A team of academics from Engineering and the Business School have returned from a 7-day visit to Bangladesh, marking a major milestone in the SMART-SIP+ Project, an ambitious international collaboration exploring how clean energy can transform rural agriculture.
Delivered in partnership with Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), SMART-SIP+ is a three-year project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the prestigious Ayrton Challenge Programme.
The project focuses on one key challenge: how to better utilise the excess energy generated by solar irrigation pumps (SIPs).
Turning Solar Irrigation into Rural Energy Hubs
Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change with more than 60% of its population depending on agriculture for income. Irrigation is critical, yet many farms still rely on diesel-powered pumps, creating both economic and environmental pressures.
Solar irrigation offers a cleaner alternative, but there is a catch, during periods of low irrigation demand, a large proportion of the solar energy generated goes unused. SMART-SIP+ addresses this challenge by turning solar irrigation systems into multi-functional clean energy hubs. Instead of wasting surplus electricity, the project explores how it can power valuable downstream applications such as:
- Cold storage
- Crop drying
- Threshing and milling
- Water purification
- Electric vehicle charging
This approach has the potential to improve productivity, reduce waste, and create new economic opportunities in rural communities.
Launching Demonstration Sites Across Bangladesh
A major focus of the June visit was the launch of key SMART-SIP+ demonstration sites in Bhaluka, Dinajpur and Chuadanga. These sites showcase how surplus solar energy can be deployed in real-world agricultural settings.
Each location demonstrates different technologies and business models tailored to local needs, from crop processing and cold storage to clean drinking water systems and EV charging.
For the BCU team, the site visits provided a valuable opportunity to see the technologies in operation and engage directly with communities using them.
Florimond Gueniat, who is leading on technical design and development, said,
“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the physical and digital worlds collide. Watching our solar system powering pumps and mills is as exciting as the live IoT data rolling in!”
Learning Directly from Farmers
Stakeholder engagement is central to SMART-SIP+, and one of the most valuable aspects of the visit was listening to farmers and local communities. Interviewing over 200 farmers and business owners, these conversations highlighted practical challenges and priorities. Farmers emphasised the need for reliable, affordable cold storage, particularly for fruit and vegetables, to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market prices.
In Chuadanga, women, who are often responsible for collecting water and cooking, showed strong interest in the site’s clean drinking water initiative. Many discussed the health risks of contaminated groundwater and the importance of accessible, safe water supplies. Some also saw entrepreneurial opportunities in operating community water services.
Prof Navjot Sandhu, expert in rural entrepreneurship and inclusive business models, said,
“Gender continues to influence entrepreneurial opportunities in Bangladesh, with many women facing challenges in accessing finance, skills training, and business networks. Despite the importance of their contributions to agricultural value chains, women's labour frequently receives limited recognition and remains insufficiently reflected in policy and development initiatives”
Bringing Stakeholders Together
The visit also included a full-day national stakeholder workshop in Dhaka, bringing together over 100 participants including,
- Government representatives
- NGOs and development agencies
- Industry partners
- Academics
- Key delivery organisations
Discussions focused on scaling SMART-SIP+ innovations, generating sustainable business models, policy alignment and long-term financing. The workshop created an important platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange across the sector.
Looking Ahead
Prof Lynsey Melville, Principal Investigator of SMART-SIP+, said:
“This visit was highly successful and represents a significant step forward in the delivery of the project. It has strengthened our UK–Bangladesh collaboration, generated valuable stakeholder insights, and increased the visibility of SMART-SIP+ across the country.”
As the project progresses, BCU looks forward to welcoming colleagues from Bangladesh Agricultural University to Birmingham later this month.
Together, the partners are demonstrating how smart energy systems can strengthen rural resilience, support sustainable agriculture, and accelerate the transition to clean energy in Bangladesh and beyond.
