Abstract
Across Sub-Saharan Africa many communities lack reliable access to mains electricity, and therefore depend upon unconventional power sources to recharge their mobile phones. Many of these informal recharging centres are powered by a diesel generator or solar panel. Furthermore, many of these same communities are frequently served by broken water pumps. Previous reports indicate that many individuals are prepared to pay a small regular fee to recharge their mobile phone, whilst their local water point committee lacks sufficient funds to keep their water infrastructure maintained. This paper presents a novel funding strategy aimed at helping communities cover the maintenance costs of their local water supply. This premise was demonstrated using a pilot system in Gambia which combined a solar powered community water point with an off-grid smart battery rental hub for everyday electricity needs such as mobile phone charging. The paper presents preliminary field data from this site and explores the wider context surrounding the pilot system.
More Information
Divisions: | Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology > Built Environment and Engineering |
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Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.1680/jwama.17.00053 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Publisher: | Thomas Telford |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | 0905 Civil Engineering, |
Depositing User (symplectic) | Deposited by Bayjoo, Jennifer on behalf of Swan, Andrew |
Date Deposited: | 03 Jan 2019 13:56 |
Last Modified: | 15 Aug 2019 13:27 |
Item Type: | Article |
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