Difference between revisions of "Biomass and Solar PV Hybrid Minigrids for Off-Grid Farming Communities"

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Husk Power has installed a new biomass gasification system in the Bagamoyo area of Tanzania, with a target customer base of 200 households, small businesses, and a couple of agro processing units. An order has been placed for 170kW of Solar Panels sufficient for 5 sites installation and grid tied inverters and physical structure for two sites. Husk Power’s goal is to convert this new biomass gasification site and another site at Kongwa, Tanzania, to a Hybrid mini-grid site (Solar PV + Biomass).<ref name="Powering Agriculture: http://poweringag.org/innovators/biomass-solar-pv-hybrid-minigrids-grid-farming-communities">Powering Agriculture: http://poweringag.org/innovators/biomass-solar-pv-hybrid-minigrids-grid-farming-communities</ref><br/>
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Husk Power is installing their second hybrid solar/biomass plant at a site in Mogororo, Tanzania. Five additional units will be constructed by the end of FY18 – all located in Tanzania. The systems will provide 24/7 power, with a discounted tariff for daytime usage in order to pass on the cost benefits of the lower cost of power generation from solar PV. Husk Power is working with a partner to identify sites for system installation in Nigeria. At each site, 3 professionals will be trained to operate the systems. Husk’s systems currently use SparkMeter, a product developed as spin-off of the work done by Powering Agriculture Innovator EarthSpark International during their award.<ref name="Powering Agriculture: http://poweringag.org/innovators/biomass-solar-pv-hybrid-minigrids-grid-farming-communities">Powering Agriculture: http://poweringag.org/innovators/biomass-solar-pv-hybrid-minigrids-grid-farming-communities</ref><br/>
  
 
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= Further Reading<br/> =
 
= Further Reading<br/> =

Revision as of 08:27, 19 April 2018

Overview

Innovator

Husk Power Systems

Husk Power Systems Logo.jpg

Project

Biomass and Solar PV Hybrid Minigrids for Off-Grid Farming Communities

Collaborators

Diamond Development Initiatives (Nigeria)
Technology Management Group (Ghana)

Location Applied

Ghana, Nigeria

Rural, off-grid communities in Ghana and Nigeria that rely on solar PV systems are limited in their hours of agricultural operations and access to electricity. Diesel generators and battery back-ups are expensive to operate, so operations are limited to a single shift.[1]


Clean Energy Solution

Husk Power will install a hybrid solution that combines a biomass gasification system with a solar PV system. The biomass plant uses a proprietary downdraft gasification technology that converts abundant agricultural residue into electricity. The system will power a mini-grid that produces electricity for residential, as well as agricultural, needs. The electricity is distributed to rural households and micro-enterprises through a mini-grid system—providing a better quality, cheaper way to meet their need for energy. Agricultural uses that will be powered include irrigation pumps, agro-processing mills, and drying and heating processes. The biomass plant converts abundant agricultural residue, such as maize cobs, rice husks, coffee husks, and cotton stalks, into electricity.[1]


Impact

The hybrid plant uses a combination of solar and biomass—both abundant resources in the communities selected for installation. Agricultural operations will be able to continue processing during nighttime hours, as the biomass plant will provide power when the solar PV system is not operating.[1]

Husk Crop Model © Powering Agriculture
Husk Solar Panels © Powering Agriculture

Organization

Husk Power Systems (HPS) designs, installs, and operates biomass and solar photovoltaic (PV)-based power plants. HPS has partnered with Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI) in Nigeria, and Technology Management Group (TMG) in Ghana. DDI is a not-for-profit development service provider. TMG is an electrical contracting company that provides solutions for rural and urban electrification challenges.[1]



Progress Update

Husk Power is installing their second hybrid solar/biomass plant at a site in Mogororo, Tanzania. Five additional units will be constructed by the end of FY18 – all located in Tanzania. The systems will provide 24/7 power, with a discounted tariff for daytime usage in order to pass on the cost benefits of the lower cost of power generation from solar PV. Husk Power is working with a partner to identify sites for system installation in Nigeria. At each site, 3 professionals will be trained to operate the systems. Husk’s systems currently use SparkMeter, a product developed as spin-off of the work done by Powering Agriculture Innovator EarthSpark International during their award.[1]



Further Reading


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Powering Agriculture: http://poweringag.org/innovators/biomass-solar-pv-hybrid-minigrids-grid-farming-communities
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