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Solar is partnering with Arizona State University to accelerate mini-grid deployment.
- Solad will utilise ASU’s LEAPS platform to inform feasibility studies
- The company hopes that this will accelerate the deployment of mini-grid systems to 25 sites in Nigeria.
Nigerian distributed energy provider Solad Power has entered into a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) to utilise the university’s proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) data platform to assess mini-grid projects in Nigeria. The partnership with ASU’s Laboratory For Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) will enable the rapid deployment of mini-grid services to 25 new sites.
ASU will collect data via LEAPS’ existing partnerships with YouthMappers and Nigerian universities. In addition, Solad intends to leverage the latest technologies to enhance its feasibility assessments. The company intends to utilise global satellite imagery, AI-aided mapping models and advanced power engineering software to develop quality feasibility studies of project sites.
Solad’s Chairman Constantine ‘Labi Ogunbiyi noted that with the combination of ASU’s unique data platform and Solad’s project portfolio and market access, Solad could deliver new power solutions more efficiently. “Once the first phase is successful, we intend to expand collaboration to include hundreds of additional sites,” he added.
Dr Nathan Johnson, Director of ASU LEAPS, notes that the public-private partnership with Solad will accelerate identification and development of mini-grid sites to expand access to reliable, affordable, and renewable energy.