Using Impact Investing and Blockchain to accelerate the clean energy transition, Chris Ahlfeldt

What is your background briefly?

I’m a clean energy and sustainability specialist with over a decade of experience working primarily in the international clean energy sector. I studied energy systems engineering at Stanford University and after working for a few an energy consultancy in California, I moved to South Africa to start my own clean energy advisory company focused on emerging markets. I also founded and run a sports and education non-profit for kids in South Africa called Yebo Volleyball (https://yebovolleyball.co.za).

Does it seem like a logical background to what you do now?

Yes, studying engineering at Stanford gave me a strong technical background to understand emerging technologies in clean energy as well as the problem solving and research skills I use for clients on a daily basis.

1 min pitch for what you are doing now?

Since founding Blue Horizon ECS I’ve helped both public and private sector clients identify new market opportunities and overcome challenges to accelerate the clean energy transition. I’ve also shaped early-stage policy and market investment decisions for clients in a number of emerging markets including Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, eSwatini, Liberia, Botswana, Thailand, and South Africa.

Tell us about how energy storage and renewable energy are unlocking new business models in developing countries

Affordable energy storage has been the holy grail for the renewable energy industry for a long time and now we’re seeing a wide range of applications for both on-grid and off-grid customers. It’s now cheaper to connect many off-grid customers with micro-grid solutions combining batteries with solar PV panels and/or wind turbines then extend then build-out the existing grid infrastructure. On-grid customers can also benefit from improved reliability and cost savings depending on what they’re currently charged and the utility tariffs for selling electricity back to the grid. The industry will only grow faster as energy storage and renewable energy costs continue to drop and affordable financing becomes more mainstream.

How can blockchain facilitate growth in renewable energy & storage in developing countries?

In my view, the most practical application of blockchain is to rapidly scale-up financing in the industry and overcome challenges with local currency fluctuations. This is still a big hurdle in the industry as few international investors want to take on the risk of lending money in local currency, so the potential for blockchain to unlock peer-to-peer crowdfunding across any border is huge. The more technologically advanced applications of blockchain coupled with a smart grid will take longer to see results in many developing countries as this requires further investment in smart grid infrastructure like smart meters and updating enabling regulations that incentivize the utility to adapt.

What is your role in Impact investing in renewable energy, how soon might this become mainstream?

I often work with impact investors to identify and evaluate investment opportunities in both debt and equity for renewable energy projects in new markets. I’ve worked at various levels of the industry from utility-scale, to roof-top solar and off-grid applications for low-income communities and assess varying business models for deployment (e.g. leasing, PPA, on-bill financing) based on capabilities of local partners and market rules. I also use an independent verification process to evaluate the potential impact of renewable energy investments and projects (e.g. jobs created, avoided emissions, people given access to energy).

How can people find out more about you & your work?

You can check-out our website (BlueHorizon.Energy) to learn more and get in touch with me directly over twitter (@AfricaEnergyPro) or email (chris@bluehorizon.energy). You can also sign-up for our e-newsletter here:https://energy.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2c6b3163ac7a1c330e7584d35&id=ededd5c7eb

If you would like to have your company featured in the Irish Tech News Business Showcase, get in contact with us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie or on Twitter: @SimonCocking