Page 10 - Energize September 2021 HR

NEWS

Cutting edge hybrid solar energy system for tea estate

lockpower has recently completed the second phase – The installation at Tanganda’s Tingamira estate includes a
and is in the process of implementing the third phase – 1,2 MW ground-mounted solar PV system which uses a 478 kWh
Bof the installation of a 4,6 MW, 3 MVA, 1440 kWh hybrid battery with an 870 kW inverter installed in a locally manufactured,
solar system in Zimbabwe. climate-controlled container”, Bohnsack adds.
The Tanganda Tea Company’s agricultural estate (TTC) “Importantly the solar array, battery storage and battery
is situated in the Chipinge district of Zimbabwe. Tanganda is inverters are modular and scalable,” he says.
the largest producer, packer and distributor of tea products Jersey estate’s installation includes a slightly larger PV array
in Zimbabwe. In addition to tea, the company also operates (1,4 MW), a 478 kWh battery and a 870 kW inverter in a similar
several estates which cultivate coffee, macadamia nuts and container. The Ratelshoek estate’s installation includes an even
avocadoes. larger 2 MW PV array, which has already been installed, with
Due to an inconsistent power supply in Zimbabwe, the balance of the configuration, similar to the other sites, to be
Blockpower was tasked to supply a full turnkey solution to implemented soon.
stabilise the delivery of power for Tanganda’s operations. These systems include both monitoring and control algorithms.
“To safeguard the long-term sustainability of the business,” This is achieved by DHYBRID’s universal power platform (UPP)
the client required a system which could offer a cost-effective, which is installed alongside an operator supervisory control
energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative and data acquisition (SCADA) system. This makes it possible
power supply”, explains Sean Crisp, the operations manager at for the customer to have greater control of power source and
Blockpower. consumption as the process is carefully monitored and remotely
“The hybrid solution we designed and presented is a accessible.
comprises a solar, battery and generator system incorporating The additional benefit of systems of this nature is the positive
a universal power platform (UPP) at its core. This has impact on the environment. It is estimated that the current
subsequently been implemented on two estates,” says Kyle installed system will save approximately 4 000 to 6 000 tonnes of
Bohnsack, BlockPower’s director. CO 2 per annum for the lifespan of the system.
Prior to this installation, the estates were supplementing “Our ground-breaking solution for TTC allows for saving a
power be means of diesel generators, often for more than substantial amount for our client, and project payback is estimated
12 hours a day. Blockpower’s solution reduces the use of to be between three and four years,” concludes Bohnsack.
diesel by ensuring that power from the solar arrays, batteries
and generators are utilised with the grid to keep the estates Contact BlockPower, Tel 010 300-0710, info@blockpower.co.za,
operational on a stable energy platform. https://blockpower.co.za

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