Darlain Edeme
Energy Planning Specialist
About me
As an energy specialist with extensive hands-on experience, I focus on delivering strategic policy advice for national and regional energy systems across Africa. My expertise centers on geospatial data modeling, analysis, and visualization, which I use to guide the development of sustainable, equitable energy policies that drive economic growth, alleviate poverty, and promote social well-being and environmental sustainability.
I have successfully led complex energy projects in diverse and challenging environments, engaging with high-level stakeholders from both the private and public sectors. Additionally, my experience in off-grid rural electrification projects has helped expand energy access to underserved communities, playing a key role in Africa's ongoing energy transition.
Quick overview
Explore my career and education through an interactive timeline and map, showcasing the milestones of my academic and professional journey.
8+
30+
The number of countries I worked with
The number of years of experience that I have
4
The number of degrees that I have
5
The number of languages I am fluent in
Programming languages
Python
R
Excel VBA
Matlab
C
Java
SQL
GAMS
Languages
Italian: Native
French: Native
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Mandarin Chinese: Basic
Modelling frameworks
OnSSET
OnStove
OSEMoSys
FinPlan
Energy Access Explorer
MAED
FlexTool
Climate Calculator
TIMES
CLEWS
Homer Energy
PVSyst
GISEle
Network Planner
Other software
Microsoft PowerBi
Microsoft Project
QGIS
Google Earth Engine
Microsoft Planetary Computer
Tableau
PostGIS
Stata
EViews
KoboToolbox
Timeline
Please find below an interactive timeline showcasing my journey, with work experience on the left and academic background on the right, all organized in chronological order. In case you want a detailed description just click on one of them.
2012
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Junior Consultant || Energy Access
COSV (International NGO)
Maputo and Zambezia, Mozambique
03/2018 - 07/2018 (5 months)
Manager || Country Energy Programme
COSV (International NGO)
Maputo and Zambezia, Mozambique
01/2019 - 01/2021 (2 years)
Information and Communication Technologies for Social Good
Università di Torino
Master's degree
2020 - 2021
2025
Research Fellow || Energy Planning
Polytechnic University
Milan, Italy
01/2021 - 02/2022 (1 year, 2 months)
Energy Analyst || Africa and GIS
International Energy Agency
Paris, France
02/2022 - Present (2 years, 8 months)
Work
2016
2017
2018
Education
Trainee || Engineering and Sustainability
Autogrill S.p.A.
Milan, Italy
08/2017 - 03/2018 (6 months)
Work experience
Energy Analyst || Africa and GIS
International Energy Agency
Paris, France
02/2022 - Present (2 years, 8 months) [see the timeline]
I am currently part of the World Energy Outlook team at the IEA, where I lead energy modeling for the African continent and coordinate spatial analysis work globally. I have extensive experience in both conducting analytical work and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, drawing on my diplomatic sensitivity, language skills, and field experience.
Highlights:
Coordinated the IEA’s work as the knowledge partner for the G7's "Energy for Growth in Africa" initiative, anounced by Italy's Presidency during the 2024 Apulia G7 Leaders Summit.
Principal author of Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan, presented at COP28, where Uganda announced its first-ever net zero target.
Led the development of IEA's building-level energy access and demand estimation model in collaboration with MIT.
Key projects:
Energy sub-Saharan Africa, a collaboration between the IEA and the European Commission, where I guide energy modeling work to develop energy transition plans and decarbonization roadmaps.
Data-Driven Electrification in Africa, a partnership between the IEA and Power Africa, where I lead GIS-based energy modeling for strategic energy planning.
Clean Energy Transitions and their Implications on Biodiversity and Land Use, utilizing GIS to assess the global impact of energy transitions, focusing on land competition for critical minerals and renewable energy.
Climate Resilience of Energy Infrastructure, a GIS-based global assessment, with a specific focus on hydropower resilience.
Other:
Mozambique Energy Policy Review (published soon)
Research Fellow || Energy Planning
Polytechnic University
Milan, Italy
01/2021 - 02/2022 (1 year, 2 months) [see the timeline]
I conducted research and consulting activities focused on smart-grid technologies for managing distributed renewable generation, active demand, distributed storage, and electric vehicles. My work included large-scale energy and electricity modeling at national and continental levels to support goals like SDG7 and the Paris Agreement. I developed context-specific rural electrification strategies, with algorithms for electricity network routing that consider spatial factors such as land morphology and population distribution.
Work:
Manager || Country Energy Programme
COSV (International NGO)
Maputo and Zambezia, Mozambique
01/2019 - 01/2021 (2 years) [see the timeline]
I was responsible for defining and implementing the strategy of the COSV Mozambique Energy Program, focusing on energy access and rural electrification initiatives. This involved designing and managing projects, including renewable energy-based hybrid off-grid microgrids, solar home systems, standalone systems for irrigation and agricultural processing, and clean cooking stoves. I oversaw energy-related activities across projects, managing a portfolio of approximately €2.5 million, while coordinating monitoring and evaluation efforts, including data collection and analysis for the organization.
Living near project sites in Zambezia, I worked closely with the rural electrification agency (FUNAE), the Ministry of Energy (MIREME), local authorities, and communities. Gender empowerment was a central component of the program, and I engaged in roundtable discussions and maintained relationships with key energy stakeholders, including institutions, donors, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society groups.
