InnovateUK (Energy Catalyst) - Ubuntu Energy

There are many people and businesses in sub saharan Africa that don’t have access to electricity. Most of these communities are “off-grid” and the only power generated near them is solar generated from shops and households near-by. BUT, often the generation that exists, wastes up to 30% of the power generated as there is no capacity to store or distribute. Ubuntu Energy seeks to address this inefficiency/opportunity by automating the distribution of unused generation to nearby households and businesses. It helps the owner of the panels, generating an income from power that would otherwise be wasted, and it provides much needed access to energy to businesses and households nearby. Solar power could be abundant in Africa with the right financing, innovation and incentives. The Ubuntu Energy solution should be a “no-brainer” for the owners of generation capacity and for consumers, we know that demand is there. The Ubuntu Energy project has begun with a strong development pathway, local supply chain and manufacturing capabilities and support from InnovateUK Energy Catalyst 10. As we move forward with market testing and product piloting over the next 18 months, we are exploring financing and commercial partners to bring the solution to market at scale to bring clean, affordable power to millions of people in communities without access to centralised grid or other power sources. To those living off grid and with insecure grid access, the Ubuntu Energy solution will grow as a viable alternative to fossil fuel generation and produce a virtuous circle of investment in solar arrays to replace fossil fuel gen-sets, reducing carbon emissions and improving lives. The future is renewable, the future is distributed and for those communities who have contributed the least to the causes of a heating planet but will suffer the worst consequences of that heating, we hope the future is energised by Ubuntu Energy providing much needed resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. There are predictions that, by 2050, one in 10 babies born in the world will be Nigerian. Decarbonising the development path for these future generations in Nigeria and beyond is a vital and urgent mission. If you are interested in the work we are doing please email Chris@dre-co.com.