Catriona Mackenzie-Bird

The majority of citizens rely on lights powered by kerosene lamps which negatively affect indoor air quality, or battery powered and solar devices which are contributing to a growing e-waste problem across Sub-Saharan Africa. uPwR is a community-centred source of power that is not reliant on electricity or disposable batteries tol positively impact the health and lives of citizens.

Like a library system, users sign into their account to scan out charged devices and scan in depleted ones. This enables them to check how many charged devices are available, as well as note issues with devices that may require service. Using the uPwR system gives every user the opportunity to contribute to the power needs of themselves and their neighbours with minimal effort.

The roof ring lights up green when fully powered, fading to yellow, orange and red as the stored energy depletes, so users can gauge hub health as they approach. The power banks have been sized to fit comfortably in the hand, and attach/detach without twisting or force. The interchangeable tops snap on and pop off from the power bank easily, with the light and USB tops having their own rechargeable power sources to be used independently from the base unit.

The storage battery system in the hub and power banks are Lithium-polymer batteries as they are a more durable energy source for product longevity. The hub panels, made from recycled aluminum and steel frame, can be flat packed and assembled on-site. uPwR aims to combat the growing problem of e-waste in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is applicable across global markets.