About This Project

730 M people worldwide lack access to electricity !

This project investigates if a variable-compression engine can operate efficiently across multiple locally available fuels, addressing energy access in rural communities with variable fuel quality. Using computational modelling, the study tests the hypothesis that adaptive compression enables fuel-flexible, high-efficiency operation, generating open evidence to inform resilient and affordable energy solutions in off-grid regions.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Many rural off-grid areas in developing regions (Africa, Latin America, Asia) face severe energy poverty.

2 billion people lack access to electricity & rely on traditional solid fuels. These isolated communities often depend on diesel generators for power, since they are valued for their reliability. However, diesel may be scarce, pollute through CO2 emissions or vary in quality.

A system that adapts to locally available fuels is needed. This University of Strathclyde–led feasibility project combines numerical modeling and workshops with community leaders to tailor an adaptable energy solution to their needs.

The feasibility analysis will prove the improved economy & emissions reduction by 50%–90%.

Building on prior research demonstrating that variable compression ratio improves efficiency & emissions for various fuels, the project proposes that an adaptive engine can act as a catalyst to combat limitations of existing off-grid technologies

What is the significance of this project?

A fuel-flexible engine greatly improves energy security & livelihoods in under-resourced areas.

Shifting households from solid fuels to clean liquid or gaseous ones significantly improves rural living standards, reducing health & labor burdens.

Our variable-compression engine design aims to optimize combustion for each fuel “adjusting to each fuel’s optimal compression” to boost efficiency and flexibility. By demonstrating high-efficiency operation on multiple fuels, the project addresses SDG -7 reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.

Crucially, the project also involves local stakeholders in the process; as UNDP notes, energy services work best when “local populations…are involved in making decisions about them”. Engaging communities ensures the technology will be appropriate & accepted.

The resulting performance metrics, & insights will provide evidence to future pilot projects & scaling for off-grid energy systems

What are the goals of the project?

The project is focused on achieving five key goals. These include: (1) fuel mapping, by analyzing local fuel resources in targeted rural communities across Africa, Latin America, and Asia to understand available fuel types; (2) engine development, through selecting promising fuels and designing a variable-compression small engine model to virtually test fuel flexibility; (3) demonstration of achievements, by simulating a prototype engine to verify multi-fuel, high-efficiency operation with reduced emissions; (4) community engagement, by conducting an online workshop with local leaders to present the technology and gather feedback, ensuring stakeholder involvement; and (5) dissemination of results, by providing backers with analysis reports, simulation data, test results, and workshop findings throughout the project.