Open Source Materials
EnAccess curates a library of open source, innovative solutions for the energy access sector and provides assistance is using or adapting the materials.
Hardware and Software
This is an open source software solution for mini-grid customer and asset management, originally developed by INENSUS and first launched in 2020. This software provides a robust set of features, including a customer relation management (CRM) tool, a comprehensive ticketing system and maintenance, etc
A battery management system (BMS) is the core electronic circuit of every modern Li-ion based energy storage system. It enables energy access companies to develop customised solutions including second life applications of used electric vehicle batteries, suitable for productive use appliances, mini grids, etc.
AirLink uses financed phones as relay-extensions of the internet in remote areas, to extend productive asset data coverage in even the most rural communities. By introducing open-standards communications, AirLink allows customers' phones and PAYGo assets to communicate between themselves and each other using widely available, standard low-energy Bluetooth connectivity.
Many Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG/PAYGO) systems are based on 2G/GPRS communications. But as 2G towers get replaced by 3G and 4G infrastructure, energy access organizations around the world will need to update their hardware. Okra's communications solution, Cicada, is an open source module with 2G, 3G, 4G, and WiFi capabilities.
Operational Models and Finance
This toolbox collects, collates, and categorizes co-design theory and practice for energy access projects with a focus on humanitarian settings. It provides low-barrier access to different resources, from scientific papers to hands-on practical online and offline tools, case studies, workshop agendas, slides, and guidelines. From decolonisation and localisation to data collection and analysis methods to many more, this toolbox represents state-of-the-art in Transformative Practice.
A Distributed Renewable Energy Certificate (D-REC) represents one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity that has been generated from distributed renewable energy sources. It allows companies to sell the renewable energy attributes that originated from small installations, such as Solar Home Systems or mini-grids.
The AgriGrid business model refers to a hybrid organization that combines commercial opportunities in rural electrification with food & agricultural value chain development. The idea is that beyond providing electricity, an AgriGrid operator would also play an active role in providing access to market for a community’s food & agricultural products, resulting in healthier and increased revenue generation for the mini-grid operator.
EnAccess Project Development stages
We reference this as “development stages” when talking about our projects
Proof of Concept (TRL 1 - 3)
Proof of concept, very early development stage, demonstrating that critical features are technically feasible.
Prototype (TRL 4 - 5)
Early stage prototype. Critical system features might be missing, and major issues are to be expected. Fast-changing, active development is ongoing (for example, Smart Meter)
Field Tested (TRL 6 - 8)
Tested prototype, only minor issues left. Development board might be available. Functional prototype, has been tested in a lab and field (i.e. pilot) environment, not guaranteed to be bug free (for example BMS, MPM, OpenPayGo Pass, Humanitarian Co-Design toolkit, Agri-Grid, Airlink)
Production Ready (TRL 8 & 9)
Field-tested, production-ready, widely-adopted (for example OpenPAYGO Token, CICADA), well documented for adoption. Stable development focused on improvements and feature additions.
