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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.
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.
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
VUTSELA: Sustainable Farm-based Biogas Systems with Community Impact in Eswatini
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
VUTSELA means "keep burning" in Siswati. Energy access in Eswatini is limited and very dependent on neighbouring countries with 80% of electricity being imported from South Africa and Mozambique. Liquefied petroleum gas availability is declining sharply with production facilities in South Africa closing down. The bulk of the population (78%) are based in rural areas, contributing to the crisis of ensuring viable and sustainable supply of energy to households. Decentralised energy supply solutions such as solar PV and biogas are suitable solutions to this problem. Biogas may be particularly well suited for adoption in Eswatini as 71% of the land is agricultural and feedstock for digestion is readily available. Biogas generated sustainably from waste could satisfy household or light-industrial heating requirements, which form the majority of energy needs. Farms would be an appropriate route to market entry as digestion provides the added benefit of waste disposal and fertilser production in addition to energy savings from biogas production. As 37% of the economically active population of Eswatini is employed in agriculture, targeting farms aids the economic survival of a backbone of employment in the country. Moreover, it effectively exposes a large proportion of the population to a new technology (biogas generation through anaerobic digestion) which aids in education and wider scale later adoption. This project aims to roll out 100 digesters (plus an initial 15 prototypes) to low income farms in Eswatini and the bordering regions of South Africa. Eswatini is targeted due to the reasons stated, and South Africa is seen as a potential market expansion in neighbouring regions with a similar context. This project period will be used to gain valuable market feedback through community engagement and the established methods of Smart Villages Research Group to understand and define the real needs of the local farms and communities and use this information for design revisions before future commercial rollout and continued operation. The project will be executed with a local tertiary training centre, STREEC, aimed at equipping Eswatini youth with technical skills in renewable energy and entrepreneurship. Small commercial farms will be chosen for initial sites within a 100km radius of the training centre for ease of monitoring, training, and engagement hubs for wider groups of low income farmers to introduce the technology and understand the specific needs and value to the community. Innovation will be largely focused on technology adoption and developing a viable and sustainable business model.
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.
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).
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.
Feasibility Studies for the Solar-Wind Hybrid Power System in Nigeria
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This project is set to revolutionise the renewable energy landscape in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where energy challenges are abundant. Comprising vertical-axis wind turbines and solar panels, our system will seamlessly combine two renewable energy sources to ensure a consistent and uninterrupted power supply, replacing fossil fuel generators, regardless of weather conditions. While the global adoption of solar and wind energy is not new, our project brings a fresh perspective to the Nigerian market. We proudly stand as the first micro-wind turbine company in Nigeria, showcasing our expertise in manufacturing wind turbines and low revolution per minute (RPM) axial flux generators. This not only guarantees energy sustainability but also establishes us as pioneers of innovation and promoting local content in Nigeria's renewable energy sector. Our journey began with the development of a project on this system after analysing a decade of wind data in Kano State, which not only garnered recognition but also secured multiple awards. Our project has received accolades from prestigious platforms, winning competitions such as the Falling Lab competition and representing Nigeria at Germany's Falling Walls Science Summit Berlin. Through Innovation Week workshops and lectures at TU9 Universities in Germany, we honed our business plan and entrepreneurial skills with the support of industry experts. Validation from Aachen University of Technology in Germany and Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, further underscores the credibility of our technology. We proudly earned the title of the most outstanding innovation at the Nigeria International Energy Conference in March 2022 and were named the best climate mitigation startup by the Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Our commitment to addressing energy challenges has been recognised globally, with awards such as the third-best clean energy business idea by the African Fellowship for Young Energy Leaders. We got recognised by BP (British Petroleum) due to our commitment to accelerating the energy transition, this made us part of the NetZero scholar at the One Young World Summit in Belfast. Notably, we received personal acknowledgment from the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano after successfully powering a classroom with this project which acted as initial proof of concept. Once we complete the feasibility studies to fully transform this project into a more reliable, sustainable solar-wind hybrid system, this will represent a transformative force in providing sustainable and reliable energy to communities in need.
Feasibility of Thermophotovoltaic Zero-Emission Generators
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This project will assess the feasibility of innovative thermal batteries with integrated thermophotovoltaic cells based on earth-abundant semiconductors to displace primary gas generators and backup diesel generators, with an aim towards future prototype / pilot demonstration at Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria and in the context of rural renewable microgrids in Nigeria. As an energy storage technology capable of replacing fossil fuel generators in multiple applications, with zero emissions at point of use, thermal batteries with solid state heat to power cycles provide a very low cost energy storage medium. They can be charged up from grid electricity, but when combined with dedicated renewable generation provide an integrated solution for clean roundtrip on-demand electricity supply.
Automatic Generator Replacement Trial
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Alp are going to remove the need for diesel generators forever. We are creating a new energy infrastructure that is future proofed, connected, intelligent and can deliver clean, reliable power at a fraction of the cost of diesel generation. We take the pain of managing energy generation away from our customers, simply supplying them with the power they need at a price they can easily afford.
Hybrid Wind Solar Generator technology (WiST) in Nigeria
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The combined impact of burning fossil fuels in traditional fossil generators is damaging to human health and the Environment. Diffusion of these generators is responsible for approximately 1,500 deaths per year in Nigeria and increases the chances of lung cancer by 70% due to respiratory diseases from inhaling generator emissions. The cost of subsidies for power generation in off-grid areas and regions with unstable grid electricity is extremely challenging. We will develop a new team from Eja-Ice, Kinder Energy, and Aston University to address the energy shortage in Nigeria and offer an alternative to popular fossil generators. We will leverage Kinder Energy's Hybrid-Wind- Solar Generator. Kinder Energy has developed and proved a unique Vertical Axis Hybrid Wind + Solar Turbine (WiST) technology that has numerous advantages over all other turbines as follows: • Self-starting -- starts in a zephyr of wind without the need for energy input from the electricity grid or battery • Omni-directional - capable of full operation in gusting and turbulent wind conditions • Self-feathering -- the turbine has no shutdown speed, so it will continue to operate in storm conditions • Bird and bat friendly -- does not kill wildlife • Vibration free and virtually silent -- less than ambient wind noise • Structurally redundant - resulting in a fail-safe design and with rotating parts encased in a stator, operational safety is also enhanced • Radar benign -- will be seen by radar as a fixed item such as a tall building • Suitable for rural environments -- retrofit, or new-build integration • Will create sustainable jobs in manufacturing - under licence - further ongoing employment in maintenance and self-repair. • Hybrid- By applying solar PV film or paint to the turbine's sun-facing surfaces, initial academic studies indicate potentially 20% more power output. Our Technology's key priority is supporting initiatives that help to reduce the impacts of Climate Change for future generations and provide electricity where it is needed, across the developing countries of the world, as a truly Global Solution. Eja-Ice and Kinder Energy have made GESI the centre of their projects by prioritising public engagement and educating underrepresented groups. Eja-Ice has set an example by becoming the first SME in Nigeria to register its systems with the national collateral register as movable assets, allowing women to access loans and overcome the inadequate financing barrier.
Affordable energy storage solution using Battery Cells recovered from e-waste and SoH prognosis empowered by Digital Twins
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Our project, "Affordable energy storage solution using Battery Cells recovered from e-waste and SoH prognosis empowered by Digital Twins," proposes a transformative approach to address energy challenges in Nigeria. Focused on repurposing retired battery cells from e-waste, especially sourced from electric vehicles, our initiative offers a sustainable and affordable solution to the widespread use of fossil-fuel generators. Key Components of our Project: 1. Circular Economy Integration: The project aligns with circular economy principles by sourcing retired electric vehicle batteries, mainly from India, where the adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing. This not only ensures a consistent supply of high-quality battery cells but also contributes to responsible e-waste management. 2. Digital Twins Technology: Central to our innovation is the incorporation of Digital Twins technology provided by ThinkClock Battery Labs. This technology enables real-time monitoring and prognostics of battery health, allowing for optimal performance, extended lifespan, and enhanced efficiency in energy storage applications. 3. Battery-as-a-Service Model: Recognizing the economic constraints in Nigeria, our project introduces a revolutionary Battery-as-a-Service model. This approach eliminates upfront costs for end-users, making clean energy accessible to a broader demographic. Users pay based on actual usage, fostering affordability and sustainability. Strategic Consortium for Comprehensive Solutions: Our consortium comprises ThinkClock Battery Labs, a UK-based technology leader offering Physical/DIgital Twinning services for battery development; Celloop Limited, a Nigerian company specializing in e-waste management and circular economy solutions; and Decibels Lab Pvt Ltd, an Indian company with expertise in battery management systems development. This strategic collaboration ensures a holistic approach, addressing technological, market, and environmental aspects. Market-Driven Adoption Strategy: Celloop Limited will conduct a comprehensive market assessment, identifying early adopters and assessing potential risks. This market-driven approach ensures that our technology aligns with the specific needs and preferences of the Nigerian population, promoting widespread adoption. Anticipated Project Outcomes: The project aims to deliver a tangible proof of concept, showcasing the viability, efficiency, and market readiness of our innovative energy storage solution. In conclusion, our project represents a paradigm shift in the clean energy sector, offering a sustainable, affordable, and market-driven solution to the energy challenges faced by communities in Nigeria. The integration of circular economy principles, cutting-edge technology, and a strategic consortium positions our initiative as a catalyst for positive change in the energy landscape.
