Battery Charging Systems (BCS)

Many remote villages or farms in non-developed countries are not yet connected to the grid due to the high costs and the complex technology of village electrification. Kerosene, candles and dry-cell batteries remain central for home lighting and basic entertainment services in most of these areas – despite their well-known negative features (indoor pollution, fire hazards, emission of GHG, high costs etc.).

Therefore, so-called pre-electrification schemes using rechargeable batteries to cover the basic demand for lighting and radio/TV operation can be an interesting alternative. Besides avoiding the abovementioned negative features, BCS installed at central points in rural areas have the potential to considerably reduce the time and expenses required for travelling as villagers presently often carry their batteries a long way to the next town to charge them. Already the small amount of energy that BCS provide can disproportionately improve the standard of living for the poorest. Hence, there seems to be a substantial market for a convenient and clean battery-charging system.

BCS can either be fed from electricity generated by renewable energy technologies (RETs) such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass etc. or by conventional fossil fuels (grid, diesel). In remote areas, however, the potential of RETs is high due to their economic competitiveness. Besides that, the major advantage of RETs is their independence from lines which brings BCS much closer to the customer.