In mid-2021 AEG Power Solutions, a global provider of power supply systems and solutions for demanding applications, successfully commissioned its Convert SC Flex storage converter with 1 MW capacity as part of the micro-grid that serves the Rembrandt Mall in Paarl, South Africa.
The micro-grid system combines solar PV panels, battery energy storage and storage converters.
The micro-grid system combines solar panels and 0.9 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage, plus the storage converter and enables the mall to operate independently from the local municipal power grid during the day.
As South Africa’s power supply faces frequent outages – especially during peak demand periods – the need for alternative supply sources is growing. Increasing electricity prices per kWh, varying between peak/off-peak and low usage times also raise the need for more efficient energy management. The new system installed at the Rembrandt Mall has the added advantage of enabling peak shaving, helping to manage electricity supply prices to a minimum.
The micro-grid system was developed with Solar Plexus Africa, a leading micro-grid system supplier providing electricity generation and storage solutions for industrial and commercial customers across Africa. The system provides advanced hybrid UPS (uninterruptible power supply) capabilities. One storage converter is connected to the power grid and charges the batteries during the night, at low electricity prices. During the day, the system switches to off-grid mode powering the shopping mall via the connected solar panels. The second converter forms the local micro-grid and works as a UPS with addition backup via a genset to cover the rainy winter season.
Currently the system incorporates eleven 82 kWh batteries, planned to be extended to 1.2 MWh battery capacity in total.
Dawie Joubert, owner of the shopping mall said, “The decision to use lithium-ion batteries was based on their durability of 6 000 charging cycles, which leads to a battery lifespan of about 15 years in the current setup. And a key advantage of AEG Power Solutions’ storage converter is its grid-friendly integration with low harmonics, which is a significant factor for electricity grids with low stability.”
The system has been running fully since July 2021 and has an expected amortisation period of four to five years.
For more information visit: www.aegps.com
