T4D Affordable Solar Fuel for Clean Cooking

Location : Cameroon

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Problem

Cooking is the largest energy use in the Global South, but over 3 billion people still rely on polluting fuels like charcoal and firewood. In sub-Saharan Africa, 87% of the population depends on these fuels, resulting in more than 4 million deaths annually from indoor air pollution, including many young children. This reliance also contributes to global warming and ecosystem degradation.

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Challenge

How can we sustainably produce clean fuel and develop an affordable, adaptable, and user-friendly cooking stove suitable for the Global South?

Solution

This project involves designing and installing a small-scale (25 kWe) solar-powered hydrogen plant in Cameroon to produce sustainable hydrogen. The hydrogen will be used to refill and distribute to innovative, clean hydrogen stoves, providing a safe and modern cooking solution.

Impact

• Clean Cooking Energy: Solar-powered hydrogen provides a sustainable alternative to polluting fuels.
• Health Improvement: Reduces harmful smoke exposure, protecting women and children.
• Modern Technology Access: Brings self-sufficient, sustainable energy to local communities.
• Enhanced Food Security: Safe, efficient hydrogen stoves improve daily life quality.

Team members

• Prof. Sophia Haussener, Principal Investigator and Head of the Laboratory of Renewable Energy Science and Engineering, EPFL
• Prof. Olivier Sosso, Co-Principal Investigator and CMR Supervisor
• Dr Fredy Nandjou, Co-Principal Investigator and Co-founder, Soft Power
• Daniel Alain Anyouzo’o, PhD Student
• Fridolin Tchouante, Investigator, Gas Processing System
• Adamou Irema, Investigator, Solar System Design
• Matthieu Jonin, Investigator, System Design and Stove Prototyping
• Jordan Malep, Collaborator, System Installation
• Christian Temgoua, Collaborator, System Installation