Select Page

Electricity consumption management made easier by GridX tech

Electricity consumption management made easier by GridX tech

An innovative product by local tech company, Pulsar Electronics, GridX offers the twofold benefits of an electricity management device that enables enterprises and households to manage their electricity usage remotely, as well as being a Wi-Fi router.

Pulsar, the winner of the Development Bank of Namibia 2019 Innovation Award, has obtained a patent for GridX that covers both types of functionality. Kamati Hasheela of Pulsar said this specific implementation of technology has not been carried out anywhere else in the world.

As a meter, GridX offers power producers, distributors and users the ability to collect information through wireless technologies such as 4G, 3G, and fiber. For home users, GridX user will be able to remotely transmit their electricity tokens to the meter and remotely turn geysers on and off to make substantial electricity savings.

Homes using GridX will also have internet access, as well as a local area network (LAN) that allows internet access for multiple devices in the home. Power producers and distributors that are exploring internet access as an addition to their business models will be able to benefit from this.

GridX is attracting interest in the region, and Pulsar has signed co-development partnership agreements with local start-ups in Angola, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The company is leveraging technical expertise in the SADC to collaboratively produce a solution that is customized for regional needs. A pilot programme is expected to prove the benefits of the device.

According to the Development Bank, Pulsar has been placed under its Mentoring and Coaching Programme and work is progressing well.

The Bank added although global events caused various delays in the project supply chain, the project is on track to complete the functional prototype and bankable business plan in the second half of 2020. The team has finalised development of the electronics and started regulatory approval procedures with STS in South Africa.

Pulsar is receiving Development Bank support to finalize product development, optimize the cost of production, develop and execute a product marketing plan, develop a product revenue model, and to assist in the creation and presentation of product packaging.

In August 2020, Pulsar went on to win the Namibian Nations of the Entrepreneurship World Cup, a competition to bring together startups from 190 countries to compete on an international stage. Pulsar will represent Namibia in the finals held in Riyadh Saudi Arabia later this year. It is also seeking additional capitalization to bring the product to market.

Caption: Left, the Pulsar GridX meter which will enable users to manage their electricity remotely, as well as deliver internet to business and home. Alongside the GridX, the team that is making it a reality. Top, FLTR: Kamati Hasheela (Founder), Adrian Larreal (Co-Founder), Morne J Fourie, Jonas Tomanga. Bottom, FLTR: Dantagos Jimmy-Melani (Consultant), Delano January, Julio Gegriel Chilela, Ottilie Mungungu.

About The Author

Donald Matthys

Donald Matthys has been part of the media fraternity since 2015. He has been working at the Namibia Economist for the past three years mainly covering business, tourism and agriculture. Donald occasionally refers to himself as a theatre maker and has staged two theatre plays so far. Follow him on twitter at @zuleitmatthys