Bai K. Blyden

Modified microgrid concept for rural electrification in Africa

With the population of 13.4% of the world and a land area of 15%, Africa has only 2% of the worlds industrial capacity. Its per capita income is only 15% of the world average and only consumes 3% of world energy. Many sub-Saharan and sub-Equatorial African countries are poor and have limited electricity infrastructures. A survey of energy resources conducted by the World Energy Council (WEC) in 2004 shows that Africa has more than enough to satisfy all its energy requirements. These include 7.1% of the worlds known oil reserves, 7.5% of the gas, 10.6% of the coal and 13% of the hydro. Due to the high cost for the construction of UHV/EHV transmission lines, there are needs to develop a balanced distributed generation strategy which takes into account future integration with small, midsize and large regional projects. This paper recommends a bottom up approach through an evaluation of autonomous or non-autonomous modified microgrids concept to provide electricity to local residents and which serve as basic building blocks for future system expansion. Issues regarding to the control associated with the integration of micro grids to larger systems are addressed

A micro hydro power generation system for sustainable microgrid development in rural electrification of Africa

This paper examines the feasibility of applying a micro hydro power generation system as one of the enabling technologies that previously submitted for a balanced distributed generation strategy through a modified Microgrid as part of the various regional energy programs underway in Africa. In addition, this paper also points to R&D advancements in various technologies focused on energy sustainability. Our evaluation suggests that micro hydro power generation systems integrated even at Microgrid powered levels have potential to provide an efficiency of service to rural communities. Since they will be able to provide voltage and frequency control, this development will serve as primary building blocks for future system expansion. Issues regarding the potential resources for hybrid distributed generation and reliability of power supply are addressed.

Holistic approach for grid interconnection in Africa

This paper seeks to highlight and make recommendations to optimization planning of the African power pool initiatives. The increasing focus on regional power pool development suggests that a very focused strategy be effected for the planning and optimized operations of these systems. With a population of 13.4% of the world and a land area of 15%, Africa has only 2% of the worlds industrial capacity. Its per capital income is only 15% of the world average and only consumes 3% of world energy. Many sub-Saharan and sub-equatorial African countries are poor and have limited electricity infrastructures. A survey of energy resources conducted by the World Energy Council (WEC) in 2004 shows that Africa has more than enough to satisfy all its energy requirements. These include 7.1% of the worlds known oil reserves, 7.5% of those for gas, 10.6% of the coal and 13% of the hydro. The large potential for growth in this sector where the majority of people are still dependent on fuel wood for their energy requirements requires a balanced distributed generation strategy which takes into account future integration with small, midsize and large regional projects. This paper goes on to recommend a top down and bottom up (holistic approach) to regional cooperation and integration being contemplated by the various African power pools. A Primary focus is paid to the bottom-up approach through an evaluation of autonomous or non-autonomous microgrids used to provide electricity to local residents and which serve as basic building blocks for future system expansion. Issues such as system reliability, security, stability and controls associated with the transition and integration of micro grids to larger systems are addressed. Requirements for upgrading the power delivery infrastructure, promoting cross country interconnection, installing FACTS devices, updating SCADA/EMS system, enforcing system security requirements and data exchange capability are evaluated for the various power pools

An assessment of microgrid based integratable technologies as a strategic dynamic for accelerated and sustainable economic growth

This paper seeks to further proposals previously submitted for a balanced distributed generation strategy through modified microgrids as part of the various regional energy programs underway in Africa. This paper also points to R&D advancements in various technologies focused on energy sustainability. Our evaluation suggests that many of these technologies integrated even at microgrid powered levels can provide an efficiency of service beyond rural communities to include large urban centers. This paper will attempt to show that these integrated systems can serve as the drivers for efficient municipal town planning systems, resource management and growth catalysts. Advanced refrigeration systems using low grade heat as well as advanced technologies such as plasma gasification through a miniaturization process have shown can be supported by small DG systems. The advantages for municipal solid waste management, fuel production conversion from any carbon based feedstock and ecological remediation help establish new paradigms for conservation, municipal planning and development particularly in emerging economies. Several models based on previous publications around the development of modified micro grids are discussed to illustrate possibilities. This development will serve as primary building blocks for future system expansion. Issues regarding the potential resources for hybrid distributed generation and reliability of power supply are addressed.

