Energy cooperation in Southern Africa: What role for Norway?

This Working Paper contains a full report from a Seminar on Regional Energy Co-operation, Luanda, 12-14 February 2002. Norwegian involvement in the energy sector in Southern Africa is considerable. Energy is a major area in Norwegian co-operation and includes a number of countries within SADC. There has been rapid change in the sector, which has moved from being an infrastructure sector to a commodity production sector. Also, the ongoing institutional changes in SADC will have an effect on its relation to energy. The donors' role must change accordingly. Important objectives of the seminar were to discuss the changes in the sector in the region and to improve the level of information in order to make better decisions.

Data requirements and methodologies for Multi-Country Research : A paper presented at the Workshop on Developing an African Research Agenda for accelerating development in Sub-Saharan Africa held in Harare, Zimbabwe, March 23-26, 1997

This paper, presenting data and methodology for coooperation at'nationaf,"regional and continental levels in research, discusses the need to consider possible constraints facing individual research institutions when making a move towards cooperation. Some constraints are identified, including finance, institutional dependence, institutional interests, the extent of emphasis on capacity building, data availability and work load. The case of Botswana (economic transition) and that of BIDPA (programme) are used to illustrate main points in the discussion. The paper concludes that there is need for international cooperation to build on national priority research; that there is advantage in setting up national interlinked programmes for research; and that while the time is ripe for cooperation, the key to building multi-country research depends on the efficiency of usage for information technology

Design and test of a neural microprocessor

En aquest projecte, es dissenya un microprocessador neuronal per ser implementat en FPGAs. Aquesta tecnologia consisteix en un processador softcore basat en RISC-V descrit amb SystemVerilog que s'utilitza per controlar un coprocessador encarregat d'executar una xarxa neuronal spiking amb propagació directa descrita amb VHDL. El control es fa amb senyals que es generen a partir d'instruccions SIMD personalitzades definides en una extensió del conjunt d’instruccions RSIC-V. Per fer-ho, es modifica el processador de manera que pugui detectar i descodificar les noves instruccions emmagatzemades a la seva memòria de programa. Per facilitar la tasca de definir el contingut de la memòria del programa, s'utilitza un codi escrit en C i es desenvolupa un conjunt d'instruccions C personalitzades. Aquestes instruccions es basen en l'ús de macros i inline assembly, i la seva finalitat és facilitar i permetre l'ús de les instruccions personalitzades RISC-V en el codi d'alt nivell. Per demostrar el correcte funcionament del projecte, se simula el microprocessador neuronal i després es prova a l'FPGA d'una placa de desenvolupament Nexys 4, amb el coprocessador implementat per resoldre el problema XOR. La implementació del coprocessador es replica amb C i s'executa a l'FPGA utilitzant només el processador predeterminat sense modificar. Finalment, els resultats s'analitzen i es comparen per determinar les compensacions entre els dos enfocaments en termes de temps d'execució, consum d'energia i espai utilitzat.En este proyecto, se diseña un microprocesador neuronal para su implementación en FPGAs. Esta tecnología consiste en un procesador softcore basado en RISC-V descrito con SystemVerilog que se utiliza para controlar a un coprocesador encargado de ejecutar una red neuronal spiking con propagación directa descrita con VHDL. El control se realiza con señales que se generan a partir de instrucciones SIMD personalizadas definidas en una extensión del conjunto de instrucciones RSIC-V. Para ello, se modifica el procesador de forma que pueda detectar y descodificar las nuevas instrucciones almacenadas en su memoria de programa. Para facilitar la tarea de definir el contenido de la memoria del programa, se utiliza un código escrito en C y se desarrolla un conjunto de instrucciones C personalizadas. Estas instrucciones se basan en el uso de macros e inline assembly, y su finalidad es facilitar y permitir el uso de las instrucciones personalizadas RISC-V en el código de alto nivel. Para demostrar el correcto funcionamiento del proyecto, se simula el microprocesador neuronal y después se prueba en la FPGA de una placa de desarrollo Nexys 4, con el coprocesador implementado para resolver el problema XOR. La implementación del coprocesador se replica con C y se ejecuta en la FPGA utilizando sólo el procesador predeterminado sin modifcar. Por último, los resultados se analizan y se comparan para determinar las compensaciones entre ambos enfoques en términos de tiempo de ejecución, consumo de energía y espacio utilizado.In this project, a neural microprocessor is designed to be implemented in FPGAs. This technology consists of a RISC-V-based soft processor described in SystemVerilog that is used to control a coprocessor in charge of executing a feedforward spiking neural network described in VHDL. The control is done with signals that are generated from custom-designed SIMD instructions defined in a RISC-V ISA extension. To do it, the processor is modified such that it can detect and decode the new instructions stored in its program memory. To facilitate the task of defining the program memory contents, a code written in C is used and a set of custom C instructions is developed. These instructions are based on the use of macros and inline assembly, and their purpose is to facilitate and allow the use of the RISC-V custom instructions in the high-level code. To demonstrate the correct operation of the project, the neural microprocessor is simulated and then tested on the FPGA of a Nexys 4 development board, with the coprocessor implemented for solving the XOR problem. The coprocessor implementation is replicated with C and executed in the FPGA using only the default processor without being modified. Finally, the results are analyzed and compared to determine the trade-offs between the two approaches in terms of execution time, power consumption, and utilized space

