Hochschule KarlsruheSteinbeis Europa Zentrum supports Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences in the EU project SophiA - A sustainable and off-grid energy supply for rural hospitals in Africa

Clean water, a reliable power supply and cooling systems for medicines and vaccines are still not a given in many rural hospitals in Africa. To address this challenge and improve healthcare in remote regions, the EU is supporting the SophiA project (Sustainable Off-grid solutions for Pharmacies and Hospitals in Africa) with €7.4 million in funding. 13 European partners are working together to develop innovative, solar-powered container solutions that provide CO2-neutral energy, clean drinking water and advanced cooling technologies – sustainably strengthening medical infrastructure in Africa.

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum supports the project coordinator, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Michael Kauffeld, Head of the Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Environmental Technology at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences. Within the SophiA project, his team is developing a refrigeration system for three temperature levels (5°C, -30°C, -70°C), including a highly efficient thermal ice storage system, and testing it on a laboratory scale. In addition, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Hoinkis and his team from the university’s Water Technology Research Group are designing and developing the solar-powered water treatment systems.

As a project partner, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum is responsible for:

• Administrative and financial project management
• Intellectual property (IP) management
• Technology transfer
• Exploitation strategy development

Further tasks include supporting the creation of business plans, analysing value chains, and promoting knowledge transfer by building collaborations with other initiatives and EU-funded projects.

Sustainable Technologies for Reliable Healthcare

SophiA relies on environmentally friendly, modular technologies tailored to the needs of remote regions:

• Photovoltaics for power generation
• Solar thermal energy for hot water and steam
• Advanced water treatment systems
• Thermal and electrical storage solutions for continous energy supply
• Natural refrigerant-based cooling technology without harmful emissions

The first generation of SophiA modules consist of:

• Solar Cooling Container: Reliable refrigeration at +5°C, -30°C and -70°C for medicines, blood plasma and sensitive vaccines
• Solar Water Container: Bacteria- and virus-free drinking water and hot water for sterilisation and cooking

Optional features include refrigeration for food and air conditioning for surgical and intensive care units.

Additional innovations:

• PVmedPort: A fully solar-powered mobile health centre for use as a vaccination station or small clinic in remote regions.
• PVSteamCube: A solar-charged, high-temperature heat storage system generating steam for sterilising medical equipment, cooking or washing – completely independent from the existing infrastructure.

Following development by the consortium and construction by the South African partner Everflo, the systems will be gradually installed at demonstration sites in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi and Uganda.

"Thanks to the SophiA project, we have gained valuable new expertise in water treatment and photovoltaics - knowledge which is invaluable to us. Networking with project partners and external stakeholders opens up new potential business opportunities for us. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum plays a crucial role in the project and ensures that the partners have been supported from the very beginning. As this is our first EU project, we were very grateful for the guidance on reporting and support with administrative tasks. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum provided us with a good basis for knowledge exchange with other projects through its networks, facilitated exploitation workshops and coordinated advisory board meetings. All these tasks were seamlessly implemented and contributed to the success of the project."

Kirsten Laaks, Mechanical Engineer, Everflo, South Africa, partner in SophiA

Current project status

The first SophiA containers have been in operation in Burkina Faso since May 2024. Further installations will follow in Cameroon, Uganda and Malawi in 2025. The tests for the water treatment systems and cooling technology have been successful. Until the end of the project in September 2025, the focus is on optimising the systems and building long-term partnerships for a sustainable energy and water supply in Africa.

Shaping the Future: Exploitation and Knowledge Transfer

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum plays a key role in preparing the project results for commercial use and managing intellectual property rights. In strategic workshops, project partners are supported in:

• Identifying IP rights and exploitation opportunities
• Developing protection strategies
• Creating exploitation matrices and business models

To ensure long-term impact and scalability, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum also supports in:

• Networking with African industry, policy and research stakeholders
• Collaborating with similar EU-funded projects
• Analysing technological and market trends
• Deriving measures for scaling and providing policy recommendations

SophiA Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) and Advisory Board

The SophiA Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) promotes interdisciplinary knowledge exchange between science, industry and politics. The Advisory Board, consisting of African and European experts, supports the project with strategic guidance and practical advice.

A sustainable contribution to Global Development

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum is proud to contribute to a project that not only  improves healthcare in Africa but also supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By providing clean energy, safe drinking water and advanced cooling technologies, SophiA strengthens health infrastructure, fosters economic development and promotes environmental sustainability in the participating regions. With its innovative approach and international collaboration, SophiA is a flagship project for sustainable development in Africa.

SophiA runs from 10/2021 – 09/2025 and comprises 13 partners from Europe (France, Germany, Switzerland) and Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Africa and Uganda): : University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe (HKA - IKKU; Project coordinator); Eastern Switzerland University; Makerere University; Institut International d'Ingénierie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement; Steinbeis Europa Zentrum; Ministry of Public Health Kamerun; International Institute of Refrigeration; Operieren in Afrika; Everflo; Kovco; Martin Systems GmbH; Simply Solar GbR; Raach Solar.