Off-grid energy project
existing infrastructure to fall back on is where the greatest impact can be achieved and concepts proven. We were also pioneers in industrial doctorate training centres and we are going to use that experience to create a similar programme crossing international borders.”
TIMESCALE
The SUNRISE project will run for four years, with a six-month start-up period that started on October 1, 2017. Within that time the team will develop new coated photovoltaics, create at least five demonstrator buildings in India and establish an industrial doctorate training centre.
Once the partnership is properly established with Indian institutions and industries, the villages in which to carry out the project will be chosen.
“It’s very important that we work closely with villagers to ensure that the sites and the designs work on a social and cultural level if we are to have the most positive uptake,” says Dr Mabbett. “It’s important not to make the mistake of imposing a Western solution, but to co-create with villagers.
“This project is about enabling those communities to get access to energy, education and sanitation and while it’s difficult for many of us to grasp the challenges of life without those basic pieces of infrastructure, it’s a reality for billions of people worldwide. Simple provision of those commodities allows ambitions to be stretched and potential of so many more productive, intuitive, inventive minds to contribute in meaningful ways to the self-development of international communities.”
There are many challenges across the globe that affect developing nations more directly than developed nations. These global challenges are summed up in the 17 UN sustainable development goals, one of which – affordable, clean energy – is clearly addressed by the SUNRISE project. However, the team hopes its impact will be broader than that.
“By creating active classrooms as village hubs, we start to impact on other areas too – quality education, a local hub of clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth through local industry and infrastructure to build more sustainable buildings,” says Dr Mabbett.
“Gender equality is a goal that’s hugely affected by differences in education for males and females and that can even be in part driven by issues around sanitation as girls hit puberty.”
PROVING THE CONCEPT
This groundbreaking, potentially life-changing project would not be possible without the initial research carried out via the SPECIFIC project.
Professor Dave Worsley of Swansea University, head of research at the SPECIFIC project and leader of the SUNRISE team, explains: “To have Swansea University leading this project is recognition of our success with the energy-positive classroom, and proof of our research expertise in two of the most important industries of the 21st century, solar energy and steel.”
These technologies make a lot of sense in developed nations as well as in more remote areas, adds Dr Mabbett.
“Even where we have a national grid, infrastructure is becoming stretched and will certainly require expensive upgrades as we strive for electrification of heating and vehicles.
“Generating and storing electricity and heat at the point of use limits the requirement for grid infrastructure upgrades, and that is desirable everywhere. Technologies that prove to be successful will, it is hoped, be rolled out in buildings not just in India but also across other regions including Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.”