Innovative Technologies for a New World.

Innovations to Society Foundation aims to address the needs of the least-advantaged two billion people in the world. Nearly all of these live in developing countries and lack things that people in first-world countries take for granted -- such as access to electricity or clean energy, clean water, and basic medical services.

Our approach is to strongly push high-impact technologies that are suited for particular regions. In many cases, hi-tech solutions that leapfrog intermediate technologies are actually the most economical. One of the most successful leapfrog technologies has been the cellular phones, which passed over hard-line telephony in many developing countries. Our goal is to push such leapfrog technologies, focusing on solid-state lighting, solar energy production (photovoltaic and thermal), and a set of new innovations that are highly region-specific. In pushing these technologies, our goal is to build local competence in production, installation, and further innovation. Furthermore, we focus on developing local ownership of all aspects.

The value of lighting cannot be overstated. It can dramatically improve the productivity of individuals, the education of children, and the safety of neighborhoods. Unfortunately, in many off-grid regions people still employ combustion, such as wood-burning or kerosene lamps, for lighting. These technologies are highly dangerous as they have a terrible record of causing fires and respiratory problems. Solid-state lamps are highly efficient, long-lasting, and can be driven from a variety of power sources. Combined with a range of region-specific energy production and storage, solid-state lighting can replace traditional kerosene-burning lamps while passing huge savings on to consumers. It is another situation in which high-technology can leap-frog intermediate technologies. ITSF plans to work with locals in Nigeria to put together and install solid-state lighting technologies. Financing is through a range of options including micro-loans.

Our second focus is on renewable energy sources for communities in developing countries that have unreliable electrical power or are off-grid altogether. Because of the spotty grid in many developing countries, electricity is actually often more expensive than in first-world countries. For that reason, electricity sources such as photovoltaics (PV), which are considered too expensive in many first-world countries, can actually be priced competitively in some developing countries. Because of their local nature and independence from large-scale investments such as transmission lines and power plants, photovoltaics constitute another leap-frog technology that can dramatically improve the quality of life and economic empowerment of the poor communities in developing countries. ITSF pushes development of local competency in installation and maintenance of PV, combined with a range of storage technologies that are adapted to the local resources.

Beyond PV, solar thermal technology can also greatly improve the lives of the poorest 2B people. Used for hot-water and cooking, it is one of the oldest and most reliable engineering solutions. Unfortunately, cheap fossil fuels such as oil and gas have eclipsed solar thermal in many first-world countries, and has diverted engineering talent. ITSF plans to work with local community entrepreneurs to develop simple cost-effective solar thermal installations that make use of the resources available locally. Since solar thermal is indeed the most cost-effective water heating solution in nearly all communities, the idea is to empower local businesses to bring these systems to the masses. Further in the future, ITSF wants to also push for large-scale solar thermal for electricity production. This is particularly relevant in Saharan countries in Africa, which have high solar insolation, and which are in dire need of fresh water which can be produced as a side-product of solar thermal plants.

In all, we are most interested in inspiring local engineering and entrepreneurship talent that can tackle local problems and build local wealth. In this regard, ITSF aims to work with local entities on expanding or setting up training and opportunities for local engineering and entrepreneurial talent.

With these approaches, we hope to contribute to empowering the least-advantaged 2 billion people in the world.