China’s branding disadvantage : an investigation into China’s need to establish global brands, challenges faced when developing these brands, and alternative strategies available

The Chinese firms are producing a major part of the world’s manufactured goods and China is currently the third largest exporting nation in the world. At the same time Chinese firms are only responsible for a minute number of well-known global brands. It is this disproportionate representation that has been coined as China’s branding disadvantage. Using a broad range of theories and research, this project aims to give a comprehensive overview of this branding disadvantage. Firstly, arguments will be presented as to why the lack of Chinese brands is actually a disadvantage. Secondly, the causes of this disadvantage, as well as current obstacles to future global brand development in China, are discussed. Thirdly, the two main strategies available to Chinese firms wanting to overcome the disadvantage are evaluated. Finally, a new third alternative strategy is described and recommended as more suitable than the other two

Policy to support digitalisation of industries in various regional settings. A conceptual discussion

The purpose of the article is to analyse regions’ varying preconditions for digitalisation of industry and, on that basis, discuss regionally tailored policy strategies to stimulate digitalisation. Building on both regional innovation system and asset modification approaches, the authors suggest a theoretical framework that identifies regions’ potential for digitalisation from their stock of relevant assets at the firm and innovation system level. The analysis identifies four types of regions with different preconditions for supporting digitalisation of industries. This in turn provides the foundation for a discussion of the role of actor-based and system-based policy strategies to support digitalisation in each type of region. From the existing literature, the authors discuss empirical examples of digitalisation within each of the four types of regions but also highlight that individual regions need to tailor the portfolio of policy support within the identified strategy, as each region is structurally and institutionally unique.Policy to support digitalisation of industries in various regional settings. A conceptual discussionpublishedVersio

Mid-term Review of the Angola Programme of Norwegian People\u27s Aid

This report reviews how the Programme of Norwegian People\u27s Aid has adapted to reach the objectives it has set for its work for the period from 2004 to 2007. The strategy for 2004-2007 focuses on land and resource rights and democratic rights and participation, and is organised within two programmes, mine action (85% of resources) and development (15%). The evaluation focuses on two different programme areas: The Mine Action Programme: The programme was established in 1995 and specialises in demining and surveying. The period reviewed has been successful on several counts: the number of square metres cleared per year has increased dramatically, cost efficiency has improved, and efforts to achieve socio-economic objectives have been strengthened through the use of aid money. Yet a number of improvements could be made like: making better use of information collected in the Task Impact Assessments (TIA) process, by improving TIA questionnaires and using narrative data for statistical analysis, include women in TIA survey teams, let TIA teams collect data on women\u27s versus men\u27s perceptions and needs. The Development Programme: The programme works in the three provinces and runs activities within land and resources rights, democratic rights and participation, and in relation to building the capacities of partner organisations. With regard to activities on land and resources rights, the programme is well on track towards reaching its aims regarding agricultural development. More effort is needed, however, to reach aims related to land rights and community self-organisation and empowerment

Budget, State and People Budget Process, Civil Society and Transparency in Angola

