Spotlight on APKI: Driving Innovation and Equality in Clean Energy

The Challenge

Traditional generators, while long relied upon for backup power, come with significant drawbacks: noise, pollution, and reliance on fossil fuels. These limitations can make them unsafe and impractical for vulnerable users, especially when frequent refuelling is required.

In 2021, the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) launched a call for innovation, expressing the need for sustainable, suitcase-sized generators to replace the older, inefficient generators for good. The solution needed to be safe to use indoors, with the ability to power sensitive, lifesaving medical equipment and general welfare appliances.

The Solution

APKI’s engineers got to work. Several months later, they presented the zero-emission battery generator to distribution network operators (DNOs) at a presentation day hosted by the EIC. 

Four of Britain’s DNOs ran extensive tests on the ZE-Gen units, with further testing carried out at medical centres on all equipment typically used in home settings.

Scottish Power Energy Networks, Scottish & Southern Energy Networks, and Northern Power Grid have since ordered and deployed thousands of APKI’s clean energy ZE-Gens.

“The APKI battery marks the beginning of a new way of caring for our customers during a power cut, so they can continue to use crucial medical appliances. We're doing all we can to ensure our customers, especially those with additional needs, have an extra layer of support… These will form part of our approach to assisting our Priority Services Members, and we’re hoping that they will be rolled out in higher quantities. This is just one of the things we do – as the people who manage the electricity network for 8 million customers – to be there for those who need it most. We look forward to continuing to pave the way for innovation across the grid and ensuring our infrastructure works for all.”

Muhammad Mubashir - Programme Manager at Northern Power Grid

What’s next?

Building on the success of the ZE-Gen, APKI is now collaborating with four network providers to develop a larger-capacity model designed to power entire homes during outages. This next-generation ZE-Gen will integrate seamlessly with home systems, offering even greater reliability and convenience.

Speaking to Team Lincolnshire, Managing Director Alan Greig said

“Our mission is simple. We believe that access to energy is a fundamental right, not a privilege. With this in mind, we strive to be a catalyst for positive change in the energy sector”.

APKI is at the forefront of advancing clean energy equality, positioning itself as a key player in both the medical and sustainable energy industries.