analyses were complemented by an assessment of the global commodity exchange for ethanol, biodiesel and plant oils.
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
SiNERGi conducted a needs assessment for the transfer of renewable energy technologies among companies and market organisations in three African countries (Rwanda, Uganda, and Ethiopia) and three Asian countries (Pakistan, Vietnam, and Afghanistan). The objective of the assessment was to identify existing barriers to technology transfer, and to discuss possible measures to support an improved technology transfer with key actors in the field. The focus was on how to facilitate information- and knowledge-transfer, for which SiNERGi developed suggestions for a web-based Interface for Renewable Energy Technology Exchange (RETEX).
Client: GIZ Year: 2008
Interview-based market study on “The development of a market for biofuels in China in partnership with German industry – interests, opportunities, and risks”
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
Report on the statistical coverage of heat supplies from renewable energy sources in Germany as a contribution to the EU project "Thermal Energy from Renewables - References and Assessment" (EIE-ThERRA).
Client: Berliner Energieagentur Year: 2007
Decentralised and off-grid energy supply
SiNERGi compiled a comprehensive reader on energy access for the Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation, on behalf of KfW, which provides an overview of literature on the topics of technologies & costs, productive use, business models, project financing, and impact monitoring.
Client: KfW Year: 2014
Development and implementation of an impact-oriented monitoring system for a rural electrification programme in the West Nile region of Uganda. Publication of the monitoring design (impact hypotheses, data collection with control groups) in 2012: Tracing the Impacts of Rural Electrification in West Nile, Uganda - A Framework and Toolbox for Monitoring and Evaluation. Baseline survey in 2013 and three monitoring surveys in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Quantitative data was collected from national institutions and by a field survey for which 55 local enumerators conduct 2,500 interviews with households, schools, businesses, and health centres using structured questionnaires and a double-difference approach. Complementary qualitative interviews and workshops. Since 2017 surveys are conducted by using tablets for the quantitative interviews. In cooperation with comit GmbH.
Client: Ministry of Energy, Uganda / KfW Year: 2011 - 2019
Miriam Schröder and Mirco Gaul were seconded to GIZ as project managers for the Energising Development (EnDev) programme in Rwanda. They supervised the implementation of three components which supported private sector investment in (1) On-grid hydropower generation with installed capacity of 100-1,500 kW; (2) Results-based financing (RBF) for solar and hydro mini-grids of 5-100 kW; and (3) Results-based financing for solar companies investing in rural retail and after-sales service. The management team was responsible for achieving targets, managing a team of 5 staff plus international and national consultants, and administrating a 10 million Euro budget. The assignment required close cooperation with government partners, development partners, and the private sector for negotiating solutions on policies and financing options for energy investment projects.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014-2016
On GIZ’s behalf, Mirco Gaul led a planning mission which used a results-based approach to develop a project proposal for the Indonesian Energising Development country office to support the private sector development of micro hydro power in Indonesia. The proposal was developed for the Energising Development Results-Based Financing (EnDev RBF) facility.
Client: GIZ Year: 2012
SiNERGi conducted a study on developing the small hydro-power (SHP) sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project included expert interviews, field visits, and desk-top reviews on regulatory challenges for SHP sector development in seven countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa). This project was conducted in cooperation with a freelance consultant. The final report is available on the GIZ website.
Client: GIZ Year: 2010
SiNERGi authored two overview studies on subsidy schemes currently used by Energising Development (EnDev) and comparable programmes to disseminate solar home systems and improved stoves (link to publication). Case studies from 12 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Honduras, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uganda) were presented and analysed.
Client: GIZ Year: 2008
SiNERGi supported the IFC Lighting Myanmar programme in designing a pilot project for results-based-financing (RBF) for solar products. Based on an assessment of Myanmar’s regulatory and policy framework, the maturity of its solar market, and the financing sector, key market barriers were identified and addressed with a results based subsidy mechanism. Outputs include an operations manual detailing processes and procedures and a package of templates and worktools for project implementation.
