Microgrid technologies can help unlock electrification

24th June 2016

By: Mia Breytenbach

Creamer Media Deputy Editor: Features

  

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Large-scale centralised generation will increase with the development of grid solutions, which will include an increase in focus on microgrid and standalone home systems, as well as off-the-grid, distributed generation solutions, says advisory firm PwC power, capital projects and infrastructure Africa partner John Gibbs.

“PwC sees a role for minigrid, also called microgrid development in small- and medium-sized communities, particularly where there are strong point loads that can anchor a system, such as a hospital, a mine or a small industrial park,” Gibbs says, highlighting the PwC report, Electricity beyond the grid: accelerating access to sustainable power for all'.

The report notes that there is “more private-sector interest in minigrids. And, like the private- sector companies that are behind the growth of standalone home systems, an emphasis is being placed on market feasibility, affordability and site suitability”.

The International Energy Agency suggests that minigrid or off-grid systems “provide the most viable means of access to electricity” for large rural populations distant from power grids, anticipating that “315-million people in rural areas will gain access to electricity by 2040, with most of this new electricity access coming from the development of minigrids (80-million people) and off-grid systems (140-million)”.

Gibbs was speaking at the inauguration of automation technology group ABB’s R40-million integrated solar-diesel microgrid installation – the group’s first microgrid in South Africa – at its 96 000 m2 Longmeadow facility and headquarters in Johannesburg earlier this month.

This microgrid uses power fed from the national grid and a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, as well as backup feed from four diesel generator sets, and is designed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to keep the lights on and the factories running during any planned or unplanned power outages on the main grid supply.

Special adviser on energy to the Presidency Silas Zimu and ABB Power Grids division president Claudio Facchin inaugurated the microgrid at ABB.

Speaking at the event, Zimu noted that the microgrid “goes beyond innovation . . . beyond the promises and, to have a company as big as ABB investing in South Africa, not only investing by having a production facility but also looking at alternative energy, is . . . a [big] plus for [South Africa]”.

The microgrid technology deployed at Longmeadow is fully containerised and predesigned for this type of application. The solution comprises a 1 MVA/380 kWh battery-package PowerStore, ABB’s dedicated control system for microgrids – the Microgrid Plus – and a 5 000 m2, 750 kW rooftop PV field to boost renewable energy and provide continuity of supply during disruptions or transitions from grid to island operation.

The PowerStore grid stabilising system addresses frequency and voltage fluctuations, while the Microgrid Plus distributed control system manages the supply of power and balances the fossil-fuel and renewable-energy sources, in accordance with loads, in a coordinated manner, enabling access to utility-grade power.

ABB grid automation MD Massimo Danieli explained that the lithium-ion battery bank could support the entire facility at full load for about 20 minutes.

A cloud-based remote service system will be deployed for the operations and maintenance of the microgrid, in keeping with ABB’s Internet of Things, Services and People approach.

The grid is expected to increase renewable-energy use, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1 000 t/y and electricity costs by 50%.

“This innovative microgrid solution helps address a real-world challenge by providing stable and cost-effective continuity of power supply, while minimising environmental impact,” Facchin said.

He added that penetration of growth markets like Africa and leveraging innovative technologies like microgrids to improve power reliability were “key elements” of ABB’s Next Level strategy.

ABB South Africa MD Leon Viljoen agreed, highlighting that only 24% of people in sub-Saharan Africa had access to electricity. Further, about 25% of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa faced rolling blackouts, some of the countries daily, while only 28 GW of electricity was installed in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa. Additionally, the power tariffs were on average $0.13/kWh.

“[Therefore,] there is a lot we need to do to ensure Africa has energy and power. Without power, there is no economic growth. It is our responsibility to make sure these things happen,” he stressed.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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