Electricity + Control August 2016

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.

Use a circuit breaker in the management of a microgrid?

Certainly.

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

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