This collaborative project will **develop and demonstrate** a new technology (HIGHFLEX) that consists of a high-capacity flexible energy storage systems (HIGHFLEX ESS) integrated with innovative Battery Management System (BMS); Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) and intelligent monitoring and performance management system (Digital Twin) for mini grid applications in hot climates. The new technology is a portable and scalable system that facilitates: * Quick development of mini grids in SSA. * Storage of high-capacity energy generated from clean power sources during peak hours for off-peak utilisation. * Delivering reliable and affordable power system through innovative solutions e.g., Digital twin, second life battery, real-time performance management and heat control system. The project's vision is to rapidly accelerate access to affordable off-grid electricity from clean energy sources in SSA. The project taps into the expanding global mini grid markets to offer affordable energy access for social mobility and inclusion in SSA communities not served by main power grids. HIGHFLEX will facilitate steady supply of electricity to rural and unserved areas and reduce energy access gaps between rural and urban communities in SSA where inaccessibility to affordable electricity is one of the main drivers of poverty to over 600 million people. This project has chosen Nigeria as a case for deployment of HIGHFLEX technology because of its over 200 million population and majority of its rural population (48% of its total population) do not have access to affordable and low carbon electricity. The project addresses barrier (access to electricity) to adoption of advancements in healthcare system; developing new technologies for agriculture, commerce, education; and entrepreneurship. HIGHFLEX makes it possible to deliver low carbon electricity to unlock sustainable economic development in SSA communities. This will empower women and children to lead more productive lives and have a better wellbeing. This will in turn encourage gender equality by learning digital and modern skills, which gives girls and women equal access to education, healthcare and enterprise. Furthermore, access to clean energy via mini grid will reduce crime and social unrest, since majority of the population would be productively engaged (Bloomberg 2020). This will lead to improved human security and cohesive communities and societies driven by mutual objective for sustainable development. HIGHFLEX will accelerate access to affordable and low carbon clean energy from bio-diesel, solar and wind (SDG 7), which lower environmental impacts from continued use of diesel-powered generators in Nigeria (world's leading generator consumer) to combat climate change effects (SDG 13).

With the predicted move from electronics ownership to leasing style, many equipment suppliers are searching for technologies to allow easier in-house recycling. ERICE will develop a full commercial, easy-to-dissassembly, sustainable electronics assembly technology suitable for the circular economy, using recycled materials from an initial demonstrator. The project will develop, manufacture and test materials and techniques for low temperature fabrication using a series of special polymer layers and binders which will allow straight forward, end-of-life unzipping of the constituent parts. After disassembly, the materials and components from this demonstrator will be recovered and subsequently reused to fabricate and test a further demonstrator. Building on an earlier successful concept project, the aim is to reuse or recycle over 90% of the materials from the first demonstrator into the second with minimal energy usage. It is antipated that this level of recovery and reuse will represent a world first for the electronics manufacturing industry.Techniques will be developed to allow component assemblies on both sides, significantly increasing the technologies potential markets.

This project plans to develop highly conductive carbon based inks to replace the current silver based inks. The price of silver has escalated four fold in the last five years, driven by scarcity and increasing use. Silver is harmful in the waste stream as it is highly soluble and toxic to aquatic life. Silver mining is environmentally and socially unacceptable, whereas carbon can easily be sourced from current recycling, and will have a significantly lower life cycle impact. Carbon based inks have traditionally had poor conductivity, but recent commercial raw materials developments point to an order of magnitude improvement by adding graphene & graphene nano-clusters. The project aims to produce a ten fold increase in conductivity, and develop the processing and design rules for these new materials. The inks are intended for the rapidly expanding smart packaging arena but can be expanded into numerous other markets. This project will facilitate in making an important advance in this area.

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