Engineers Develop Longer-Life Batteries to Electrify Communities in Africa

Sheffield, United Kingdom - Engineers from the University of Sheffield are collaborating with Mobile Power, a Sheffield-based battery technology company, to develop innovative longer-life batteries that promise to transform access to electricity in African communities.

This initiative addresses a critical need, as more than 740 million people globally, including many in off-grid African communities, lack reliable electricity access.

The new MOPO batteries are designed to power essential appliances such as cooking devices, refrigerators, and mobile phones.

According to the university, these batteries are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional diesel and petrol generators, which are costly and harmful to the environment.

Dan Gladwin, a professor of electronic and electrical engineering at the University of Sheffield, emphasized the transformative potential of these batteries.

"Smart batteries can play a major role in helping to connect communities to electricity. They are clean, safe, and can be much cheaper to access than petrol and diesel generators," he stated.

A unique aspect of the project is its rental model. Communities can rent these batteries as needed through a cloud-based platform, with the batteries being recharged at solar-powered hubs.

This approach not only ensures sustainability but also makes electricity more accessible and affordable for users.

Since the collaboration began in 2017, Sheffield engineers have been contributing their expertise to help Mobile Power enhance the longevity and performance of their battery cells.

The impact of this partnership is already significant, with more than 14 million MOPO battery rentals recorded across Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad, and Uganda.

This initiative is a prime example of how engineering innovations and collaborative efforts can address global challenges, providing sustainable and scalable solutions to energy access that empower communities and foster development.