PHOTOVOLTAICS I RURAL


The challenges of controlling energy demand


Some of the major challenges of a rural electrification project using renewables are related to the users’ understanding of what is involved in the technology, its service, operation and maintenance.


Generally speaking, concepts such as the sustainable and rational use of solar and the implications of the different charging level of the batteries are not easy to be understood, making it a challenge to introduce them in the end-users’ daily habits.


To address this, the concept of Energy Daily Allowance (EDA) was introduced in the Monte Trigo project.


In the project, EDA makes the demand control more intelligent and flexible and introducing communications between the power plant’s supervisory control and the individual electricity dispensers/meters of each user in the micro grid. The EDA must identify the requirements for user acceptance. It is used as a key design value and it is fundamental from a social point of view because it responds to users’ needs more accurately and guides them through the management of energy use and energy budget.


Furthermore from a technological stance, it enables components like batteries and inverters to operate within their specified range.


The energy service The Monte Trigo project’s service was set-up using a mixed private/public-utility concept, in which CMPN and APP will be directly responsible for the service management and O&M of the facility.


Tariff collection is based on fixed monthly rates related to the EDA and it has been established within the population’s capacity to pay. This will not only sustain operation and maintenance, but will also partially payback the capital costs.


An example of the adopted tariff options in Monte Trigo is reported in the table 1:


The operation and maintenance activities are organised in order to involve local users and village habitants and are structured on


Energy demand type Energy Daily Power limit [kW] Allowance [Wh]


Very Low Low


Medium High


Very High 825


1100 1650 2200 3300


0,55 0,55 1,1 1,1


1,65 Table 1. Example of tariff options for Monte Trigo. A moment of the training of local O&M personnel (Photo: TTA)


a three level concept: final users; fist-level O&M up keeper user; and second-level O&M technicians.


The first level includes the users themselves, as they are the first component of a successful and durable service. The objective is not only to support them in maintaining their home installation, but make their behaviour and habits in electricity consumption more efficient.


The second level includes a team of trained users, responsible for the basic daily operation, maintenance and, in case of specific alarm and issues, reporting.


Finally, the operator’s technical personnel are the focal point for problem-solving, ensuring substitution when end-of-life is reached, as well as for specific maintenance and overall activities.


To ensure the successful implementation of this approach, training and capacity building sessions where performed previous and during commissioning activities in all three levels. They included theory and practical demonstrations to the O&M responsible users as well as to the project developers (APP, CMPN) personnel.


In the same way, the final users where trained to understand the dispenser/meter operation and to follow good habits typical of a PV generation-based electricity service. Practical demonstration where performed, directly involving the users. They responded in an contagiously enthusiastic way.


Monte Trigans were surprisingly well prepared to accept the basic concept introduced to them and in very few days they started to efficiently manage their energy allowance.


Strong partnerships


As with any successful rural electrification project, Monte Trigo involved many partners in different parts of the globe working together. In isolated communities such as this one, the quality of the different elements of the system gains a new importance, so involving the right (and experienced) companies is essential.


Issue II 2012 I www.solar-international.net 17


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