Biomass and Solar PV Hybrid Minigrids for Off-Grid Farming Communities
Overview
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Innovator |
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Project |
Biomass and Solar PV Hybrid Minigrids for Off-Grid Farming Communities | |
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Collaborators |
Diamond Development Initiatives (Nigeria) | |
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Location Applied |
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]
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]
Further Reading
- Powering Agriculture Portal on energypedia
- Powering Agriculture Homepage, Winners/ Innovators
- Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development
- Powering Agriculture Newsletters
- Ghana Energy Situation
- Nigeria Energy Situation
- Website Husk Power Systems
- Website Diamond Development Initiatives
- Website Technology Management Group
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Powering Agriculture: http://poweringag.org/innovators/biomass-solar-pv-hybrid-minigrids-grid-farming-communities
