Powerpath’s ‘Lateral Electrification Model’ follows the swarm electrification concept of progressive building of power infrastructures in a bottom-up manner, enabling modularity and scalability, by nimbly and progressively extending the energy services delivered to end-users. This is achieved through the diffusion and the aggregation of basic smart power units regrouping solar power generation, storage and distribution as described in the below figure. These nanogrids are an autonomous collective DC solar system powering 4 to 6 households in either 12Vdc or 24Vdc, with end-users buying days of access to electricity.
Targeted end-users are from Tier 1 to Tier 5 as defined by the Multi-Tier Framework for energy access (MTF) proposed by the United Nations and the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) under the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). The initiative aims to measure energy access beyond a simple "connected" or "not connected" binary. The MTF defines energy access multi-dimensionally, incorporating attributes like adequacy, availability, reliability, quality, affordability, health, and safety. It categorises access into six tiers – with Tier 0 being no access, and Tier 5 representing a high level of access, like 24/7 power for modern appliances – to provide a nuanced understanding of energy service levels, which aids in tracking progress towards SDG 7.1.
The PowerPath electrification scheme can grow with the needs of communities, enabling them to progressively climb the energy ladder at their desired pace. For the grid operator, the modular aspect of this electrification model reduces the investment risk by breaking down large capital expenditures into small successive investments with short payback periods. The final step of this progressive building of electric infrastructure is the interconnection of microgrids between one another or their connection to a national or local AC grid to further extend the energy services delivered to allow for industrial and thermal uses, such as air conditioners, electric cooking or small production plants.
