#BTColumn – Carlton: powered by Aceleron Energy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

The record of the young Barbadian continues to warm the heart. A relatively new company Aceleron Energy which was founded by Cummins has attracted the attention of none other than Forbes, the American business magazine.

The magazine is published eight times a year and is recognised as the premier guide to world leaders and potential leaders in industry and investment.

In 2017 the company entered a clean energy competition and consequent on its promotion of the topic was placed on the prestigious Forbes under 30 list. Outstanding companies with a capitalisation of US$30 million are listed as potentially liable to become global leaders in their field of enterprise.

Primed with this information I sought and found the young inventor/entrepreneur at his home in Birmingham, UK. Cummins was born and raised in Vaucluse, St Thomas. He is the son of businessman Bertram and Jasmine Cummins

Sharon Primary School, The St Michael School and Harrison College provided the base for an education that was continued at UWI (St Augustine) where he studied Mechanical Engineering as an undergraduate. Later he obtained his master’s degree from Brunel University in Middlesex, England.

Brunel is known internationally for a high standard of research in engineering. Cummins graduated in 2011 and he returned to Barbados where he worked primarily installing solar panel units across the island.

However, Cummins had a vision that would take him further afield. He reasoned that the use of fossil fuels would gradually become an old-fashioned concept due to its depleting resources and a worldwide concern over global warming.

He was confident that renewable energy would in later years be used in greater measure across the globe and like all successful entrepreneurs he backed his judgment.
And so, the ‘eureka’ moment arrived.

Cummins developed and produced a battery that took the industry by storm. The battery is unlike other batteries. It is easy to maintain and is accepted as having a longer life span. I asked him to explain the difference between his battery and other batteries.

He said: “We store the energy from solar panels and put that energy into the battery. This method removes the need for constant maintenance. The batteries are fully serviceable, upgradable, and recyclable. They are the first of their kind in the world.”
I needed more, the layman in me was at a loss. Simply, how can one store energy? Cummins continued: “A battery is like a water tank, in other words a solar bucket.
We capture the energy at the most advantageous times, for instance when the sun is shining, and store it for future usage.

It is a process of, one would say, making hay whilst the sun shines. However, we can also generate energy through other means such as wind power.”

Cummins is passionate about the use of renewable energy. He sees it as the way forward as an alternative to the dwindling bank of fossil fuels. He is excited about a future which he projects beyond the next 10 or more years.

He sees the growth in the production of electric cars as evidence and proof of the major changes that currently are enveloping an industrial world and he is determined that Aceleron Energy will be at the cutting edge of the technological revolution when it is fully actioned.

Cummins’ ambition is that in the future cars the world over will be powered by his company’s batteries.

I find it truly exciting to engage with a young Barbadian who has a vision that takes him far beyond the shores of the rock.

Cummins speaks with a passion that is mixed with a philosophy that betrays his tender years and I am eager to hear and learn more.
Let him speak: “In life you can only work with the cards you have been dealt. I have always believed in my ability to maximise on opportunities and make progress in life.”

Cummins’ background in not one of the privileged few. Although he did not gain a scholarship to study at undergraduate level, he later won one to pursue his master’s degree.

He reflected: “Financially it was difficult during my undergraduate days because fees had to be privately funded. However, I saw this as a challenge rather than a hurdle. If people think they cannot, then they will not. It is not remarkable that normal people can do extraordinary things.”

The signs of humility highlighted his every word as he continued: “If there is no belief then there is no possibility. If you are not willing to back yourself why should someone else back you?”

And I think what wisdom and depth of thought on such young shoulders! Aceleron Energy employs an ever-increasing staff of 25. It exports to Africa and the Caribbean whilst retaining its major production for the UK market.

Ever conscious of the future, Cummins said that the exports to Africa are into Kenya because he sees Kenya as the hub for an African market which he expects will grow in great measure.

There is also a plan to go fully global and I pressed the young Barbadian for further information.

Understandably, Cummins did not commit regarding the future of the company and would only say that the company which was initially backed by a venture capitalist is currently securing additional funding that would enable it to achieve further growth.

Somehow you get the feeling that our man from St Thomas will not be easily stopped.

You also sense that his vision is set beyond the horizon. Carlton’s hobbies are running and swimming. One hopes that he is powered by Aceleron Energy.

Vincent “Boo” Nurse is a Barbadian living in London who is a retired land Revenue Manager, Pensions and Investment Adviser. He is passionate about the development of his island home and Disapora.