Top 5 Hybrid Energy News (Solar- and Wind-Diesel-Hybrid + Microgrids) – Jul/Aug 2016

The Jul/Aug edition of our “Top 5 Hybrid Energy News” features CleanSpark, Webcor, Sungevity, SADAFCO, National Solar Systems, First Solar, Aquion Energy, SolarAfrica, Minnesota National Guard, Minnesota Power, Senvion and EDL. It is interesting to see that microgrids enter new market niches such as a golf course, the military, the food industry. Increasing the renewable energy penetration by combining different sources such as wind and solar or adding storage is a continuing trend.

Top 1
CleanSpark, Webcor & Sungevity complete a microgrid powered by an 832 kW solar PV array at a golf course
Cleanspark, LLC, Webcor and Sungevity Inc. have announced the completion of phase I of the commercial micro-grid. The 832kW PV system located at the Ram’s Hill Golf Course in Borrego Springs is expected to save approximately USD300,000 per year with an eight-year return on investment from the project.

Top 2
SADAFCO launches solar-diesel hybrid plant with 226kWp PV
We see more microgrids coming up in the Middle East. Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (Sadafco) announced an investment of SR2 million in a solar power project at the company’s state-of-the-art Regional Distribution Centre in Sulay, Riyadh. It will be done by National Solar Systems (NSS)/First Solar. 

Top 3
Aquion Energy and SolarAfrica install PV plus storage system at wildlife conservancy in Kenya
The new plant will offset the conservancy’s diesel use by 95%. There are two independent systems, which were funded, designed, installed, and integrated by SolarAfrica, each with 106kWh of batteries supplied by Aquion Energy and a 37 kW solar array. 

Top 4
Minnesota National Guard completing microgrid with 10 MWp PV
Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota Power are nearing completion on a major solar energy plant that will power a grid-connected microgrid at Camp Ripley, the largest military base in the state. The project including a 10-MWp utility-scale solar plant is reportedly the largest solar energy installation on any National Guard base in the nation. The project is expected to cost about USD25 million. It shows that microgrids are especially interesting for applications having high security of electricity supply requirements. Minnesota Power will install reciprocating engines – either diesel or natural gas. They will provide capacity and peaking energy and ensure emergency generation to Camp Ripley.

Top 5
Senvion delivers two 2MW wind turbines for off-grid microgrid in Australia
The project will use a combination of 4MW wind, 1MW solar and 0.5MWh battery storage to help the remote town of Coober Pedy reduce its dependence on diesel fuel. The system will be integrated with an existing EDL diesel power station. The project has received AUD18.4 million (USD13.7 million) in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena).

For more information about the Top 5 news with sources, please have as well a look at
http://www.th-energy.net/2016/06/03/top-5-hybrid-energy-news-solar-and-wind-diesel-hybrid-microgrids-may-2016-by-thenergy/