Tag: innovation

Bucket-mounted Solar Systems

Solar panel systems can be expensive and time-consuming to build. They can require specialist knowledge to set up, and be difficult to maintain. In rural communities, it can make a huge difference if a solar panel system can be made simply and at a lower cost. That’s why Smart Villages is always on the lookout …

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Smart Villages launches the Off-grid Energy Challenge for West Africa

West Africa Off-grid Energy Challenge

Smart Villages is pleased to announce the launch of the Off-grid Energy Challenge for West Africa. Building on the success of annual East African competitions in collaboration with the Cambridge Development Initiative, this inaugural West African competition challenges entrepreneurs to tell us how they want to grow their existing businesses.  Winners will work with consultant …

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Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/smart-villages-launches-off-grid-energy-challenge-west-africa/

WR19: Frontier energy storage technologies and global energy challenges

The University of Edinburgh together with the Smart Villages Initiative held a workshop at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation on 11 May 2016. The workshop brought together social and physical scientists, industry representatives and entrepreneurs, energy and international development policy makers, and practitioners. The workshop provided an overview of new insights and research in battery …

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Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/frontier-energy-storage-technologies-global-energy-challenges-2/

The frugal innovation revolution that is taking the world by storm

Rasperry Pi is a great example of technology enabling frugal/jugaad innovation

In late 2015 a Cambridge-based nonprofit released the Raspberry Pi Zero, a tiny £4 computer that was a whole £26 cheaper than the original 2012 model. The Zero is not only remarkable for its own sake – a computer so cheap it comes free with a £5.99 magazine – it is also symptomatic of a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/jaideep-prabhu-cambridge-judge-business-school-discusses-the-frugal-innovation-revolution-that-is-taking-the-world-by-storm/

10 Surprising Renewable Off-grid Energy Sources

Necessity is the mother of invention. Here is our round-up of the top ten weirdest attempts to solve the problem of energy access through innovation. 1) Gravity Some innovations are so simple they seem destined for success. By simply lifting a bag of earth and letting it slowly drop, GravityLight can provide 20 minutes of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/10-surprising-renewable-off-grid-energy-sourceseccentric-energy-off-grid-communities/

WR5: Smart Villages in Nepal: Kathmandu Workshop Report

The Smart Villages Initiative, working with its local partner Practical Action Consulting South Asia, held a workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal on 10th April 2015. The aim of the workshop was to learn lessons from Nepal’s experience of micro/mini-hydroelectric schemes for off-grid rural communities and associated initiatives to stimulate productive enterprises which could be shared with …

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Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/smart-villages-in-nepal-kathmandu-workshop-report/

BR3: Findings from the Nepal Smart Villages Workshop

The Smart Villages Initiative together with its local partner, Practical Action Consulting South Asia, held a workshop in Kathmandu on 10th April 2015 to consider off-grid energy systems in Nepal. The workshop focused on Nepal’s substantial experience of micro/mini-hydro schemes, and on initiatives to stimulate productive enterprises enabled by the availability of sustainable electricity supplies. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/findings-from-the-nepal-smart-villages-workshop/

WR4: Kuching Workshop Report on Smart Villages in Southeast Asia

Summary This report summarises the information presented at, and conclusions arising from, the second major international workshop of the Smart Villages Initiative. The workshop took place in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia, on the campus of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), and marked the beginning of a 12-month programme of engagement by the Smart …

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Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/kuching-workshop-report/

Jugaad innovation – Dr Jaideep Prabhu

Dr Jaideep Prabhu of the University of Cambridge describes ‘jugaad innovation’, “a frugal and flexible approach to innovation for the 21st century.” This type of innovation can provide affordable solutions for low-income communities and is also being adopted in the West.  http://jugaadinnovation.com/

Permanent link to this article: https://e4sv.org/jugaad-innovation-dr-jaideep-prabhu/