Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The Smart Energy Management AI System is a humanitarian-focused initiative launched in 2024 under the WFP Innovation Accelerator Sprint Programme. The project deployed an AI-based energy management platform combined with smart metering hardware in refugee and vulnerable host communities across Jordan (Irbid, Ramtha, Mafraq). It dynamically monitors, allocates, and optimizes electricity usage in real time, ensuring fair distribution, reducing wastage, and lowering household energy costs. The system also includes a gamified mobile application to promote energy-saving behaviors. Through this project, over 2,500 direct beneficiaries gained reliable access to energy, CO₂ emissions were reduced by 120 tons, and energy efficiency improved by 20%, while creating 25 local jobs and building long-term community capacity in sustainable energy management.

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How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

This project both replaces/avoids and reduces GHGs, primarily through the following mechanisms:

1. Replaces/Avoids GHGs
The system integrates renewable energy sources (solar) and enables optimized use of cleaner energy, directly displacing fossil fuel-based electricity that would otherwise be generated from the national grid or diesel generators—common in off-grid and humanitarian settings.

2. Reduces GHGs
By implementing AI-driven energy efficiency measures, the system:

Lowers overall electricity consumption by up to 47% in pilot sites.

Reduces peak demand through smart load management and behavioral nudges via the mobile app.

Minimizes energy waste through real-time monitoring and automated control.

3. Quantified Impact
CO₂ reduction achieved: 120 tons during the project period (against a target of 100 tons).

Energy efficiency improvement: 20% increase in host community energy efficiency.

Long-term avoidance potential: Scalable model can be replicated in other camps/remote communities, multiplying GHG avoidance.

4. Additional Climate Co-benefits
Promotes energy conservation awareness through training and gamification.

Supports just energy transition in vulnerable communities.

Documented evidence available via pre- and post-energy audits and monitoring reports.

This project aligns with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and contributes directly to low-carbon, climate-resilient energy access in humanitarian contexts.

Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

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Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Impact on Underrepresented Groups – WFP Sprint Project (2024–2025)

The Smart Energy Management AI System, implemented under the WFP Innovation Accelerator Sprint Programme from April 2024 to April 2025, was intentionally designed to serve and positively impact several underrepresented and vulnerable groups in northern and eastern Jordan.

1. Refugees and Displaced Persons in Host Communities
Target Group: Syrian refugees and vulnerable host community members in selected areas of Irbid, Ramtha, and Mafraq.

Impact: The system restored reliable and fair energy access to 2,500 direct beneficiaries, many of whom are refugees living in energy-insecure conditions. This improved daily living standards, enabled the safe use of essential appliances, and reduced social tensions caused by unequal energy distribution.

2. Women
Representation: Women accounted for 24% of participants in project-led training sessions, indicating intentional inclusion and outreach.

Empowerment: By engaging women in energy-efficiency training, the project promoted gender-inclusive capacity building and increased women’s participation in community energy management.

3. Children
Significant Reach: 60% of the direct beneficiaries were children, highlighting the project’s strong intergenerational impact. Stable electricity access supports children’s health, education, and safety—especially through extended lighting, functioning refrigerators for medicines, and improved indoor environmental conditions.

4. Low-Income and Rural Households
Economic Relief: The project delivered an average monthly cost saving of USD 4.75 per household on energy bills, reducing financial pressure on already strained families.

Geographic Focus: Implementation in underserved regions of northern and eastern Jordan ensured that remote and economically marginalized communities gained access to smart energy solutions typically unavailable to them.

5. Local Community Members (Employment & Skills)
Job Creation: The project created 25 local jobs in installation, technical support, and coordination—exceeding the initial target of 10—thus providing decent work and skill development within the community.

Capacity Building: 2,500 individuals received training on energy efficiency, building long-term local expertise and ownership of the technology.

6. Technologically Excluded Populations
Digital Inclusion: The project addressed tech literacy gaps through a simplified, visual user interface and offline-capable systems, ensuring that non-technical users could effectively interact with the advanced AI-based platform.

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