SHE - Smart Home Energy: Development of an integrated and mobile solution for low-cost cooking and power generation

More than 45% of Africa's population lives in isolated rural communities. Rural energy needs have been met by biomass for many centuries, albeit in a traditional way, which is associated with high per capita fuel use / low thermal efficiency, health risks (smoke inhalation and fire risks), and natural deforestation due to the use of harvested wood as the primary fuel. In addition, over 70% of rural areas in Africa do not have adequate access to electricity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an affordable smart energy device that can provide electricity and cook/heat to support grid independence and self-sufficiency. The project is thus aiming at the development of a Smart Home Energy (SHE) technology and to demonstrate the user effectiveness and impact in rural communities in South Africa and Uganda.