Greater access to electricity and a reliable energy supply could play a key role in accelerating development across Africa. By integrating renewable energy resources like sun, wind and hydro into the power grid, microgrid technology like that supplied by ABB can support more reliable electricity sup Contact online >>
Greater access to electricity and a reliable energy supply could play a key role in accelerating development across Africa. By integrating renewable energy resources like sun, wind and hydro into the power grid, microgrid technology like that supplied by ABB can support more reliable electricity supply, help avoid industry downtime and substantially reduce carbon emissions.
A key challenge Africa faces is supplying reliable electricity round the clock, especially to off-grid communities and industries. Across the continent, there is also an increasing demand for reliable energy access in combination with insufficient generation capacity. Nevertheless, the potential power that could be generated in some areas from sources like hydro, geothermal, wind and solar is substantial.
This is where microgrid technology comes into play. Microgrids consist of distributed energy resources and loads that operate in a controlled, coordinated way and are typically located at or near the place where energy is used. They have the advantage of being quick to build and can operate either as stand-alone grids or be connected to the main power grid. In sunny or windy places, microgrids can be powered by renewable energy, such as a small-scale solar farm or local wind turbines.
Not only does this mean that microgrid technology can be a means to reach electricity to remote or isolated areas, but with the technology for managing integration of renewables becoming much more affordable, opportunities to harness the power of these sources of energy could be tapped across Africa.
A new modular and standardized microgrid solution installed at ABB''s own premises in Johannesburg, South Africa is an example of this. It serves the power demand of ABB''s factory and offices by using power from the sun captured by a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) plant, in combination with a PowerStoreTMbattery-based grid stabilizing system, which allows for up to 100% peak penetration of clean solar energy. At this site in Longmeadow, Johannesburg, ABB has its South Africa head office, logistics and manufacturing center. ABB is also represented in several other South African cities, and has a strong presence across the African region with engineering and sales offices.
Another example of where ABB microgrid technology is making a difference on the African continent is for a remote windfarm called Marsabit in northern Kenya. Here the population of 5,000 relies exclusively on a wind- and diesel-powered microgrid.
Speeding up economic development
Microgrids have enormous potential in Africa, where more than 900 million people lack access to electricity. In sub-Saharan Africa, where two-thirds of the population - 620 million people - live without power, microgrids could dramatically speed up economic development.
"ABB is a pioneer in microgrid technology and providing uninterrupted power supply and reliable power is in line with our Next Level Strategy," explains Massimo Danieli, Managing Director of ABB''s Grid Automation business unit, a part of the company''s Power Grids division. "Microgrid technology is available now and it is likely to be a critical piece of the smarter energy future."
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This work is based on research supported by the "HEdIS—Hub for Education on ICT for Sustainability" project thanks to the funding by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
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ABB today commissioned an integrated solar-diesel microgrid installation at its 96,000 square meter Longmeadow facility in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a world premiere for the innovative solution with fully grid-connected and off-grid functionalities designed to maximize the use of renewable energy and 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.
South Africa has the highest electricity consumption in the sub-Saharan region and demand continues to outpace supply. Power shortages, fossil fuel price volatility, environmental concerns and the increased focus on renewable energy sources like wind and solar, are leading to the search for sustainable solutions. South Africa is not alone when it comes to power shortages and outages and several other emerging economies in Africa, Asia, South America and other parts of the world face similar challenges. There are thousands of facilities that could leverage such a microgrid solution to address the matter.
ABB''s microgrid installation in Johannesburg comprises its compact and versatile PowerStoreTM battery-based grid stabilizing system to address frequency and voltage fluctuations. It also includes a Microgrid Plus distributed control system (DCS) to manage the supply of power and balance the fossil-fuel and renewable energy sources in accordance with loads, in a coordinated manner, enabling access to utility grade power.
The 1 MVA/380 kWh PowerStore™ and Microgrid Plus, together with a 750 kW rooftop photovoltaic field have been added to the existing back-up solution at the location to boost renewables and provide continuity of supply during disruptions or transitions from grid to island operation. The modular and containerized microgrid solution is pre-designed for this type of application. 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 (IoTSP) approach.
"This innovative microgrid solution helps address a real-world challenge by providing stable and cost-effective continuity of power supply while minimizing environmental impact," said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB''s Power Grids division. "Penetration of growth markets like Africa and leveraging innovative technologies like microgrids to improve power reliability are key elements of ABB''s Next Level strategy."
ABB is a pioneer in microgrid technology with more than 30 global installations across a diverse range of applications serving remote communities, islanded grids, utility grid support and industrial campuses.
ABB () is a leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility, industry, and transport & infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.
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