Eonpower: Solar Solutions for Off-Grid Africa, Enhanced by Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Amakom Chibuike

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Damon - Full Stack Developer

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Eonpower.energy will deploy innovative, portable solar power systems integrated with Cardano blockchain technology, creating decentralized energy solutions tailored for off-grid homes across Africa

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No Dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Only our web interfaces will be open sourced from the start to foster transparency and community input.

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal Overview:

SDG 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Its targets focus on increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, enhancing energy efficiency, and improving access to electricity in developing countries.

Eonpower.Energy's Contribution:

Eonpower.Energy directly contributes to achieving SDG 7 by deploying portable solar power solutions designed specifically for off-grid communities in Africa.

These solutions are:

• Affordable: By utilizing decentralized finance models and blockchain technology, Eonpower.Energy reduces costs and removes financial barriers to accessing solar energy products, making sustainable energy solutions more affordable for remote communities.

• Reliable: The systems provide a consistent and reliable source of energy, crucial for areas where traditional power grids are unreliable or non-existent.

• Sustainable: Solar power is a clean energy source that reduces dependence on fossil fuels, helping to decrease carbon emissions and combat climate change.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Goal Overview:

SDG 11 focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This includes providing access to safe and affordable housing, improving slum conditions, reducing the environmental impact of cities, and providing access to safe, affordable, sustainable transport systems.

Eonpower.Energy's Contribution:

While Eonpower.Energy primarily targets rural communities, its implications for sustainable urban development are significant:

• Resilience and Adaptability: By equipping homes with independent solar power systems, Eonpower.Energy contributes to building resilience against power outages and infrastructural deficiencies, which are common in rapidly urbanizing areas of Africa.

• Environmental Sustainability: The use of renewable energy technologies reduces urban emissions and contributes to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This is crucial for urban areas where energy consumption is high and growing.

• Community Empowerment: By empowering individuals and communities to manage their own energy needs efficiently and sustainably, Eonpower.Energy fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for local development, which is essential for sustainable urban communities.

Integration with Cardano Blockchain

The integration of the Cardano blockchain enhances Eonpower.Energy’s contributions to these SDGs by:

• Transparency and Accountability: Blockchain technology ensures that energy production and consumption are tracked transparently, which supports fair distribution and efficient use of resources.

• Incentivization through Tokenization: The $EPWR tokens not only incentivize energy production but also provide a potential source of income or trade within communities, promoting economic activities and sustainability.

• Decentralized Participation: Allowing local communities to participate in energy decisions through a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) ensures that projects are community-led and aligned with local needs and priorities.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Eonpower.energy introduces a transformative approach to energy access with portable, flexible solar power packs.

Unique to our solution, each device will act as a decentralized validator node on the Cardano network, submitting energy production data and participating in network validation.

Users will be incentivized with $EPWR tokens for their energy contributions, promoting sustainable energy generation and usage.

Each solar pack will also be represented as a unique NFT, enhancing security, ownership verification, and user engagement.

This solar solution would not only be easy to use, it will also be affordable, and adaptable to diverse living conditions tailored for the African continent, but it also leverages the Cardano blockchain to ensure transparent energy distribution and facilitate secure transactions.

This transparency helps to build trust with users and donors, ensuring that energy resources are utilized efficiently and responsibly.

This unique approach will significantly impact local communities by lighting up rural communities by providing reliable, affordable and renewable power crucial for education, healthcare, business, and daily life.

By using the Cardano blockchain which is known to be provably secure and energy efficient, laying the foundation for eonpower.energy who just like Cardano ensures that it’s benefits are accessible, affordable, energy efficient and most importantly sustainable, paving the way for a brighter, empowered future for Africa's remote regions.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Our project leverages Cardano's blockchain to demonstrate its scalability and utility in renewable energy sectors. By incentivizing sustainable energy production with $EPWR tokens, we not only support energy access in Africa but also enhance the global visibility and utility of the Cardano ecosystem.

This project will serve as a benchmark for integrating the Cardano blockchain in environmental sustainability projects worldwide.

The success of Eonpower.energy will highlight how Cardano can facilitate significant social impact projects, bringing value and visibility to the previously unlit remote communities in Africa.

Our Impact will be measured through the number of portable solar pack installations, positive user feedback and the total number of energy generated over a given period.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team is led by individuals with deep expertise in renewable energy and blockchain technology. Amakom Chibuike holds an M.Sc. in Renewable Energy and brings extensive project management experience, ensuring that we deliver this project with high levels of proficiency, transparency, and accountability.

Feasibility has been validated through preliminary market research and technical assessments. Trust and accountability will be maintained through transparent reporting and regular project updates.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Product Research, Market Research, and Feasibility Studies (Months 1-3)

• Milestone Outputs: Comprehensive research report detailing product specifications, market demand analysis, and feasibility assessments.

• Acceptance Criteria: Completion of all planned studies with a detailed analysis that supports the viability of the product and identifies key market opportunities.

Evidence of Milestone Completion: A finalized research report approved by the Eonpower project management team, including documented sources and data analytics results.

Milestone 2: Finalize Design and Begin Prototype Production (Months 4-6)

• Milestone Outputs: Final product designs and initial batch of prototypes ready for testing.

