Catalysing energy access in Africa through smarter energy storage management

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This project enables the remote, automated management of distributed off-grid batteries powering solar home systems throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The research has two objectives: to examine solar home system (SHS) usage data to design smarter appliances for off-grid customers; and to optimise lithium ion battery (LIB) lifetime. M-KOPA collects daily usage data from >500,000 households in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), however, there is a gap in effective use of the data for product management and design excellence. Using data science tools and machine learning algorithms, M-KOPA will develop approaches to maximise product battery life, and design smarter appliances. These tools will decrease the premature LIB failure rate (one of M-KOPA's greatest challenges). Oxford University will design battery failure prediction algorithms to increase the longevity, effectiveness, and reliability of future LIBs for off-grid customers. Thus, this project targets all three aspects of the energy trilemma: reducing emissions through increased life of LIBs in SSA, cost savings through optimal product design, and security of energy supply from more reliable SHS.