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Executive Summary

Description of Business Opportunity

Lithium-ion batteries are mainly used in the electro-technical industries. Its usage is
most common in mobile devices. Through research, the lithium-ion battery industry
is starting to grow in the heavy machinery industry, such as military, electric vehicle
and aerospace applications (Ballon, 2008). The current market for the use of
lithium-ion batteries is increasing as the South African information and
communication technologies sector is growing. However, competition for mobile
solutions has far exceeded the market opportunity for Africa and South Africa itself,
but there is a great deal in market opportunity for renewable energy as green
energy is currently the trend and a demand worldwide.
The company can invest in the development of quality and affordable lithium-ion
batteries to meet the energy storage demands for renewable energy and cleaner
transportation markets. The global market for utility-scale energy storage is
expected to reach $29.8 billion by 2022; this figure is driven by the increase in
electricity demand and the growing industry of carbon-free energy generation
(Pistilli, 2012).
In Africa, there are many households situated in areas without power-grid access.
This is an opportunity to develop off grid power solutions to areas without powergrid access. A recent investment of $7 million dollars into Tanzania was made to
provide 10 000 households and surrounding countries with off grid electric power
(Farr, 2014). This technology, uses solar energy from the sun, and is converted into
electric energy using solar panels which is then stored in the lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium, in South Africa is a rich resource (Lithium, n.d.). It would be a great
prospect to manufacture Lithium-ion batteries in South Africa and provide for green
and renewable energy to Africa.
Business Vision
In the short term we aim to increase household off-grid power usage, supply a
simple and sustainable energy storage solution to develop the rural parts of Africa.
The companys vision is to thrive in lithium-ion battery technology and to provide
and promote green energy as the main supply of electric power over the nonrenewable resources.

Business Requirements
Business model considerations:

Target Market i.e. customers

Raw Materials
o Extraction Process
o Location of Mines
Transportation of raw materials and manufactured products

Production Site
o Equipment Required
o Suitable Location
Man Power
o Qualifications
o Numbers
Packaging of finished goods
Shipping of finished goods

iShack (Interviews with iShack Clients (DC Micro-grid users) 2014, 2014)
Sinetech (PROJECT GALLERY, n.d.)
Mali (Mali Folkecenter, n.d.)

References
Ballon, M. S. (2008, October 14). Electrovaya, Tata Motors to make electric Indica.
Retrieved from Cleantech:
http://web.archive.org/web/20110509010846/http://www.cleantech.com/news
/3694/electrovaya-tata-motors-make-electric-indica
Farr, C. (2014, March 21). Off Grid Electric gets $7M to light Africa in a decade
(exclusive). Retrieved from Venture Beat News:
http://venturebeat.com/2014/03/21/off-grid-electric-gets-7m-to-light-africa-ina-decade-exclusive/
Interviews with iShack Clients (DC Micro-grid users) 2014. (2014). Retrieved from
Specialized Solar Systems:
http://www.specializedsolarsystems.co.za/index.php/dc-microgrids-viableafrican-energisation/rural-africa-energisation-solutions/interviews-with-ss20users
Lithium. (n.d.). Retrieved from Minerals Zone:
http://www.mineralszone.com/minerals/lithium.html
Mali Folkecenter. (n.d.). Retrieved from MFC provides light and electricity for two
new villages in the Sikasso region: http://www.malifolkecenter.org/
Pistilli, M. (2012, August 23). Momentum Building for Lithium-ion Batteries in Utilityscale Energy Storage. Retrieved from Lithium Investing News:
http://lithiuminvestingnews.com/6265/lithium-ion-batteries-utility-scaleenergy-storage-clean-renewable-grid/
PROJECT GALLERY. (n.d.). Retrieved from SineTech:
http://www.sinetech.co.za/projects.htm