• Acceptance Criteria: Product designs must meet all specified technical requirements and prototypes must be produced according to the finalized designs.

Evidence of Milestone Completion: Design documentation with detailed schematics and specifications, and a production log showing the completion of the prototype batch.

Milestone 3: Launch Prototype Across Different Rural African Communities (Months 7-9)

• Milestone Outputs: Successful deployment of prototypes in selected test communities and initial performance data collection.

• Acceptance Criteria: Prototypes must be installed and functioning in all selected communities, with initial usage data collected that meets predefined performance parameters.

Evidence of Milestone Completion: Installation records, community feedback forms, and performance data reports showing operational efficiency and user satisfaction.

Milestone 4: Gather Feedback, Product Refinement and scaling strategy (Months 10-12)

• Milestone Outputs: Refined product design based on feedback and a comprehensive business scaling strategy.

• Acceptance Criteria: Product improvements must address all major feedback points, and the scaling strategy must outline clear steps for production increase and market expansion.

Evidence of Milestone Completion: Revised product design documents, user feedback integration report, and a finalized scaling plan approved by the project steering committee.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Currently, the project is led by myself. I have an M.sc in renewable energy from the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom and also stanley who has a combined 15 years experience as a renewable energy consultant.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380530778_ORGANIZATIONAL_APPROACHES_TO_DELIVERING_NET_ZERO_IN_THE_FOOD_SUPPLY_CHAIN_IN_LINCOLNSHIRE_CASE_STUDY_OF_NAYLOR_FARMS_BRANSTON_LTD_AND_DYSON_FARMING_AND_REVESBY_ESTATE

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380530934_ORGANIZATIONAL_APPROACHES_TO_DELIVERING_NET_ZERO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanley-uchenna-726a35308/

We are also in the process of recruiting a technical / solar hardware engineer and a marketing specialist.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget Overview (12-Month Period)

Total Funding Request: ₳100,000

The funding is meticulously allocated across various critical segments of the project to ensure efficient use of resources while achieving key objectives in the design, development, testing, and initial deployment phases of the Eonpower.Energy project.

1. Research & Prototype Development: ₳25,000

• Purpose: This funding will support our market research to refine our initial product specifications and customer needs analysis. It also covers the costs associated with the initial design and development of prototypes, including materials, labor, and technology resources.

• Breakdown:
• Market Analysis and Feasibility Studies: ₳10,000
• Design and Engineering: ₳10,000
• Prototype Materials and Fabrication: ₳5,000

2. Production: ₳25,000

• Purpose: Funds allocated here will be used for producing the initial prototypes of units ready for deployment in pilot communities.

3. Testing: ₳5,000

• Purpose: This budget covers the testing of prototypes in controlled environments and real-world settings to ensure product reliability and user satisfaction. It includes field testing, performance monitoring, and third-party certification costs.

• Breakdown:
• Field Testing and Data Collection: ₳3,000
• Performance Analysis and Reporting: ₳2,000

4. Marketing, Awareness, and Outreach: ₳20,000

• Purpose: These funds are dedicated to building brand awareness around Eonpower, promoting the product through various channels, and engaging potential customers and community stakeholders. It includes online marketing, community workshops, and promotional events.

5. Administration (Developer Salaries, Server Costs): ₳25,000

• Purpose: This segment supports the operational costs of the project, including salaries for the development team, office expenses, and the infrastructure required for project management and data handling.

Justification for Budget Allocation:

Each component of the budget has been carefully considered to maximize the impact and efficiency of funds. This strategic allocation ensures that all phases of the project from inception to rollout are adequately financed, promoting sustainability and scalability of the solution offered by Eonpower.Energy.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Winning this Catalyst grant of ₳100,000 will offer exceptional value for money to the Cardano ecosystem by advancing its practical application in real-world, high-impact projects.

This project not only showcases the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize renewable energy distribution in Africa but also serves as a model for similar initiatives globally.

Here's how the budget allocation provides substantial value:

Demonstration of Blockchain Utility: By effectively integrating the Cardano blockchain into our energy solutions, we exemplify how blockchain can be utilized beyond traditional financial sectors. This expands Cardano's reach and appeal, proving its versatility and capacity for driving transformative changes in various industries.

Scalability and Replication: The successful deployment of Eonpower.Energy systems sets a precedent for scalability and replication in other underserved markets worldwide. This demonstrates the Cardano blockchain’s robustness and adaptability, attracting further interest and investment into the Cardano ecosystem.

Community and Economic Development: By providing affordable, reliable energy solutions, we empower communities, fostering economic growth and stability. This aligns with Cardano’s mission of promoting social and economic development, increasing the platform's relevance and impact.

Innovation and R&D: The funds allocated towards research, development, and testing contribute to continuous innovation within the Cardano ecosystem. By pushing the boundaries of what's possible with blockchain technology in the energy sector, we drive the entire ecosystem forward, encouraging innovation and attracting tech-savvy users and developers.

Enhanced Market Presence: The project increases Cardano's visibility and presence in the renewable energy sector, a rapidly growing industry with significant potential for blockchain applications. This opens new avenues for Cardano’s usage and adoption, enhancing its market presence and value.