The Mini-Grid Business

Nico Peterschmidt / INENSUS
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The Mini-Grid Business

Welcome to "The Mini-Grid Business," hosted by Nico Peterschmidt, CEO of the consultancy company INENSUS. With nearly two decades of experience working with over 100 mini-grid companies across Africa and Asia, INENSUS created a podcast, which becomes your gateway to the world of rural electrification through mini-grids. In each episode, Nico and his guests – seasoned experts who have navigated the complexities of the mini-grid sector – offer candid insights based on real-life experiences. Whether they're individuals who have overcome significant challenges, policy makers shaping the sector’s frameworks and funding structures, or visionaries crafting the future of mini-grids, they all have unique perspectives to share. From exploring successful pathways to profitability, to dissecting the reasons behind a company's struggles, "The Mini-Grid Business" delves deep into both theory and practice. It questions the accepted status quo of the mini-grid sector, aiming to unearth new perspectives or expose misunderstandings that need addressing. This is a space for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and invaluable knowledge exchange. Whether you are an industry veteran, a newcomer, or simply curious about the transformative potential of mini-grids, this podcast invites you to challenge your thinking, learn from others, and engage with a community that’s shaping a brighter, more sustainable future. So, tune in, and enjoy "The Mini-Grid Business"!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)Visit www.inensus.com  for more info.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    DC Mesh Grids

    Send us a textIn recent years, DC mesh grids have gained recognition as a cost-effective and safe low-voltage solution for rural electrification, particularly for residential customers and small shops with power needs below 3-5 kW. In this episode, host Nico dives into the advantages and challenges of this emerging technology and the business models it enables. Joining the conversation are Afnan Hannan of OKRA Solar and Felix Boldt of Solarworx, two leading innovators in mesh grid solutions.T...

    58 min

  2. 28 OCT

    How minigrids can help solve the migration crisis

    Send us a textMigration remains a pressing issue in Europe and the United States, often spurred by conflict but increasingly influenced by climate change as a root cause. In this episode, Nico Peterschmidt and Jakob Schmidt-Reindahl from INENSUS explore how rural electrification and industrialization in Africa can strengthen resilience against climate impacts, potentially reducing migration pressures on Europe in the future. They delve into actionable steps for implementing large-scale rural ...

    51 min

  3. 2 OCT

    The cooperative movement

    Send us a textCommunity-owned electric cooperatives transformed rural electrification in the USA, raising access from 10% to 90% in just 15 years starting in the late 1930s. This successful model has since been replicated in regions like South America and countries such as the Philippines and Bangladesh. In Africa, this movement is now beginning to take shape. In this episode, Doreen Chipika Bwalya and Frank Bergh from NRECA International discuss how electric cooperatives - rooted in member o...

    57 min

  4. 2 SEPT

    Impact and reach - Is it time for a paradigm shift in minigrid financing?

    Send us a textMinigrid scale-up efforts are currently falling short of meeting SDG 7 targets, particularly in Africa, where private minigrid companies must evolve and professionalize to achieve sustainable growth. With limited capital available for building the next generation of top-tier utilities, the sector faces a significant corporate financing gap. At the same time project finance tailored to minigrid needs remains scarce.In this episode, we delve into the complexities of minigrid finan...

    58 min

  5. 23 AUG

    Project finance for mini-grids

    Send us a textProject finance has been instrumental in scaling large, grid-connected renewable energy projects, with well-established approaches that have facilitated trillions of dollars in lending to the sector. The result has been access to low-interest, long-term financing. This is exactly what mini-grids need to achieve similar success and growth. Like large-scale renewable power systems, mini-grids are critical infrastructure, yet they face unique challenges, particularly the risk assoc...

    52 min

  6. 12 AUG

    Mini-grid funder ratings

    Send us a textMini-Grid CEOs have long voiced concerns over the inconsistent and overly complicated funding methodologies that vary significantly across different funders and countries, leading to prolonged delays in electrification efforts. Similar frustrations are echoed in the processes of securing equity and debt.Host Nico is joined by Kyle Schutter from Sunlight Reviews and Ashish Shrestha from the World Bank’s ESMAP to discuss these challenges. Kyle shares insights on how Sunlight Revie...

    49 min

  7. 29 JUL

    Interconnected Mini-Grids: Opportunities and Challenges

    Send us a textInterconnected Mini-Grids provide reliable electricity to underserved main-grid connected customers.They are a new phenomenon in the mini-grid space and beyond that provide profitable investment opportunities to mini-grid companies thanks to significantly larger electricity demand in semi-urban areas, where interconnected mini-grids are typically situated compared to rural sites, where isolated mini-grids can typically be found.Can interconnected mini-grids become the "leapfrogg...

    50 min

  8. 27 JUN

    Rural Industrialization with mini-grids

    Send us a textIn this flagship episode, we uncover the transformative power of Rural Industrialization through mini-grids with insights from industry leaders Peter Nyeko of Mandulis Energy (Uganda), Camille André-Bataille of Anka (Madagascar), and Oluwatobi Soyombo of Havenhill Synergy Limited (Nigeria). The host Nico Peterschmidt of INENSUS (Tanzania, Uganda) contributes with his own experience in Rural Industrialization.We discuss - effort vs. profitability. - risk increase vs. decrease thr...

    1h 39m
See All (34)

Trailer

About

Welcome to "The Mini-Grid Business," hosted by Nico Peterschmidt, CEO of the consultancy company INENSUS. With nearly two decades of experience working with over 100 mini-grid companies across Africa and Asia, INENSUS created a podcast, which becomes your gateway to the world of rural electrification through mini-grids. In each episode, Nico and his guests – seasoned experts who have navigated the complexities of the mini-grid sector – offer candid insights based on real-life experiences. Whether they're individuals who have overcome significant challenges, policy makers shaping the sector’s frameworks and funding structures, or visionaries crafting the future of mini-grids, they all have unique perspectives to share. From exploring successful pathways to profitability, to dissecting the reasons behind a company's struggles, "The Mini-Grid Business" delves deep into both theory and practice. It questions the accepted status quo of the mini-grid sector, aiming to unearth new perspectives or expose misunderstandings that need addressing. This is a space for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and invaluable knowledge exchange. Whether you are an industry veteran, a newcomer, or simply curious about the transformative potential of mini-grids, this podcast invites you to challenge your thinking, learn from others, and engage with a community that’s shaping a brighter, more sustainable future. So, tune in, and enjoy "The Mini-Grid Business"!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inensus-gmbh/mycompany/Twitter: INENSUS (@INENSUSgmbh) / X (twitter.com)Visit www.inensus.com  for more info.

Information

  • Creator
    Nico Peterschmidt / INENSUS
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Mini-Grid Business
  • Show Website
    The Mini-Grid Business

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