28 July 2022 - Dr Carl Telford

Energy storage trip to Malawi with Innovate UK

Energy storage trip to Malawi with Innovate UK

The role of battery energy storage in low and middle-income economies is increasingly important as a way to deliver clean, sustainable energy. 

For many it means access to reliable power supporting everything from schools and education to cooking and refrigeration. 

CBI is exploring opportunities to use lead batteries in energy storage systems such as microgrids, alongside a novel hydrogen-production technology (called The Battolyser) that also uses lead battery components.

Innovate UK invited CBI to visit Malawi, a country in Sub-Saharan East Africa, as part of its Energy Catalyst programme.

We joined start-ups, clean tech companies and connected with public and private energy organisations in Malawi, including the Malawi government, energy associations and the UK High Commission.

But, above all, we were able to learn first-hand the challenges and needs of local communities.

Designed to help companies find project partners who are applying for funding through Innovate-UK’s Energy Catalyst programme, the trip involved visiting existing microgrids and talking to local experts and communities. 

CBI is now working with Loughborough University and two Malawi-based energy solutions providers to develop a strong bid for Energy Catalyst Round 9.

This £1 million project to develop an energy storage solution including electrical energy storage and renewable hydrogen, will be submitted in August 2022.

Watch the video of the trip below

By Dr Carl Telford, Research and Innovation Manager at CBI

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