Energy Sources for Maintaining Battery Charging Systems (BCS)

Overview - Costs

Grid Electricity

Grid electricity is probably the cheapest of all available energy sources on a per-unit basis. In remote areas, however, the cost of connection may considerably exceed the cost of meeting local needs through systems based on renewable energy technologies (RET).

Hydro Power

Using available hydro power potential to charge batteries seems to be a possibility to supply energy at lowest costs in remote areas.

-> For a brief overview please go here.

This solution, however, is only applicable under restricted local conditions (i. e. existence of hydro power potential).

-> For detailed information please go to: MHP battery charging station - part 1, part 2, part 3.

Photovoltaics

Battery Charging Stations Solar battery charging is a convenient possibility to charge batteries direct in the house of the consumer or to charge batteries at a central location in a village or community. PV panels come in all sizes implyingany system can be properly dimensioned. Apart from cleaning in order to ensure maximum cvapacity is available, PV panels hardly require any maintenance.Production costs have gone down considerably over the last years and at presentPV panels can be bought arount € 1 / Wp

For detailed information about Solar Battery Charging Stations in Mali please go here.

Wind Energy

If hydro power is not available, wind energy can be cheaper than using solar or diesel generators, particularly if the fuel supply is far from the user. However, a steady wind regime is required.

Hybrid Systems

Hybrid systems of different of the abovementioned energy sources for electricity generation in BCS are equally possible and might be a good solution for places where no steady wind regime or water flow can be garantueed.