Junior Consultant || Energy Access
COSV (International NGO)
Maputo and Zambezia, Mozambique
03/2018 - 07/2018 (5 months) [see the timeline]
I contributed to the development of a successfully funded project proposal aimed at using energy to promote sustainable socioeconomic development in rural areas, with a focus on empowering women. My key responsibilities included identifying sites, conducting energy needs assessments, and designing core components such as renewable energy-based hybrid off-grid microgrids, standalone systems for irrigation and agricultural product processing, solar home systems, and clean cooking stoves.
Trainee || Engineering and Sustainability
Autogrill S.p.A.
Milan, Italy
08/2017 - 03/2018 (6 months) [see the timeline]
I played a key role at Corporate HQ by serving as a bridge between the Engineering and Audit/CSR departments. I actively contributed to the preparation of the annual non-financial report, overseeing the collection and aggregation of energy, environmental, and climate change data from all global business units across multiple continents.
My detailed resume
Education
GIS-based Energy Planning
Politecnico di Milano
Doctor of Philosophy
2021 - 2025 [see the timeline]
My PhD project develops a comprehensive, multi-scale, and multi-year GIS-based methodology for rural electrification planning in developing countries. This approach supports strategic decision-making by identifying the most cost-effective solutions among grid extension, mini-grids, and stand-alone systems, while also accurately sizing each system for individual users. By integrating geospatial data with advanced algorithms for energy load forecasting, power system design, and infrastructure routing, the project addresses the technical and economic challenges of electrification in remote areas. The methodology considers spatial factors such as land morphology and population distribution and provides a holistic framework for planning electric power systems in developing regions, aligned with the goals of SDG7 and the Paris Agreement.
I am also a member of the Energy for Growth research group and co-founder of the GISEle initiative,
Work:
[PATENT] Method and system for geographically delimiting energy communities
[STUDY] Integration of Non-Programmable Renewable Energy in the National Electric System of South Africa
[PAPER] Holistic MILP-based approach for rural electrification planning
[PAPER] Applying Soft-Link Methods for the Improvement of a Long-Term Geospatial Method (Techno- economic) for Sustainable Hybrid Energy Systems Supply Generation and Electric Grid Designs: A Case Study on Rural Mozambique Settings.
[Conference Paper] The GISEle Approach: Innovations in Rural Electrification Planning
[Conference Paper] TERESA Project: A Multifactorial GIS-Based and Supervised Machine Learning Framework for Nation-Scale Electrification Masterplan
Information and Communication Technologies for Social Good
Università di Torino
Master's degree
2020 - 2021 [see the timeline]
I completed the ICT4D Master’s program, I gained both theoretical and practical skills to utilize digital innovation technologies for social impact. The program integrated information systems, computer sciences, and development studies, focusing on applying ICT tools in sectors like health, agriculture, energy, human rights, and emergency response. I developed expertise in planning and managing ICT4D projects, data collection, visualization, and adapting technologies to meet local needs, with a strong emphasis on driving sustainable development.
Dissertation: "VANIA: A Tool for In-Depth Village-Level Analysis to Support Development Programs in Remote Areas of Africa"
Energy Engineering for Development
Politecnico di Milano
Master's degree
2016 - 2019 [see the timeline]
This curriculum provided me with technical-scientific skills for operating in the energy sector, from developing technologies to analyzing energy scenarios. I gained expertise in the technical, economic, and environmental sustainability of energy systems, aligned with global development goals like the UN 2030 Agenda. The program also equipped me with engineering fundamentals and tools for energy planning at various levels.
I completed two internships, started working while graduating, and for my master's thesis, I developed GIS-based software for rural electrification planning, applying my GIS expertise and coding skills to advance energy planning with greater precision and granularity.
Dissertation: "GISEle: an innovative GIS-based approach for electric networks routing"
Extracurricolar activities:
Delegate, Model United Nation, New York City
Certified and Licensed Engineer, Order of Engineers
Top10 Young Talents in Energy in Italy, Nova Network
«Youth in Action for SDGs», National Competition, Winner
«AI for Social Good», National Competition, Winner
Engineering Without Borders, Member, Milan
Social Innovation Teams, Member, Milan
Energy Engineering
Politecnico di Milano
Bachelor degree
2012 - 2015 [see the timeline]
I earned a degree in Energy Engineering, gaining expertise in designing and managing energy systems, with a focus on energy conversion, transportation, and use. The program provided a solid foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, machinery, and industrial engineering disciplines like fluid mechanics and electrical systems. I also developed skills in environmental impact analysis and resource optimization, along with practical experience and economic analysis, preparing me for specialization or direct entry into the energy sector.
Dissertation: VAWT Wind Micro-Turbine Performance in wind tunnel
Philosophy
Università di Milano
Bachelor degree
2019 - 2020 [paused] [see the timeline]
I completed one year of philosophy studies, where I took courses in political philosophy, moral philosophy, as well as the standard curriculum in the history of philosophy and ancient philosophy. I paused these studies to pursue a second master's degree, but I plan to return and continue them in the future.
Insights
Geospatial analysis and sustainable energy policies shaping Africa's future.
Connect
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darlainedeme@gmail.com
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