Battery Charging Systems (BCS)
Overview
Many remote villages or farms in non-developed countries are not yet connected to the grid due to the high costs and the complex technology of village electrification. Kerosene, candles and dry-cell batteries remain central for home lighting and basic entertainment services in most of these areas – despite their well-known negative features (indoor pollution, fire hazards, emission of greenhouse gas (GHG), high costs etc.).
Potential
Therefore, so-called pre-electrification schemes using rechargeable batteries to cover the basic demand for lighting, also radio/TV operation and cellphone charging can be an interesting alternative. Besides avoiding the abovementioned negative features, battery charging systems (BCS) installed at central points in rural areas have the potential to considerably reduce the time and expenses required for travelling as villagers presently often carry their batteries a long way to the next town to charge them. Already the small amount of energy that a battery can provide improve the standard of living for the poorest. Hence, there seems to be a substantial market for a convenient and clean battery-charging system.
BCS can either be fed from electricity generated by renewable energy technologies (RETs) such as solar battery charging stations, hydro battery charging station, wind etc. or by conventional (grid, diesel). In remote areas, however, the potential of RETs is high due to their economic competitiveness. Besides that, the major advantage of RETs is their independence from lines which brings BCS much closer to the customer.
Charging Solutions for Mobile Phones
There are more than 4 billion mobile connections worldwide. Over the coming years, many more millions of people at the base of the economic pyramid are expected to acquire mobile phones, greatly benefiting their lives, business activities and access to information. However, most of these new subscribers will not have direct access to electricity.
This makes it more challenging and expensive for them to charge their mobile phone. Green power for mobile GSMA Development Fund believes that electrification is extremely relevant to mobile operators.
If there are 1.6 billion people in the world without access to grid electricity, GSMA and Wireless Intelligence research estimates suggest that 30% of those people have a mobile phone connection. This means nearly 500 million people currently have access to a mobile phone but do not have their ownmeans of charging it. When mobile phones are switched off due to lack of power, it can result inmissed calls and reduced airtime revenues for mobile operators. Field studies shows that a constant sorce of charging the usage increase in 10%.
Considering average airtime spending of the average off-grid customer (US$4 per month source:GSMA research) bwig increased by 10% in a 500 million people market, the expected increase in direct revenues would total US$2.3 billion per year.
