Tag Archives: sustainability

SCEU and NORCE partner over renewable energy and carbon reduction

LONDON, UK / BERGEN, Norway, 21-Oct-2020 — /EPR ENERGY NEWS/ — Sumitomo Corporation Europe Limited (SCEU) and the Norwegian research institute, NORCE, have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which strengthens the two organisations’ commitment to ongoing collaboration in the fields of renewable energy and carbon reduction. Both organisations have extensive knowledge, resources, expertise and technology in these areas and have identified further opportunities within these fields, which may be mutually beneficial for both parties.

The areas of potential future collaboration include:

  • Environmental, social and corporate governance
  • Hydrogen & energy production and storage
  • Geothermal energy
  • Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS)
  • Production optimisation
  • Plug and abandonment (P&A)
  • Instrumentation and sensing technologies

Elisabeth Maråk Støle, Chief Executive Officer, NORCE commented: “The areas of collaboration covered by this agreement fit very well with NORCE’s strategy. Furthermore, this agreement with a major international player strengthens the opportunities both in Norway, and also towards the EU. Together we can contribute to the green conversion and to the development of new industries. We became acquainted with SCEU and Sumitomo Corporation through the acquisition of Sekal in 2019, and are very pleased to now expand our collaboration through this agreement on renewable energy and reduced carbon footprint.”

Takashi Yamana, Chief Executive Officer, Sumitomo Corporation Europe Limited said, “This MoU is an important development for SCEU and Sumitomo Corporation and I look forward to exploring these exciting opportunities with NORCE in the coming months and years. We are committed to achieving sustainable growth with society and this agreement will further enable us to pursue many of the aims set out in our six material issues, in particular ‘achieving harmony with the global environment’. I very much hope that this agreement represents the beginning of many years of fruitful cooperation with NORCE and leads to many tangible benefits to society.”

SOURCE: EuropaWire

The success of the WakaWaka Solar Lamp

In the beginning there was light for all – and a little later there was electric light for, well, only some of us: 1.5 billion people still live in darkness. Dutch startup Off-Grid Solutions makes an end to developing countries’ killing kerosene dependency. They want their high-tech, low-cost WakaWaka solar LED lamp to light up Africa ‘like a Christmas tree’.

Via Kickstarter.com, the general public is now enthusiastically pre-ordering WakaWaka´s for 35 dollars each. The minimal support to contribute to their mission is one dollar. Thanks to this innovative way of crowdfunding, WakaWaka grows at the speed of light .And with it, the dream of providing all Africans with a sustainable light solution becomes more real by the minute.

1.5 billion people live off-grid. They depend on kerosene fuel for their basic lighting needs. Annually millions of children suffer severe burns from accidents with kerosene lamps. The toxic fumes cause even more health problems. World Bank reports that each day 780 million women and children inhale the equivalent of two packs of cigarettes as a result of indoor air pollution.

Fuels for lighting take up to 20% of income of people who try to survive on less than $2 a day. This way, the poor stay poor. But there is light at the end of the tunnel: WakaWaka solar LED light.

The WakaWaka (‘Shine Bright’ in Swahili) solar lamp uses the latest in patented solar technology developed by Intivation, allowing for superior charging in any weather conditions.

Each day of free solar charging gives 16 hours of decent reading light. It has different light intensities and fits on a bottle, stimulating recycling and opening up opportunities for joint promotions. Innovative distribution methods will reach even the most remote rural areas. Various accessories (cell phone chargers, radios, etc.) are already in development, which will further enhance livelihood and help people get out of poverty.

Co-founder Camille van Gestel: ‘I genuinely believe that if you can make a difference, you must. I have never done anything with so much passion. The support and inquiries we are receiving for WakaWaka from all over the world are as stimulating as they are heartwarming. We are doing the right thing.’

Let’s hope this new bright light spreads fast, for all and everybody. LED there be light.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/229055906/wakawaka-is-the-coolest-solar-led-light

http://www.wakawakalight.com

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About Off-Grid Solutions
Founded in 2011 by 4 partners: sustainable entrepreneur, inspirator and guru Maurits Groen, hands-on change maker and entrepreneur Camille van Gestel, carbon emissions consultants Do-Inc, experts emerging markets and finally Paul Naastepad seasoned executive in clean tech industry.

Via EPR Network
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