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Climate Investment Funds (CIFs)
UK - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The $8 billion Climate Investment Funds (CIF) accelerates climate action by empowering transformations in clean technology, energy access, climate resilience, and sustainable forests in developing and middle income countries. The CIF’s large-scale, low-cost, long-term financing lowers the risk and cost of climate financing. It tests new business models, builds track records in unproven markets, and boosts investor confidence to unlock additional sources of finance.
Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff (GETFiT)
UK - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Global Energy Transfer for Feed-in Tariff (GET FiT) Programme was established in 2013 with the main objective of assisting Uganda to pursue a climate resilient low-carbon development path by facilitating private sector investments in renewable electricity generation projects. The support provided was expected to improve access to electricity and promote growth and economic development in Uganda and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Climate Public Private Partnership Programme (CP3)
UK - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Climate Public Private Partnership Programme (CP3) aims to increase low carbon investment in renewable energy, water, energy efficiency and forestry in developing countries. By showing that Low Carbon and Climate Resilient investments can deliver competitive financial returns as well as climate and development impact, CP3 seeks to catalyse new sources of climate finance from institutional investors such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.
Clean Energy Innovation Facility (CEIF)
UK - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
ODA grant funding that supports clean energy research, development & demonstration (RD&D) to help improve the performance of innovative technologies, and to accelerate the clean energy transition to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change in developing countries
Accelerate to Demonstrate (A2D)
UK - Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The A2D programme contributes to the UK’s £1bn Ayrton Fund commitment to accelerate clean energy innovation in developing countries. A2D will focus on developing innovative technology-based solutions particularly through transformational “lighthouse” pilot demonstration projects in four thematic areas: critical minerals, clean hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation and smart energy.
Floating Instream Tidal and Solar (FITS) Power Plant - Nepal Pilot Project
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Harvesting hydrokinetic energy from running river water presents a highly attractive addition to the existing renewable energy sectors. Critically, and unlike most other renewables, this technology guarantees a predictable and consistent energy output which can contribute to the baseload power requirements of its energy off-takers. AEL has developed an innovative hybrid technology which couples run-of-river hydrokinetic generation with solar - the Floating Instream Tidal and Solar (FITS) power plant. FITS technology has been specifically optimized for river deployments, and is scalable to enable both energy access and utility scale power generation. This project will deliver the first fully developed FITS pilot, supplying constant renewable power to an off-grid community in rural Nepal. The electricity supplied will be used to provide lighting and cooking facilities to households in the community, and will additionally power water filtration and pumping equipment, providing access to clean water for drinking and water for agricultural industry.
Renewable ENergy Demand Assessment and eNtrepreneurial Growth (RENDANG) for Energy Access in Malaysia
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Our project addresses challenges and opportunities in rural electrification, particularly for remote Orang Asli communities in West Malaysia. Despite the country's considerable urban development and high electrification rates, about 200 of these villages remain under-electrified. A critical challenge in deploying distributed systems in communities is assessing and growing demand for electricity. Current approaches in distributed systems involve surveying communities, then designing and installing systems such as mini-grids based on this initial assessment. Mini-grid construction can be a slow process, and during the wait, communities may lose interest or trust in the electrification process. When the mini-grid eventually comes online, demand can be disappointingly low, as the community is only just starting to develop their productive use businesses and grow their payment behaviour. We propose to address this problem by integrating the Community Energy Toolkit (COMET), a community engagement software tool to assess demand, and a mobile mini-grid to provide quick and temporary electrification to build demand, while deploying more permanent solutions. Our project involves a collaboration between Smart Villages Research Group (SVRG), Energy Action Partners (ENACT), and the COMET team, to develop an integrated model that merges COMET's predictive capabilities with the immediacy of mobile mini-grids in Pos Titom located in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. This approach will accurately assess energy needs to be met by cost-effective Clustered Solar Home Systems (CSHSes), foster demand for productive uses of energy using the mobile mini-grid, and encourage sustainable income via targeted capacity building for village-based enterprises enabled by these systems. This innovative model aims to bridge the gap between the initial community engagement and the installation and commissioning of a distributed energy system. It will help maintain community interest and grow energy demand gradually, a crucial step for scaling distributed energy systems sustainably. We expect the combination of the two technologies to be widely scalable. Whilst we will be validating the approach in Malaysia, the successful demonstration of the impact will allow us to apply this innovative suite of tools to improving minigrid and energy access development worldwide, where for example latest estimates (World Bank ESMAP, 2022) forecasts a need for at least 200,000 more minigrids to be able to meet SDG energy access targets in Africa alone.
