A UK entrepreneur pioneering low-cost energy storage from waste lithium batteries has taken the top prize in the 2017 Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators global competition.
Carlton Cummins (pictured), co-Founder of London-based Aceleron, has been named the Overall Winner of Top Ten Innovators, receiving $15,000 prize money.
Aceleron provides an innovative solution to the problem of waste batteries. Harnessing the untapped health of recycled lithium batteries, which is typically over 70%, they extend the use-phase for consumers.
Once the original stored energy is used up, Aceleron repurpose the battery as storage for renewable energy which can be endlessly replaced – eliminating waste and the need for further resources to be invested in new products.
“I am humbled to be chosen as winner of this global innovation competition. Shell LiveWIRE has been an important supporter of Aceleron and this endorsement will further empower us to bring ‘energy-for-life’ to people around the world.”
Chair of the judges, Mark Gainsborough, said: “Carlton is a great role model who places innovation at the heart of his business, using it as a tool to support his mission for sustainable, affordable energy storage for all. Top Ten Innovators highlights and recognizes innovative entrepreneurs. We believe innovators deserve a world stage.”
Carlton impressed judges with the game-changing developments in energy storage technology Aceleron has achieved. The business is able to offer serviced lithium batteries at the same price as lead acid batteries. Using innovation to drive cost-cutting, it offers a once expensive service at a low-cost entry point, a revolutionary development for the sector.
Carlton commented: “I am humbled to be chosen as winner of this global innovation competition. Shell LiveWIRE has been an important supporter of Aceleron and this endorsement will further empower us to bring ‘energy-for-life’ to people around the world.”
Carlton will use the prize money to pilot an off-grid home solar energy system, using upcycled waste batteries, aimed at the Central American market. He beat competition from 22 other Shell LiveWIRE winners in nine countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan and Brazil to claim the top prize.
Entrepreneurs featured on the Top Ten were also given prize funding, $10,000 for runner-up place and $5,000 for merit place.
Top Ten Innovators is a worldwide competition open to the alumni of Shell LiveWIRE. Its objective is to reward exceptional examples of innovation within businesses supported by the programme and to create a cohort of role models to inspire young entrepreneurs across the globe. The winners were announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), contributing to a worldwide celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Shell LiveWIRE supports business development in countries where we have operations. The Shell LiveWIRE programme helps entrepreneurs to start their own business, turning their ideas into sustainable sources of income helping to create jobs and stimulate local economic growth in the 15 participating countries.