# Community Checkins

Agendas, Meeting notes and recordings for all our meetings

# Previous Meetings Recorded

- [NFE Checkin 10/04/2025](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d8vu171CAKnuAbZ_33t_wV24mBxAruRx/view?usp=sharing)
- [NFE Checkin 17/04/2025](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uRevLn_NPv4v9Br1RK8WmnmXMvsznAsR/view?usp=sharing)
- [NFE Checkin 25/04/2025](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JBFqCfRX9aN--2r4xByb6TEg9zALSkUh/view?usp=sharing)
- [NFE Checkin 02/05/2025](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12o-2AAnjYZnZvXNKZL4Fp8grAIT17FWp/view?usp=sharing)
- [Meeting with Uzuzi Meter Supplier 07/05/2025](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O_BVQiTiLPGmRacuugNwqOkYnc2knx5U/view?usp=sharing)

# NFE Checkin - 16/05/2025

Agenda

- Metering Evaluation review
- Pearl Marina Proposal Review
- Company tools Demos   
    
    - Element (Matrix)
    - Kimai (Time tracking)
    - NextCloud (Calendar and Email)
    - Bookstack (Team Documentation)

Action items

- Prepare Fundraising update for next meeting - Aaron
- Ordering meters from Top 3 providers - Aaron
- Need to locate manual for China Brandless meter - Dansturn
- Nansana Site inspection Open questions for next meeting - Dansturn   
    
    - Find out process for requesting/applying for bulk/sub meter from Umeme
- 

# NFE Checkin - 23/05/2025

- [Payment System Evaluation](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/product/page/billing-and-payment-system-evalutation)
- [Design of Sezibwa Rentals Microgrid ](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/microgrid-design)
    - Need to a separate switch to turn Umeme on/off
    - May need bypass on the inverter too for maintainance
    - How much last gasp mechanism does the Lora Gateway come with
    - How about meters? What happens before and after power goes off
    - Materials 
        - Meters + Lora Gateway
        - Wiring
        - Cabinet
        - Umeme switch on/off - circuit breaker
        - Civil works - cement
- No demos of company tools, keeping it short because Hillary has a hard stop (1.5 hours)

Action items

- Set up payment page - Aaron
- Follow up on shopping for materials - Dansturn
- Update micro design from notes above - Aaron
- Inventory management - How do we keep track of hardware we have - Aaron to propose something

# NFE Checkin - 30/05/2025

### Agenda 

- <s>Payment Processor demo</s>
- AMI demo 
    - CalinAMI
    - MicroPowerManager
- Other collaboration tools 
    - dashboard
    - calcom
    - Kimia
- <s>[BOQ](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/budget-phase-1-sezibwa-homes) for locally sourced items </s>
- <s>Physical layout for Sezibwa Rentals Microgrid </s>

### Action items 

- Pesapal - How to process refunds - Aaron
- Check on when money is received on the bank account - Aaron
- What is the process of becoming a 3 phase (bulk metering) customer - Dansturn 
    - Include how payments are made
    - What does UMEME reclaim/own? 
        - Meters?
        - Circuit breakers?
        - Wiring?
- [BOQ](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/budget-phase-1-sezibwa-homes) feedback - Dansturn 
    - Confirm that meter is for Code 10.2 not Code 20
    - Resize PDU (we need one for 10 meters)
    - Compare both suppliers instead combining and present both

# NFE Checkin - 06/06/2025

### Agenda 

- AMI demo 
    - [CalinAMI](http://calinami.nearlyfreeenergy.com:5301/)
    - [MicroPowerManager](https://cloud.micropowermanager.io/#/welcome)
- Other collaboration tools 
    - dashboard
    - calcom
    - Kimai
- Company Board and Structure updates
- Fundraising Updates

### Action items 

- - Ownership model - Aaron to present this next week
- Upload documents to Element/Bookstack - Dansturn 
    - Layout of Sezibwa rentals
    - BOQ excel

<div drawio-diagram="21"><img src="https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/uploads/images/drawio/2025-06/drawing-5-1749871334.png" alt=""/></div>

**6/13/2025**

**Updates and Action items**

**- Dansturn**

- Purchase the PDU in which to put the meters in the course of next week
- complete the BOQ Excel with new revisions
- Receive the meters that arrived from China
- Application for 3 phase commercial from uedcl
- **Aaron**
    - fundraising update to be discussed next week.
    - Collaboration tools to be discussed next week.

