PowerUp Off-Grid Services has successfully deployed its Battery Energy Distribution System (BEDS) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, as part of a live battery-swapping pilot designed to deliver clean and reliable electricity to end users in areas with limited access to power.
The project is being implemented under the ZEBRAS (Zero-carbon Energy Battery Resource-as-a-Service) initiative, one of six international demonstrator projects supported through the ZE-Gen programme. The initiative is backed by more than £4.85 million in funding from the Ayrton Fund through the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Led by MEP Technologies, the consortium includes PowerUp Off-Grid Services, Nevadic, The Washing Machine Project and Skrum. The partners are working to demonstrate how swappable battery technology, renewable charging infrastructure and intelligent energy distribution systems can help reduce dependence on fossil fuel-powered generators in emerging markets.
The demonstration combines renewable energy 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 the need for diesel generation.
Under the model, fully charged batteries are delivered directly to customers and exchanged for depleted units, which are then returned for recharging. The system creates a closed-loop Energy-as-a-Service framework intended to support households and businesses in regions where grid access is unreliable or unavailable.
According to industry estimates, around 1.5 billion people worldwide lack reliable access to electricity, while more than 25 million fossil fuel generators remain in operation across emerging economies. These generators often contribute to higher energy costs, increased emissions and public health concerns.
The project aims to demonstrate how Battery Energy Distribution Systems can provide an alternative source of reliable power in underserved regions while supporting broader efforts to reduce emissions and improve energy access.
The initiative also highlights the role of UK-developed clean energy technologies in addressing infrastructure challenges globally. Through international partnerships, British companies are increasingly deploying scalable energy solutions designed to support economic development and the transition to cleaner energy systems.
David Collinson, co-founder of PowerUp Off-Grid Services, said the project demonstrates that clean energy can be transported and delivered to locations beyond the reach of conventional power infrastructure. He noted that while fuel has long been distributed physically to areas not connected by pipelines or electricity networks, advances in battery technology now make it possible to distribute stored renewable energy in a similar way.
Lily Beadle, programme director at ZE-Gen, said the ZEBRAS project showcases the value of international collaboration and UK clean energy innovation in developing practical solutions to energy access challenges while supporting the transition to affordable and reliable low-carbon power.
For more information visit www.powerup-services.co.uk
