Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

South Africa is in an energy crisis, with frequent load shedding hurting homes and business, and costing the economy billions of dollars in lost productive capacity. 

This project aims to demonstrate that electric water heaters can be used as energy storage devices which, when coupled with solar and wind, can prevent load shedding. We will do this with HotBot, Plentify‚ latest innovation which converts electric water heaters into intelligent thermal batteries which cost a fraction of conventional batteries.

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Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

SA‚ energy crisis affects everyone. However, rolling blackouts affect women and people of colour in particular. There are specific challenges and obstacles that women and people of colour face when entering business. These include a generally lower level of work and educational background due to previously established social customs, comparative earning discrepancies, and family obligations arising from conventional gender roles. The additional difficulties that arise from blackouts make it even harder for them. 

When blackouts happen, women are at greater risk of violence and theft. Perpetrators can target them more easily, and more successfully, in the dark. This risk poses an even greater threat in informal communities. Also, 47% of South African households live in energy poverty, where >10% of their income is spent on energy services. A disproportionate percentage of these are women-led and/or people of colour. By improving energy access and energy security, Plentify aims to improve the productivity and inclusion of them in society.

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