- Expectations for next week 
    - [MicroPowerManager](https://cloud.micropowermanager.io/#/welcome)

# NFE Checkin - 20/06/2025

#### Agenda 

Operation Updates

- How to apply for Three Phase connection
- BOQ updates for Sezibwa Rentals

Fundraising updates

- We are tracking [our finances](https://opencollective.com/nfe) on open collective.
- Phase 1: Sezibwa Rentals - [funding status ](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/budget-phase-1-sezibwa-homes)
- Fundraising efforts - [Tracker](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/fundraising-tracker)

Other collaboration tools

- dashboard
- calcom

MicroPower Manager -

- Toggling Calinmeter on/off [in progress](https://github.com/EnAccess/micropowermanager/issues/743)
- Adding Calinmeters via LoraWAN gateway - [In analysis](https://github.com/EnAccess/micropowermanager/issues/742)

#### Action Items 

- Documentation that shows the relationship between the client (Sezibwa Rentals) and NFE. - Aaron can provide MOU
- Examples of Postpaid Bills - Hillary + Dansturn 
    - Code 10.2 to Code 50
- Load Schedule for Sezibwa Rentals - Aaron + Hillary
- Confirm that the 10.2 meter come with in built phase selector or if we need a phase selector - Dansturn
- Meeting early next week

<div drawio-diagram="25"><img src="https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/uploads/images/drawio/2025-06/drawing-4-1750480521.png" alt=""/></div>

# NFE Checkin - June 24th 2025

Action items

- Power bank for Gateway - Aaron
- Padlocks for gateway - Aaron
- Set up Calinmeters and Gateway - Dansturn
- Conference list needs compiling - Aaron

# NFE <> EnAccess Checkin

### Attendees 

- Aaron Tushabe - NFE
- Vivien - EnAccess
- Daniel - EnAccess

Meeting link: <span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Cantarell, Ubuntu, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Noto Sans', 'Liberation Sans', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-line; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;"> </span>[https://meet.google.com/rpg-vpmw-zzh](https://meet.google.com/rpg-vpmw-zzh)

### Agenda 

- **Introductions**
- **Expectations** for NFE using EnAccess provided [MPM instance](https://cloud.micropowermanager.io/#/welcome) for [Sezibwa Rentals Pilot ](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/chapter/sezibwa-homes)
    - Daniel: For transparency: We haven't yet had the time to fully clarify and conceptionalise our ToS for MPM, w.r.t SLA/SLO/Uptime promises/Data security, but also pricing to cover the infrastructure costs etc... As a result we currently provide the MPM cloud service this "as-is".
    - Aaron: This is understood and when we are successful with the pilot, we'd like to collaborate on the posibility of agreeing on some Terms of Service or setting up NFE's self hosted instance. I think the community needs an instance to quickly evaluate MPM cheaply and quickly so I'd prefer we collaborate on improving the cloud.mpm.io experience more production ready for new joiners.
- **Support with Regular Community Calls** on MPM/EnAccess projects/materials 
    - Let's talk about how I can help, I have ideas but I some questions first 
        - Who do you recommend I pair with on this one. I am of the view that initiatives are more resilient if we have more than one human co-owning it so I'd like to have someone I pair with to get this going. I can reach out to Thulie add see if she's up for it
        - Anything that has been tried in the past that I should consider before proposing something?
- **NFE overview**
    - I have [a pitch deck](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mNKqGWw_H6QyRjha-BIiT1UvxncdEzU3emUuIpv9T1g/edit?usp=sharing) I keep refining and [our bylaws](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/team/chapter/bylaws) share more about our ownership model

### Notes 

### Quick summary

During this meeting, Aaron, Vivien, and Daniel discussed the Nearly Free Energy mini-grid project, the history and current status of the Microgrid Power Manager (MPM) software, challenges related to community adoption and technical implementation, and potential collaboration on pilot deployment and funding sustainability.

### Action items for Aaron

- [ ]  Test and finalize the connection of the newly arrived smart meters with the existing LoRa gateway and the MPM system by the end of the week.
- [ ]  Reach out to Truly (community manager at EnAccess) to plan the first collaborative call focusing on MPM pilot.
- [ ]  Share detailed documentation of Nearly Free Energy’s funding model and business plans with Vivien and Daniel.
- [ ]  Investigate and propose any feature improvements or integration needed for MPM to support Nearly Free Energy’s pilot.
- [ ]  Continue applying for grants to sustain Nearly Free Energy operations and explore co-application opportunities with EnAccess.

### Action items for Vivien

- [ ]  Provide continued onboarding and support for Aaron on the MPM platform and relevant documentation.
- [ ]  Facilitate coordination between Aaron and Truly for community engagement and calls.
- [ ]  Share more detailed information about EnAccess’s current funding, support structure, and pricing policy as it develops.
- [ ]  Invite relevant stakeholders from REA Nigeria and Cameroon to join the community discussions and pilot support.
- [ ]  Assist in documenting prospective features and integrations for MPM in the public GitHub repository.

### Action items for Daniel

- [ ]  Support Aaron with technical guidance on MPM setup, infrastructure reliability, and data backup processes.
- [ ]  Monitor and assist with troubleshooting any compatibility issues between smart meters and MPM, especially regarding Colleen meters.
- [ ]  Ensure automated database backups are working effectively on the cloud infrastructure used for the pilot.
- [ ]  Help Aaron with understanding MPM functionalities, feature limitations, and contribute to the software documentation.
- [ ]  Participate in community management activities and support onboarding efforts for new users like Aaron.

