Innovation

This product was developed by industrial engineering students from the Universidad de Lima in 2020. It consists of an energy generator and accumulator that transforms energy by placing the “Galia Wheel” along with rotating equipment such as bicycles, treadmills, wheelchairs, etc. The power generated may be either used instantly or stored for later, as it could be connected to any other device with a USB port.

This innovative solution addresses three SDGs, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Climate Action. Firstly in its home country, Peru, where they want to change the perspective of using fossil fuels for electricity into one that believes power can be generated “from you and for you”. Also, this device allows to provide connectivity even in the remotest areas, taking into account that 14% of the Peruvian population does not have electricity. In the long term, Galia Charger aims to be an asset in providing an upgrade to the well-being of thousands of people.

The plan for this start-up is not only to sell the product on an individual and commercial basis, as they mentioned in the interview, they want to sell them at a larger scale, creating alliances with government authorities as well as with mining companies. This would be a great improvement for communities in rural areas, due to their location and lack of means of transportation.

Inspiration

Mariana, Alessandra, Valeria and Estefania, leaders of the company and long-time friends, were inspired by their passion for sustainability and entrepreneurship, and with their own personal projects in the back of their heads. They were motivated by “their interest and worry because of lack and waste of energy being one the biggest problems in Peru and the world”. To participate in the Hult Prize Competition they chose to tackle this issue and transform it into a profitable business idea. And even though it changed and developed throughout time, the entrepreneurs mention they “knew from the very first moment that the focus must be in utilizing renewable energy for clean one”.

They express their concern that over two million people in Peru lacked access to electricity and that “reinforced the idea to make alliances with enterprises in order to be able to reach the social responsibility area” and promote changes not only for individuals, but for the communities surrounding them.

Overall impact

Galia Charger’s biggest motivation is to provide energy to the people who need it the most. When this team started working on this project they had as first vision helping the environment and at the same time people with scarce resources to get a better quality of life. In Peru more than 2 million people do not have electricity in their households, this is why Galia charger’s goal is to provide energy to the people who lack this resource. Their device gives them the opportunity to create their own electricity in a healthy way, which will result in reducing inequalities in the country, giving the people with the most needs a dignified life.

Nowadays, electricity is a fundamental part of the daily life of every person, and not having access to this resource, limits them into growing to be their better selves. The company’s future goals are to expand, not just in their country but, also to the rest of the world; especially in cities where poverty is more present and people lack necessary resources such as electricity. Right now with the COVID-19 inequalities between people have grown, especially in developing countries. Many kids have been protesting that it is hard for them to receive online classes because they do not have electricity at home. Galia charger is fighting to be able to give these people the opportunity and rights they deserve.

Business benefit

Galia Charger started their journey by participating in the Hult Prize competition, a UN program that challenges young people to create innovative and sustainable businesses to help the world achieve the SDG’s goals. With this competition and the help of the Universidad de Lima in Peru, Mariana, Alessandra, Valeria, and Estefania came up with the idea of a portable charger that transforms kinetic energy into mechanical energy. For this idea to come true, it was necessary more than just the group members; a lot of effort was required not just from the girls but also from the experts that they hired to help them build their product. 6000 dollars were invested in hiring new employees, who helped make the product perfect for the market, and ready to be used with different devices either Android or Apple.

At the moment Galia Charger is working to find alliances with different companies, they are focusing on pursuing their efforts to make clean, affordable energy available for communities. They are partnering with companies that help them reach more people with their product and thus have a bigger impact. For example, they try to work with mining companies that are placed near communities that lack electricity so that they buy the product and provide these people with electricity.

Social and environmental benefit

Galia Charger, the innovation in this story, has a positive impact both on society and on the environment. Galia charger is contributing to 3 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The 3 SDGs related to environmental action that this innovation is contributing to are: affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

Now, when it comes to social impact, we cannot separate the impact that Galia Charger will have in this field from the environmental impact we now know that it has. After all, both environmental impact and social impact are woven together. One of the main inspirations for this project was the alarming 14% of Peruvians who don't have access to electricity. Therefore, one of the most important objectives and one of the most powerful ways in which Galia Charger can have an impact on their society is by being able to provide electricity to people who would not have access to it otherwise. It is crazy to think that such a small device can have an enormous effect on society. Galia Charger will change people's lives by providing them access to something so basic, as is electricity, while at the same time contributing a great deal to the environment.

Interviews

Mariana Venegas, Industrial Engineer

Alessandra Grayson, Industrial Engineer

Valeria Boner, Industrial Engineer

Estefania Papi, Industrial Engineer