Women Bear the Load

The burden of fuel acquisition falls heavily on women, who often spend precious time and effort gathering it. For those affected by energy poverty, the need to eat or see after sunset forces them to dedicate time and energy to collect or purchase fuel for cooking, heating their homes, and providing light. This lost time could be better spent by adults managing businesses or children attending school. Globally, girls particularly suffer from this inequality, as families often prioritize resources for fuel collection over their education.

Burning fuels like kerosene or charcoal not only releases carbon dioxide but also produces harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide and soot. Women, frequently the primary cooks in many households, are often exposed to these dangerous chemicals daily. Organizations such as PATH and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves are working to provide efficient cookstoves to those in need, creating new micro-industries worldwide. While this initiative addresses cooking-related health issues, it does little to alleviate the lack of light sources.

The Cost of Fuel

The expense and limited availability of fuel also mean that light after dark is rationed. Having access to light can significantly impact a small business owner’s ability to work or a child's capacity to study after completing chores. This small change can lead to transformative effects for families and communities alike.

Harnessing Solar Energy

In addition to their health burdens, women and girls face the threat of sexual assault when navigating public areas at night for tasks like fetching water or using latrines. Therefore, addressing public lighting through solar energy can simultaneously tackle multiple issues.

Numerous organizations are actively working to implement larger solar systems in communities around the globe. For instance, Solar Sister empowers nano-entrepreneurs to sell affordable solar lighting systems, while Little Sun promotes a buy-one-give-one solar light initiative, providing statistics that highlight their positive impact. There are many similar initiatives, and I encourage you to support their missions.

However, there are challenges associated with these solar systems. Two crucial components—solar panels and batteries—cannot be manufactured by the end-users themselves. While some light maintenance and battery replacement may be possible with established supply chains, the critical issue remains that users cannot create these essential tools. The pandemic has underscored the fragility of our just-in-time supply chains, leaving us vulnerable when these systems fail.

Sustainable Battery Solutions

The most common type of battery used is Lithium-Ion. But what happens when these batteries fail? If there's no way to replace or recycle them, we face a significant problem. I realized the importance of developing a "battery recipe" that people can learn and share, enabling them to create their own power storage solutions. This recipe needed to be straightforward, safe for homes with children, easily recyclable, and achievable with minimal skills or tools. After considerable effort, I succeeded (US10749168B1) and am currently working on a book to publish this recipe while collaborating with alpha testers.

Here's a glimpse of a battery cell I created, which has been operational for three years with minimal maintenance. Although it may not have the same energy density as more modern alternatives, it demonstrates that a functional battery is achievable.

With a capacity of around 25Wh/liter, this battery can power a bright 5-watt LED light for an entire night with just 2-3 liters of battery volume—akin to the size of a car battery. Although this isn't ideal, it's a promising start. A newer version of this battery has been developed that showcases improved performance.

The Future of Lighting

Next, we must consider the efficiency of our lighting solutions. Rather than having an LED running continuously, we can flash it rapidly to create an apparent brightness while conserving energy. My early experiments involved a "Joule Thief" circuit, which boosts low voltages to drive LEDs. This technique can produce the illusion of brightness, but it risks damaging batteries.

By utilizing a battery we can service, like the one I've developed, we can power brighter lights. In my lab, I employ a Boost Converter that operates via USB to run LEDs, ensuring that power levels are regulated to prevent over-discharge.

Now, let's consider if we always need bright white light. For tasks like walking at night, a bright LED isn't always necessary; instead, we can explore using colored lights that require less energy.

Power Considerations

If we use a battery like mine, communities can create their own lighting systems while awaiting funding for more robust options. This also means they can operate effectively with fewer batteries, enhancing flexibility in their energy solutions.

To implement a pulsed lighting system, we can utilize small microcontrollers or simple circuits that create flashes of light, ensuring efficiency while providing adequate illumination. By choosing the right type of LED, we can maximize brightness while minimizing power consumption.

The Right LED Choice

Indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs are exceptionally energy-efficient. However, for many scenarios, we don't need a full spectrum of white light. Instead, we can use green or cyan light around 505nm, which aligns well with our eyes' sensitivity in low-light conditions.

This strategic choice allows us to provide useful light while conserving energy. By creating an integrated system that combines efficient lighting with serviceable batteries, we can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected by light poverty.

A Collaborative Approach

Innovators like Ted Yapo are merging energy-efficient cyan LEDs with pulsed drivers to develop long-lasting flashlights that require no battery replacements for decades. While the initial costs may seem high, mass production can make these solutions affordable for communities.

As I explore options that utilize simpler circuitry for my low-voltage battery, I realize that collaboration and shared knowledge can lead to sustainable lighting solutions in developing regions.

Through our collective efforts and innovations, we can help lift communities out of darkness.

Stay Luminous, friends.

The first video, "Global Citizen NOW: An Urgent Gathering to Defeat Poverty and Protect the Planet," discusses the global need for innovative solutions to combat poverty and environmental issues.

The second video, "President Trump Delivers Remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference," covers political discourse and initiatives that may impact energy policies and community support.