Micro-scale energy transition

First �peer-to-peer� village grid launched

German Ambassador in Dhaka Dr Thomas Prinz yesrterday inaugurated the first ‘peer-to-peer’ village grid in Bangladesh, reports UNB.
The pilot project, in Shakimali Madborkandi village, Shariatpur, 50km south of Dhaka, successfully demonstrates the SOLbox technology.
“This ambitious project demonstrates how innovative German companies can support the development of Bangladesh,” said Ambassador Prinz at the inauguration ceremony.
By giving more people access to electricity this project addresses a basic demand of the rural population in Bangladesh, he said.
“The more households join the grid, the better the allocation of electricity and the more reliable the supply for everybody involved,” said the diplomat.
The grid is supported by the energy access start-up SOLshare, the Centre for Energy Research from United International University (UIU) and Upokulio Biddutayan O Mohila Unnayan Samity (UBOMUS).
Users can now earn additional income by selling their surplus electricity and at the same time new people gain access to electricity for the first time in their life - without any large, centralized grid, according to German Embassy in Dhaka.
By providing a low-cost metering device to individual households with solar-home-systems, the project enables efficient electricity trading with neighbouring households and local businesses.
In total, there are some 65 million people that do not have access to the national grid in Bangladesh. This population is reliant on very costly and unhealthy alternatives like diesel generators and kerosene lamps.
At the same time, Bangladesh is the leading nation in the world when it comes to the dissemination of household based solar home systems. “What seemed to be impossible has now become a micro reality. We’re proud of this small first step but a lot more needs to be done. Join us on this exciting journey to make a macro impact with micro technology,” said Dr Sebastian Groh, the Managing Director of ME SOLshare Ltd.
Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Director, Centre for Energy Research, United International University, said he is proud of being part of this sharing based off-grid system. “It was very nice to work with such an international team to develop the system. It was really very challenging to develop the system to share electricity at such level.  I am happy.”

Micro-scale energy transition

First �peer-to-peer� village grid launched

German Ambassador in Dhaka Dr Thomas Prinz yesrterday inaugurated the first peer-to-peer village grid in Bangladesh, reports UNB. The pilot project, in Shakimali Madborkandi village, Shariatpur, 50km south of Dhaka, successfully demonstrates the SOLbox technology. This ambitious project demonstrates how innovative German companies can support the development of Bangladesh, said Ambassador Prinz at the inauguration ceremony. By giving more people access to electricity this project addresses a basic demand of the rural population in Bangladesh, he said. The more households join the grid, the better the allocation of electricity and the more reliable the supply for everybody involved, said the diplomat. The grid is supported by the energy access start-up SOLshare, the Centre for Energy Research from United International University (UIU) and Upokulio Biddutayan O Mohila Unnayan Samity (UBOMUS). Users can now earn additional income by selling their surplus electricity and at the same time new people gain access to electricity for the first time in their life - without any large, centralized grid, according to German Embassy in Dhaka. By providing a low-cost metering device to individual households with solar-home-systems, the project enables efficient electricity trading with neighbouring households and local businesses. In total, there are some 65 million people that do not have access to the national grid in Bangladesh. This population is reliant on very costly and unhealthy alternatives like diesel generators and kerosene lamps. At the same time, Bangladesh is the leading nation in the world when it comes to the dissemination of household based solar home systems. What seemed to be impossible has now become a micro reality. Were proud of this small first step but a lot more needs to be done. Join us on this exciting journey to make a macro impact with micro technology, said Dr Sebastian Groh, the Managing Director of ME SOLshare Ltd. Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Director, Centre for Energy Research, United International University, said he is proud of being part of this sharing based off-grid system. It was very nice to work with such an international team to develop the system. It was really very challenging to develop the system to share electricity at such level. I am happy.