# NFE Checkin - July 4th 2025

### Agenda 

- Sezibwa rentals BOQ review 
    - Open Questions
    - How we are funding it 
        - NFE will fund it
        - Kimbowas will contribute 1k to NFE
        - Arinda will contribute 1k to NFE
        - [Open Collective NFE account](https://opencollective.com/nfe)
- Calinmeter AMI Testing results review 
    - Outstanding issues
- Code 10 application 
    - Code 10 bills
- Github issues on Micropower Manager
- Meeting with Vivien

### Action items 

- Submit Contributions by tomorrow: Dansturn + Arinda
- Find remaining balance for Sezibwa rentals: Aaron
- Submit expenses for Sezibwa Rentals to Open Collective: Dansturn + Aaron
- Follow up with Scott on 
    - Last month meter reading feature: Arinda
    - Needed to retry commands a couple of times, why?: Arinda
- Build PDU and deploy next week: Dansturn
- Code 10 Application: Aaron

# NFE Checkin - July 9th 2025

Agenda

\-

# NFE Checkin 11/7/2025

<div id="bkmrk-"></div>### Agenda 

- Review of Last week's Action items
- Review of progress on PDU setup
- Discuss next steps concerning the power application.

### Review of Last week's Action items 

- Submit Contributions by tomorrow: Dansturn + Arinda == <span style="background-color: rgb(45, 194, 107);">Done</span>
- Find remaining balance for Sezibwa rentals: Aaron === <span style="background-color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">Aaron to update</span>
- Submit expenses for Sezibwa Rentals to Open Collective: Dansturn + Aaron == <span style="background-color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">Pending, Dansturn will submit receipts by Monday </span>
- Follow up with Scott on 
    - Last month meter reading feature: Arinda == <span style="background-color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">Scott hasnt been responsive. Follow up more</span>
    - Needed to retry commands a couple of times, why?: Arinda == <span style="background-color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">Has dependency on Scott, pending</span>
- Build PDU and deploy next week: Dansturn == <span style="background-color: rgb(230, 126, 35);">work in progress. to be done by Monday</span>
- Code 10 Application: Aaron ==. <span style="background-color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">Aaron to update when he wakes up</span>

### Action items for this week

- Complete meter assembly in the PDU by Monday 14th July == Dansturn
- Add stands and secure lock on the PDU and deliver to site by Monday 14th July == Dansturn
- Pull ABC (1 span) to the proposed service point. By Next meeting == Dansturn
- Push connection application in tandem with the pending PDU works == Dansturn
- Follow up Scott again === Hillary

# NFE Checkin 18/7/2025

### Agenda 

- Sezibwa Homes Phase 1 - Deployment Blockers 
    - New CODE 10 application - I tried applying [here](https://selfservicepro.uedcl.co.ug/pouc-ss-client-classic/) but I need a Cert Number
    - PDU Deployment Pictures
- Communication with Scott: Still unresponsive?
- Funding Updates 
    - Sezibwa Homes Phase 2 - 5k grant pledged by Energy IoT open source
    - Expense submissions

### Action items 

- Submit all outstanding expenses for Phase 1 - Dansturn
- Provide Cert Number for Code 10 application (6890377606518) - Dansturn
- Share deployment photography on [Bookstack](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/phase-1-pictorial)
- Customer contact information collected - Aaron
- Complete service cable installations - Dansturn
- Share Recoverable grant funding agreement with Team on - Aaron
- Checkin with Scott - Hillary

# NFE checkin 26/07/2025

### Agenda 

#### Previous action items 

- <s>Provide Cert Number for Code 10 application (6890377606518) - Dansturn </s>
- <s>Share deployment photography on [Bookstack](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/phase-1-pictorial)</s>
- Customer contact information collected - Aaron
- Complete service cable installations - Dansturn
- <s>Share Recoverable grant funding agreement with Team on - Aaron </s>
- <s>Checkin with Scott - Hillary</s>

#### New items to discuss

- Demo 
    - Self serve portal for UEDCL
    - Application approved notice
    - Recoverable grant agreement Template
    - Pictorial Phase 1
    - Dansturn meeting with Vivien follow ups
- Issues for Sezibwa Homes 
    - Umeme Meter box installed outside fence - is this an issue
    - Calin AMI bugs - can we launch with them
- Next steps 
    - Capture customer names and contacts - assign meters
    - Umeme billing portal - How will be get our monthly bill and how are we expected to pay

### Action items 

- Submit all outstanding expenses for Phase 1 - Dansturn
- Customer contact information collected - Aaron
- Complete service cable installations - Dansturn
- Schedule follow-up call with Vivien - Aaron
- Autarky (Titiana) Follow-up call - Aaron
- How to collect data from Chint three phase meter - Aaron/Dansturn

# NFE <> Power for All - July 31st 2025

Had a meet and great with [Joel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-mugyenyi-46417b142/), [Alba](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alba-topulli-9a233a61/) and [Sumaya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumaya-mahomed-sustainability/) from power for all.

They shared plenty of questions and feedback on our model. Here's some resources they shared that I am following up on.