Electrical Storage Systems for Sustainable Uninterrupted Clean Energy and Water Supply to Hospitals and Communities in South Sudan
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This is a combined ElectricalStorageSystem (ESS) and SolarWaterPumping project. It will supply 24/7 power and water to 2 hospitals and 1 school in selected countries. We are combining the service to the institution with community based water kiosks, and the earnings from water sales will pay for system upkeep and cover lifetime replacement costs. The innovation of this project is to test the combination of different existing technologies to provide services with excellent social returns, and with a sustainable finance model included. Installing solar energy systems means schools and hospitals have uninterrupted daily energy; sufficient ESS capacity ensures 24/7 availability. Solar powered water pumping, with ESS backup, provides clean water 24/7, from multiple access points, supplying the local community as well as the schools and hospitals in this project. The erratic costs of running and maintaining diesel generators are eliminated by the minimal maintenance requirements, and these costs are covered by income from sales of water. The project will be delivered in South Sudan. We have selected this country because of the implementation challenges posed due to recent socio-political activity, and because this is a place with the greatest need. This technology will be a model for hardest-to-reach countries and locations. Aptech has a strong presence in South Sudan, and is one of the few companies that has the capacity to implement this project in partnership with SVRG. South Sudan has been devastated by war and disease. Access to clean energy and water is critical to the improvement of educational and medical services within South Sudan, where less than 50% of people have access to water resulting in low life expectancy and very high infant mortality rates. Access to electricity and water in institutions in these countries is under 20% resulting in load sharing and power outages of at least 8 hours, which disrupt services. We will monitor the impact of the project on the community and establish the sustainability and replicability of the system in additional institutions. Aptech has consulted with both the government of South Sudan and local NGOs to identify institutions to launch this pilot project, and they are very supportive of our plans. Once we have proof of concept, we will present our findings to NGOs, private institutions, and the governments to promote the replication of the system, through collaborative partnerships, and to expand access to electricity and water for institutions all across each respective country.
Innovative Low Voltage Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) for Affordable Microgrid Distribution Infrastructure in Africa
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
A typical village in rural Uganda might have 225 houses, consume an average of 0.3kWh per day from a minigrid, and require 8km of distribution infrastructure (poles and cables) to connect all the spread out houses. The village in the UK in which we are based has 1250 houses, consuming (conservatively) 10kWh a day, and requiring just 4km of (identical) distribution infrastructure because of our high housing density. Our electricity tariffs are roughly the same (at $0.20/kWh). The UK village pays a combined total of just over $900k a year for electricity, which repays the cost of the distribution system within 2 weeks. The households in Uganda pay just under $5000 a year for electricity usage, and will therefore need more than 16 years to repay just the cost of the poles and cables, without even factoring in the cost of the electricity generation itself. More than anything else, it is the cost of distribution that kills the commercial viability of minigrids, and prevents remote households from being connected to electricity systems in offgrid rural communities in Africa. There has been little to no innovation in distribution to match the significant recent advances in generation and storage technologies and affordability. Single Wire Earth Return is a promising technology used for high voltage rural connections in the electricity grid in the US, Canada, South Africa, Mozambique, Laos, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand. In this feasibility study we propose to adapt the technology to low voltage (230V) use in last mile connectivity in rural minigrids and test its performance in multiple locations and climate/soil conditions, collecting data to demonstrate its cost effectiveness and safety for users and the community in rural energy access. We estimate the technology could save as much as 70% of the cost of traditional distribution systems. We will also engage with local regulators and the international energy access community to introduce them to this technology, and encourage its uptake to enable wider energy access in remote communities and households, and lower energy tariffs in these communities. Partners SVRG (\>20 innovative rural energy systems in sub-Saharan Africa), MOSCET (foremost sustainable energy company and minigrid installed in Lesotho), Kiima Foods and OMASI (rural development NGOs with experience of \>40 community technology solutions) and electrical engineering experts National University of Lesotho Energy Research Centre are collaborating on this project to trial the technology in three communities and evaluate safety and cost-benefit.