Client: World Bank Group Year: 2017 - 2020
SiNERGi supported EnDev management in streamlining 27 EnDev country project reviews and in assessing the country projects' performance and their potentialf or future funding decisions by EnDev's governing board.
Client: GIZ Year: 2018
SiNERGi reviewed the economic rational and the strategic orientation of 17 full proposals submitted by EnDev country projects for the 2019 programming cycle.
Client: GIZ Year: 2019
SiNERGi supported GIZ in developing two proposal to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for two country-level interventions of the Green People's Energy for Africa programme in Benin and Cote d'Ivoire.
Client: GIZ Year: 2019
Regulation, support policies and financing mechanisms
SiNERGi compiled a comprehensive reader on energy access for the Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation, on behalf of KfW, which provides an overview of literature on the topics of technologies & costs, productive use, business models, project financing, and impact monitoring.
Client: KfW Year: 2014
Miriam Schröder and Mirco Gaul were seconded to GIZ as project managers for the Energising Development (EnDev) programme in Rwanda. They supervised the implementation of three components which supported private sector investment in (1) On-grid hydropower generation with installed capacity of 100-1,500 kW; (2) Results-based financing (RBF) for solar and hydro mini-grids of 5-100 kW; and (3) Results-based financing for solar companies investing in rural retail and after-sales service. The management team was responsible for achieving targets, managing a team of 5 staff plus international and national consultants, and administrating a 10 million Euro budget. The assignment required close cooperation with government partners, development partners, and the private sector for negotiating solutions on policies and financing options for energy investment projects.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014-2016
SiNERGi authored two overview studies on subsidy schemes currently used by Energising Development (EnDev) and comparable programmes to disseminate solar home systems and improved stoves (link to publication). Case studies from 12 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Honduras, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uganda) were presented and analysed.
Client: GIZ Year: 2008
The SiNERGi team wrote and updated various country studies (Dena-Länderprofile) on renewable energy markets which analysed the energy market and support policies and provided an overview of all relevant activities in the fields of wind energy, solar thermal energy, photovoltaics, biomass, biogas, biofuels, geothermal energy, and hydro power. The Renewable Energy Export offers these market analyses to small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them gain access to new countries.
Client: dena Year: 2007 - 2009
SiNERGi conducted an extensive market analysis of the biofuel sector in twelve countries (including Germany, China, India, Japan, USA, and Brazil) which, among other things, looked at supporting policies, production volumes, and emerging market trends to assess whether companies in the biofuel sector were interested in engaging in developing countries, and evaluate their current activities in that direction. Data was gathered through 65 interviews and a document research, and the country-specific market analyses were complemented by an assessment of the global commodity exchange for ethanol, biodiesel and plant oils.
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
SiNERGi conducted an analysis of CO2 labelling programmes for car fuel economy standards in India, South Korea, and China for a German consultancy.
Client: Ecologic Year: 2011
SiNERGi compiled a report on China’s energy market for a European consulting company. The report describes the composition of the Chinese market for renewable and conventional energy, analyses support policies, and highlights trends within the Chinese labour market in the energy sector.
Client: European consulting Year: 2011
SiNERGi supported the IFC Lighting Myanmar programme in designing a pilot project for results-based-financing (RBF) for solar products. Based on an assessment of Myanmar’s regulatory and policy framework, the maturity of its solar market, and the financing sector, key market barriers were identified and addressed with a results based subsidy mechanism. Outputs include an operations manual detailing processes and procedures and a package of templates and worktools for project implementation.
Client: World Bank Group Year: 2017 - 2020
SiNERGi supported GIZ in developing the proposal to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on a project for improved energy efficiency in the steel and paper sector in India.