- [https://www.ze-gen.org/about-ze-gen/](https://www.ze-gen.org/about-ze-gen/) - TBD
- [https://a2ei.org/](https://a2ei.org/) Working on an open smart meter we could use. Downloaded their data [here](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/product/page/a2ei-data) and will reach out to [Thomas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-duveau-1b2514250/) about an open smart meter
- Oddessy - Battery vendor who may be able to help us with phase 2
- Band

I invited them to join [our advisory team](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/team/page/membership).

# NFE checkin 02/08/2025

### Agenda 

#### Action items from last week

- Submit all outstanding expenses for Phase 1 - Dansturn
- Customer contact information collected - Aaron 
    - Done. Entered [here](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/team/page/membership) and in [Calin AMI](http://calinami.nearlyfreeenergy.com:5301/)
- Complete service cable installations - Dansturn 
    - We have an extra home instead of the boys quoter
- Schedule follow-up call with Vivien - Aaron
- Autarky (Titiana) Follow-up call - Aaron
- How to collect data from Chint three phase meter - Aaron/Dansturn 
    - Made some progress, it's seeming too costly to get a calin meter that will measure this load, they want to sell us more than just the meter

#### New items 

- Fundraising updates, check the [tracker](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/fundraising-tracker)
    - Energy IoT and battery + inverter donations 
        - They have a battery (20kwh) for us but we need to ship it in from USA
        - She has an inverter for us, it's an 8kw inverter though
        - She will be drafting an MOU to communicate what EIoT needs out of this engagement
    - Applying for an EU grant (100k to 250k Euros) with EnAccess + Another company
- Business development 
    - Published a tracker for [potential customers](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/potential-customers), I will be following up on those next week.
- Setting up MicroPower Manager 
    - Still running into some issues that I am sharing with EnAccess on [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1228240959473451060/1387523894948401192). We will launch without it and enable it later
- Updates from Location in Nansana 
    - Meter should have been installed
    - We are using UEDCL downstream breakers
    - We will not use the customer's solido
    - Safety risk if the solido is live - we need to terminate it - how?
- Calin AMI open issues

#### New Action items 

- Submit all outstanding expenses for Phase 1 - Dansturn
- Collect National IDs for all customers
- Complete service cable installations - Dansturn
- Follow up on shipping battery and inverter to Uganda by October - Aaron

# NFE Mid week 08/06/2025

### Agenda 

- Site layout review

### Action items 

- Review cost pf phase selectors and see if we can add them to phase 1.1- Dansturn
- Provide meter reference - Dansturn
- Reach out to our UEDCL connections - Hillary | Dansturn | Aaron

# NFE Checkin 8/8/2025

### Agenda 

### Action items from Last Week

- **Review cost of phase selectors and see if we can add them to phase 1.1- Dansturn**
    - to be shared.
- **Provide meter reference - Dansturn**
    - This was provided
- **Reach out to our UEDCL connections - Hillary | Dansturn | Aaron**
    - Meter paid for by Aaron. No meters currently. check meter proposed. Action item still active

### New updates

- Hopetelle meters arrived yesterday 7/8/2025 - 10 meters plus their DCU

### New Actions items

- Reach out to our UEDCL connections - **Hillary | Dansturn | Aaron**
- Review cost of phase selectors and see if we can add them to phase 1.1- **Dansturn**
- Suggestion to power the PDU with one of the existing power sources.- **Aaron**
- Get in touch with Hopetelle team about connecting meters to AMI, etc - **Aaron**
- Set up around 5 meters with a DCU as we await AMI communication - **Dansturn**
- Accountability for the money used for 3 phase extension and installation Umeme meter box, meter - **Dansturn | Aaron**

# NFE / SLS Energy / Energy IoT -intro meeting

### Quick summary

During this meeting, Arila, Merci, Léandre, and Aaron discussed a collaboration on an open-source microgrid project in Uganda, focusing on battery storage solutions, battery-as-a-service models, and integration with open-source energy management systems. They explored technical specifications, cost models, and operational challenges related to battery backup, grid outages, and energy trading platforms. The participants also considered opportunities for mentorship programs and local community involvement to support sustainable energy solutions.

### Action items for Arila

- [ ]  Facilitate the sharing of open-source hardware and software specifications (e.g., open BMS, hi-fi APIS) with Aaron and Léandre for integration and testing.
- [ ]  Share a diagram of the submetring panel and energy management setup with Léandre and Aaron.
- [ ]  Coordinate engagement with local universities and mentorship programs to involve students in the energy projects.
- [ ]  Support defining the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will outline the pilot project's scope and transition to commercial stages.
- [ ]  Monitor progress and provide sponsorship funding for battery storage for the pilot project starting by October.

