SE Valley Times

Across the world, around 750 million people — more than twice the population of the United States — lack access to electricity. For many more, access is unreliable or unsustainable. Faced with such monumental need, Arizona State University’s Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) decided to take a unique approach.

The lab, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, emphasizes turning ideas into on-ground solutions with impact. Nathan Johnson, director of the lab, wants LEAPS to model a new way for a university to engage in the energy space.

An estimated 100,000 people are set to benefit from LEAPS projects across over 100 sites.

“Most people see a university only in terms of research and education,” says Johnson, who is also an associate professor in The Polytechnic School and the assistant director of research at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. “I think, as a public institution, we need to do more to create public value.”

To that end, the lab partners with stakeholders to create the right solution through a combination of technology, business models and policy. LEAPS then steps in to fill gaps where needed — whether it’s a piece of equipment, a national energy plan or training. All efforts include partnerships outside ASU, including the private sector, nonprofits, co-ops and governments at all levels.

Whether bringing electricity to an off-grid community or modernizing a grid to use cheaper, greener energy, the lab’s mission is to address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7: universal access to clean energy.

“All of our goals are relatively the same,” Johnson says. “Safe, reliable, clean, affordable and resilient access to energy.”

Last year, LEAPS was selected to lead phase one of the Fijian government’s project to electrify all its rural communities by 2030. Their task: assess close to 300 remote communities in need of reliable power and prioritize 75 for mini grid installations. The project was sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

Mini grids are small power grids that can run separately from major grids like those electrifying cities. Often powered by hybrid sources like solar panels and diesel generators.

Once at a potential site, the team worked with local residents to understand their electric needs and if there was land available for building mini grids. They partnered with COMET for practical insights about using mini grids.

The 75 sites were chosen based on population and presence of schools or health centers while ensuring sites were spread across Fiji's islands. Replacing diesel generators with sustainable mini grids will decrease carbon dioxide emissions by over 9,300 tons per year.

Designed with help from small business partner Xendee for resilience against extreme weather like typhoons; these grids feature underground wiring and backup power modes.

In phase two private companies will bid for constructing these mini grids.

"These projects plan to use a partnership agreement between the Fijian government private sector partner and communities represented by an electric cooperative," says Elena van Hove director global energy access at LEAPS "This innovative partnership model leverages strengths each entity."

In Madagascar most use traditional fuels like charcoal or firewood inefficient stoves emitting carbon dioxide exposing health risks smoke less than five percent has clean cooking sources Partnering National Rural Electric Cooperative Association NRECA International gathered data cooking methods population growth used insights map regions renewable fuel potential geospatial analysis master plan actionable steps meet nation goals

“With these maps wanted show Madagascar meet clean cooking goals domestic potential,” says Arnel Garcesa graduate student Polytechnic School project empowers region meet energy needs lowest cost example region large agricultural sector could use local sugarcane produce bioethanol crop waste create clean-burning biomass fuel

Final product Integrated Energy Plan presented government Madagascar officially adopted July considering next steps implement secured funding first round pilots commercial deployments

The LEAPS team is passionate about growing local ownership capacity That’s why latest projects provide resources support women-owned businesses Kenya’s energy industry

“In energy sector Kenya women very small group workers compared men So if want bridge gap should help women entrepreneurs” Marlon Acevedo Rios senior engineer LEAPS worked USAID Power Africa program effort reduce gender inequalities

Partnering Factor[e] Ventures investment firm supporting local capacity growth Nairobi connected three startups owned women active Kenya

60Hertz provides software tools improve microgrid maintenance troubleshooting working creating app SunCulture designs services solar systems irrigation solutions smallholder farmers promoting renewable enhancing productivity Giraffe Bioenergy trains women grow cassava establish ethanol biorefinery create local supply ethanol biofertilizers

For early stage project each business given $50K grant But Acevedo Rios knows new owners often needs money alone can’t fix technical assistance support training tailored specific development stage To help entrepreneurs thrive serving solutions broker identifying unique needs connecting resources collaborators ASU community If pilot successful hopes present work USAID offer recipe supporting gender equity workforce regions world

Closer home developing management system saves money improves resilience increases efficiency contributing national defense Partnered Papago Park Military Reservation Arizona Department Emergency Military Affairs combine building automation separate microgrid Sponsored Environmental Security Technology Certification Program helps validate technologies targeting environmental needs U.S Department Defense Major goal extend time base run backup during emergency outage regulation requires bases sustain critical missions seven fourteen days extended utility outage system uses machine learning predict next day generation optimize assets technology find many uses future Looking partner work staff member student researcher Reach out asuleaps@asu.edu

“It household full campus installation We've able create approach adaptable modular apply different cases” James Nelson director technology innovation Based billing data first few months deployment reduced peak demand up thirty-five percent consumption forty-two percent compared similar months before deployment

“If solution delivers points integrate technology matter course future systems save resources increase resiliency potentially positively affect scoping design” Randall Handorf utilities engineering supervisor base looking forward continuing partnership addressing other areas concern”

LEAPS mobile trailer allows take trainings demonstrations country California Texas Washington D.C Teaching K–12 students possible careers upskilling workers rapid developments educating veterans active-duty personnel Training around thousand professionals transitioning military veterans Sponsors federal entities Department Energy Defense Environmental Protection Agency utilities developers regulators trade groups Specializes develops knowledge skills virtual hands-on exercises Learners practice test bed ASU Polytechnic campus live hit road come trainees Mobile trailer fifteen-foot unit houses replaceable components Designed destroyed bit Alexander Mobley associate director evaluation workforce development Experiencing unexpected approach train how think “I’ll purposely sabotage safe manner won’t work expected learn troubleshoot restoring Mobley veteran engineer educator PhD student passionate making fun lessons approachable useful Another tool larger experimental named MEDUSA Modular Distribution Utility Simulation Apparatus While often used training researchers test ways optimize Third parties Army private safely isolated network advantage testing refining taking formally certified larger lab “Being able go idea let test little actually deploy common spaces Interested collaborating Contact team asuleaps@asu.edu

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