Research News Last updated 18 May
A £2.6m project led by a team of researchers from Birmingham City University (BCU) is transforming lives in rural Bangladesh by advancing clean energy and sustainable agriculture.
Working in partnership with Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Bright Green Energy Foundation, and Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor, researchers from the SMART SIP+ project are transforming how solar energy can be harnessed.
SMART SIP+ is funded by UK Research and Innovation’s Ayrton Fund, which aims to give developing countries access to the latest cutting-edge tech for reducing their emissions and meeting global climate change targets.
“This project has reinforced the importance of integrating technological solutions such as smart monitoring systems, energy-efficient infrastructure, and scalable service models with inclusive policies and collaboration,” said Honey Yadav, BCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow for Smart SIP+.
“It’s highlighted that sustainable impact is about ensuring that innovation is accessible, adaptable, and responsive to the needs of underserved populations.
“My experience collaborating with partners and communities in Bangladesh has shown that technology, sustainability, and social good can work together to improve lives on a large scale.”
To date, the SMART-SIP+ project has engaged over 1,400 farmers, pump owners, and other local stakeholders across four districts, developing a structured knowledge base of local demand and supply conditions in order to tailor appropriate solutions.
“Through combining BAU knowledge of Bangladeshi farming systems, mechanisation and community engagement with BCU’s research expertise,” said Dr Chayan Kumer Saha from BAU. “We are together producing locally grounded evidence that can inform policy, reduce emissions, improve food security, and support climate-resilient rural livelihoods.
“To continue this partnership, we plan to deepen technical collaboration, publish evidence for scale-up, and explore future joint research and innovation opportunities which will benefit Bangladesh’s agricultural and rural communities.”
This baseline research has informed BCU’s collaboration with the Bright Green Energy Foundation (BGEF).
Together, they have been piloting a system for maximising surplus energy from Solar Irrigation Pumps (SIP).
The surplus energy can run cold storage systems, which provide energy-efficient refrigeration to reduce post-harvest losses for local farmers, supply power for electric vehicle charging stations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower transport costs for rural residents, and provide clean and safe drinking water.
“Through the SMART-SIP+ project, BGEF and BCU aim to establish a Green Hub blueprint that can be replicated across other off-grid regions in Bangladesh, all with the aim of empowering rural entrepreneurs and achieving 100% renewable energy,” said Dipal C, Barua, Founder and Chairman of Bright Green Energy.
“The pilot phase in year one has shown us that project will enable us to achieve modern energy security and food security through diversified use of Solar Energy in Bangladesh, from installing 500 new SIPs to training 100,000 rural women to set up their own renewable energy businesses by 2030.”
Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) have, during their first year collaborating with the SMART-SIP+ project, looked at different ways to make use of surplus SIP electricity. At a dedicated demonstration site in Chuadanga, BCU researchers and WSUP have focused on drinking water purification, biogas electricity and E-bike charging.
Over the next phase, WSUP will work with BCU to advance the SMART-SIP+ technologies, co-design new business models to ensure wider roll out, support community-led adoption and expand access to purified drinking water all of which creates real economic benefit.
Providing access to clean water, for example, reduces women’s daily burden, allowing them to engage in other income-generating activities.
“The collaboration between WSUP and BCU is transforming how rural and semi-urban communities in Bangladesh can access clean energy, water, and economic opportunities,” said Uttam Kumar Saha, Country Manager, WSUP Bangladesh.
“SIP owners can create new income streams through selling water and charging e-bikes.
“The research is providing valuable insights into the connections between energy and water and will be instrumental in influencing large-scale SIP investments by the Bangladesh Government and their development partners.”
SMART-SIP+ research will continue to be delivered until the end of 2027.
Working in partnership with global partners to implement the research is creating real change in Bangladesh. As part of Strategy 2030, BCU is demonstrating its commitment to sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society, sharing research findings globally to drive meaningful and lasting change.