Electricity + Control November 2019

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

but if it were easy it would already have been done. “The challenge is the business model around mini grids. What do people do with the energy, how do we integrate mini or microgrids into local economies, how can this be done sustainably and, more importantly, how do we maintain and operate microgrids? To make this work, basic electrical skills are needed, at scale, and that is where a public private partnership needs to work to build these skills. Schneider Electric is not just about building factories but is also concerned with investing in people and skills development, as we have done in South Africa for over 30 000 people. “Further, there is the question of off-grid and on-grid, but this can be managed by the digitali- sation of the smart grid to ensure integration. The technology is available, we now need to deploy a national matrix so that the off-grid/on-grid interface can be well managed. There is no real conflict be- tween the two. It is more about how they can work together to support universal energy access. This is an expertise that Schneider Electric can offer,” Herzberg said.

Caspar Herzberg, President, Middle East and Africa, Schneider Electric.

Schneider Electric provides digital solutions for energy supply, energy management, efficiency and sustainability. It combines world-leading energy technologies, real- time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for homes, buildings, data centres, infrastructure and industries. Schneider Electric is committed to unlocking the possibilities of an open, global, innovative community.

have immediate. Four new businesses were set up in frozen foods and refrigeration. For instance, a resident trader, who used a generator to power her freezers, often paying over the market price for fuel, can now run her business successfully. In another example, a blacksmith from Modakeke was contemplating closing his business due to the high cost of powering his forge, until he heard about the microgrid system 30 km from him. He now runs a successful workshop in Onibambu. been

of the community pay for just the amount of electricity they need. A household can pay as little as N100 or N200 to meet its electricity needs. The broader goal of this project is to stem the tide of rural-urban migration and the Onibambu project surpassed all expectations. The population of Onibambu has increased and the village has become an example of urban-rural migration. Businesses from neighbouring towns are moving to Onibambu. Impacts to micro, small and medium scale businesses

for the initiative.The installation included MPPT 80 600 PV solar charge controllers and XW+ hybrid inverter chargers, at an estimated loan cost of N75.8 million (Nigerian naira). Arnergy is using the Conext insight monitoring solution to ensure that its microgrid is performing according to specification. It also monitors how much energy is being consumed by the people. A prepaid metering package was set up to aid the repayment process. A pay-as-you-go scheme was introduced, where members

Electricity + Control

NOVEMBER 2019

31