### Action items for Léandre

- [ ]  Provide detailed battery data sheets and specifications for the 48V 2.5 kWh and 5 kWh systems to Aaron and Arila via email.
- [ ]  Clarify and confirm the service pricing structure and cost model with Aaron for the pilot microgrid project in Uganda.
- [ ]  Share information about current battery monitoring systems and explore integration with open-source BMS and EMS solutions.
- [ ]  Assist in logistics and regulatory requirements for shipping batteries within East Africa, especially Uganda and Rwanda.
- [ ]  Engage in discussions to define the terms of collaboration and commercial agreements related to battery-as-a-service.
- [ ]  Consider sharing technology and expertise for the semi-mobile irrigation battery systems as a potential learning case.

### Action items for Aaron

- [ ]  Share detailed data on current microgrid capacity, battery needs, and outage patterns for community planning.
- [ ]  Provide feedback on battery service pricing and integration from Nearly Free Energy's perspective.
- [ ]  Collaborate with Léandre and Arila to develop a pilot project plan aiming to start battery deployment by October.
- [ ]  Facilitate contact with local community partners and potentially local universities for mentorship and project support.
- [ ]  Share research and documentation on grid outage causes and tariff structures with Léandre and Arila.
- [ ]  Maintain communications with Léandre and Arila to define the Memorandum of Understanding and commercial framework.

# NFE Checkin 03/08/2025

### Agenda

- Reach out to our UEDCL connections - **Hillary | Dansturn | Aaron**
- Review cost of phase selectors and see if we can add them to phase 1.1- **Dansturn**
- Suggestion to power the PDU with one of the existing power sources.- **Aaron**
- Get in touch with Hopetelle team about connecting meters to AMI, etc - **Aaron**
- Set up around 5 meters with a DCU as we await AMI communication - **Dansturn**
- <s>Accountability for the money used for 3 phase extension and installation Umeme meter box, meter - **Dansturn | Aaron**</s>
- Fundraising updates
- Battery research updates
- Lisencing updates, working with Sam Kizito

### Notes 

**Action items**

- Have a mid week checkin on Wednesday to confirm whether we can connect direcrtly - Aaron
- Review Hopetele documents to prepare for test connection next Saturday - Hillary
- Update Potential customer tracker with new leads - Hillary
- Apply Certificate of Registration - Aaron

# NFE checkin August 30th 2025

### Attendees 

- Dansturn
- Dismas - Green Volta Engineer
- Aaron

### Agenda 

- Going live in Sezibwa Microgrid
- CIUs - do we need them

### Notes 

- Dismas: Cables were laid to the Main house, R2 and R3. Connection to R3 was attempted and Meter input voltage was ~220V but output voltage was ~ zero.
- Dansturn: Aaron are the relays on
- Aaron: No, looks like they are off, I did not realize that their default state was off
- Dansturn: Dismas can you share photos of how you connected R3 for review
- Dismas: I did not take photos, I can go back and take photos today
- Dansturn: We need to always take photos, Dismas please make a check list so that you don't forget again
- Aaron: I can be available all morning to turn on meters
- Dansturn: CIUs, do we need to connect them
- Aaron: I don't think so, the CUIs seem to have no use in a postpaid billing world but Hillary thinks customers can use them to check monthly usage but not sure how yet. We may need them later for regulatory purposes but for now, we don't need to install them.
- Communication with Customers is in Progress: We shared this overview with them 2 days ago and NFE whatsapp account joined the whatsapp group of the neighborhood to help answer any questions. [https://app.simplenote.com/p/tdKJBq](https://app.simplenote.com/p/tdKJBq)
- VAT registration (and PAYE) was completed this week.

### Action Items 

- Dismas to return on site today and turn on at least 3 houses, Aaron will be available for remote access. Dansturn will be available to confirm physical connection design
- Hillary to investigate how we can use CUIs

# NFE Checkin - Sept 6th 2025

Going live - any blockers and questions

- How can we tell if UEDCL power is off? 
    - Check the gateway?
    - Let's ask Calimeter

Action items

- Get in touch with Dismas on going live today -Aaron
- Find out from Scott about how to change the low voltage cut off - Hillary

# NFE Weekly Checkin September 13th 2025

### Agenda 

- Fundraising Updates and requests for review
- <s>We are live: What next?</s>
    - <s>Operation strategy </s>
    - <s>Data analytics and reports: how do we take advantage of this </s>
    - <s>How can we tell if UEDCL power is off?</s>
        - <s>Gateway status will tell us</s>
    - <s>Yaka units</s>
- Retrospective on deployment 
    - What went well
    - What did not go so well
    - Things we can approve
- <s>Phase 1.1: </s>
    - <s>Do we need a new AMI</s>
    - <s>Low voltage on some phases </s>
    - <s>3 phase meter smart meter for UEDCL connection</s>
- Game plan for Phase 2
- New team members: Nickson
- Updates from LF Energy in Conference
- How do optimize our costs of materials eg cabling, meters, etc

### Actions 

- Schedule retro during next week's mid week checkin - Aaron
- Communicating with the Chint Meter - Hillary + Dansturn
- Recruiting an Resident Microgrid Manager (5k per hour) - Aaron
- Analytics and reports from Calinmeter - What else can we get from Calin AMI - Hillary
- URA monthly filling - We need to engage a person - Aaron
- Do we need a power backup for the Lora Gateway - Hillary
- Compliance and Safety inspection letter from Certified Engineer - Dansturn
- Submit expenses from Greenvolta - Aaron