Client: GIZ Year: 2019
Business models and plans
Miriam Schröder and Mirco Gaul were seconded to GIZ as project managers for the Energising Development (EnDev) programme in Rwanda. They supervised the implementation of three components which supported private sector investment in (1) On-grid hydropower generation with installed capacity of 100-1,500 kW; (2) Results-based financing (RBF) for solar and hydro mini-grids of 5-100 kW; and (3) Results-based financing for solar companies investing in rural retail and after-sales service. The management team was responsible for achieving targets, managing a team of 5 staff plus international and national consultants, and administrating a 10 million Euro budget. The assignment required close cooperation with government partners, development partners, and the private sector for negotiating solutions on policies and financing options for energy investment projects.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014-2016
The SiNERGi team offered advice to business customers visiting the “German Industry Booth” at international trade fairs in countries including France, USA and Thailand on all questions related to renewable energy technologies and policies, and at each fair moderated an event on either “Renewables made in Germany” or “Energy Efficiency made in Germany”. The booth was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Client: BMWi/BAFA Year: 2009 - 2011
Representatives of Indonesian companies were invited to take part in a round trip to Germany to get first-hand information on German technologies, have direct contact with German business partners, visit sites of interest, and discuss the challenges of implementing biomass & biogas projects.
Client: German Trade and Invest (GTAI) Year: 2011
SiNERGi supported the visit of a Chinese delegation to Germany by organising and leading their three-day business trip to observe examples of good practice on how to use energy efficiency measures and renewable energies to achieve low-carbon production processes in business and industrial parks.
Client: Implementing organisation Year: 2009
SiNERGi supported a German company in its application for the “Solar Rooftop Programme”, through which the German Energy Agency offers funding for the installation of solar thermal or photovoltaic panels on buildings such as Embassies which represent Germany abroad.
Client: German solar company Year: 2008
Interview-based market study on “The development of a market for biofuels in China in partnership with German industry – interests, opportunities, and risks”
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
SiNERGi acted as an ‘International Short-Term Expert’ in the business development section of a “MED-ENC” Project for EUROPEAID (Project on Energy Efficiency in the Construction Sector in the Southern Mediterranean region). SiNERGi evaluated the effect of services that had been offered to improve the energy efficiency of companies in the MEDA region. This project, which started in January 2006, operates in ten MEDA countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey), and focusses on increasing the application of energy efficiency measures and developing solar energy in the construction sector.
Client: Ecofys Year: 2008 - 2009
Country focus China
SiNERGi conducted trainings on emissions trading for participants from developing countries and emerging economies in Beijing, Madrid, Costa Rica and Dublin. The trainings, which lasted two weeks, were conducted on behalf of GIZ and in cooperation with Ecologic within the framework of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and funded by the European Commission. They offered an introduction to the economics of emissions trading and an overview of existing emissions trading schemes, and discussed crucial design elements of a trading scheme in-depth.
Client: GIZ/European Commission Year: 2011 - 2012
The SiNERGi team offered advice to business customers visiting the “German Industry Booth” at international trade fairs in countries including France, USA and Thailand on all questions related to renewable energy technologies and policies, and at each fair moderated an event on either “Renewables made in Germany” or “Energy Efficiency made in Germany”. The booth was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Client: BMWi/BAFA Year: 2009 - 2011
SiNERGi supported the visit of a Chinese delegation to Germany by organising and leading their three-day business trip to observe examples of good practice on how to use energy efficiency measures and renewable energies to achieve low-carbon production processes in business and industrial parks.
Client: Implementing organisation Year: 2009
Evaluation of six CDM projects in China via interviews with project developers.
Client: carbon market company Year: 2008
The SiNERGi team wrote and updated various country studies (Dena-Länderprofile) on renewable energy markets which analysed the energy market and support policies and provided an overview of all relevant activities in the fields of wind energy, solar thermal energy, photovoltaics, biomass, biogas, biofuels, geothermal energy, and hydro power. The Renewable Energy Export offers these market analyses to small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them gain access to new countries.
Client: dena Year: 2007 - 2009
SiNERGi provided support to a consultancy firm which assessed the consistency by which rules for calculating China’s emission factors for CDM projects are applied.
Client: European consulting year: 2011
Interview-based market study on “The development of a market for biofuels in China in partnership with German industry – interests, opportunities, and risks”
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
SiNERGi conducted an analysis of CO2 labelling programmes for car fuel economy standards in India, South Korea, and China for a German consultancy.
