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ENERGY + ENVIROFICIENCY:
CARBON TAX
ENERGY + ENVIROFICIENCY
I n C o n v e r s a t i o n W i t h
generation components required, the load curves and the response
envelopes. The microgrid analysis report includes a business case,
which makes for a bankable solution that can be taken directly to a
funder. “We strive to find the sweet spot with respect to capex and
opex, which, ideally, combines generation options for lowest LCOE,
highest reliability and resilience and least possible environmental
impact,” he adds.
From a reliability perspective: “ABB has over 25 years of experi-
ence in this field and its R&D department is turning 100 this year.
We have a service and remote monitoring capability that enables
web-based monitoring to be implemented on any plant anywhere in
the world,” he says pointing towards the prevailing generation and
load profile of the Longmeadow demonstration plant.”
The online monitoring system shows PV generation at 364 kVA,
with the grid draw being reduced to 650 kVA on a 1,14 MW load. “In
the event of a grid outage, it will first bring in the PowerStore from
batteries, and if the outage lasts longer than the 15 or 20 minutes, the
diesel generators will automatically kick in to meet demand load,”
he explains.
In the municipal context, there numerous ways that Microgrids
can play a major part, not only in the southern African region, but
especially in South Africa.
Across Africa, he sees the modular and containerised microgrid
solutions as ideal for augmenting weak grids. “Some mining clients
are interested, but food and beverage processing plants in more
remote Africa are most promising. Applications such as grain milling
and ingredient heating/drying need large power supplies and local
grids are often weak.
“For new factories beingmooted in places with power limitations,
and municipalities striving to supply the stable power needed for the
emerging economies to thrive, microgrids are an increasingly viable
option,” Duarte concludes.
Light up the future with the new SACE Emax 2. Not just a circuit-breaker, but a true power manager that controls every electrical system, raising the efficiency. SACE Emax 2 protects the system, manages loads and generators, measures and analyses energy quality, with the simplicity and reliability you would expect. Circuit-breakers switch power, SACE Emax 2 manages it. For further information: www.abb.co.za/lowvoltage ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Electrification Products Tel. +27 10 202 5880 E-mail: LP@za.abb.com Use a circuit breaker in the management of a microgrid? Certainly.A5 Emax2 Power Manager 2016.indd 1
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Electricity+Control