COVID-19 affected the lives and livelihood of many people. Micro and small entrepreneurs were severely affected by it. To help street vendors and hawkers in the country, a Bengaluru girl developed a technology.

It resembles a power bank which is a lithium-ion portable battery. It can be charged using both an electric grid or solar panels. The power bank can deliver an output of 75Wh, and three devices can be operated at the same time using it.

Prerna Wadikar won the Vice Chancellor’s Social Impact Award from Oxford University, UK, for developing this technology. Prerna completed her Master’s from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bengaluru.

The device developed by Prerna has many advantages. It can be charged quicker than other batteries available in the market, which need five hours for charging. The device can be charged in an hour. It also can run up to three devices at once, so it is suitable for multiple devices.

The device weighs less than 500 grams. So, it can be carried to other places easily. Prerna says that a chain of 10 such units can generate electricity, with which a small refrigerator can be operated. It is not only useful to pushcart vendors but also can fulfil the energy needs of small schools, mobile hospitals etc., by providing electricity to them.

The device can be charged through solar panels also, so, it can be used in places where power interruptions are extensive.

Prerna started Jeeva Global, a social enterprise, to support micro-entrepreneurs and pushcart vendors.

The device is being used on a pilot basis in Varanasi at present. Prerna hopes the device to reach many street vendors and hawkers in the country. She aims to reach more such people across the globe. Her objective is to bring an affordable device into the market.

Image by sarangib from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Image Reference: https://pixabay.com/photos/solar-panels-renewable-energy-3507950/