In
recent years mobile phone communication has been a major contributor
to economic growth in developing countries but its spread has been
hindered by limited charging options for the 650 million off-grid
mobile phone users who have network access.
Having
an operational phone means access to services that have improved
banking, health and farming in Africa and Asia. Many millions of
people at the bottom of the economic pyramid are expected to acquire
mobile phones, greatly benefiting their lives, business activities
and access to information. However, most of these new subscribers
will not have direct access to electricity.
In
response to the growing problem, London-based Buffalo Grid have
developed a text message activated solar-powered cellphone charging
station to help cut electricity costs. The technology utilizes a
60-watt photo-voltaic panel, which charges a battery that is then
taken to the village on the back of a bicycle. The portable micro
generator extracts power from the harvested solar energy using a
technique called maximum power point tracking (MPPT) - providing
on-demand mobile electricity. The system is activated when a customer
sends a text message to the device. Once the message is received, an
LED above a socket on the battery lights up, indicating that it is
ready to charge a phone. On average, each text message allows a phone
to be charged for 1.5 hours; where a fully charged 'buffalo grid'
unit can last for three days, with up to 10 charging points and
charge 30 to 50 phones per day.
In
addition to this, Buffalo provides environmental benefits through
supplying zero CO2 power which translates into increased access to
safe lighting. The system can also be used to provide off-grid power
for a range of uses from medical to educational applications.
It
will help in bringing a considerable amount of economic growth to
hundreds of rural communities around the world.
More
info
facebook
page
Photo
credit © Buffalo Grid
Buffalo
entrepreneur, Bududa village, Uganda
Posted in: 
0 commenti:
Posta un commento