Evaluating Autonomous Systems with Hybrid Generation Facilities in support of Fishing Villages

The availability of affordable and reliable energy is one of the most crucial requirements for economic development and modernization of developing countries. This is particularly important in Africa. With a population of 13.4% of the world and a land area of 15%, Africa has only 2% of the worlds industrial capacity. Its per capita income is only 15% of the world average and only consumes 3% of world energy. Today, less than 15% of Africas population has access to electricity and where much of the available supply is unreliable. In addition to regional cooperation and integration through energy pooling and cross-border energy trading, a balanced distributed generation strategy through modified microgrids has been proposed in the previous discussion. This paper serves as continuation of a distributed microgrid application specific to small towns and villages fishing processing potential. This development will serve as primary building blocks for future system expansion. Issues regarding the potential resources for hybrid distributed generation and reliability of power supply are addressed.

A platform for information dissemination of MicroGrid technologies

This paper seeks to further proposals previously submitted for a balanced Distributed Generation strategy through modified MicroGrids as part of the various regional energy programs underway in Africa. Developing a sense of ownership at the local community level in a strategic collaboration with the university body and technical schools is the key for the success of projects. In addition to the technology development, this paper also points to the importance of the mutual learning platform for information dissemination of development across economic sectors driven by MicroGrid technologies. This platform will offer R&D advancements in various other technologies focused on energy sustainability. Our evaluation suggests that many of these technologies integrated even at MicroGrid powered levels such as a patent pending solar thermal/Fischer Tropsh system which can provide an efficiency of service beyond rural communities to include large urban centers. This paper will attempt to show that the proposed platform can serve as the drivers for efficient municipal town planning systems, resource management and as human resource growth catalyst. Several models based on previous publications around the development of modified micro grids are discussed to illustrate additional possibilities. These platforms are envisioned as primary building blocks for future system expansion.

Africa---Integrated Gas and Electricity Transmission Planning in Power Generation and Energy Development Benefits, and Developments in HVDC Engineering Technology in Harnessing Large-Scale Hydroelectric Sites for Interconnected Regional Power Systems

This Panel Session will discuss integrated gas and electricity transmission planning in power generation and energy development with their benefits, and developments in HVDC Engineering Technology in harnessing large-scale hydroelectric sites for interconnected regional power systems. This years panel session, as with previous sessions, focuses on integrated gas and electricity planning, the present status and future prospect of electricity infrastructure from the viewpoint of generation and transmission development, policies and lessons from global deregulation advances in global research, and development (R&D) and strategies to influence Africa’s integration into the Global transition to knowledge-based economies. Panel presentations will focus on regional power pool examination as an economic development paradigm by emphasizing the systems effects that lead to improving economical, ecological and technological efficiencies by the joint operation of power systems. The examination of these models remains core to the strategies presented under these panel sessions because of the focus they can provide to influence wider institutional integration and in particular academia where core mathematical and technical skill sets a knowledge-based economy are developed. Active projects such as the Westcor project representing an initial phase of the large regional South African Power Pool will showcase new milestones in HVDC technology used to harness the large hydro potential contributing to the pool. Presentations from CIGRE’s activities in Northern Africa and the West African Power Pool’s central high voltage transmission trunk development by the World Bank will also be made.

Leveraging the Power Africa initiative-perspectives

This article consists of a collection of slides from the authors conference presentation. The author recommends exploring the development of the knowledge engine among US and Africa policy makers to support and enhance the POWER AFRICA Initiative.

Impact of globalization of the natural gas market on natural gas prices in power generation and energy development

The development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure that allows natural gas to be exported from gas producing regions to gas consuming regions is transforming previously regional gas markets into a global market. The panel will address the impacts of this globalization on the power generation industry that has been increasingly turning to natural gas fueled plants. Panelists from major gas producing and gas consuming regions will discuss topics such as supply, demand, infrastructure, price impacts and the possible responses of the power industry.

African and Middle East Energy Development and Power Generation ---Status of Renewable Energy Projects, Sustainability of Infrastructure, Large and Small-Scale Developments, and Joint Venture and Cross-Border Projects

This paper focuses on the present status and future prospect of electricity infrastructure from the viewpoint of generation and transmission development, global deregulation trends and policies, advances in global research and development and strategies to influence the integration into the global transition to knowledge based economies in Africa. The panel will therefore evaluate and update models and policies that are near term, mid term and long term. Interconnection of electric power systems of regions, states and individual territories is acquiring a growing scale of importance in world practice.