Mini Grid Applications are becoming more and more in demand from remote locations. They save on the costs of fossil fuel and logistics. PES finds out more from Omron…
Improving access to modern energy services in rural areas is a priority for many developing countries (South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Argentina etc.), with more than 1.5 billion people worldwide without access to electricity. Around 80% of these people live in rural areas. According to International Energy Agency, 2009, the number of people without electricity by 2030 is likely to remain similar to the present day due to population growth.
These are the reasons for the growing demand in Mini Grid Applications: local generators (diesel in most cases) able to satisfy power needs in rural areas, far from main power grid. Now hybrid mini-grids solutions, using multiple generation technologies, can improve reliability of power supply, save money on fossil fuel consumption and cost intensive logistics.
Combining diesel power generation with a PV plant is the most convenient solution, mainly in countries with favourable weather conditions and many days of sunlight during the year. PV hybrid solutions are based on a diesel generator, a PV plant and a plant controller working in conjunction with the inverter able to manage the need-based photovoltaic feed-in depending on load and generation-profile. The inverter, of course, needs to stop supplying power when the load is not enough.
