Jesse Muriithi is the innovator behind a solar-powered backup system that can generate power without using fuel or hydro power.
He explained that it took him over a decade to build the system whose patent was recently approved by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Background
Muriithi, a mechanical engineer, hails from Nkubu, South Imenti in Meru County where he has set up his business.
Other than running a cyber café, the innovator also repairs electronics such as computers, radios and TV sets as well as installing solar systems.
He wrote his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination in 2008 and obtained a C+.
Muriithi did not make it to university and as such, he undertook certificate and diploma courses in electrical and mechanical engineering and information technology in various colleges in Meru and Thika.
He also enrolled for an online course at an Indian university in 2016.
“This is where I advanced my knowledge on the application of orient object programming, the technology used in making robots,” he said.
In an interview with Nation, the mechanical engineer said it took him 15 years to build the solar-powered backup system.
His dream to build the system started during his time in high school when he teamed up with a fellow student for a project on the ‘Use of Technology for Economic Growth.’
Coming up with the system
Muriithi and his colleague built a system that could generate electricity without requiring solar or mechanical energy powered by fuel to run.
15 years later, he completed the manufacture of the system that uses magnetic energy to generate electricity.
This means that it does not use fuel or hydro power to produce power, cutting the cost of electricity by over 50 percent.
The system which was recently registered at Kipi under application number KE/P/2022/4203 (22), is in a position to generate up to 10MW and power light industry.
“The system can generate electricity for use in homes and power vehicles as well as industrial operations, cutting the cost of production and transport by over 50 per cent. After initial installation, it requires minimal maintenance,” Muriithi said.
While many might wonder how the system works, Muriithi explained that, when the system starts with the aid of a battery powered by solar energy, this power is disconnected and the magnets are able to generate electricity without the help of any other source of energy.
“After the greenlight by Kipi, I am now looking for investors. Locally, the system has been adopted by some individuals but there are investors from abroad who are interested in the invention,” he said.
Muriithi currently works with Eric Gituma who builds the hardware, Allan Karani who markets the system and Dr Samuel Muriuki and David Muriuki his social scientists.
He also works with Kirimi Ng’entu his legal adviser and his wife Agnes Karimi, who, he says, offers him moral support.
