Updated on June 22, 2024

·

Created on August 3, 2017

Powerhive

Powerhive develops scalable, bankable off-grid utility solutions to provides access to clean energy.

Developed By
  1. Powerhive
Tested By
  • ACORE
  • Powerhive
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

Powerhive’s goal is to be an affordable and reliable micro-grid electricity provider. Their platform combines three components to provide reliable electricity in remote areas:

  • Asali – Smart meter
  • Honeycomb – SaaS cloud solution for grid management
  • Swarm –  Site selection application.

Powerhive was granted permission to operate as a private utility in 2015 by the Energy Regulatory Commission of Kenya.  This allows them to sell electricity from their micro-grids to the public.

Target SDGs

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Market Suggested Retail Price

$30.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Powerhive, First Solar, and Caterpillar

Manufacturing/Building Method

N/A

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Powerhive uses its swarm application to identify potential micro-grid sites. Communities interested in partnering with Powerhive should use their contact page.

Distributions to Date Status

The pilot program served over 1,500 households and businesses (about 4,000 people) in Kenya with plans to expand to 200,000 units.

Telecommunication service required (Y/N)

Mobile internet is required for Asali to communicate to Honeycomb, but this is a part of the service for customers.

Communication protocol used

WiFi is used to communicate with the Asali smart meters

Permanent network connectivity required (Y[specify]/N)

No

Type of data collected

Electricity consumption data

Propietary hardware used (Y/N)

Yes

Sensors used (Y/N)

Yes

Open source code (Y/N)

No

Open source data (Y/N/ Other)

No

Operating system and version

Unknown

Power requirements

Power is provided by the solar micro-grid

Application

Electricity consumption to support billing and micro-grid capacity planning

Remote system diagnostics available (Y/N)

Yes

Design Specifications

The initial setup includes a ReadyBoard, which includes an LED light on a 5 meter cable, 2 lighting outlets, and 2 electrical outlets.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Technical support is provided by Powerhive as a part of the service.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

N/A

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

To provide access to affordable and reliable off-grid electricity in remote areas.

Vetted Performance Status

Powerhive has provided service to 1,500 households and businesses during the pilot program. Those systems are providing 90 kW across three sites.

Safety

The provided ReadyBoard includes safety features such as an overload breaker.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Srikanth, S., 2016, A Communication Protocol for Nanogrids and its Application in Off-Grid Rural Areas of Developing Countries, Dissertation, USF Graduate School at Scholar Common.

“Contact.” n.d. Powerhive.Com. Accessed June 22, 2024. https://www.powerhive.com/contact

“FSLR: First Solar Inc Stock Price Quote – NASDAQ GS – Bloomberg.” n.d. Bloomberg.Com. Bloomberg. Accessed June 22, 2024. https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/FSLR:US

“Caterpillar.” n.d. Accessed June 22, 2024. https://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/innovation/caterpillar-ventures/news/powerhive.html

“Home.” 2022. ZOLA Electric. September 11, 2022. https://zolaelectric.com/

M-KOPA. 2023. “M-KOPA.” M-KOPA. March 30, 2023. https://m-kopa.com/

“Goal 7.” n.d. Sdgs.Un.Org. Accessed June 22, 2024. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7

“Goal 10.” n.d. Sdgs.Un.Org. Accessed June 22, 2024. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal10

Kraft, Steven M. 2016. Electricity theft detection system. 20160161539:A1. US Patent, filed December 9, 2014, and issued June 9, 2016. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160161539

Hornor, Christopher N. 2015. Power management system. 20150301546:A1. US Patent, filed November 6, 2013, and issued October 22, 2015. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150301546

“Powerhive – Technology Site Title.” n.d. Powerhive.Com. Accessed June 22, 2024. https://www.powerhive.com/technology

“Powerhive – Services.” n.d. Powerhive.Com. Accessed June 22, 2024. https://www.powerhive.com/services

Compliance with regulations

Powerhive is licensed as a private electricity provider by the Energy Regulatory Commission of Kenya and is in compliance with local laws and regulations.

Evaluation methods

Pilot program to evaluate power output

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