Knowledge Transfer Agreement Signed with the University of Sheffield

R&D in battery technology essential for optimising efficiency and extending lifespan

Mobile Power Ltd, the Sheffield-based pay-per-use battery technology company, is delighted to announce that it has signed a Knowledge Transfer Agreement (‘the Agreement’) with the University of Sheffield, to enhance the performance of its propriety batteries, which have already delivered 14 million rentals across six African countries from MOPO’s solar powered hubs.

Overview

• Focus on developing longer-life MOPO batteries and exploring how they could be given a second life.

• Agreement strengthens relationship with engineers from the University of Sheffield, who have been informally collaborating with MOPO since 2017.

• Strategic move aimed at enhancing capabilities and bolstering competitive edge in the development of a diverse range of MOPO batteries that connect communities across Africa to sustainable energy.

As it accelerates the roll out of its sustainable pay-per-use battery rental business across Africa, MOPO recognises that continuous progress in battery technology is essential for enhancing energy storage capacity, optimising efficiency, and extending overall lifespan. R&D is therefore a key part of its strategy, not only to maintain its position a leader in the space, but to support the transition to a greener and more sustainable future. 

Accordingly, MOPO is delighted to have signed a Knowledge Transfer Agreement with the University of Sheffield.  Under the terms of the Agreement, a team of engineers from the University, which has been informally working with MOPO since 2017, will help the Company’s own R&D team develop longer-life MOPO batteries and explore how they could be given a second life i.e. a MOPO battery no longer able to hold enough charge to power a vehicle could still be used to provide electricity for fridges or AC electrical items.

MOPO CEO Chris Longbottom said, “We have a fantastic R&D team which has developed our platforms technology and hardware which we are rolling out across Africa.  The University of Sheffield is an outstanding innovation hub and this agreement signifies the integration of its expertise into MOPO.  This is a strategic move aimed at enhancing our in-company R&D capabilities and bolstering our competitive edge in the development of a diverse range of MOPO batteries, which play a pivotal role in delivering clean and affordable electricity across Africa.

“Notably, we have conducted over 14 million MOPO battery rentals from our solar powered hubs across six African nations, successfully providing clean and affordable pay per use energy and marking a substantial step towards our commitment to sustainable energy solutions in the region. These are exciting times as we drive innovation in pay per use energy provision in Africa and I would like to extend our gratitude to Innovate UK, KTN, and Professor Dan Gladwin for facilitating this collaboration.”

Professor Dan Gladwin, Professor of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “More than 740 million people don’t have access to electricity around the world and for many communities the only power sources potentially available are petrol and diesel generators. These are often expensive, pricing many people out, but they are also dangerous and damaging to the environment. Smart batteries can play a major role in helping to connect communities to electricity. They are clean, safe and can be much cheaper to access than petrol and diesel generators. We’ve already seen through our project with Mobile Power how its MOPO batteries can make a difference to people’s lives across several African countries. We’re looking forward to helping further develop the technology so more people can access electricity.”

Thomas McKinney, an R&D Battery Engineer, and PhD student at the University of Sheffield, added: “Smart batteries could revolutionise energy systems for countries that have communities off-grid. I’m excited to use the expertise I’ve gained from the past eight years at university to help develop this technology, but also to see how it can help people and provide them with a clean, affordable energy source.”