Our Hypothesis
Flexible use of electricity: a tool to guarantee energy access
Energy flexibility is the capability of the electrical system to adjust supply and demand to generate a reliable grid and a secure supply. In regions mainly equipped with decentralized renewable options, guaranteeing reliability and security is a major problem to be solved in the electrical industry. Since a causing factor for the low uptake in SSA is the regressive connection charges, flexibility can reduce the system costs and the consumer prices by achieving an efficient grid, amplifying affordability and, thus, creating a pathway to universal energy access.
The key to flexibility is real-time awareness and fast control of the grid to address issues accordingly. Space can be the perfect tool to monitor the current situation, providing a big picture that would be hard to get on the ground since the information provided directly by the grids is scarce and non-treatable on a large scale due to decentralization in SSA. The processing of this data and the distribution of the commands to the grid may also be easier via satellites rather than an on-ground station not only due to faster emission signals but also because it avoids disturbances that may happen in a conflicted region with an unstable economy (20 countries in SSA had active armed conflicts in 2020 according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute).
Space: a powerful source to achieve energy flexibility
Our Solution
To then solve the lack of energy access in SSA and based on the upward hypothesis, we propose the use of weather data inputted into a program onboard a satellite telecommunication payload to manage renewable energy production and storage in a grid system. This solution will be tested for viability with a small-scale pilot and implemented with a financing plan for widespread “scaling up” across the entire SSA and possibly other regions.
Input Data and Program
The program will make use of open source weather forecast data to manage the distribution of varying electricity outputs to essential and non-essential loads.
Renewable Storage
To guarantee the flexibility, renewability, and environmental sustainability of our approach, we opted for using renewable means to store excess energy from renewable sources when production is high and then distribute it in peak shaving periods. We selected Thermal Energy Storage System and Flow Battery Energy Storage (Sodium-sulphur, Polysulphide‐bromide, and Zinc‐bromine) as potential green storage alternatives, considering their low construction and storage cost, technical advantages, and applicability to our initial target areas (small remote communities).
Microgrid Model
A simple microgrid model was drafted showing the integration of renewable energy and the clustering of loads into essential and non-essential per household.
Small-Scale Pilot
To test our solution, we present a small-scale pilot developed in the village of Bambouti, Garga Sarali, Cameroon. Compared to the overall technical solution, it differs by focusing only on one renewable energy source – solar power, working with a microgrid, and using the battery storage already available in the village. The intention of the pilot is to test the program in a more simple system without investing in many new devices before proving the program's viability.
SCADA System
A SCADA system is proposed to receive and implement commands to balance storage/use and also capture the power outages data on the ground.
Financing & Scaling-up Plan
By proving the feasibility of our proposed solution with the pilot, we can attract stakeholders for further implementation in the entire SSA according to our Scaling Up Plan as well as public-private partnership that enables an environment where financing is needed from all interested stakeholders. Our strategy is to first, advertise our project, which reinforces its significance, and impact as well as launch innovative ways of financing. This will not only benefit raising awareness about the issue but also increase opportunities for our project to be discovered by interested stakeholders. We plan to submit it to various funding organizations and institutions. With these necessary resources, besides investing in technical devices and experts, a key step is to establish a revolving fund for locally-run committees. This will manage and ensure the further spreading of positive impact in their villages/communities particularly for local women entrepreneurs, creating self-sustainable systems. Finally, we’d like to further implement our project to the entire SSA and potentially other regions with the support of the African Union.