Innovative Agricultural Cross-Subsidised Financing of Access to Clean Energy and Sustainable Cooling with Smart Agri-Centres in Uganda
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
In an EnergyCatalyst7 project, SVRG with Ugandan partners developed a game-changing approach to rural energy-access, economic-empowerment and agricultural-productivity. The SmartAgri-Centre(SAC) combines a50kW centralised solar-power plant with an integrated set of community productive use and agri-value-addition services, in a large central community hub. Feedback from the local community shows the social impact the Centre has brought, including improved environment, knowledge of farming practices, income, savings and positive impact on family life and education. In the first year of operation, analysis showed that the SAC services helped farmers quadruple average annual earnings (up from $800 to $3100), increase yields across a variety of crops, and reduce input costs by 30%. Across the community, in that year, the centre generated additional value of $211,500. GESI impacts were also apparent: the majority of the 110members of the newly-formed agricultural cooperative are women, and female farmers reported positive impacts from the SAC. 40% of Co-op board members, and 40% of the business committee are female. The SAC is designed to address specific priorities and needs of a community, so each is subtly different. But the average cost to SVRG and partners of providing the infrastructure, and years of community support/training is around$250,000. The data we have collected suggests that communities should be able to afford to repay this cost in less than 2 years from their increased earnings. Our challenge in scaling this solution is to determine the best business model and community engagement strategy for the community to be able to repay the costs of providing the SAC from their agricultural income. According to the data we have collected, the community earns enough to repay the costs in under 2 years. However, the mechanism for this is far from obvious. Individual farmers in these communities are highly risk-averse (as well as lacking financial skills and creditworthiness). Entering into contractual arrangements with 100+ separate farmers to ensure repayment would be unworkable. Alternative models (operating the centres ourselves and collecting revenues and taking a cut of agricultural earnings as a "benign middleman", or establishing/empowering a community cooperative to do the same, have other risk factors and disadvantages). In this project, SVRG and partners will construct and operate 6 of the SACs in new communities, trialling different business/repayment models, to establish the ones that will allow us to scale the roll-out of the technology to rural communities with the highest amount of success, impact and commercial return.
Renewable Energy Agro-Processing Hubs for Energy Access and Economic Development in Rural Rwanda
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Our project, REAP (Renewable Energy Agro-Processing) hub, is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering rural communities by providing sustainable access to renewable energy and enhancing their food production capacities. Through the integration of innovative technologies and community-driven approaches, we seek to create lasting social, economic, and environmental impact in underserved regions. At the heart of our project is the vision to address the energy poverty prevalent in remote rural areas, where communities face challenges due to lack of reliable and affordable energy. Bby harnessing the power of renewable energy, we can unlock tremendous potential, enabling these communities to improve their quality of life and drive sustainable development. We begin with robust community engagement and needs assessment to truly understand the energy requirements and aspirations users. By working closely with the target communities, we ensure that our solutions are tailored to their specific needs and integrate seamlessly into their daily lives. Through strategic partnerships (Smart Villages Research Group and NjordFrey), we will deploy renewable energy technologies to support high yield fish/vegetable production with value addition (cooling/food drying). Intelligently monitored and coordinated through a digital monitoring system, the REAP hub will automatically balance the energy and production demands to increase efficiency and reduce energy and production costs. The REAP project extends beyond energy access. We recognise the vital role of productive systems in rural communities, such as agriculture and small-scale enterprises. By incorporating energy into these systems, we unlock new opportunities for income generation, value-chain development, and market access. This integrated approach fosters economic growth, creates employment, and reduces poverty, ensuring long-term sustainability. Furthermore, our project aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By promoting renewable solutions and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, we contribute to combating climate change. The impact of the REAP project last far longer than our project implementation. The knowledge, skills, and partnerships developed throughout the project will serve as a catalyst for replication and scaling up to 2,000 hubs across Sub-Saharan Africa, fostering widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions and transformative development models. Through collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainable development, REAP aims to empower rural communities, unlock their potential, and create a brighter future for all. Together, we can build resilient communities, promote Gender and Social inclusivity, and achieve a greener and more prosperous world.
