Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The self-sustainable home is a design of a net zero small home for a modern single/small family owner. Sitting on a 48sqm space the home is a two storey net zero building which produces self sufficient energy and has energy storage capabilities.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The self-sufficient home is an idea borne from the concept of a self-powering building. An increasingly growing concept known as the net zero building. The idea has been motivated by the growing concern of waste management, house hold energy demand, water demand, cost saving, energy saving, versus sustainability. The ordinary houses commonly found in Zimbabwe have district refuse collection by the municipal truck or rather it is supposed to be so. The water supply is from the council and it is unreliable, then there are the prevalent electrical power woes which have been on for decades now.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The self sustainable home solves the problem of energy supply, domestic gabage management, and water shortages. The home also utilizes a small land area, which is a conservative approach answering to the sdgs. Sitting on less than 100square metres the sustainable home has house floor space of 48square metres. An underground biodigester scalable at 3m3 where as is is estimated that an average family can produce up to 6m3 of biodegradable mass per week. The sustainable home has the capacity of housing a family of 6 occupants. The biogas is for cooking and heating. The design of the house seamlessly incorporates a 3.2 cubic meter header tank for water harvesting. The same water tank can be partitioned for borehole water containment. The home is also fitted with 15 x 2sqm solar panels for a power supply of not less than 3kVA to an inverter and battery system housed in a room at the top floor. The building itself has thermal mass floors and PCM walls for energy preservation.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The design saves on energy consumption from the grid. The walls to the kitchen and the bathroom have PCM to store the thermal energy from the heating for dissipation later at night when it gets colder in the bedroom. Moreover, the home is powered completely by sustainable power, i.e., solar for electricity and lighting, and biogas for heating. The unit is also to be fitted with energy saving lamps. The self sustainable home also has no garbage management problems as the waste from the kitchen and the toilets goes to the biodigester. It has increased water conservation and sanitation through the use of either borehole or harvested water instead of the municipal water which is both unreliable supplied and expensive. The home is sustainable and environmentally friendly, not only from the materials used for building but also from the design of windows for maximum natural lighting, and since it has the long side at 90deg to the sun, it means just sufficient sun exposure in the rooms.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The targeted beneficiaries are the career starting, family starting, small families, and single or young couples who are looking to rent or own a cost effective home. It can also serve small business owners and any occupant who does not require a large living space and requires to save.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Allan Muzhanje, BSc Mechanical Engineer, MSc Energy Resources Engineering, in for the conceptualization and the design of the energy systems, space optimization, 3D designing, mechanical designs and computation. With over 3 years of industrial and design experience, strong mechanical background and proven project management skills. Knowledgeable of innovative energy and sustainability materials, advanced technology, and research. Knowledge of phase change and nano - materials preparation and usage for thermal energy storage and energy saving purposes. Khumbolake Faith Ngulube, Civil Engineer, MSc Environmental Engineering, majoring with civil and structural design and strength analysis, advanced technology and water treatment processes using photocatalysis, nanomaterials, and other innovative tech for water sustainability, conservation, and management. With over 2 years of industrial experience with civil construction, certified project management skills, and advanced design skills.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The sustainable home targets a low income home owner or tenant and is cost saving.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Because the self sustainable home is envisioned to be a cheap alternative to the ordinary home ownership or renting, it will indirectly allow the tenant or occupant to channel funds towards food. Moreover, if sponsored the participants and the involved parties will benefit from working on the project and feed their families.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

The self-sustainable home has improved sanitation as refuse is repurposed, there is no accumulation of waste, there is reduced cost on waste handling and rather beneficiation process to claim energy from the waste. This promotes good health. The home uses renewable energy and therefore reduces carbon emissions and thus also indirectly contributing to good health.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The concept uses the application of quality education from the participants. Furthermore the idea itself can also be useful to other learners for further improvement or for learning purposes.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The team is well represented with a 50:50 ratio on the gender participation of the partnership.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The home preserves water and utilizes borehole and harvested water, this allows for clean water supply and independence from the municipal supply. This allows for cleaner and reliable water supply for the occupants.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The concept of the sustainable home is rooted in affordable and clean energy. The energy sources are biogas, natural heating, solar electrical power, and heat recovery systems. This 100% supports clean and affordable power.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The idea is an effort by the partners to establish decent work as well as promote economic growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The idea is highly innovative and many of the components are designed with practical consideration of an ideal home. This can be seen from the tank and tank stand design which is a stylish column that goes with the aesthetics of the building such that it is not easily recognizable that there is a header tank on the size, but rather the design should feel natural to the occupants.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The project shows a beautiful home that can be afforded by low income families or individuals, and thus reducing inequality. Moreover the participation is inclusive of both genders with equal contributions to the technical needs of the project.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The concept directly feeds into the vision of sustainable cities, the sustainable home is an integral part of the sustainable city vision.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

The sustainable home, is a minimalistic design, using minimum materials and alternatives of expensive options to strike an optimized solution which is affordable.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The idea directly reduces carbon emissions, it is an environmentally friendly design, with zero carbon emissions and further reduced emissions since there is no refuse collection, or electrical power supply from the grid.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

6

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

By reducing waste and managing waste, the project reduces the risk of water pollution and therefore contributes to preserving life below water

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

The project supports human life and makes it affordable for low-income individuals or families, therefore it directly supports this sdg.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

There is no direct link of the project to this sdg

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The idea if successful can be partnered with major housing corporations for execution. It is a project that has potential of having major players being invested in it. Moreover, even though the primary applicant is from Zimbabwe, the partner is from Zambia. A strong show of partnership between the two countries and utilization of diverse experiences, educational backgrounds and different technological exposure.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

The product is a new technology currently under research probably. The particular proposed combination of technologies and the design in the proposal are completely unique and from the partners and therefore makes the idea innovative. Moreover, the concept of homes has been around which qualifies the product to be both an enhanced product and an extension of what has been available, but presently such a home has not been made in Zimbabwe or Zambia to best of the partners' knowledge.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Cluster homes' property companies. Even though these players are presently popular for small compact houses, the proposed product can be seamlessly incorporated into one of their designs meaning they can also buy from our product.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, I am working separately with a group of students that I have also encouraged to include female participants in their entrepreneurial group