https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Minigrid solutions suitable for addressing Africa’s energy challenge

Blue World Power Energy and Resources MD Gavin Carlson

Blue World Power Energy and Resources MD Gavin Carlson

Photo by Duane Daws

20th February 2018

By: Anine Kilian

Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

Minigrids have the capability to operate in isolation from the national grid and have been shown to reduce the cost of, and dramatically increase the pace of, rural electrification, says Blue World Power Energy and Resources MD Gavin Carlson.

“We view minigrids as a game changer for the rapid, reliable and cost-effective electrification of rural Africa,” he told delegates attending the Africa Energy Indaba, on Tuesday.

The International Energy Agency estimates that minigrids could supply 50% of the energy required in rural areas by 2030.

Replacing diesel and other fossil fuels, with renewable energy based minigrids has further environmental and social benefits.

Carlson cited an innovative containerised minihydro solution, which integrates perfectly into offgrid and minigrid scenarios, which have a design capacity of up to 2 MW.

He noted that a single facility was capable of providing electricity to between 250 and 400 houses. 

“The installation requires no dam construction and causes no environmental harm to river and other reservoir ecology. The plant is also easily controlled and monitored remotely via satellite, mobile communications network or the Internet,” he said.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
SBS Tanks
SBS Tanks

SBS® Tanks is a leading provider of innovative water security solutions with offices in Southern Africa, East and West Africa, the USA and an...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 10 May 2024
Magazine round up | 10 May 2024
10th May 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.264 0.313s - 137pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now