Started: 2011
Based: London
Website: www.buffalogrid.org
Twitter: @buffalogrid
Category: Community Action, Science and Technology

BuffaloGrid has created an affordable, reliable way to deliver power to remote areas, using clean solar powered hubs to increase access to safe phone charging and lighting.

A charged phone provides access to internet-based services such as mobile-banking and water point mapping. Solar-powered lighting tackles the danger created by kerosene lamps, which claim the lives of 1.5 million people each year.

BuffaloGrid was launched by Phil Schluter with backing from the Royal College of Art in 2012, followed by a round of angel investment. The Indian government has offered the company the opportunity to run a pilot in remote areas of the country. It will also be tested in Uganda and introduced to the market in Brazil. With 1.2 billion people in the world without power, the team behind BuffaloGrid believes it can be considered a success once the units reach two million people.

A recent grant from Technology Strategy Board will expand the service to embed internet connectivity into its next generation of products. With this step forward, BuffaloGrid is aiming to collaborate with remote medical and education organisations.