Solar Multi-Utility Centre and Smart Minigrid Experience in implementing and maintaining off-grid projects in rural areas Nivedita Thakur and Lalit Sahoo The Energy and Resources Institute, India 6 th January 2011 Solar Multi-Utility Centre Smart Minigrid 1
Solar Multi-Utility (SMU) Centre SMU is a rural energy hub that utilizes locally available renewable energy resources to generate electricity and is operated for providing clean energy services to the community at a fee and thus enhancing the productivity of local livelihoods Multiple resources Solar Wind Biomass Diesel Multiple utilities Water purifying facilities Battery Charging Electric vehicle charging Grinding spices Bamboo splitting and slivering Honey skimming Mobile phone charging Identification/selection of site Market survey of the available appliances Steps towards development and maintenance of an SMU Selection of implementation partner Identification of SHGs Finalization of configuration of SMU Scoping study for setting up of SMU Need assessment for high value, high income generating activities Training and capacity building Setting up of SMU Performance assessment through remote monitoring system Findings and way forward Developing innovative technology packages through continuous technology customization and up-gradation Testing and assessing the performance of the these packages Piloting the technology packages 2
Case study 5kWp SMU at village Dakshin Dimoria in Assam, India Institutional model 3
Roles of the various entities TERI Local Implementation Partner (NGO) Overall coordination, facilitation and monitoring Promote the concept of SMU and creating linkages with other developmental program Performance assessment, technology upgradation and customization Training and capacity building of the energy service providers and beneficiaries Promote efficient use of electricity through the concept of SMU Facilitate smooth operation and maintenance of the SMU Market development for product/services provided by SMU Create sense of ownership amongst community Explore newer livelihood generating opportunities Self Help Groups (Energy Service Providers) Operation and maintenance of the SMU Provide and promote the energy services through the SMU in lieu of a fee Record keeping Scoping and demand assessment S.No. Possible livelihood generation activities Months of operation Load requirement (W) & type of load Daily hours of operation Willingness to pay (INR) 1 Honey extractor Oct-Feb, Feb-June 2 Water purifier Across the year 3 Battery charging Across the year 4 Bamboo splitter or Grinding (Turmeric/Black pepper/red chilly) Across the year 5 Solar lantern Across the year 200 W (DC) 5 Rs 2-3 / comb 100 W (AC) 5 Rs 0.25-0.50 / litre DC Whole day Rs 8/ charging 2 HP (AC) 4 Rs.5 per kg 30 W DC 4-5 Rs 2-3 / lantern 4
Overall structure of the SMU Remote Monitoring System DC Loads Charge Controller SPV (Source) PCU AC Loads Battery Bank Solar Lanterns Honey extracting Water purifier Bamboo splitting Turmeric grinder Battery charger 5
Remote Monitoring system The Remote Monitoring System consists of (i) sensors to measure and monitor various parameter, (ii) control and communication module to collect and analyze data from sensors and (iii) a central application server to collect, store and transfer data over wireless Internet (web over GPRS). Parameters of solar array, battery, appliances, monitored through Remote Monitoring System Voltage Current Power Energy Frequency After-sales services, Training and Capacity Building Technology partner s regular and on-call repair, maintenance and replacement services during warranty period Strengthening technical capabilities at grassroots level (SHGs and local people) for effective operation; dos and don ts Technical training programs for local institutions on assembling, operation and maintenance of the SMU 6
Way forward - Scaling up 12 sites across four states in India (Assam, Rajasthan, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh) Various climatic conditions Various livelihood generation activities and requirements Around 3 technology packages to be explored for optimal design (even beyond solar in some cases) for deployed in these 12 sites The socio-technical cycle approach towards effective deployment and sustainability of SMU 7
Smart Minigrid A Step towards future grid What is Smart Grid? Electricity delivery network modernized using latest digital/information technologies to meet key defining functions* Enabling active participation by consumers Enabling new products, services, and markets Optimizing assets and operating efficiently Access to quality power The evolution of a smart grid will be one of continuous improvement. * Identified through the NETL Modern Grid Strategy Team efforts 8
What is Smart Minigrid? Minigrid Grid involving one or more types of renewable energy sources Operating Voltage level below 11kV Islanded operation to power off-grid remote area Smart Minigrid Optimization of resources and intelligent demand management using state of art digital technology Decentralized control makes the system efficient and modular What is Smart Minigrid? Solar PV Bi-directional Digital Control Wind Gen DC-DC Converter AC-AC Converter DC-AC Converter Intelligent Dispatch Controller Battery Load 9
Why Smart Grid/Minigrid? Need of Smart Grid/Minigrid Depleting resources and increasing deficit Existing grids are aging and outdated Unreliability is costing consumers billions Expansion of existing grid causes huge transmission loss Smart Grid/Minigrid Values Reliable Secure Efficient Environment friendly Smart Minigrid at TERI Gram A project to develop & deploy Smart Minigrid in AP6 Countries Project Partners Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) Smart mini-grid in RETREAT,TERI Gram, India Smart mini-grid in CSIRO, Australia Smart mini-grid in SEC, India 10
Smart Minigrid at TERI Gram Solar PV (10.5+1+2kW) Charge Controller Battery (48V, 600Ah) Converter Intelligent Load Dispatch Biomass (100kW) Generator DAS Wind (3.2kW) Converter Digital Interface Load Diesel (250+160+100kVA) Smart Minigrid at TERI Gram Load & Resource profiling and Categorization REMOTE LOAD CONTROL 11
Smart Minigrid- its benefits Electricity access to remote and economically backward areas Peak load management using DG Resource and load forecasting Resource management for efficient operation Demand management, maintaining voltage profile Exchange of information with dispatch centre to assist integration of other renewable energy sources Integration with national grid, to reduce the deficit Relevance with respect to OASYS project Optimization of whole system for developing tech-economical business model Integration of community needs by employing situation/application driven approach 12
THANK YOU 13