What is a mini-grid?
- According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, mini-grid means an integrated local generation and distribution system with an installed capacity below 1 MW, capable of serving numerous end‐users independent of the national grid.
- A mini-grid consists of an isolated electricity generation source that distributes power over a network (grid lines) to a localised group of people.
What are the components of mini-grids?
Most mini-grids have basic components namely:
1. Generation
2. Distribution
3. End User
- The generation consists of various methods of generating power. This could be done using solar PV modules, Wind turbines, Hydropower systems, Biomass, Geothermal or diesel-powered generators.
- Generation could also include a mix of two power sources either renewable or non-renewable thereby making it a hybrid system. In addition, the generation phase includes inverters and energy storage systems (batteries) amongst other necessary things.
- The distribution phase is simply about how power generated gets to the end-user through grid lines, smart meters, household wiring etc.
It is believed that a mini-grid is a cost-effective means of improving energy access to people who are not connected to the main grid.
Did you know that mini-grids can either be isolated from or interconnected with the grid?
Here are a few mini-grid projects we have developed:
