Experts will test innovative clean technologies, specifically designed to meet local power needs and unique infrastructure challenges in Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda, following over £4.85 million in funding from ZE-Gen’s Demonstrator programme via Innovate UK, on behalf of the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
To date, ZE-Gen has catalysed £39.75 million as part of its efforts to create jobs, power businesses, and tackle climate change by ending the use of fossil fuel generators. With support from the IKEA Foundation and the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, ZE-Gen has brought to life more than 35 localised renewable energy projects across Cote d’Ivoire, Fiji, Malawi, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, and Uganda.
The six new ZE-Gen Demonstrator projects are:
Malawi - Rural Health Centres & Agricultural Cold Storage: Flat-packed portable micro-power station combining solar PV and wind power generators, led by E-Safiri Charging Ltd. (Female-led Kenyan Company).
Nigeria – ZEBRAS – Zero-carbon Energy Battery Resource-as-a-Service (EaaS),
All Users: Holistic approach combining swapable rechargeable batteries, a containerised renewable generation system, and repurposing of fossil fuel generators ensuring versatile deployment capabilities - whether integrated with the grid or operating independently. Led by MEP Technologies, (Dundee, UK), uniting industry leaders PowerUp Off-Grid Services, Nevadic, The Washing Machine Project (TWMP) and Skrum
Nigeria – Innovative thermal batteries with integrated thermophotovoltaics to provide clean, baseload energy to displace primary gas generators and backup diesel generators. Piloting at Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria with joint studies on how to scale across other sectors. Led by AED Energy Ltd (London, UK)
Nigeria - Affordable Sustainable Power Access: MOPOMax proprietary generator replacement batteries are rented from solar powered charging hubs on a pay per use basis, providing affordable clean energy to families and businesses suffering from unstable or no grid infrastructure. Led by MOPO Ltd (Sheffield, UK)
South Africa - Health Clinics: Hybrid renewable energy generation and storage project designed to provide back-up power to health clinics in socially and economically disadvantaged communities across South Africa. The initial demonstration project is planned for three township health clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. Led by Stellae Energy (London, UK). Supported by Resilience Energy-South Africa and Rhizome Energy (Dartford, UK).
Uganda - AI-controlled, optimised renewable energy storage system using second-life electric vehicle batteries and solar, to replace fossil fuel generators in Uganda. Led by Grid AI Ltd (Loughborough, UK)
Globally, around 1.5 billion people don’t have access to reliable electricity. It is estimated that 25 million, highly polluting, fossil fuel generators are in use across emerging economies, resulting in huge financial, social and environmental costs.1 Associated health risks include premature death, lung cancer, hearing impairment and numerous other problems.
High carbon emissions can also hold back countries’ efforts to meet their climate goals, and the high running costs of fossil fuel generators can reduce finance available for business, healthcare and education.
Despite being home to two-thirds of the world’s population, emerging economies account for only 15 percent of global clean energy investment, with homes and businesses facing frequent blackouts that can last for weeks at a time, negatively impacting daily lives and business income.
ZE-Gen is a collaborative initiative by the Carbon Trust and Innovate UK with ZE-Gen projects receiving a range of expert support to bring projects to scale.
“Supporting cutting-edge technology is a core part of ZE-Gen, and these latest Demonstrator projects will play a crucial role in showing the positive benefits of using renewable energy instead of polluting fossil fuel generators” said Dr James Coombes OBrien, ZE-Gen lead at Innovate UK. “We’re delighted to be supporting both UK companies and international partners in providing innovative solutions to global problems.”
Launched at COP27, ZE-Gen is the leading international initiative working to improve the lives of people across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region through accelerating the transition from polluting fossil fuel generators to clean, renewable energy-based alternatives.
“Taking renewable energy concepts out of the lab and putting them into action in the real world is crucial to ensure innovations meet the needs of local communities, perform well and can be developed to be commercially attractive” added Lily Beadle, ZE-Gen lead at the Carbon Trust. “Collaboration, partnerships and localisation are at the heart of ZE-Gen and we’re looking forward to supporting these exciting Demonstrator projects come to life in communities.”
ZE-Gen’s unique approach tackles market barriers to renewable energy-based alternatives to fossil fuel generators by uniting innovation, finance and skills to drive competitive market growth. The successful implementation of these Demonstrator projects will help develop new international markets, opening economic opportunities over the coming years.
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