Empowering impactful development across rural Malawi through clean Energy HUBs
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the country faces severe challenges in multiple aspects of the society. Only around 16% of the population aged 25 and above have completed secondary school, 70% of Malawi's population between 15 and 29 are not employed by formal organisations. Only 18% of the Malawi population has access to electricity services. And the lack of a culture for operation and maintenance often results in that for instance installed solar energy systems are not taken care of and stop functioning after just 2-3 years while their technical life-time is often 15-20 years. Differ Community Power is specialised in providing reliable energy services to schools and health facilities in developing countries. In Malawi, DCP, with SteamaCo, has more than 100 sites in operation, and at all of these sites there is excess energy available during daytime that currently is not used. This project seeks ways to use this excess energy to solve some of the challenges mentioned above, including earning money to do O&M on the solar energy systems at the health facilities. We are doing this by selling electricity services to off-takers. These off-takers must afford paying for the energy, and this ability to pay is the main risk to whether we are able to create a viable business. Examples of off-takers and related businesses are: Water Services for agriculture irrigation: Using excess energy to pump water into water tanks during daytime and farmers can use irrigation systems and gravity for water feeding the soil during nighttime. 80% of the population is involved of agricultural activities, and providing water so that the farmers potentially can have more than one harvesting season, is promising. Cooling service for agriculture proceeds: Using excess energy to offer cooling services for the agriculture proceeds. The loss of proceeds and value will be significantly reduced Energy services for households: Using excess energy to charge batteries that are rented out to households that cannot afford their own solar home system. Milling services for farmers: Using excess energy to run maize mills the farmer so far have been using diesel generators for. All of these services imply selling electricity and if successful, the impact will be very positive on several of the SDGs, e.g. on health services (SDG3), education (SDG4), clean energy (SDG7), economic growth (SDG8) and climate change (SDG13).
Towards a new power infrastructure development path for rural Africa (PowerPath)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Nanoé is a French-Malagasy social business moved by the ambition to amplify energy access and employment creation in rural Africa through the implementation of a new electrification model based on renewable energies, digital technologies and local entrepreneurship, named Lateral Electrification. In the PowerPath project Nanoé collaborates with Technovative Solutions Limited, the University of Lancaster, TWI Limited and The Power Hub Limited and seek funding to develop a first of a kind progressive technological concept that clusters smaller power infrastructures (from solar nanogrid, to DC microgrid, to DC/AC minigrid) to deliver more intense energy services (like motor or thermal uses) in a way that ensures stable, abundant energy access through solar. Further to technological development, the business model of PowerPath addresses a plurality of challenges related to the deployment and maintenance of the technologies related to the nanogrids/microgrids as they focus to the training and strong participation of not-skilled community members without gender discrimination to become technically skilled agents of the energy expansion. In this context the project addresses sustainable development goals: SDG-7 (access to energy), SDG-8 (access to employment) and SDG-13 (development of sustainable energy practices).
Safely transforming phytoremediation crops into bioenergy
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This project will optimise technology to efficiently and safely produce biogas using plants grown on contaminated land. Terra Power is based in the UK and was founded to develop this technology. The project involves partners in the UK, UAE, and Indonesia. Our UK partner, Loughborough University, brings research expertise, AD capabilities, and all required lab equipment. Terra Power worked with Loughborough to deliver a successful proof-of-concept project, and published results in a co-authored paper in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Phytoremediation (June 2020) Our UAE partner, Zest Associates, brings cleantech commercialisation expertise, green finance expertise, start-up incubation experience and project leadership capabilities critical for successful delivery. Our Indonesian partner, Nexus3, brings access to test sites, skills in site characterisation, toxics management, and testing the production of mercury-absorbent polymer locally, maintaining relationships with target communities, policymakers and local subcontractors. This project supports the production of cost-effective and locally secure low-carbon energy for the energy-poor in countries affected by site contamination, tackling the energy trilemma. The project also delivers co-benefits including reduced carbon emissions, valorising remediation activities, improving health, especially of women and children, restoring soils, create local economic development, in turn addressing Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 & 15, and supporting compliance with the UN Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Powering the Future: Revolutionising Access and Efficiency through Integrated and Sustainable Energy Solutions