The Norwegian Embassy in Luanda, through Norad, has contracted the Chr. Michelsen Institute to conduct this study on obstacles and opportunities for increased transparency and popular consultation in the prioritisation of state expenditure and handling of revenue. The overall objectives of the study are (a) to contribute to increased insight into the present state of budgetary transparency and openness to the public in Angola, and (b) to indicate ways in which such transparency and openness may be increased. The conclusions and recommendations in the report stand for the authors of the report and are not necessarily shared or supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Luanda. We have attempted to describe the budget system and processes as our mission to Angola found them in late 2006. We attempt to point out the weaknesses we found and to some extent how these ought to be dealt with, and in particular what improving transparency and stimulation of public interest in budget matters via civil society organisations could do to improve budgeting in Angola

China’s branding disadvantage : an investigation into China’s need to establish global brands, challenges faced when developing these brands, and alternative strategies available

The Chinese firms are producing a major part of the world’s manufactured goods and China is currently the third largest exporting nation in the world. At the same time Chinese firms are only responsible for a minute number of well-known global brands. It is this disproportionate representation that has been coined as China’s branding disadvantage. Using a broad range of theories and research, this project aims to give a comprehensive overview of this branding disadvantage. Firstly, arguments will be presented as to why the lack of Chinese brands is actually a disadvantage. Secondly, the causes of this disadvantage, as well as current obstacles to future global brand development in China, are discussed. Thirdly, the two main strategies available to Chinese firms wanting to overcome the disadvantage are evaluated. Finally, a new third alternative strategy is described and recommended as more suitable than the other two

Budget, State and People Budget Process, Civil Society and Transparency in Angola

The Norwegian Embassy in Luanda, through Norad, has contracted the Chr. Michelsen Institute to conduct this study on obstacles and opportunities for increased transparency and popular consultation in the prioritisation of state expenditure and handling of revenue. The overall objectives of the study are (a) to contribute to increased insight into the present state of budgetary transparency and openness to the public in Angola, and (b) to indicate ways in which such transparency and openness may be increased. The conclusions and recommendations in the report stand for the authors of the report and are not necessarily shared or supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Luanda. We have attempted to describe the budget system and processes as our mission to Angola found them in late 2006. We attempt to point out the weaknesses we found and to some extent how these ought to be dealt with, and in particular what improving transparency and stimulation of public interest in budget matters via civil society organisations could do to improve budgeting in Angola

The sensitivity of tropospheric chemistry to cloud interactions

Clouds, although only occupying a relatively small fraction of the troposphere volume, can have a substantial impact on the chemistry of the troposphere. In newly formed clouds, or in clouds with air rapidly flowing through, the chemistry is expected to be far more active than in aged clouds with stagnant air. Thus, frequent cycling of air through shortlived clouds, i.e. cumulus clouds, is likely to be a much more efficient media for altering the composition of the atmosphere than an extensive cloud cover i.e. frontal cloud systems. The impact of clouds is tested out in a 2-D channel model encircling the globe in a latitudinal belt from 30 to 60 deg N. The model contains a detailed gas phase chemistry. In addition physiochemical interactions between the gas and aqueous phases are included. For species as H2O2, CH2O, O3, and SO2, Henry's law equilibria are assumed, whereas HNO3 and H2SO4 are regarded as completed dissolved in the aqueous phase. Absorption of HO2 and OH is assumed to be mass-transport limited. The chemistry of the aqueous phase is characterized by rapid cycling of odd hydrogen, (H2O2, HO2, and OH). O2(-) (produced through dissociation of HO2) reacting with dissolved O3 is a major source of OH in the aqueous phase. This reaction can be a significant sink for O3 in the troposphere. In the interstitial cloud air, odd hydrogen is depleted, whereas NO(x) remains in the gas phase, thus reducing ozone production due to the reaction between NO and HO2. Our calculations give markedly lower ozone levels when cloud interactions are included. This may in part explain the overpredictions of ozone levels often experienced in models neglecting cloud chemical interactions. In the present study, the existence of clouds, cloud types, and their lifetimes are modeled as pseudo random variables. Such pseudo random sequences are in reality deterministic and may, given the same starting values, be reproduced. The effects of cloud interactions on the overall chemistry of the troposphere are discussed. In particular, tests are performed to determine the sensitivity of cloud frequencies and cloud types