Resources

Sodium ion batteries represent a sustainable alternative to Li-ion technologies. Challenges with material properties remain, however, particularly with regards the performance of anodes. We report a rapid, energy-efficient ionic liquid synthesis method for mixed phase Na2Ti3O7 and Na2Ti6O13 rods. This method is based on a novel phase-transfer route which produces pure functional materials via a dehydrated IL. The structure of the synthesised materials was characterised using powder X-ray diffraction, which confirms the formation of a mixed Na2Ti3O7 and Na2Ti6O13 phase, with majority Na2Ti3O7 phase, in contrast to previous synthesis methods. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals a rod morphology, with an average diameter and length of 87 nm ± 3 nm and 1.37 μm ± 0.07 μm, respectively. The initial discharge and charge capacity of Na2Ti3O7 nanorods were measured as 325.20 mA h g−1 and 149.07 mA h g−1, respectively, at 10 mA g−1 between 0.01–2.5 V. We attribute the enhanced performance to the higher weight fraction of Na2Ti3O7 phase vs. previous reports, demonstrating the potential of the ionic liquid method when applied to sodium titanate materials.

Research to test the feasibility of second-life battery packs in larger standalone productive use and mini-grid settings.

The off-grid solar industry has shown tremendous resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a significant dip in sales in 2020, sales grew to a record 9.53 million units sold in 2022.

Sodium-ion batteries have attracted widespread interest due to the potential for providing safe and cheap energy storage. However, large scale use of sodium-ion batteries is limited by insufficient performance from positive electrode materials, while also avoiding the use of expensive and toxic elements. Here, we present a bi-phasic sodium layered oxide material, O3/P2-Na0.75Mn0.35Fe0.35Ti0.1Al0.1Cu0.1O2, free of Li, Ni, and Co, which delivered high energy densities up to 420 Wh kg−1, discharge potential of 3.03 V, and high capacity retention of 80 % over 70 cycles in half cells (292 Wh kg−1 in full cells). Crucially, the high Na content is sufficient to provide high energy densities in full cell format. The intergrown nature of the material was confirmed by TEM and SAED analysis, while ex-situ XRD studies revealed the two phases undergo complementary c-parameter evolution, reducing overall volume change. These results demonstrate the potential for future commercialisation of bi-phasic materials utilizing only Earth abundant elements.

An overview of the scholarship as well as an info pack for the mentorship scheme the programme will feature. The Chevening TEA Scholarship is a programme under the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform designed to support a selected number of Chevening Scholars to study an energy-related Master’s degree in the UK. 

Article showcasing TEA-Learning Partnership student embarking on her career.

These reports published by CLASP (Efficiency for Access) evaluate the cold chain technology markets in Kenya and Nigeria. Both reports identify current trends, barriers, and opportunities for market transformation, as well as strategies to accelerate the adoption of cold chain technologies for fresh food value chains at scale.

This article discusses the crucial role of energy access in economic development, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the impact onincreased use of renewable energy for productive uses (PUE)

The Humanitarian Energy Outlook 2023 underscores the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions to address the growing crises of displacement, climate change, and inequality.

A technical review of the features of commercially viable smart meters, including a description of key technologies.

This report published by CrossBoundary Energy – Appliance financing 3.0 – focuses on income generating equipment – electric pressure cookers, freezers/fridges and grain mills.

Article on momentum towards energy compact targets

This report published by Shell Foundation, based on research conducted by Value for Women (V4W), demonstrates how gender equality in the workplace can deliver positive social and economic impacts on SMEs highlighting improvements in employee satisfaction, productivity and retention creating more profitable and sustainable business models.

Lower tariffs significantly increase consumption, and these high consumption levels are sustained over time. We are seeing that mini-grids customers have maintained ~1.5-3x their baseline consumption 3+ years after tariff reduction. This is good news for developers and donors: it means tariff reduction programs can sustainably be launched at scale; since customers will maintain the high consumption levels required to justify such programs.

The webinar focused on sharing lessons learnt through the ENabling African Cities for Transformative Energy Access (ENACT) project, and discussing possibilities of improving end-user financing and ways in which the private sector can work with national and local governments to improve access to affordable and sustainable clean cooking solutions for the urban poor living and working in African urban informal settlements.

An overview of Mini-grid Innovation Lab work with both mini-grid developers and utilities to accelerate energy access, by trialing new business ideas that drive commercial viability in the field, sharing the results of these experiments with the sector, and scaling those that are high-impact.

The article discusses the future of power grids in Africa, focusing on the shift towards decentralized, consumer-centric, and flexible energy systems

This report offers critical insights on the key learnings from the PEII initiative and analyzes the progress made against the problems that PEII was intended to solve.

Published by the African Forum for Utility Regulators AFUR.

The latest report from Energy 4 Impact’s research programme Crowd Power, part of the TEA platform, explores how to attract investors to energy access crowdfunding.

The Lab expects that offering customers income-generating machines on credit will increase electricity consumption