Quick News about Nigeria MiniGrid Opportunities…Georgia Power Microgrid…ESS Flow Batteries
Nigeria plans to seek contractors for $350M minigrid project
The Nigerian government plans to secure competitive bids for minigrid projects that it intends to finance through $350 million it is seeking from the World Bank.
In a general procurement notice, the federal government said that it will need goods, works, related services and consulting services for its Nigeria Electrification Project.
The World Bank funds will go toward solar hybrid minigrids for economic development, stand-alone solar systems for homes and micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, an education program and technical assistance.
Those interested in participating can contact the Rural Electrification Agency (REA); Attn: Damilola Ogunbiyi, Managing Director’s Office, No. 22, Freetown Street, Wuse II 900288, Abuja Nigeria; +234 803 499 5157; 817 217 2915; [email protected]; www.rea.gov.ng
Georgia Power and Georgia Tech move ahead on microgrid
Georgia Power said yesterday that its 1.4 MW Tech Square microgrid, a project it’s building in Atlanta with Georgia Tech, will begin operating in the fall.
The Southern Company subsidiary intends to use the microgrid to gain insight into how smart energy management systems interact with the grid to optimize energy use.The microgrid also will provide teaching and learning opportunities for Georgia Tech professors and students.
“The Tech Square Microgrid project will give us a better understanding of the resiliency, sustainability and cost of microgrids to help develop emerging energy solutions to better serve our customers now and in the future,” said Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO for Georgia Power, in announcing the project Thursday. “Working with Georgia Tech gives us an opportunity to drive innovation by collaborating with one of the nation’s leading research institutions while students and faculty get a firsthand learning experience on an operating power system.”
Courtesy of Georgia Power
The microgrid will include fuel cells, battery storage, diesel generators and a natural gas generator. It is designed to accommodate additional distributed energy resources in the future, including microturbines, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers. Components will be placed on a platform and obscured from view with seven-foot-high fencing and gate access along Williams Street.
Located at Spring and 5th streets in Metro Atlanta, the project was featured in Microgrid Knowledge in August.
ESS flow batteries now have 10-year insurance coverage
Battery manufacturer ESS announced that its flow batteries are now covered by global insurance provider, Munich Re. The coverage will streamline the process of obtaining project financing, enabling ESS to ramp up deployment of its Energy Warehouse batteries for commerial and industrial and microgrid applications.
ESS described the coverage as an industry first for flow batteries.
The two-part policy provides:
- A 10-year global insurance policy on the company’s flow battery technology, which sets a cap on replacement costs of defective parts or modules for project owners
- A separate Project Cover that is available to project owners, investors and lenders to provide long-term assurance of a project’s operation should ESS experience any adverse or unforeseen circumstances.
“This policy is a game changer for both our company and our products. Customers can now deploy our flow batteries with greater confidence in securing financing, system operations, and successful performance outcomes,” said Craig Evans, ESS founder and CEO.
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