Client: Ecologic Year: 2011
SiNERGi compiled a report on China’s energy market for a European consulting company. The report describes the composition of the Chinese market for renewable and conventional energy, analyses support policies, and highlights trends within the Chinese labour market in the energy sector.
Client: European consulting Year: 2011
Methodical expertise
Monitoring and evaluation
In cooperation with GFA and a freelance consultant, SiNERGi forms the Evaluation management team of the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Ministry of the Environment. Tasks include providing methodological advice on aspects such as developing an homogenous approach for IKI project evaluations, conducting yearly cluster analyses, and giving methodological guidance for up to six impact evaluations.
Client: GFA/Federal Ministry of the Environment (BMU) Year: 2017 - 2021
Development and implementation of an impact-oriented monitoring system for a rural electrification programme in the West Nile region of Uganda. Publication of the monitoring design (impact hypotheses, data collection with control groups) in 2012: Tracing the Impacts of Rural Electrification in West Nile, Uganda - A Framework and Toolbox for Monitoring and Evaluation. Baseline survey in 2013 and three monitoring surveys in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Quantitative data was collected from national institutions and by a field survey for which 55 local enumerators conduct 2,500 interviews with households, schools, businesses, and health centres using structured questionnaires and a double-difference approach. Complementary qualitative interviews and workshops. Since 2017 surveys are conducted by using tablets for the quantitative interviews. In cooperation with comit GmbH.
Client: Ministry of Energy, Uganda / KfW Year: 2011 - 2019
Miriam Schröder and Mirco Gaul were seconded to GIZ as project managers for the Energising Development (EnDev) programme in Rwanda. They supervised the implementation of three components which supported private sector investment in (1) On-grid hydropower generation with installed capacity of 100-1,500 kW; (2) Results-based financing (RBF) for solar and hydro mini-grids of 5-100 kW; and (3) Results-based financing for solar companies investing in rural retail and after-sales service. The management team was responsible for achieving targets, managing a team of 5 staff plus international and national consultants, and administrating a 10 million Euro budget. The assignment required close cooperation with government partners, development partners, and the private sector for negotiating solutions on policies and financing options for energy investment projects.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014-2016
SiNERGi has supported the International Climate Initiative since 2009 with desk-top appraisals of more than 100 project ideas and proposals and with about 80 final desk-top evaluations.
Client: GIZ Years: 2009-2016
SiNERGi supported a project progress review for the second phase of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP). Deliverables included a mission report and a programme proposal for the new phase, and were based on a review of project documentation, field visits, and stakeholder interviews.
Client: GIZ Year: 2013
Supporting the mid-term evaluation of projects such as energy-efficient stoves, solar home systems, micro-hydro power, and the productive use of energy (e.g. solar drying of coffee and cacao) which promote rural energy services, and recommending improvements to such projects, in Nicaragua (2007) and Honduras (2007 & 2008).
Client: GIZ Year: 2007/2008
Evaluation of six CDM projects in China via interviews with project developers.
Client: carbon market company Year: 2008
Mid-term evaluation of activities to produce and use biofuels locally, as part of a project to protect natural resources in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Client: EUEI-PDF Year: 2007
SiNERGi supported EnDev management in streamlining 27 EnDev country project reviews and in assessing the country projects' performance and their potentialf or future funding decisions by EnDev's governing board.
Client: GIZ Year: 2018
Data collection and analysis
Development and implementation of an impact-oriented monitoring system for a rural electrification programme in the West Nile region of Uganda. Publication of the monitoring design (impact hypotheses, data collection with control groups) in 2012: Tracing the Impacts of Rural Electrification in West Nile, Uganda - A Framework and Toolbox for Monitoring and Evaluation. Baseline survey in 2013 and three monitoring surveys in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Quantitative data was collected from national institutions and by a field survey for which 55 local enumerators conduct 2,500 interviews with households, schools, businesses, and health centres using structured questionnaires and a double-difference approach. Complementary qualitative interviews and workshops. Since 2017 surveys are conducted by using tablets for the quantitative interviews. In cooperation with comit GmbH.
