20th November, Nigeria – Shelland bio-bean are helping to power some of London’s buses using a biofuel made partly from waste coffee grounds, a development that has triggered renewed challenge to Nigerian beneficiaries of Shell’sLiveWIRE programme to join in the innovative search for bright energy ideas.
This latest Shell-bio-bean collaboration is part of Shell’s #makethefuture energy relay, which supports entrepreneurs turning bright energy innovations into a positive impact for communities around the world.
Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, says he is excited about emerging energy ideas through innovations and collaborations supported by Shell’sLiveWIRE programme, and sees the potential of smart energy ideas being developed in Nigeria.
“By continuing the conversation on providing a wider, more sustainable mix of energy resources for the world’s growing population, Shell is provoking thoughts on tomorrow’s solution, and I see the potential for a replication of the bio-bean technologyin Nigeria where more than 275 million cups of coffee are consumed in a year,†he said. “It is an indication that by rethinking our approach to waste, we can create smarter cities and a brighter future for our country.â€
The bio-bean inventor, Arthur Kay, is a recipient of Shell’s LiveWIRE Innovation Award,which supports young entrepreneurs with pioneering ideas to create abrighter energy future. He described the bio-bean technology as “the fuel of choice for households looking for a high-performance, sustainable way to heat their homes – and now, with the support of Shell, bio-bean and Argent Energy have created thousands of litres of coffee-derived B20 biodiesel which will help power London buses for the first time.â€
In its 14-year history in Nigeria, Shell’s LiveWIRE has produced hundreds of entrepreneurs who benefited from business training and start-up grants, making them employers of labour. Three of the past beneficiaries were recently nominated for the 2017 Shell group Top 10 Innovators award where two of them — Precious Adeho, owner of Emobella Engineering Nig Ltd, and AtalorNgozi Deborah of De-rahbs Energy Services won in the merit category.
Nigeria has also benefited from innovations and inventions from Shell’s LiveWIRE with the building of Africa’s first human and solar powered football pitch at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, unveiled in 2015 in collaboration with global music star, Akon. The pitch uses Pavegen tiles invented by young British entrepreneur and Shell LiveWIRE beneficiary, Laurence Kemball-Cook, to convert power from footsteps into renewable that lights the pitch at night.
Over the years, SPDChas supported students from Nigeria universities to participate in the global Shell Eco-Marathon, a global competition that sees students design ultra-efficient cars, and challenges them to see which can travel furthest on one litre of fuel.
Make the Future
– Shell believes by working together we can transform lives by bringing more and cleaner energy to communities, everywhere. Shell collaborates with inventors, local communities, engaged citizens and global celebrities to transform lives by putting bright energy ideas into action. The Shell #makethefuture programme is not just talking about it but doing it – on the ground, day by day. Each of us has a role to play – as inventors, funders, volunteers, donators or vocal supporters.
– In 2014 Make the Future showcased Pavegen’s innovative kinetic tiles which convert player’s footsteps into energy for lightingfootball pitches in Rio’s Morro de Mineira favela and Lagos Nigeria. This was followed by 2016’s “Best Day of My Life†initiative which featured some of the world’s top singers to introduce other bright energy idea collaborations. An energy relay began in Kenya , where Shell supported the launch of GravityLight, an invention which brings clean light to off-grid Kenyan homes. This was followed by an initiative in Brazil, where Shell helped Insolar bring affordable solar solutions to communities in need in Rio.
Shell LiveWIRENigeria
– The Shell Livewire Nigeria programme is part of the global Shell LiveWIRE Social Investment programme which enables young people to start their own business and create employment. Since its launch in 1982, over 9.2m young entrepreneurs have benefited globally from the programme.
– Shell Livewire programmes provide budding young entrepreneurs with access to the essential business knowledge and customised support they need to transform their enterprising ideas into a viable and sustainable business.
– The LiveWIRE programme was launched in Nigeria in 2003, and has since enabled young entrepreneurs to convert ideas into real businesses that create products or services as well as employment to the community. Today, LiveWIRE supports Nigeria’s National Youth Policy by encouraging and training young people to start their own businesses by providing start-up funds. To date, the programme has trained 6,200 youths in enterprise development and management, and provided business start-up grants to 3,100.
