Author: African Green Revolution Staff Published: 9/27/21 AGR
There are several up-and-coming renewable energy organizations, we have listed 5 great start-ups. Africa has an enormous amount of energy power potential. And Africa has the potential to produce tons of renewable energy, however, two out of three Africans lack access to electricity — that’s 621 million people. Brighter Africa also reported that the sub-Saharan Africa area has 13% of the world’s total population and 48% of those without electricity.
Sub-Saharan Africa is currently in an energy crisis. However, technologists and entrepreneurs from Africa are finding solutions to their energy problems. It could lead to a 27 percent reduction in carbon emissions if sub-Saharan Africa promotes renewables. Bloomberg recognized Africa as a leader in renewable energy.
Five Startups That Help Africa Power Its Energy:
1. M-Kopa Solar
M-Kopa capitalized on Africa’s popularity for mobile phones to start a pay-as-you-go solar revolution. Customers can replace their kerosene lamps with solar lamps and radio/phone charging stations via SMS messaging using mobile money networks in a few months.
The founders of M-Pesa in Kenya, a popular mobile money system that has been a model for others, founded the company. This company provides customers with solar lamps that can also recharge their mobile phone or radio.
M-Kopa customers love the service because it is affordable and simple to use. M-Kopa’s customers also like that it is easy to pay for. M-Pesa is a Kenyan mobile money service that is highly regarded.
2. Quaint Global Energy Solutions
Quaint Global, based in Nigeria, is developing 50 megawatts of renewable energy to provide electricity to Kaduna State. The company is currently in collaboration with Tetra Tech, an American company.
Access Infra Africa is a company that specializes in developing, owning, and managing power assets. In June 2020, Access Infra Africa signed a joint agreement with Quaint Global Energy Solutions in order to invest $100 million in the ABIBA Solar Project in Nigeria.
This Nigerian company expands renewable power projects and got a US Trade and Development Agency grant as part of Power Africa, a US government initiative. Quaint Global and Tetra Tech (a California-based energy project developer) are working together on a feasibility study to determine the best path forward for the project. This effort will provide 50 megawatts of clean energy for Kaduna State in Nigeria. It could also generate more than $160million.
3. Freedom Won
This startup is focusing on electric vehicles. Their first cars were electric Jeep Grand Cherokees that were used to drive tourists on safaris. They have since developed an energy storage system that can enhance lithium-ion battery performance. Called FreedomCOR, the design is similar to the Tesla Powerwall.
Freedom Won is a cutting-edge energy storage system that significantly increases operational efficiency and service life at a fraction of the cost of other options.
We have Africa’s unique power needs covered with our superior range of LiTE batteries (LiFePO4-Lithium Iron Phosphate). Freedom Won’s Lithium LiTE batteries are the best choice for those who want to make advancements in renewable energy.
The South African company was established in 2011 to develop Africa’s electric vehicle and clean energy solutions. They developed Freedom1, the first prototype of an electric vehicle. Since then, several others have been built, mainly for safari drives and wildlife tourism.
Freedom Won has created a wall-mounted Tesla Powerwall like system, the FreedomCOR. It uses lithium-ion battery storage to store renewable energy. These modular batteries range in size from 5 to 30 kilowatts for residential use or larger for industrial use and are said to last for up to 13 years.
4. African Clean Energy
For some people, the simple act of making a meal can be hazardous. Cooking using dirty fuels or even open pit fires causes accidents that kill four million people every year. African Clean Energy was concerned by this number and created a stovetop that can burn any biomass, consume 70% less energy, and cut costs by half. The ACE 1 Ultra-Clean biomass cookstove can also burn cleanly and is suitable for indoors.
This company estimates that around three billion people cook on open fires and with dangerous, dirty fuels, and accidents resulting from that kill four million people a year. African Clean Energy created the ACE 1 Ultra-Clean Biomass Cookstove to address this problem. It burns biomass cleanly indoors and outdoors. As a result, it cuts fuel consumption by about 70%, saves 50% on costs, and dramatically improves the lives and well-being of children and women who cook the bulk of the food.
The ACE One energy system provides an integrated energy solution to off-grid households in developing countries. It uses both thermal and electrical generation to offer a smokeless, clean cooking experience. In addition, it generates solar-powered electricity that can be used to charge phones and light up the room.
Hardware
The ACE One hybrid solar-biomass energy system is a combination of solar and biomass. It provides thermal and electrical energy for its users while emitting very little smoke, protecting their health.
The ACE One provides electricity access, allowing users to charge their phones or plug in the LED light accessory, which saves them money and makes the ACE One more affordable.
The ACE One’s efficient burning and ability to burn any dry solid biomass fuel (animal residue, crop residue, small sticks) reduces the demand for unsustainably harvested wood fuel and saves our environment.
Digital Infrastructure
The ACE One is being sold now as part of the ACE Connect package, including a second-use Samsung phone with a preinstalled ACE Connect application.
In 2019, we updated the ACE One to include ‘smart’ capabilities, allowing customers to connect it to their smartphones. Remotely, the new ACE One can be turned off remotely, which gives customers greater flexibility in their loan repayments and reducing the loan risk.
Customers can also track their loan repayments using the ACE Connect app. In addition, they can also communicate directly with their customer service team via the app.
Physical Infrastructure
A skilled team of maintenance services on the ground is ready to support their customers through any product malfunctions.
Teams of salespeople who travel to communities and demonstrate the ACE One. They can set up loans and contracts on the spot.
Expanding our physical infrastructure of mobile retail shops throughout our markets to give continuous access to clean energy products and services. This project is being co-funded by the European Union.
The ACE team is spread across three continents: the Netherlands, Lesotho, and Uganda, as well as Cambodia.
5. iCoal Concept Ltd
The Kenya Climate Innovation Center of the World Bank launched a mentorship program for crowdfunding for East African entrepreneurs to provide them financial services and mentorship. iCoal Concept Ltd was one of the selected startups which turns charcoal waste into modern energy. The company takes charcoal waste from the community and turns it into charcoal-based briques that are 35% cheaper than regular charcoal.
Kenyan households use 700 tons of charcoal per day. iCoal now handles the market and produces three tons of SmartCharcoal daily for farmers, hotels, and residential communities.
Innovative recycling is the name of this Kenyan company’s game, and it’s safe to say they’re winning right now
iCoal Concept Ltd. transforms the charcoal from the community into briquettes that can be used for powering homes. Recycled briquettes cost 35% less than regular coal. The company’s efforts will help Kenyans improve their quality of life as well as energy efficiency.
iCoal is a market leader in developing climate change solutions that will help achieve Sustainable Development Goals. The following interventions are part of their mission and goals:
This information is intended to motivate individuals and private sector organizations to act on climate change. This information is shared through various platforms, including periodic newsletters and magazines sent to clients, websites, and social networks.