Last updated 6 months ago
Eonpower: Cardano-backed Renewable Energy for all of Africa
Problem
The critical lack of reliable & affordable electricity in remote regions in Africa severely hampers local economic development, educational opportunities, and overall quality of life.
Total to date
This is the total amount allocated to Eonpower: Cardano-backed Renewable Energy for all of Africa.
About this idea
[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
Samuel - Full Stack Developer
Matt - Product Designer
[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)
6[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)
We are deploying portable smart solar systems to power education, employment, and critical services to rural Africa, leveraging the Cardano blockchain as our open, secure data platform.
[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
All developed code and all smart contracts powering the interfaces will be open sourced from the start to foster transparency and community input.
[METADATA] Horizons
IoT[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution
In sub-Saharan Africa alone 600 million people do not have access to electricity. This prevents life saving medicines, life changing education, and life uplifting employment, and essentially prevents bringing this huge number of people into the 21st century.
This all despite Africa having the greatest solar potential of any continent on Earth, and thus the potential to provide unparalleled renewable electricity.
We at eonpower.energy are bridging this gap, bringing electricity and the 21st century to the 600 million people who need it most.
Eonpower.energy is introducing a transformative approach to renewable energy access, generation and distribution to rural homes in Africa that will shape futures, save lives, and empower whole communities.
Our portable and flexible solar power packs are designed to power average rural homes in Africa.
Crucially, each Eonpower device will be a decentralized energy validator node on the Cardano network, leveraging the network as a decentralized API and data store of the device’s energy production and usage. Devices will also participate in completely renewable network validation at a huge scale. Meaning Eonpower Users will be incentivized with $EPWR tokens, promoting sustainable energy generation and usage, while providing scale, robustness, and node infrastructure to the Cardano network.
This solar solution is easy to use, affordable, and adaptable to diverse living conditions, critical for providing value to our users in the African continent, while the Cardano blockchain ensures transparent energy distribution and secure transactions. This transparency helps to build trust with users and donors, ensuring that energy resources are utilized efficiently and responsibly.
[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Eonpower leveraging the Cardano blockchain demonstrates 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.
After a critical number of devices have proven reliability, our network of Eonpower devices can serve as the first test bed for a massive, distributed, renewably-powered stake pool.
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.
Our hardware engineer has worked in and advised renewables projects and hardware companies around the World, including sub-Saharan solar projects
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?
Product Research, Market Research, and Feasibility Studies (Months 1-2)
Milestone Outputs: Comprehensive research report detailing Eonpower energy pack 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.
Finalize Design and Begin Prototype Production (Month 3)
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.
Launch Prototype Across Different Rural African Communities (Months 4-5)
Milestone Outputs: Successful deployment of prototypes in selected test communities around Africa 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.
Gather Feedback, Product Refinement and scaling strategy (Month 6)
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 Amakom Chibuike. 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/380530934_ORGANIZATIONAL_APPROACHES_TO_DELIVERING_NET_ZERO
Stanley Uchenna is a Renewable energy consultant with over 10 years experience
We also have Matt Stedman, a hardware engineer who has worked in and advised renewables projects and hardware companies around the World, including sub-Saharan solar projects, acting as our product designer who would ensure that our product hardware meets all specifications.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-a-stedman/
[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Budget Overview (12-Month Period)
Total Funding Request: ₳50,000
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: ₳12,500
- 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: ₳5,000
- Design and Engineering: ₳5,000
- Prototype Materials and Fabrication: ₳2,500
2. Production: ₳15,000
- Purpose: Funds allocated here will be used for producing the initial 10 prototypes of Eonpower pack units ready for deployment in pilot communities.
- Breakdown:
- Device Cost: ₳1,350
- Shipping: ₳150
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: ₳7,500
- 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): ₳10,000
- Purpose: This segment supports the operational development 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 Fund 13 grant request of ₳50,000 will offer exceptional value for money to the Cardano ecosystem by advancing its practical application in real-world, sustainable high-impact projects.
Initial target market feedback from 10 conversations with farmers in Nigeria have indicated interest for a solar solution of this scale.
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.
