African SCENe (Sustainable Community Energy Networks) is a 12-month feasibility study that will identify schools within low-income suburban communities in Nairobi that could become clean-energy hubs.
These hubs will generate, store and distribute clean, renewable energy for the communities in which they serve, accelerating access to adequate, affordable and reliable light in the evenings and energy for cooking. Simultaneously enhancing awareness and education of those living in the area.
Funded by Innovate UK’s Energy Catalyst Round 9, the study is being delivered by a project team made up of experts from the University of Nottingham, SmartKlub, Edu-Cater Global and FWD.London, with the support of Nairobi-based Map Kibera.
Professor Lucelia Rodrigues, Chair in Sustainable and Resilient Cities at the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering, says, ‘Not only will it provide practical solutions to enable better access to clean, safe and reliable energy, but will also provide wider socio-economic benefits, such as engaging children in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education using energy as the vehicle.’
Ensuring the scalability and replicability of the project across sub-Saharan Africa has also been factored into the project, with FWD. London looking to use and grow supply chains.
