According to the jury, the work stood out for its significant contribution to sustainable energy development in Sub-Saharan Africa, exceeding academic and scientific expectations.
Mozambican lecturer and researcher Emília Inês Come Zebra, from Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), was recently awarded the prize for Best Doctoral Thesis in Sub-Saharan Africa 2024–2025, granted by the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands.
The recognition was granted for the quality and scientific relevance of her thesis entitled “Optimizing the Deployment of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Developing Countries”, in which the researcher proposes a structured approach to analyze the social, technical, economic and environmental sustainability of energy systems, with practical application in Mozambique.
According to the jury, the work stood out for its significant contribution to sustainable energy development in Sub-Saharan Africa, exceeding academic and scientific expectations.
“The research also emphasizes the need to expand access to energy in rural and peripheral areas, advocating the potential of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems as a viable alternative for communities with limited access to electricity,” writes UEM.
The University of Groningen, cited by UEM, states that the study constitutes a solid basis for the formulation of strategies aimed at improving access to energy in vulnerable communities, both in Mozambique and in other regions of the Global South, highlighting the universal relevance of the research for various African and developing countries.
Emília Zebra's scientific work has achieved international recognition and is published in highly prestigious academic journals. Her general review article published in 2021 in the journal Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews stands out, considered the first comprehensive study in the field and currently classified as a “Highly Cited Paper,” with approximately 596 scientific citations.
(By MozaVibe)