# NFE Weekly Checkin September 19th 2025

### Agenda 

- Fundraising Updates and requests for review
- Game plan for Phase 2
- New team members: Nickson
- Phase 1.1: How do we resolve phase 1 current issues 
    - Phase selector
    - Reviewing Data from the meters/gateway

### Actions from previous meeting

- Schedule retro during next week's mid week checkin - Aaron
- Communicating with the Chint Meter - Hillary + Dansturn
- Recruiting an Resident Microgrid Manager (5k per hour) - Aaron
- Analytics and reports from Calinmeter - What else can we get from Calin AMI - Hillary
- URA monthly filling - We need to engage a person - Aaron
- Do we need a power backup for the Lora Gateway - Hillary
- Compliance and Safety inspection letter from Certified Engineer - Dansturn
- Submit expenses from Greenvolta - Aaron

Retro was conducted: https://ideaboardz.com/for/Sezibwa%20Phase%201%20Retro/5640560

# NFE Mid week Checkin September 25th 2025

- Sezibwa Phase 1.1 Progress updates
- Calinmeter Gateway issues
- Billing readiness
- Battery / Inverter evaluations updates

Notes

Actions

- Collect data for phase issues in Sezibwa - Aaron + Hillary
- Manage Calinmeter issues and refocus on new solutions -
- Follow up on FenCon battery/inverter pricing - Aaron
- Follow up on Gonahasa's Solar/Battery and inverter system - Aaron

# NFE weekly checkin October 11th 2025

General Updates

- [Usage and billing for September](https://nextcloud.nearlyfreeenergy.com/s/trBgcrG9Gfq2gtj):
- Battery evaluations: we have some local suppliers: See [SRNE](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/Compliance%20and%20Safety%20inspection%20letter%20from%20Certified%20Engineer%20-%20Dansturn)
- We have a URA person to help with monthly filling
- Engaged a lawyer on Certificate of registration from ERA -

Agenda

- Discuss usage and billing issues 
    - Postpaid - how is that going
    - Meter accuracy? UEDCL meter seemed to come up with less than our meters
    - Lora gateway issues relapsed
    - Waiting to configure daily report issues when China team is back from national holiday next week
    - Work involved in invoicing
- Phase 2 
    - Budget: We are at about 20m right now - should we begin the fundraising? 
        - Tushabe family contributed another ~1800 USD
        - Tondo and Greenvolta wanted to contribute
    - <s>Data on usage: still pending Calin AMI issues but we should be able to get it from Daily usage report </s>
    - Suppliers: SRNE currently looking like the best option

Pending Action items

- Compliance and Safety inspection letter from Certified Engineer - Dansturn
- Visit Nakulabye to complain about bill rates - Aaron
- Run last month reports for calinmeter - Aaron
- Collect data on phase variance - Hillary
- Phase 2 next steps - 
    - Meter 2.0 testing
    - Battery + Inverter testing
    - Budget and fundraising

# NFE Weekly - October 18th 2025

Previous actions

- Compliance and Safety inspection letter from Certified Engineer - Dansturn
- Visit Nakulabye to complain about bill rates - Aaron
- Run last month reports for calinmeter - Aaron
- Collect data on phase variance - Hillary
- Phase 2 next steps - 
    - Meter 2.0 testing
    - Battery + Inverter testing
    - Budget and fundraising

Agenda

- Fundraising updates and next steps
- Metering bottle necks
- Scope for Meter 2.0 testing 
    - Communication with AMI
    - Test with at least 5 meters
    - Need a rig with multiple sockets

Action

- Check with Calinmeter on status of pattern approval with UNBS - Aaron
- Check chint meter + calinmeter readings again for variance in October reading - Hillary
- Move gateway outside for a day or two, move it to main house - Aaron
- Collect data on phase variance for half week to inform phase selection - Hillary
- Mount Meters on a rig and deliver test rid to buwate, Hillary's garage - Dansturn / Hillary
- Running OpenEMS in a test environment - Hillary + Aaron

# NFE Weekly Checkin - October 25th 2025

Agenda

- Battery evaluation updates
- Fundraising Updates
- 100% paid up for September
- We have a mailing list manager (new app)

Action items

- Relocate new meters to Buwate Lab @ Arindas - Dansturn
- Onboard Sevo to help with Data modeling and analysis for battery sizing - Aaron
- Evaluate Zembo and other local suppliers for batteries - Dansturn

# NFE Weekly Checkin - Nov 1st 2025

### Agenda 

- Fundraising Continues 
    - Praxis not successful
    - Submitted [D-Prize (20K) ](https://d-prize.org/#application-process)
    - Up Next 
        - Tondo
        - Akampa
        - Tom
        - Sevo
        - Energy IoT (fiscal sponsorship at 10% fees)
        - Kickstarter
- Metering 2.0 
    - Working with Energy IoT to set up OpenEMS
- Initial [ROI Projections](https://matrix.to/#/!QltThtXhbdLCWFnsAx:matrix.nearlyfreeenergy.com/$dMwmG3L98uTENg2tMD4L9hlxrFnJFfbPFOCLkKmVohY?via=matrix.nearlyfreeenergy.com) for Phase 2
- Registering US entity to aid fundraising

