In a world where the shift to sustainable energy is becoming increasingly crucial, 3BA Allamanda Enterprise Ltd (3BALE) is presenting an innovative option with its sand-powered solar energy battery, the Ecobatt.
Conceptualised by 3BALE’s founder Mahaila Joseph in late 2023, the Ecobatt uses sand to store thermal energy.
Joseph, who is a former accountant, fabricator and certified welder, developed the Ecobatt as a way of offsetting the cost of renewable energy for her agro-processing business.
Through a partnership with the National Entrepreneurship Development Company Ltd (Nedco), Joseph has created her own line of products, Allamanda Flavours.
The business provides a wide range of organic, locally sourced fruits and herbs which are dried to be used in cooking and beverage making. Joseph has plans to start export regionally soon.
"Looking at inputting renewable energy into our processing facility, the cost was astronomical because of the (solar) battery system. So I started looking at ways to reduce that through my own technical experiences," Joseph told Business Day after presenting her invention at the TT Energy Conference on February 11.
Through her research, Joseph found that another company had already designed a sand battery. But it was not designed for small-scale use, so Joseph created her own.
"I didn’t give up. I started doing my own research…but I didn’t have much money, so I thought, 'How can I get my idea out without bursting my pocket?'
"That's when I started looking at waste material and the different ways I can use them."
Joseph’s research and innovative thinking led her to make use of discarded microwaves.
With the Ecobatt, the internal components of the microwave are removed, leaving the built-in insulated layer.
[caption id="attachment_1142671" align="alignnone" width="707"] Mahalia Joseph, founder of 3BA Allamanda Enterprises Ltd. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
It is then fitted with wires and a metal receptor which captures heat. Once filled with sand, the discarded microwave with the added fittings, transforms into a thermal energy battery that costs 50 per cent less than lithium-ion batteries that traditionally power solar panels.
Joseph partnered with experts across multiple fields to create the Ecobatt.
Her friend Dareem Jeffery provided sound advice on networking and marketing, guided by the experience he gained from establishing his own eco-friendly business. Jeffery is the creator of EcoWash, a car wash machine which uses just two litres of water and a mixture of detergents to wash an entire car in 20 minutes. Jeffery now serves as 3BALE's logistics advisor.
With 20 years of experience as an engineer working in Dubai, Umar Ali also came on board as 3BALE's engineering consultant.
And Joseph also has support from her community as well. Neighbour and friend, Timmy Thomas, lends his over 20 years of experience as an electrician to aid in the development of the Ecobatt.
"Late at night when I had any issues I’d call him. If I say 'Boy, I’m trying to
