In Image: Hygge Energy’s Solar Panels installed at Sohrarim Smart Village Community Learning Centre.
Image Credits: SVM Meghalaya
Hygge Energy has successfully showcased the first-of-its-kind peer-to-peer (P2P) energy-sharing model in the remote village of Sohrarim in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. P2P energy sharing means sharing excess renewable energy with the local communities. On 19th April 2023, using the patented P2P trading mechanism of the renewable power and carbon trading system installed at a Smart Village Community Learning Centre in Sohrarim, Hygge transferred solar energy from the learning centre to Tirot Singh Syiem School, which is half a kilometer away. The school was experiencing regular long-term power outages and load-shedding issues, particularly during the monsoon season, adversely impacting its students and their learning.
In August 2021, Hygge installed a renewable power and carbon trading system, which included a solar microgrid, at the Community Learning Centre. This initiative was led by the Smart Village Movement and other education partners like Sauramandala Foundation, Project DEFY, Salesforce, Curiosity Gym, and Open Door Project. Of the total renewable energy produced, 40% was sufficient to power the learning centre, leaving 60% available for other purposes. Smart Village Movement and Hygge Energy collaborated to share one-third of this surplus energy with a nearby school, allowing the school to have a consistent and dependable energy supply and operate without interruptions.
In Image: SVM and Hygge Energy Team with Tirot Singh Syiem School Staff and students
Image Credits: SVM Meghalaya
Mrs. Sumarlin Syiemlieh, Principal of Tirot Singh Syiem School, stated, “During the rainy season, there is frequent power cut, and we had difficulty taking classes. We’ve had fewer electrical problems since getting solar energy from Hygge, and it’ll be incredibly useful for our school, especially around examinations. If we can link solar electricity to the village community hall too, it will be very useful for meetings, training, and other community programmes.”
This innovative concept is a collaboration between the Smart Village Movement initiative of the Government of Meghalaya and Hygge Energy. Hygge’s platform utilizes blockchain technology to enable the P2P sharing of solar energy. This approach provides communities with increased energy reliability by reducing strain on the central power grid during peak demand periods, which results in fewer power outages and more stability in the energy system. This decreases reliance on traditional energy sources and lowers the cost of energy consumption. Hygge’s system is reliable, easy to maintain, and emits zero carbon, making the learning centre sustainable and self-sufficient while increasing productivity.
In Image – The learners using the Power Tools for carpentry
Image Credits: SVM Meghalaya
“I’m glad to witness the success of the pioneering P2P energy-sharing model in Sohrarim village. This commendable collaborative effort between Smart Village Movement of Government of Meghalaya, Hygge Energy, and other partners has showcased and galvanized the adoption of sustainable and clean energy practices,” said Nodal Officer, SVM Meghalaya, Mr. Ramkumar S, Director, National Health Mission. “This visionary solution holds great promise for inspiring other organizations to embrace similar sustainable solutions benefiting the environment and local economy. The project stands as a paragon of collaboration and innovation, offering a laudable solution to the energy crisis in rural areas. I congratulate all stakeholders involved in bringing this project to fruition and look forward to more impactful initiatives in the future.”
The Founder and CEO of Hygge Energy, Mr. Prateek Saxena, said, “We are immeasurably grateful to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Dr. Anil Shah, Executive Chairman of UC Berkeley’s Smart Village Movement, for their vision to use education as an engine for economic growth and job creation. We support that vision. Through the peer-to-peer operations of our renewable power and carbon trading system at the Smart Village Community Learning Centre in Sohrarim, Meghalaya, we endeavour to not only create a sizeable social and economic impact in such remotely situated villages via continuous access to affordable energy but also promote sustainable and clean energy as the preferred choice for these communities. Additionally, Hygge’s system also facilitates aggregation and monetization of carbon credits to add another revenue source, making it profitable for our partners and customers.“
In Image: Learners keeping themselves warm during the winter seasons
Image Credits: SVM Meghalaya
In Sohrarim Village, known for heavy rainfall, Hygge Energy’s patented algorithms kept the Community Learning Centre operating during the heaviest rains. The centre had reliable access to electricity, allowing students to continue learning and villagers to charge their devices. Hygge Energy’s sustainable energy solutions provide uninterrupted power for the entire community.
The P2P energy-sharing model has sparked interest in the region due to its successful demonstration. Tirot Singh Syiem School’s students and staff are thrilled to have access to reliable electricity. Daphinylla Dohling, a student, shared her experience, “Electricity in our area is unstable, especially on rainy days. We have scheduled power outages twice daily, from 9:00-11:00am and 5:00-7:00pm. But the installation of solar power at our school has been a big relief. As students, the daily power cuts affect us greatly, particularly during the cloudy season when we struggle to read the blackboard and study from books.“
In Image: Demonstration of Peer-to-Peer Energy Sharing Model to Learners
Image Credits: SVM Meghalaya
Hygge Energy’s P2P energy-sharing model also aims to create Entrepreneur Zones (EZs) composed of multiple businesses within the radius of their renewable power and carbon trading system. By utilizing solar energy produced by Hygge’s system, individuals at the bottom of the pyramid can use it for entrepreneurial purposes and other productive uses. EZs are expected to contribute to the overall economic growth and prosperity of villages like Sohrarim.
According to Pynshaiborlang Marpna, Household Vertical Fellow of SVM Meghalaya, the pilot demonstration of Hygge Energy’s P2P energy-sharing model using renewable solar energy is a significant step towards promoting the use of renewable energy in the region. This successful initiative can encourage other organizations to adopt similar sustainable solutions, positively impacting the environment and local economy. The project is an excellent example of innovation and collaboration that offers a promising solution to the energy crisis in rural areas.
ABOUT SMART VILLAGE MOVEMENT: The Smart Village Movement is a collaborative process facilitated by the SVM organization with the Berkeley-Haas Center of Growth Markets to create a Smart Village ecosystem. We partner with Government, Academia, Corporations, and Rural Communities to foster independence and sustainable rural development in Indian villages and other emerging markets. We aim to empower rural people through digital technologies and open innovation platforms to access global markets.
ABOUT HYGGE ENERGY: Hygge Energy is a clean technology company that seeks to transform the community’s local energy business into one that is profitable, improves resiliency, and is clearly linked to offsetting the local carbon footprint. The company’s mission is to use its renewable power and carbon trading platform to contribute towards a sustainable future by creating net-zero communities. Hygge Energy uses innovative technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain to optimize renewable energy sources, making them more accessible and efficient. Their system is easy to install and maintain and can improve the quality of life in rural areas by providing affordable and clean electricity to homes, schools, and other institutions in villages and remote communities where traditional energy sources are scarce. With a focus on sustainability and social impact, Hygge Energy aims to bring about positive change in the communities they serve.
