Innovation

In order to fight against electricity exclusion in the most disadvantaged areas of the planet, the Spanish companies Solartia and IED, experts in energy and electronics, respectively, decided to pool their knowledge and experience. From that alliance, ARCA- an autonomous solar generator that integrates solar panels, power electronics, energy storage, and prepayment in a compact, robust and simple way, which allows supplying energy permanently anywhere in the world was born.

According to Alberto, “A lot of people ask themselves if specialized staff is needed for the well functioning of ARC” he responded that ARC requires qualified staff always, not only several times a year. There should be a regular inspection to verify that everything is ok.

The project presentation was on the 28th and 29th of October of 2020 (but the project will last three years 2020, 2021, and 2022).

Although they comply with many SDGs, we have decided to focus on two that we thought were the most important.

Firstly, SDG Nº7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), this goal focuses on having access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy is crucial to achieving many of the other Sustainable Development Goals. In the Solartias case, their objective is to reduce poverty via innovation advances and the implementation of an autonomous generator that will provide a resource such as energy to many people.

Secondly, we have goal Nº9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) that addresses three aspects of sustainable development: infrastructure, industrialization, and innovation. In the case of Solartia, these three elements are present in the project because infrastructure provides the basic physical facilities that are essential to society, that is, people that didn’t have sources of energy until now. Also, industrialization drives economic growth, and it helps to create a lot of jobs, thereby reducing income inequalities.

Inspiration

Some of the inspirations for this project, quoted by the CEO of operations, were the following:

“We are convinced that ARK will boost in terms of improving access to energy for these people, who will undoubtedly improve their quality of life. In addition, we believe that ARK will contribute to reducing poverty, preserving the environment, and even getting rid of inequalities globally.”

"ARK is not only a generator with storage but also an information system. Since the system design helps to communicate with the end user and monitor human behavior, certain aspects seem essential to us in these non-interconnected areas." The fact that NIZ (Non-Interconnected Zones) situation affects many people. The Institute for Planning and Promotion of Energy Solutions estimates that 322,000 Colombian families with the installation of ARCA will have access to energy. Part of the problem is due to the Colombian mountainous terrain. There is a vast opportunity for alternative energy generators.

Overall impact

The overall impact of this innovation is to alleviate the energy poverty suffered by millions of people worldwide. The fact that NIZ (Non-Interconnected Zones) situation affects many people. The Institute for Planning and Promotion of Energy Solutions estimates that 322,000 Colombian families with the installation of ARCA will have access to energy. Part of the problem is due to the Colombian mountainous terrain. There is a vast opportunity for alternative energy generators.

Business benefit

This innovation will benefit the company since, through the alliances it creates, it will distribute ARCA in large quantities, leading the company to grow and have more profit. More specifically, after implementing ARCA in Colombia due to their success, according to Alberto, Solartia plans to expand the innovation to other remote places around the world where this type of resource is needed. For instance, Solartia will keep extending in Colombia, and there will be a possibility to start implementing ARCA in Honduras.

For instance, if all these plans go well, it will provide more revenue for Solartia and a good image in making the world a better place.

Social and environmental benefit

ARCA will benefit the Colombian's quality of life due to easy access to energy. With ARCA, they will no longer need to wait to have light and be able to do their daily routines, such as working or sports, since they will have it right away. Apart from that, now people who do not have access to electricity will have it with this innovation.

Interview

Alberto Aragón Ibiricu, CEO fo operations