THE AMERICAN INNOVATION CENTER FOR CENTRAL ASIA (AICCA) is a knowledge sharing platform established by USAID through its Power Central Asia activity to support energy sector transformation. Through the AICCA, USAID builds partnerships and undertakes projects in critical areas of new and emerging energy technology and introduces transparent business models, financing structures, and best value analyses in the energy sector. The AICCA also supports business development efforts of U.S. companies to commercialize clean energy technologies. In partnership with international and local private sector entities in Central Asia, USAID focuses on four key areas:
Renewable Energy Development and Integration: integration of high levels of solar and wind energy into the Central Asia electric grid while ensuring flexibility and reliability of the power system.
Hydrogen Development: the potential for hydrogen development and its relationship to regional clean energy strategies and investments for greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Grid Efficiency and Resilience: making the electricity grid faster, smarter, and better by introducing new technologies and new approaches to improve grid efficiency and resiliency through increased digitalization and robust cybersecurity.
Improved Commercial Operation: accelerating the adoption of improved commercial metering and control infrastructure in the power grid, demand side management, and distributed energy programs.
RESULTS: The AICCA fosters partnerships between U.S. companies and local institutions. To launch the AICCA, USAID conducted outreach to nearly twenty leading clean energy technology companies and business associations for requests for information and has initially signed contracts with two firms to focus on hydrogen and grid efficiency:
HYDROGEN DEVELOPMENT: USAID facilitated a partnership between Uzbekistan’s Tashkent State Technical University and the United States’ University of Delaware to develop a new curriculum for a university course focused on green hydrogen development as a modern renewable energy solution:
- USAID provided funding for experts from the University of Delaware to develop a green hydrogen course for Tashkent State Technical University. University of Delaware developed the course curriculum in collaboration with local faculty members and energy professionals in Uzbekistan.
- In May 2023, USAID launched the green hydrogen course materials at Tashkent State Technical University, with participation of representatives from the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovations. Tashkent State Technical University’s teaching staff are now equipped with a comprehensive program with the goal of implementing the course into their curriculum in the 2023 fall semester.
GRID EFFICIENCY AND RESILIENCE: Through AICCA, USAID funded the procurement of a General Electric (GE) modern videowall for regional Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to significantly enhance the region’s ability to manage and monitor its electricity grid and increase regional electricity trade:
- GE is working to deliver and install the SCADA video wall for the Coordination Dispatch Center (CDC) Energia in Tashkent and to implement a regional wide area monitoring system pilot project. The equipment will be delivered and installed at CDC Energia and substations before the end of 2023 and will include capacity building and training for key personnel.
FUTURE PARTNERSHIPS: USAID aims to expand the AICCA to include multiple additional partnerships with U.S. and local entities in the four technical areas listed above, subject to funding availability. USAID continues its outreach to business entities including the U.S. Business Councils for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan, as well as the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.