### Action items 

- Export Daily usage data from CalinAMI to determine maximum demand - Aaron
- Possible Pilot for NFE USA - Aaron

# NFE Weekly Checkin - Nov 15th 2025

##### Previous meeting action items

- Export Daily usage data from CalinAMI to determine maximum demand - Aaron 
    - See initial results [here,](https://chatgpt.com/share/691815a5-d418-800c-beff-0c7f7f1c0526) Sevo also committed to doing similar analysis, waiting for his feedback
- Possible Pilot for NFE USA - Aaron

##### Actions Items

- 10 Hopetele meters with a board today 15th Nov 2025 to be delivered to Arinda's Buwate residence - Dansturn
- OpenEMS edge on raspberry pi running - Hillary
- Confirm installation guidelines from SRNE - Aaron
- Detailed breakdown of the Kyanja installation by midweek- Dansturn
- November invoices breakdown
- Midweek weekly check-in Thursday 6-7 am Ugandan time

# NFE Checkin - Jan 7th 2026

### Agenda 

- Roadmap review

### Action Items 

- What will postpaid using Metering 2.0 look like? Will the regulator approve? - Aaron
- Can we sell the product we currently have running at Sezibwa? - Dansturn and Aaron

# NFE weekly checkin - Jan 22nd 2026

### Agenda 

- Product at Sezibwa readiness
- Update on Metering 2.0
- Funding Updates

<div drawio-diagram="74"><img src="https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/uploads/images/drawio/2026-01/drawing-4-1769060135.png" alt=""/></div>

### Action Items 

- What will postpaid using Metering 2.0 look like? Will the regulator approve? - Aaron
- Can we sell the product we currently have running at Sezibwa? - Dansturn and Aaron
- Ask Chint what UNBS approval this smart meter have? - Aaron
- Engage Hillary and Abdul for a session to guide on current blockers - Arinda
- Modbus security risks report - Arinda

# NFE weekly checkin - Jan 29th 2026

Notes

- Metering 2.0 Updates: We are ready to test openEMS edge during this Friday's working session
- Grant applications: we need an Estonian partner for ESTDEV and we need to continue pace of 1 funding application per week
- Whole House backup 
    - Pricing seems higher but maybe worth the value prop of 24 7 power
    - Demo Open Solar CRM

Action items

- Prepare open solar demo for next week - Aaron
- Pitch for Submetering to Lofty Skies customer - Aaron + Dansturn
- Review investor readiness checklist - Dansturn
- Time tracking reminders - Aaron

# NFE Checkin - Feb 6th 2026

Agenda

- OpenEMS
- Fundrasing Update

# NFE checkin - Feb 12 2026

### Deployment Checklist 

- Internet connectivity - orange
- Meter Modbus conversion - orange
- BOQ - green
- deployment pipeline - orange

### Action Items 

- Prepare hardware for gateway deployment to Nansana - Aaron 
    - Sourcing the right internet connectivity device
- AI workflow integration in Design/Quotation/BOQs - Dansturn
- Deploy gateway and 3 phase meter to Nansana - Dansturn
- Get meter unlock script from Hillary Zembo - Hillary

# NFE Weekly Checkin - March 21 2026

### Agenda 

- Demo for Metering 2.0 Changes
- Review of NFE business models: [https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/draft-business-models-for-the-nfe-microgrid-os](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/draft-business-models-for-the-nfe-microgrid-os)

### Action items 

- Data analysis from most recent dump from about 2 days of Grid meter data - Aaron
- Set up local environment (meter + pi ) for testing changes before deploying to production - Hillary
- Procedure for commissioning a new meter and setting up to log data - Hillary / Aaron
- Serial numbers from Nansana - Dansturn / Dismas

# NFE Tech Huddle - April 3rd 2026

### Quick summary

During this meeting, Aaron, Hillary discussed, the current meter-logging system, data buffering and aggregation approach, deployment pipeline, backup and metadata storage, and commissioning/precommissioning of meters.

### Action items for Aaron

- [ ]  Wrap up gateway deployment repo and onboard Hillary so he can use it going forward
- [ ]  NFE Web app integration with real (CSV) data via nextcloud once Hillary has populated sample meter data; coordinate timing for verification.

