Named Aftrak, the project was among four other finalists vying for the $1m prize that was announced at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles on May 6, 2024.
Aftrak is a self-sustaining system made up of a solar microgrid, a micro electric tractor – both invented and built at the University – and Deep Bed Farming (DBF), a practise that disrupts compacted soil, inhibits soil erosion, and captures rainwater close to where crops are grown. Once established, DBF more than doubles crop yield and gives smallholders additional income that can be used to purchase electricity from the microgrid, thereby creating a self-sustaining model for decentralised energy access.
The Aftrak Micro Electric Tractor Unit is a battery and solar powered machine whose main purpose is to prepare compacted soil for DBF -using a 5kW motor that drives a circa 500rpm chain trencher that can dig down to 400mm - but can also provide electricity for off-grid homes.
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The tractor’s 200W solar array tops up the machine’s 5kWh temperature stable lead acid batteries that can run for two hours or several days depending on the application. MPPT and CC are installed for charging.
Prof Dani Strickland, from Loughborough’s School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, explained that tractor has two separate motor drivers for the wheels after switching from hub motors.
The system’s 15kW solar array comprises 10 easily assembled, ground mounted panels and generates 75kWh of electricity per day for uses including lighting, cooking, phone charging and milling grain. The solar array also houses a charging station for the tractor.
“We have tried to optimise the design so that we can do in country build and repair without complex tooling as far as possible,” said Prof Strickland. “An example of this is the use of metal structural components that can be stamped, or laser cut and folded. We still have a way to go with cost optimisation as we were ordering parts to tight time scales. However, we have a good idea where we can save costs. An example would be integration of all our power electronic systems onto a single detachable and replaceable board.”
Aftrak is now being deployed in Malawi, where over 60 per cent of the population is multidimensionally poor and close to 90 per cent are without access to electricity.
The project is a partnership of researchers from Loughborough University’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Tiyeni – a Malawian NGO whose UK arm has funded the development of DBF, and The Consortium for Battery Innovation. Aftrak has also been supported by Innovate UK and Varta.
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