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
SureChill and GreenPower Overseas Ltd are leading companies in the off-grid refrigeration and power solutions markets, respectively. SureChill specializes in providing affordable refrigeration solutions using revolutionary technology that ensures consistent cooling even without electricity, while GreenPower focuses on delivering cutting-edge power and energy solutions. Under the joint initiative titled "Powering the Future: Revolutionizing Access and Efficiency through Integrated and Sustainable Energy Solutions," we are dedicated to empowering underserved communities with reliable, clean, and affordable cooling and lighting solutions. Our shared objective is to create transformative impact, stimulate economic growth, foster sustainability, and ultimately create a future that is inclusive for all. In Nigeria, communities in underserved regions in the country face significant challenges in accessing cooling and lighting solutions. World Bank reports from 2020 reveal that in Nigeria, the electrification rate stood at approximately 57%, leaving over 85 million individuals without dependable access to grid electricity. Consequently, these individuals resort to alternative options like generators and other unconventional power sources. This reliance on alternative means underscores the considerable proportion of people who lack access to essential services such as lighting, cooling, phone charging, television, and fans. We recognize these barriers and have developed two innovative solutions to address them. Solution v1 combines the SureChill SDD fridge energy harvesting system with a Solar Home System (SHS), optimizing energy utilization and ensuring reliable access to electricity. This solution diverts excess energy for later use, providing power to essential appliances and improving the quality of life for businesses and communities. Building on the success of solution v1, solution v2 takes energy access and management to the next level. By integrating the energy harvesting system, remote controller, and a unique payment model into an Energy Management System Control Hub, users gain real-time control over their energy consumption, remote access to appliances, and flexible payment options tailored to their specific needs. To achieve our objectives, we will conduct rigorous testing and validation of solution v1 while simultaneously investing in intense research and development for solution v2. By piloting both solutions, we will test the efficiency and effectiveness of the solutions in diverse communities, paving the way for seamless integration. By funding the collaboration between SureChill and GreenPower, Innovate UK will support in creating a future where underserved communities will be empowered, new economic opportunities will be unlocked, and a sustainable and inclusive society for all will be fostered.
3D-printed gas turbines for efficient conversion of biogas to power in rural communities of the Global South
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
HyperGen through this project aims to adapt a novel design of Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) for use with biogas from Anaerobic Digestion (AD) by developing a Multi Fuel Injector (MFI) that can handle a variety of fuels, e.g., pure biogas, BioLPG, or diesel. The HyperGen MGT (HMGT) is aimed at competing with Piston Engine Generators, particularly diesel (DPGs) in small scale applications (<500kW). MGTs are simpler, lower maintenance, cleaner emission, and easier to multifuel. HyperGen's platform goes further by providing a basis for significantly higher efficiency and adopting a wide array of fuels, whilst providing consumers with affordable, reliable, low carbon electricity. This project focuses specifically on working with biogas and developing resilience to the corrosive biogas combustion gases through material testing and less interference between biogas and corrodible surfaces. The MFI is critical in ensuring a smooth transition to low carbon fuels given the dearth of availability of small-scale engines for operation on pure biogas without added diesel. The MGT could provide an alternative to DPG in minigrids, including solar PV ones in developing countries. Biogas storage is cheaper than batteries and cleaner than diesel for peak or back-up generation. This project will focus on farm cooperatives in Malawi that are supported by our partner Malawi Fruit. These communities currently have very limited access to electricity. Malawi Fruits will provide a consumer view on competing technologies and assess how access to 24/7 clean power from MGT could change the lives of these farmers. Production of biogas for cooking and fertilizer from Anaerobic Digestion is also a likely side benefit that could be deployed early on. The project will 1) Deliver a working MFI and conceptual design of Balance of Plant around the MFI/MGT (from biogas to heat and power) adapted to the feedstocks for biogas available on Malawian cooperatives. 2) Investigate methods allowing the MFI/MGT to handle the corrosive biogas, while maintaining energy efficiency. This may include biogas purification e.g., zinc oxide bed, filtration, the challenge being that these methods must be adapted if applied in the field in Malawi or ODA countries in a continuation project. 3) Assess resources, energy needs and attitudes of Malawian farming community through surveys and workshops conducted by Malawi Fruits. This will inform Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) when specifying the whole plant around feedstock availability and collection, as well as uses for the biogas and waste heat beyond power generation.