Client: Ministry of Energy, Uganda / KfW Year: 2011 - 2019
SiNERGi provided support to a consultancy firm which assessed the consistency by which rules for calculating China’s emission factors for CDM projects are applied.
Client: European consulting year: 2011
SiNERGi conducted an extensive market analysis of the biofuel sector in twelve countries (including Germany, China, India, Japan, USA, and Brazil) which, among other things, looked at supporting policies, production volumes, and emerging market trends to assess whether companies in the biofuel sector were interested in engaging in developing countries, and evaluate their current activities in that direction. Data was gathered through 65 interviews and a document research, and the country-specific market analyses were complemented by an assessment of the global commodity exchange for ethanol, biodiesel and plant oils.
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
SiNERGi conducted a needs assessment for the transfer of renewable energy technologies among companies and market organisations in three African countries (Rwanda, Uganda, and Ethiopia) and three Asian countries (Pakistan, Vietnam, and Afghanistan). The objective of the assessment was to identify existing barriers to technology transfer, and to discuss possible measures to support an improved technology transfer with key actors in the field. The focus was on how to facilitate information- and knowledge-transfer, for which SiNERGi developed suggestions for a web-based Interface for Renewable Energy Technology Exchange (RETEX).
Client: GIZ Year: 2008
Interview-based market study on “The development of a market for biofuels in China in partnership with German industry – interests, opportunities, and risks”
Client: GIZ Year: 2007
Report on the statistical coverage of heat supplies from renewable energy sources in Germany as a contribution to the EU project "Thermal Energy from Renewables - References and Assessment" (EIE-ThERRA).
Client: Berliner Energieagentur Year: 2007
Economical, financial and cost-benefit analyses
Miriam Schröder and Mirco Gaul were seconded to GIZ as project managers for the Energising Development (EnDev) programme in Rwanda. They supervised the implementation of three components which supported private sector investment in (1) On-grid hydropower generation with installed capacity of 100-1,500 kW; (2) Results-based financing (RBF) for solar and hydro mini-grids of 5-100 kW; and (3) Results-based financing for solar companies investing in rural retail and after-sales service. The management team was responsible for achieving targets, managing a team of 5 staff plus international and national consultants, and administrating a 10 million Euro budget. The assignment required close cooperation with government partners, development partners, and the private sector for negotiating solutions on policies and financing options for energy investment projects.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014-2016
SiNERGi supported the development of three full project proposals in Kenya and Nepal for the 2nd call of the EnDev RBF facility, funded by DfID. In Kenya, GIZ worked towards creating a market for private sector operated mini-grids. In Nepal, Practical Action targeted the development of a sustainable market for hoodstoves, while SNV proposed the development of a combined commercial PV and stove supply chain.
Client: GIZ Year: 2014
SiNERGi authored two overview studies on subsidy schemes currently used by Energising Development (EnDev) and comparable programmes to disseminate solar home systems and improved stoves (link to publication). Case studies from 12 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Honduras, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uganda) were presented and analysed.
Client: GIZ Year: 2008
SiNERGi supported a German company in its application for the “Solar Rooftop Programme”, through which the German Energy Agency offers funding for the installation of solar thermal or photovoltaic panels on buildings such as Embassies which represent Germany abroad.
Client: German solar company Year: 2008
SiNERGi acted as an ‘International Short-Term Expert’ in the business development section of a “MED-ENC” Project for EUROPEAID (Project on Energy Efficiency in the Construction Sector in the Southern Mediterranean region). SiNERGi evaluated the effect of services that had been offered to improve the energy efficiency of companies in the MEDA region. This project, which started in January 2006, operates in ten MEDA countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey), and focusses on increasing the application of energy efficiency measures and developing solar energy in the construction sector.
Client: Ecofys Year: 2008 - 2009
Report on the statistical coverage of heat supplies from renewable energy sources in Germany as a contribution to the EU project "Thermal Energy from Renewables - References and Assessment" (EIE-ThERRA).
Client: Berliner Energieagentur Year: 2007