Schneider Electric SA has provided lighting to 80 households within a powerless village in Mount Frere, one of the poorer regions in South Africa. According to VP Jason Ullbricht, the company’s intention was to find an area that was truly in need of such assistance. “1,3 billion people around the globe do not have access to electricity. Based on these figures, Schneider Electric launched its BipBop programme, aimed at bringing safe, clean energy to the people who need it most.”
The team from Schneider Electric SA.
The BipBop programme, which stands for Business, Innovation and People at the Base of the Pyramid, addresses three key issues to provide sustainable access to electricity, which includes a lack of appropriate equipment, an absence of financial resources and a skills and expertise shortage.
Ullbricht says, “Through a local community forum and by working with one of the region’s tribal chiefs, we identified a village in the Mount Frere area that would greatly benefit from the installation of our In-Diya rechargeable LED lamps, as the village does not have electricity and, typically, residents must make use of candles and paraffin lamps for lighting purposes.”
Schneider Electric has equipped each household with In-Diya LED lamps that are powered by a solar charged battery. The lamps have a 20-year lifespan and can light a 12 x 12 foot room for 8-15 hours. Based on a decision made by the village’s residents, one household was also furnished with an In-Diya battery charging station, where a small fee is paid to recharge batteries. These funds are managed by the community forum to pay the resident who manages the re-charge station and will also be put back into the community however the forum sees fit.
“The solution not only gives Mount Frere villagers the benefit of good quality lighting, but by reducing the reliance on the use of candles and paraffin, fires are less likely and residents are not risking their health by continuously breathing in noxious fumes,” adds Ulbricht.
“Following the successful installation of the lamps and charging station in Mount Frere, Schneider Electric will follow the progress of this pilot site. We hope to see this project pave the way to a sustainable approach for other such endeavours.”
Meeting the Western Cape’s occupational health and safety needs
News
“A-OSH EXPO Cape Town is a dedicated platform where visitors can explore the latest products, services and training to safeguard their teams, improve workplace conditions, and ensure compliance with evolving legislation.
Read more...Bühler hosts Student Career Expo
News
Bühler Southern Africa recently hosted its fourth annual Student Career Expo, reaffirming its commitment to inspiring and guiding the next generation towards diverse and rewarding career possibilities.
Read more...Hybrid DCS for an evolving industrial landscape Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Today’s industrial automation continues to evolve at a blistering speed, which means traditional DCSs have to keep up to ensure continuous integration into modern, digital infrastructure.
Read more...Why industry should enter the world of operator training simulators Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
System-agnostic operator training simulator (OTS) software is a somewhat unsung hero of industry that trains plant operators in a virtual world that mirrors real-world operations. The benefits are multiple.
Read more...Energy audits pave the pathway to sustainability and savings Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Energy audits serve as essential tools for businesses looking to reduce costs and meet environmental targets. By analysing energy consumption across systems such as lighting, HVAC, ICT and water infrastructure, audits identify inefficiencies and quantify carbon footprints, enabling data-driven decisions for operational and financial optimisation.
Read more...The unseen crisis in our taps
News
South Africa’s water crisis is no longer looming. It is already here. To move forward, water treatment must become part of a broader infrastructure renewal agenda. This includes decentralised solutions, private-sector innovation and long-term investment.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version