Global wind energy developer, Gamesa, is testing its new off-grid system that combines traditional gensets with wind, solar and storage. The hybrid prototype is reported to benefit off-grid communities and remote mining operations the most.
Gamesa estimates that traditional off-grid diesel costs will be slashed by 40% once the new system is introduced. The prototype began running tests in early November and according to initial results, the 2+ MW project can reach energy generation rates of up to 90% on sunny and windy days.
#Gamesa finalises development of its offgrid system with the start-up of a storage battery at the prototype https://t.co/63EbGqKOjG pic.twitter.com/IobB7CkhKx
— Siemens Gamesa (@SiemensGamesa) November 4, 2016
The system comprises an 850 kW G52 turbine, 245 kW of PV, three 222 kW diesel gensets and a 429 kW/500-kWh lithium-ion battery.
“This off-grid prototype is the first to market to enable the ad-hoc combination of each of the technologies installed depending on specific project requirements, with the ultimate goal of generating off-grid power that minimizes diesel consumption,” Gamesa wrote in its press release.
The battery storage is the latest addition to the system. “The start-up of the lithium battery is an important step in the development of Gamesa’s off-grid proposition. The production of power by combining these four sources will bring down the cost of electricity in remote locations without grid access, as well as generating cleaner energy,” said David Mesonero, Gamesa’s Managing Director of Corporate Development.
Gamesa began expanding its business to include hybrid systems in light of its latest forecast, which projects global demand for off-grid renewable energy systems to jump to 1.2 GW in 2020.
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