From October 22 to 24, 2024, the SophiA consortium held its general assembly in M37 online. The project is steadily progressing and with just one year remaining, it is now entering its final phase.
Launched exactly three years ago, the project aims to make meaningful advancements in healthcare access and sustainability at four demo sites: Léo in Burkina Faso, Edea in Cameroon, Buvuma in Uganda, and Mua in Malawi. The installations are part of an ambitious initiative to deploy innovative renewable energy solutions, addressing urgent healthcare infrastructure needs in these regions.
Key Developments on Demo Sites
- Léo, Burkina Faso: The first SophiA system has been successfully installed this summer, with final issue resolution underway thanks to the dedication of field specialist Oliver Schmid. A launch event, co-organised by 2iE and the hospital in Léo, celebrated this important achievement. Read to know more!
- Edea, Cameroon: Containers carrying essential equipment have arrived, with installations expected to commence soon. Read to know more!
- Buvuma, Uganda, and Mua, Malawi: Shipments from South Africa are nearly ready to dispatch, with preparations for installations in Malawi already in progress. Read to know more!
Technological Innovations
The project continues to develop and deploy advanced technology across the demo sites:
- SophiA 1.0 has been successfully deployed in Burkina Faso; SophiA 2.0 – a compact version optimised for the Malawi and Uganda installations – will be housed within a 140 ft container; SophiA 2.0 water will be customised for Cameroon, and SophiA Cooling 3.0, a simplified cooling solution under consideration, reflect ongoing design adaptations to meet specific site requirements. Read to know more about Solar Cooling and Water Containers.
- PVMedPort, PVsteamCube and Scheffler Reflectors, solar renewable systems to provide steams, hot water and electricity for small clinics, are already operational in Burkina Faso, with Cameroon installations planned next. Read to know more!
Focus on Training and Capacity Building
To ensure lasting impact, the project emphasises local training and capacity building:
- Train the Trainers programs, essential for empowering local teams, were completed in Burkina Faso in June 2024. Upcoming sessions are planned for Cameroon end of the year 2024 and Karlsruhe in February/March 2025.
- The 3rd Sustainability Summer School, held in September 2024 in Karlsruhe, received positive feedback from participants representing 13 countries, underscoring the project’s commitment to global knowledge-sharing.
Sustainability and Future Prospects
The project prioritises sustainability with a focus on post-project maintenance, local capacity building, and exploration of new market opportunities such as food storage. Internship opportunities through summer schools will continue, promoting hands-on experience and knowledge transfer.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
- A dedicated SophiA workshop will be held at the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on November 28-29, 2024. The event will provide an opportunity to share insights and engage with global partners, with attendance from various project collaborators.
- The next consortium meeting will take place online on December 10, 2024, with future meetings planned in Uganda (Spring 2025) and Brussels (Fall 2025).
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