Ayrton-funded innovation in Nigeria demonstrates how British cleantech could reduce reliance on fossil fuel generators in underserved communities.

A UK-backed clean energy project is demonstrating how battery-swapping technology could help deliver reliable electricity to communities beyond the reach of traditional power grids.

PowerUp Off-Grid Services has successfully deployed its Battery Energy Distribution System (BEDS) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, providing clean, reliable energy to end users through a live battery-swapping pilot.

The project forms part of the ZEBRAS (Zero-carbon Energy Battery Resource-as-a-Service) initiative and is one of six ZE-Gen international demonstrators supported by more than £4.85 million through the Ayrton Fund, delivered by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Led by MEP Technologies, the consortium brings together PowerUp Off-Grid Services, Nevadic, The Washing Machine Project and Skrum to demonstrate how swappable batteries, renewable charging infrastructure and intelligent energy distribution systems can reduce reliance on highly polluting fossil fuel generators across emerging economies.

The demonstration combines renewable charging hubs, swappable lithium-ion batteries, electric delivery vehicles and PowerUp's AI-enabled monitoring platform to create a continuous supply of clean energy without relying on diesel generation.

Charged batteries are delivered directly to end users before depleted units are collected and recharged, creating a closed-loop Energy-as-a-Service model designed for communities and businesses where reliable electricity remains unavailable or inconsistent.

The challenge is considerable. Around 1.5 billion people worldwide lack access to reliable electricity, while more than 25 million fossil fuel generators remain in operation across emerging economies, contributing to significant financial, environmental and public health costs.

PowerUp believes Battery Energy Distribution Systems could play an increasingly important role in supporting constrained or underserved regions as demand on conventional electricity networks continues to grow.

The project also showcases the growing international reach of British cleantech, with UK companies developing practical technologies that can be deployed globally to address pressing energy and infrastructure challenges.

PowerUp also took part in the Ayrton Forum, the flagship event opening London Climate Action Week, where it showcased its Battery Energy Distribution technology. The forum highlights UK-international partnerships delivering projects in more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia and the Indo-Pacific, while supporting jobs, investment, science and innovation in the UK.

David Collinson, Co-Founder of PowerUp Off-Grid Services, said: "The Ayrton Fund has enabled this project to demonstrate that energy does not have to remain fixed to where it is generated. By physically moving stored clean energy to where it is needed most, we can help support communities and businesses that cannot rely on traditional grid infrastructure. For decades, fuel has been physically delivered to places pipelines and wires cannot reach. We believe clean electricity must now do the same."

Lily Beadle, Programme Director, ZE-Gen, said: "ZEBRAS highlights the strength of UK clean energy innovation and international collaboration, with British companies creating collaborative international partnerships to develop practical, scalable solutions that address real-world energy challenges while supporting the global transition to affordable, reliable and modern energy."