BioLite

History

Jonathan Cedar and Alexander Drummond together developed the BioLite stove technology. They met while working at Smart Design, a design consultancy in New York City. The two inventors became interested in portable stoves that combined local sources of wood with battery-powered fans. The idea evolved to a low-emissions stove that utilized a thermoelectric generator called the BioLite CampStove, which was officially launched in 2012. BioLite is headquartered in DUMBO, Brooklyn with additional offices in India, Uganda, and Kenya.

In 2009, the founders learned that their technology could have impact on off-grid developing communities and bifurcated the business to incorporate both outdoor recreational and emerging markets. Using a modified rocket stove and working with the Aprovecho Research Center, Cedar developed a larger model cook stove named the HomeStove, designed to replace harmful indoor cooking fires.

Timeline

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

HomeStove

The HomeStove’s design converts the heat of fire into usable electricity to power a fan, which then reduces fuel needs by 50%, toxic smoke by about 95%, and carbon monoxide emissions by 91%. Additionally, the amount of CO₂ saved per year by one stove equals the amount that’s saved by buying a hybrid car. The remaining off-grid energy that does not power the fan can then be used to charge portable devices through a USB port, such as cell phones and LED lights. Moreover, the effects of deforestation are lessened and time is regained by women and children who spend hours gathering wood for open fires. Manufacturing costs are low and this efficient wood-burning stove pays for itself within six to seven months.

BioLite focuses on sustainable market development by using a market-based approach, as opposed to donations or a “one for one” model. This allows for local entrepreneurship and stimulates local markets. The HomeStove is currently in large-scale pilot testing across India, Ghana, and Uganda. Recently, thanks to a Spark Fund grant, BioLite will be kicking off a project in Uganda with partners at Impact Carbon. The Spark Fund grant is part of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, an organization that provides clean cook stoves to people in areas with high poverty rates. Its mission is to reduce the number of deaths caused by open cooking fires each year (approximately four million), and is endorsed by people such as Julia Roberts and Hillary Clinton (who referred to BioLite in her announcement of the UN Clean Cookstove Alliance).

CampStove

The CampStove was launched in 2012 and is predominantly used by outdoor enthusiasts. Renewable biomass fuels – such as sticks, pinecones, and brush – power the stove, replacing resources like charcoal or petroleum. The CampStove can boil water in five minutes. Smaller than the HomeStove, the CampStove is 8.25” tall and weighs 33 oz, but like the larger model, excess heat is converted into energy. BioLite sells stoves in over seventy countries. The CampStove has also been used as an emergency preparedness tool. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, tables were set up in New York City, offering those without power hot drinks and a chance to charge their cell phones.

temperatures can reach between 1200-1600 degrees F in the biolite.

Portable Grill

The BioLite Portable Grill, released in 2013, is designed to work with the CampStove. Features include a fuel intake lid for fire maintenance, compact design with foldable legs and a travel cover for transportation. The travel cover can additionally function as a serving dish or cutting board. The steel grill grate has three temperature zones for searing, cooking, and toasting. The grill weighs in at just under 2 lbs (0.9 kg).

BaseCamp

The BaseCamp is much like the HomeStove, but is available for purchase to regular consumers. The BaseCamp was another Kickstarter success They also have a PizzaDome accessory that converts the BaseCamp into a pizza oven.

Lighting products

BioLite also has a set of rechargeable lights: BaseLantern XL, BaseLantern, PowerLight, and PowerLight Mini. All of these incorporate rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries with LED floodlights, can be recharged with a USB connection, and also supply power to external devices via USB. All except the PowerLight Mini also have a port to connect their SiteLights, which are LED flood lights on string-like wires that can be used to create what BioLite calls a "NanoGrid." The BaseLantern and BaseLantern XL were also Kickstarter products and are referred to as "SmartLights" due to Smartphone integration (via Bluetooth connectivity) and programability.

Charging Products

BioLite also sells products that can generate electricity for USB devices. They make the SolarPanel 5, the SolarPanel 5+, and the KettleCharge. The SolarPanels are both solar panels with a "kickstand", with the "+" model including an internal lithium-ion battery for energy storage. The KettleCharge is a thermoelectric generator that can be used with other stoves and heat sources It includes a 1250 mAh lithium iron phosphate battery for energy storage.

Business model

BioLite employs a model of parallel innovation, long-term for-profit social enterprise supported by more immediate market capital. According to BioLite, they utilized their “near-term CampStove market as a way to generate revenue that essentially allowed [them] to become [their] own investors in the HomeStove vision.” That involves a market-based approach to some of the issues in emerging communities. The recreational and emergency preparedness markets of the CampStove keep the HomeStove low-cost. BioLite utilizes local distribution networks and alters their stove design to support the variety of cultural cooking preferences.

Awards