Powering Uganda's Clean Energy Future: Biomethane Technology and Innovation for Clean Cooling in Rural Uganda (BioCool)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Uganda's population was estimated to be around 47.8million people in 2021. The vulnerability of Uganda to climate change is a significant driver of food insecurity in the country. Considering a relatively high population growth rate of approximately 3.28% (World Bank, 2021), up to 2.5million people have been projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023 in Uganda (The Independent Magazine, 2023). Food insecurity is worsened by a gross lack of electricity among the rural population. Only 10% of the rural population has access to electricity. This hinders the use of efficient irrigation systems, storage facilities, and processing equipment, resulting in post-harvest losses and reduced food availability (Tröger et al., 2020)*. Post-harvest losses and food insecurity in Uganda can be tackled by improved cooling systems (Amjad et al., 2023)**. AD produces biomethane, a low-cost and low-carbon fuel that can be effectively adapted for rural communities. With biomethane, we can power cold storage units, providing a reliable means of preserving perishable goods. Notably, biomethane production is versatile. Various organic materials can be utilised, such as animal manure and market wastes. By harnessing the vast reserves of organic waste, we can generate biomethane and effectively operate refrigerators (Lsoto, 2020)***. This renewable energy source offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for off-grid supply. Uganda is one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that is exploiting AD technology to provide household cooking and electrification, with over 30,000 digesters installed. However, techno-economic issues like insufficient feedstock supply and operating/maintenance know-how by rural households limit its long-term application and widespread adoption. For example, about 60% of digesters have become non-operational due to water and manure scarcity (Smith et al., 2013)****. The BioCool project will tackle this need by implementing an Energy as a Service (EaaS) business model, shifting the techno-economic responsibilities to the energy provider. This approach not only guarantees improved livelihoods for the rural population but also ensures that customers only pay for the fuel they consume. By doing so, it provides them with enhanced access to reliable, affordable, and low-carbon fuel options. Additionally, the BioCool Project will incorporate co-digestion and the use of a slurry separation technology to facilitate water recirculation back into the AD system, further enhancing its efficiency. *https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2020.02.017 **https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkad015 *** Lsoto Dorothy (2020). Evaluating Biogas Chiller Performance and Adoption in Eastern Uganda (Kumi District) Master's thesis, University of Wisconsin-Madison. **** Final Report. DFID NET-RC AO6502.
Solar Hospital EnergyLeasing Demonstrator (SHIELD)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Kenya's public hospitals struggle with electrical power. They experience blackouts, instability in provision and have to pay variable and often quite high costs. The results of this are disastrous. When the power fails, so do the fridges and this breaks the 'cold chain'. Vaccines can be lost and expensive medicines perished, but even worse, surgeries have to be cancelled or abandoned. Even though the power is not reliable, it is still expensive and hospitals must pay significant sums each month to keep the lights on. Unfortunately, things are likely to get worse: as the climate changes extreme weather is likely to cause more significant impacts and this will cause closures and disruptions to service. Public hospitals in Kenya serve the most vulnerable populations - those who have no other options. Hence, reducing their access to healthcare has devastating consequences and can hold back the development of the cities, and towns that rely on these important healthcare providers. More positively, onsite solar energy generation provides a technological solutions with huge potential to address these key issues. We aim to install a solar system at one of Kenya's most important public hospitals. We will show that the installation can offer huge advantages to the hospital in terms of cost, reliability and stability, with the positive result that they are able to be a more effective healthcare provider to desperate patients in need of care. Solar is currently perceived as being a private sector solution, but we will work with stakeholders to show that the benefits far outweigh the risks for large consumers of energy such as hospitals. We will install a system at Meru Teaching hospital - a well known Level 5 facility - and collect a range of data on how much energy can be generated, how it is used, what operational effects it has, and how much carbon and money is saved . We want to share this data through a representative steering group with the government and other stakeholders so that they can make better choices about how energy is funded. We believe this project will make Kenya's hospitals more resilient so that they can save more lives and work through the extreme weather they face in the years ahead. We want to use this project to show other hospitals in Africa that installations such as this can be cost-effective and value-adding.
Energy Makers Academy: A mobile learning platform for universities to train rural energy innovators
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The number of people without access to electricity in Africa dropped from almost 860 million in 2018 to 770 million in 2019 (IEA et al., 2021). However, without more sustained efforts, it is predicted that 650 million people will still live without access to electricity in 2030, despite universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity by 2030 being a key Sustainable Development Goal (United Nations, 2015).
Energy Catalyst Accelerator Programme (ECAP) Rounds 9 and 10
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Provides incubator and business accelerator support to help companies to grow and to commercialise their innovations.
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