Renewable Energy and Connectivity Hub

Project Information

REACH

Grant agreement ID: 718404

DOI 10.3030/718404

Project closed

EC signature date 28 February 2016

Start date 1 March 2016

End date 31 August 2016

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost € 71 429,00

EU contribution € 50 000,00

Coordinated by

BUFFALOGRID LIMITED
United Kingdom

Objective

Being a world leader in e-learning, e-banking and remote healthcare, EU companies are yet struggle to access the potential market of 1.4 billion off-grid people in developing regions. Off-grid communities in these regions rely on mobile phones for communication and to access essential services such as money transfer, healthcare. Without viable renewable alternatives, off-grid power in developing regions is currently provided through highly unsustainable fossil fuelled methods, and internet connectivity is exceptionally limited. This creates a significant business opportunity for providing reliable, clean and affordable charging for mobile phones and internet access. BuffaloGrid has developed a unique solar power based Hub system and a patent-pending remote payment control mechanism by which mobile phones (or other devices) can be charged under the control of a central server to ensure accountability, transparency and market insights. By combining renewable power and internet connectivity, BuffaloGrid enables EU companies to deliver essential internet-based services (e.g. e-health, e-education, e-governance etc) in developing regions. BuffaloGrid supplies Hubs free to local agents, offering them opportunities to provide mobile charging and internet access to their local communities. This will stimulate local enterprise, encourage entrepreneurship and boost economic development. BuffaloGrid’s unique model of providing the Hub for free, and unlocking access to power, allows demand to be met without charging high fees. Powered by solar energy, BuffaloGrid Hubs are emission-free during use and BuffaloGrid will take back Hubs for upgrade/ remanufacture/recycling at EoL (End-of-Life). During this project BuffaloGrid will develop a detail design of cost-optimised, mass-producible BuffaloGrid Hub with EU supply chain. It will also develop a detail business plan which will include partnership with potential local agents and EU online-based service providers.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels › renewable energy › solar energy
• medical and health sciences › health sciences › health care services › eHealth
• natural sciences › computer and information sciences › internet › internet access
• social sciences › economics and business › business and management › commerce › e-commerce
• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › information engineering › telecommunications › mobile phones

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.3.5. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials Main Programme
• H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument

Topic(s)

• SC5-20-2015-1 - Boosting the potential of small businesses for eco-innovation and a sustainable supply of raw materials

Call for proposal

H2020-SMEInst-2014-2015

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-SMEINST-1-2015

Funding Scheme

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

Coordinator

BUFFALOGRID LIMITED

• Net EU contribution: € 50 000,00
• Address: 12 JORDAN STREET OFFICE 2 ; L1 0BP LIVERPOOL ; United Kingdom
• SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes:
  Region
  North West (England) › Merseyside › Liverpool
• Region: North West (England) › Merseyside › Liverpool
• Activity type: Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
• Total cost: € 71 429,00