Solar And Biogas Off-grid Power (SABOP) for Rwenjeru Agrotourism and Demonstration Farm, Mbarara, Uganda.
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
In this project, we will integrate of 2 well-established technologies (solar photovoltaic power and biomethane from biodigestion of waste biomass) to create a 24-hours' all-weather electricity supply minigrid that will tackle the colossal lack of access to energy in Uganda (particularly Rwenjeru Agrotourism and Demonstration Farm). Also, we will implement a renewable milk chiller as a productive use of energy at Rwenjeru. Furthermore, we will conduct a market analysis and develop a business plan for the viable and affordable deployment of the project outcome and for future scale-up beyond the project. Our waste-to-energy anaerobic digestion system will help to process food and agricultural waste that will otherwise pollute the environment, into clean renewable energy (24hrs) for an agrotourism business and \>1,000 farmer's household. By performing initial socio-economic appraisal, we will access the affordability of potential end-users and the viability of the SABOP energy platform. We will leverage on the intrinsic waste-to-energy approach of the SABOP system to match the affordability of Ugandans. The implementation of a smart minigrid allows us to accurately measure loading and generation capacity of SABOP and to effectively plan for expansion into neighbouring communities. We will engage with local and national stakeholders to ensure buy-in and share outcomes from the project to improve energy policy in Uganda. The use of biomethane as an alternative to gasoil is expected to improve local air quality, with regards to NOx and particulate matter. We will reduce Rwenjeru's dependence on highly polluting diesel and petrol powered electricity generators. By generating electricity with solar power instead of fossil fuels, we can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). Our stakeholders and community engagement (workshops, social media, and flyers) will increase environmental awareness and prompt end-users to be more resource efficient in other parts of their daily life. Reliable electricity supply from the SABOP system will improved street and community lighting which will enhance security in Rwenjeru. By increasing the productivity and profitability through energy access, as well as providing cheaper biofertilizer to farmers (76% women), households will be able to improve the quality and quantity of food in the homes with positive impact on the general health and well-being of people.
Development of a HIGH Capacity FLEXible Energy Storage System for Mini-Grid Application in Sub-Sahara Africa (High ESS)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
This collaborative project will develop and demonstrate a new technology (HIGHFLEX) that consists of a high-capacity flexible energy storage systems (HIGHFLEX ESS) integrated with innovative Battery Management System (BMS); Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) and intelligent monitoring and performance management system (Digital Twin) for mini grid applications in hot climates. The new technology is a portable and scalable system that facilitates: Quick development of mini grids in SSA. Storage of high-capacity energy generated from clean power sources during peak hours for off-peak utilisation. Delivering reliable and affordable power system through innovative solutions e.g., Digital twin, second life battery, real-time performance management and heat control system. The project's vision is to rapidly accelerate access to affordable off-grid electricity from clean energy sources in SSA. The project taps into the expanding global mini grid markets to offer affordable energy access for social mobility and inclusion in SSA communities not served by main power grids. HIGHFLEX will facilitate steady supply of electricity to rural and unserved areas and reduce energy access gaps between rural and urban communities in SSA where inaccessibility to affordable electricity is one of the main drivers of poverty to over 600 million people. This project has chosen Nigeria as a case for deployment of HIGHFLEX technology because of its over 200 million population and majority of its rural population (48% of its total population) do not have access to affordable and low carbon electricity. The project addresses barrier (access to electricity) to adoption of advancements in healthcare system; developing new technologies for agriculture, commerce, education; and entrepreneurship. HIGHFLEX makes it possible to deliver low carbon electricity to unlock sustainable economic development in SSA communities. This will empower women and children to lead more productive lives and have a better wellbeing. This will in turn encourage gender equality by learning digital and modern skills, which gives girls and women equal access to education, healthcare and enterprise. Furthermore, access to clean energy via mini grid will reduce crime and social unrest, since majority of the population would be productively engaged (Bloomberg 2020). This will lead to improved human security and cohesive communities and societies driven by mutual objective for sustainable development. HIGHFLEX will accelerate access to affordable and low carbon clean energy from bio-diesel, solar and wind (SDG 7), which lower environmental impacts from continued use of diesel-powered generators in Nigeria (world's leading generator consumer) to combat climate change effects (SDG 13).