### Action items for Hillary

- [ ]  Implement and enable the 15-minute buffering and averaging approach (already in place) and ensure exported log entries represent averages for each 15-minute window; document the buffering logic.
- [ ]  Adjust the backup/upload timer to start with hourly uploads and monitor cost/performance; report recommended cadence after initial test period.
- [ ]  Deploy the meter services to the other production Pi and validate that the metadata folder is populated with meter folders (start tonight where possible).
- [ ]  Add a commissioning/precommissioning script that converts meters from the Chinese protocol to Modbus, assigns temporary address 1 for precommissioning, then writes the production address and serial number; document the commissioning procedure and constraints (e.g., stopping services may lock serial port). Onboard Dansturn to execute on this
- [ ]  Share the correct metadata/metadata folder link and confirm access is granted to Aaron; reorganize folder structure as discussed (metadata -&gt; customer -&gt; meter folders).
- [ ]  Test image building and deployment flow (VM build -&gt; push to main -&gt; CI build image -&gt; manual deploy) and document the exact deployment commands.
- [ ]  Test upgrading the client version in a staging environment and report any compatibility/security concerns before upgrading production.

Notes: Hillary already demonstrated the buffering (10s sampling, 15-min average) and the backup/upload service; team agreed to start with hourly uploads and scale as needed. Commissioning constraints and Modbus address conflicts were discussed; precommissioning workflow will be created to avoid on-site conflicts.

# Nfe Weekly checkin - 4th April 2026

### Agenda 

- Review of last week's action items
- Way forward based on feedback
- Discuss a little bit about the pre-commissioning process
- Backup battery updates
- Chint meter deployment plan

### Action items feedback

- Data analysis from the most recent dump from about 2 days of Grid meter data - Aaron - This was done. Preliminary 2-day feedback returned, with concern about the 45kw spikes. needs to be reviewed.
- Set up local environment (meter + pi ) for testing changes before deploying to production - Hillary- Done, testing would be better with a three-phase meter. Aaron also has a dev PI set up.
- Procedure for commissioning a new meter and setting up to log data - Hillary / Aaron - draft presented, to be optimized for Nansana
- Serial numbers from Nansana - Dansturn / Dismas - provided

### Action items 

- Procurement of meters - Dansturn
- Installation and commissioning - All
- Battery backup updates - Aaron

# Tech Huddle - Behind the Meter Connection for each customer

<div drawio-diagram="80"><img src="https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/uploads/images/drawio/2026-04/drawing-4-1775500845.png" alt=""/></div>

# NFE Checkin - 11th April 2026

### Agenda 

- Financial Model game plan: https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/team/page/financial-model-game-plan-q2
- Sezibwa Site plan changes for phase 2: [https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/sezibwa-site-plan-for-phase-2](https://bookstack.nearlyfreeenergy.com/books/business/page/sezibwa-site-plan-for-phase-2)
- Demos 
    - Pi deployment
    - Customer App v1

### Action items 

- Complete Kyanja energy/power audit inspection - recommendations - @Dansturn
- Get specsheets and dimensions for batteries and inverter - Aaron
- Decision on physical location of batteries and inverter - Hillary and Dansturn
- Data from NFE microgrids - How can we productize this (target for Q2) - Aaron

# NFE Checkin - May 16th 2026

### Agenda 

- Metering 2.0 Updates 
    - Customer App
    - OpenEMS 
        - Support for DDSU and DTSU
        - Deployment Automation for the gateway
    - MBE - Metering and Billing Engine 
        - New invoices
- New customers 
    - Pearl Marina
    - Kyanja
    - Kyaliwajala
- Phase 2 in Nansana 
    - Civil work
- Managing Customer Data
- Funding / 
    - Women Owned Green Business
    - LF Energy Summit 2026
- Metering 3.0 
    - Working with Glenn

Action items

- Update Customer App to show usage using billing markers - Aaron
- 

# NFE Checkin - May 23rd 2026

### Last week's Agenda 

- Metering 2.0 Updates 
    - Customer App -**successfully demoed**
    - OpenEMS 
        - Support for DDSU and DTSU - **both changes merged. release expected first june 2026.**
        - Deployment Automation for the gateway - **Not discussed**
    - MBE - Metering and Billing Engine 
        - New invoices - **Demoed**
- New customers 
    - Pearl Marina
    - Kyanja
    - Kyaliwajala
- Phase 2 in Nansana 
    - Civil work
- Managing Customer Data - **I want the link**
- Funding / 
    - Women Owned Green Business - **Green volta totally in (week 2 of 10)**
    - LF Energy Summit 2026 - **submission underway**
- Metering 3.0 
    - Working with Glenn - prepare for Nairobi workshop

Action items

- Update Customer App to show usage using billing markers - Aaron

### Agenda

- Metering 2.0 Updates 
    - OpenEMS  
        
        - Deployment Automation for the gateway
    - MBE - Metering and Billing Engine
- New customers 
    - Pearl Marina
    - Kyanja
    - Kyaliwajala
- Phase 2 in Nansana 
    - Discussion happening today - happening now
    - Architectural design of the connection

Action items

- Submit the LF energy paper - Aaron
- remove dependency of local pc for uploading customer data to superbase for free - Hillary
- Put demo together and do some testing on test pi for single phase next week - Aaron
- Set Dansturn's account up - Aaron
- BOQ with 1 variable line for the cheaper and more expensive location - Dansturn