Global Impact, a non-profit organization that partners with groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Foundation, Operation Smile and Global Vision to invest in humanitarian solutions for the world’s most vulnerable people, has partnered with San Diego-based microgrid technology company, CleanSpark, to establish a social sector development program that will deliver 100% sustainable energy to impoverished rural populations.
“CleanSpark empowers underprivileged communities by giving them to access affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy,” said Michael Firenze, CEO of CleanSpark. “Partnering with Global Impact will help us accelerate sustainable development worldwide and lift millions of people out of poverty.”
The partnership has established a Shared Value Global Development Framework, which defines the mission, identifies a vast network of stakeholders and sponsors, and establishes a fund that will allow impact investments to be made in projects that can produce significant and measurable positive impacts in underdeveloped regions of the world.
Under the traditional electrification model, hundreds of kilometers of transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure must be built in order to provide rural regions with electricity. This requires an enormous investment with long deployment timelines that result in a low potential for return. As such, rural electrification is deferred by utilities in most emerging economies.
The alternative is to deploy renewable energy microgrids that integrate distributed energy resources such as on-site renewables, legacy generators, and energy storage technology. These technologies can supply local demand by eliminating costly T&D infrastructure expenses and replacing those expenses with an energy generating and critical power asset. Microgrids are deployed much more quickly than traditional T&D infrastructure, and deliver electricity at a lower cost than traditional grid services.
Microgrids solve much more than an energy problem. Stable, secure, and clean energy enables water, sanitation, education, healthcare, commercial, and industrial applications to thrive. The installation, operation and maintenance of these systems also create jobs and spur micro-economies.
“Through the Sustainable Development Goals, the world is becoming more focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all,” stated Scott Jackson, President and CEO of Global Impact. “We believe that CleanSpark can substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. Through our partnership, we will mobilize resources that support developing countries to receive access to a revolutionary product providing energy independence.”
“Lack of access to energy is a threat to our generation and the opportunity to solve this problem is here. We are humbled by the support of pioneers like Global Impact, who are willing to step onto this battlefield with us to ensure an outcome that our grandchildren will be proud of,” said Firenze.
