Hybrid Solar: Mini-Grids and PV Plants

Transcription

1 Hybrid Solar: Mini-Grids and PV Plants Solar Energy Southeast Asia Bangkok, Thailand 26 November, 2014 Andy Schroeter CEO Sunlabob Renewable Energy

2 Sunlabob: Off-Grid RE Experts Founded in Laos in 2000, expert in off-grid renewable energy Internationally-focused: throughout 20+ countries in ASEAN, Pacific islands, Africa, India Deep experience in world s most challenging rural environments Approach to longevity: high-quality technology paired with local training and capacity building Customers: Development agencies, gov ts, NGOs, private sector

3 Hybrid Mini-Grid Profile: Nam Kha, Laos Situation Remote area of Xieng Khaung Province, Laos Boosting existing hybrid mini-grid with additional hydro plant (Nam Kha II) Reaching ~650 households Combined for 200 kw provision Model Sunlabob as IPP PPP with Gov. of Laos, AusAid, Helvetas Laos first negotiated private PPA for small-scale RE Local Training and O&M VETs trained to manage system

4 Hybrid Mini-Grid Profile: Houaypha Situation Ban Houaypha, rural village in Luang Prabang Province 42 km from nearest grid connection 83 households, 498 people $41.50 average household monthly income ($1.38/day) Solution: Solar PV village grid 2kWh 20kWh provision $1.25 $3.75 monthly options Local Training and O&M VETs, VEC, maintenance fund Only possible w/ donor role

5 Sunlabob Mini-Grid Experience A variety of mini-grid and hybrid PV plant experiences: Different countries, cultures, geographies Laos, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Kiribati Different operational models / revenue streams IPP model PPA with utility (Nam Kha) Donor-funded, community-based, handover to village Lease-to-own with private operators Conclusions: commercial opportunities = brownfield solar hybridization donor intervention still required for greenfield mini-grid projects introducing energy access to rural communities

6 Commercial Opportunities What are the commercially viable opportunities for solar hybrid applications in Southeast Asia? High loads relying on substantial diesel consumption: Private mini-grid operators using gen-sets Factories (on- and off-grid) Fish processing centers Agricultural processing Hotels, hospitals Any anchor load customers (see next)

7 Commercial Opportunities Where are the commercially viable opportunities? Low Electrification: Cambodia Myanmar Islands (Indonesia, Philippines) High Grid Rates: Cambodia Indonesia Myanmar Avoiding hydro-based electricity markets i.e. Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.

8 Brownfield Solar Retrofits: Myanmar Existing private mini-grid operators: o Example: Myanmar has 14,000+ villages with off-grid electricity Market approach already in place; ripe for more reliable energy, better prices Solar PV displaces significant diesel costs o Cost-savings over time o Easier and cheaper maintenance o Cleaner and safer Need to educate about reliability and longevity of solar solutions

9 Economic: Solar Hybrid Retrofit 22 kwp diesel generator retrofitted with solar PV, southern Myanmar o 2500 Ah/48 V OPzS Battery, 3 x 5048 Sunny Island Installment payments lease to own Displacing 250,000 liters of diesel over 20 years (~ 8 gallons / day) ~$250,00 USD over 20 years at current price (1000 kyat/liter) Projected 5-year payback period

10 Anchor Client: Telco Towers Towers provide anchor power demand and revenue stream to ESCO; excess energy supplied to off-grid community Energy Hub acts as central charging and service station energy access for: 1) Transportable services: mobile phone charging transportable batteries solar lantern charging Image source: GSMA 2010 Green Power for Mobile 2) Hub-based services: refrigerator/cooling rice milling and power tools community entertainment

11 Identifying Opportunities To manage risk when identifying opportunities: Understand load profile and future demand growth Establish viable tariff levels o Ability to pay o Willingness to pay o Seasonality (harvests, fishing, etc.) Comparisons to central grid pricing Manage end-user s expectation of load limits Awareness of central grid extension planning

12 Remaining Barriers What will catalyze uptake of solar hybrid solutions? Improved import tariffs for PV panel, inverters, batteries, etc. Awareness building and gaining trust with customers of hybrid technology and proven cost savings Long-term view by customers (i.e. accepting a 6 year payback instead of 3 year payback for a system with 20+ year lifetime) Reducing fossil fuel subsidies and utility subsidies

13 Hybrid Solar: Mini-Grids and PV Plants Thank Andy Schroeter CEO You