News and feature articles on microgrids in Africa including RFP's, policies and players impacting the region.
Minigrids can help Africa achieve universal electrification, but not without better financing, said a group of energy investors in a paper released today. With $2 billion under management and more than 100 minigrids built or in the works, the investors offered to match contributions from government or other donors. They called for funding in … [Read more...]
Microgrid market to double in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico's microgrid market will more than double by the end of 2024, reaching 228 MW, according to new research from Wood Mackenzie. The report say that firms will compete for $419 million in projects at the top of the market. The US territory now ranks 14 among state markets for microgrid … [Read more...]
An Eaton production facility in Wadeville, South Africa is reducing its energy and operational costs beyond its expectations thanks to a microgrid that uses first and second life electric vehicle batteries. The microgrid is reducing the production facility's monthly utility bill by 40%. Improved manufacturing plant up-time and reductions in … [Read more...]
Developers and technology companies worldwide continue to focus on electrifying energy-poor areas of Africa. Recent example: 40,000 residents and businesses in the northeast African country of Eritrea now have reliable electricity thanks to two new minigrids. Developed by UK-based Solarcentury, the minigrids (Africa's term for microgrids) … [Read more...]
We often think of diesel as dirty, and view renewable microgrids as one way to eliminate the use of diesel and other fossil fuels. However, more and more, diesel-backed microgrids can be cleaner, if they rely on the newer, Tier-4 generators. It all depends on where the power is needed, what fuels are available, and how much the microgrid … [Read more...]
An ambitious project is underway to install minigrids for more than 160,000 off-grid villagers on islands in Lake Victoria. JUMEME Rural Power Supply recently launched phase one to commission by June 11 solar-hybrid minigrids for 20 villages and more than 80,000 villagers. Eleven more minigrids are slated for another 23 villages, 160,000 … [Read more...]
Go Electric’s new microgrid on wheels is a box that four people can lift and commission -- and then move, if needed. The mobile microgrid, now under development, also comes on a trailer. And it can run in silent mode. Best of all, it can reduce the use of diesel and other fossil fuels significantly -- by up to 80 percent while operating … [Read more...]
Nigeria plans to seek contractors for $350M minigrid project The Nigerian government plans to secure competitive bids for minigrid projects that it intends to finance through $350 million it is seeking from the World Bank. In a general procurement notice, the federal government said that it will need goods, works, related services and … [Read more...]
CrossBoundary Energy Access is investing an initial $16 million of capital to finance about 190 solar minigrids, each with a capacity of 6 kW-1 MW, across Sub-Saharan Africa. All told, the minigrids will bring electricity to nearly 34,000 off-grid, rural households and businesses -- about 70,000 people who now lack energy access, according … [Read more...]
A fledgling market for commercial and industrial (C&I) solar in Sub-Saharan Africa is poised for faster growth due to high-cost and poor-quality grid power, declining solar energy costs and the rise of energy storage, according to a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (NEF). The finding is significant to microgrids in the region … [Read more...]
Diesel generation is effective, but it’s not the best option available to pair with wind and solar. That’s where natural gas comes in. When designing a microgrid, don’t forget to look to natural gas as a feasible option to lower generation costs and provide greater resiliency to the system.
There is increasing concern regarding cybersecurity across industries where companies are steadily integrating field devices into enterprise-wide information systems. A new white paper provides high-level guidance to help customers across industries and applications apply Eaton solutions for power management of electrical systems in accordance with current cybersecurity standards.
Copyright © 2019