CoolRun Malawi
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Agriculture is the key industry in Malawi; however, given the sub-tropical, climate, the cold supply chain for fruit, vegetables and other temperature sensitive goods is lacking. In most of Malawi, the electricity supply is unreliable, and the increasing cost of fossil fuels makes it expensive to operate internal combustion driven generators and compressors. The lack of a reliable, affordable, and available cold supply chain leads to high levels of wastage up to 50% of some crops harvested. In rural areas, farming is mostly on a subsistence basis and a female occupation. Farmers either sell their produce directly (or via resellers) at markets or roadside walking up to 2 hours to reach their pitch. Because the crop is not chilled, it cannot be easily sold to shops or supermarkets where higher prices could be realised. Our innovation is to develop a micro, affordable, mobile, sustainable refrigeration system comprising a modular refrigerated box cooled by Phase Change Material (PCM) panels. The crop is pre-cooled at a central location using a solar powered refrigeration unit that also cools the PCM panels. Temperature integrity is monitored via sensors that monitor GPS position and temperature and the data is transmitted to a cloud database for verification by supplier and customer alike. The design and development work will be undertaken by Aston University in conjunction with its SME partners Hubl Logistics, Enterprise Projects Ventures Limited (EPVL), Malawi Fruits and Engineeronics Ltd in the UK and Modern Farming Technology (MFT) in Malawi. EPVL will supply the systems and the prototype will be evaluated in the field by MFT and Malawi Fruits. MFT will assess any gender related issues with the design. A digital twin of the design will be developed at Aston and performance of the prototype will be compared to the digital twin which will inform the final design. Aston University will conduct studies of the impact of the technology on gender and unrepresented groups. Fruit and vegetable farming and selling in Malawi are activities divided based on gender with land ownership male dominated with females relegated to farming and sales. The technology is being developed with farming and selling enterprises in Malawi in mind to empower women to develop their enterprise and social standing by adding value to their activities. CoolRun enables users to cut waste dramatically providing more to sell and reach markets where prices are higher thereby generating greater returns.
Decentralised Energy Market Access And Co-finance (DEMA2C)
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
UNSDG 7 targets to achieve universal energy access by 2030, unfortunately, based on the current trajectory there is still a gap and it may be growing. This is so given that globally, about 789 million people (597 million of whom are in sub-Saharan Africa SSA do not have access to energy. Moreover, limited coverage, high interconnection costs, high energy and unreliable supply are the primary challenges of using conventional grid connections for both rural and urban areas. This would have been the opportunity for decentralised grids e.g. solar to fill the gap, especially off-grid communities completely cut-off from the main grid, unfortunately, renewables intermittency and high upfront costs are strong deterrents, moreover, there is a low affinity for financing micro-grid generation because investors struggle to track their ROI. The current set-up/technologies supporting DERs particularly solar are yet to overcome the peak generation and peak consumption mismatch nor track ROI. The DEMA2C consortium including Innovation Consultancy & Entrepreneurship (lead Partner), OtaskiES, Wave Insight, Moneda, MAD and Edo State Ministry of Infrastructure will be developing a technology that will enable the creation of a unified renewables-based grid that can supply on-demand green energy to off-grid communities. The technology will bridge the intermittency of the renewable delivering on-demand energy supply by optimising the link between generation and consumption without additional panels, high storage bank costs nor resorting to fossil-fuelled generators. It will also offer an energy-as-a-service model supported by an innovative payment platform with real-time ROI tracking for investors. This will stimulate investment into DERs to meet SDG 7 target by attracting investors that up to now have been shying away from investing in renewables-based micro grid. Successful deployment of DEMA2C will also enable prosumers are able to get an ROI 5X faster than when they would be just self-consuming their generated capacity. The clean energy DEMA2C enabled micro-grid will facilitate the avoidance of e1.04CO2kg/kW in emissions by replacing the use of generators.
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