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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Reliable energy supply is a basic prerequisite for the sustainable growth of a society. For this reason, the start-up VoltaViewAfrica is developing innovative electricity storage concepts and incubating electrification projects. The first plant has just been put into operation in the West African country of Gambia. The project was initiated by Prof. Wolfgang Schade, who heads the "Fiber Optic Sensor Systems" department at Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) in Goslar, Lower Saxony. The ultimate goal is to advance the modular power supply of rural regions in sub-Saharan Africa.
The VoltaViewAfrica concept centers on a regenerative cycle: Photovoltaics generate electricity, which is stored in mobile, portable lithium batteries that local residents can use as an individual power source. The power plant is based on a modular block building process and consists of two 10-foot container modules. One module generates electricity with a 7.5 kWp photovoltaic array, while the other is used for portable water treatment. The electricity is stored in 48-volt lithium-ion batteries and housed in sturdy, portable battery boxes with a storage capacity of 4.8 kWh. Purification of drinking water is achieved through UV-C light treatment and special filtration technology.
Following the principles of circular economy, the projects exclusively use recycled photovoltaic modules and B-grade lithium battery cells from the automotive industry. Prof. Schade is the technical director of the project. Together with the Clausthal University of Technology, researchers from the "Fiber Optic Sensor Systems" department of Fraunhofer HHI have established the basic physical and technical foundations of this project. Particularly noteworthy are the development of an innovative safety concept for the lithium batteries and sensor technology that enables fully digitized monitoring and control of the battery storage units as well as the entire power plant.
Portable battery boxes can bring electricity directly to the consumer, replacing previously required power grids and diesel generators by the easy-to-use VoltaViewAfrica Powerhouse and portable VoltaMove2Go Powerpacks. The first operational plant was formally inaugurated and handed over to residents of the fishing village Balingho in Gambia on June 21, 2023. The plant provides a self-contained integrated concept: the VoltaMove2Go battery packs will be used to power fishing boats with electricity for the first time ever in Gambia. The fish catch will be frozen in a freezer in the Powerhouse, while the villagers gain access to clean drinking water at the same time.
In addition, the Powerpacks can be taken home as portable generators. With an integrated 230 V AC household socket, they can charge cell phones, provide light in the evening hours, and operate a refrigerator for food storage. The battery packs are recharged at the Powerhouse by solar energy, making them completely emission-free. Jawo, chairman of the Balingho-based fishermen, is enthusiastic: "Thanks to the freezer, we can now store our catch for a longer period of time and thus generate a higher profit, tremendously improving our competitive position." By upgrading the fishing boats to e-mobility, the total cost of ownership can be reduced by more than 50 percent compared to the current state. In addition, it will save CO2 and keep the water, the fishermen's livelihood, free of pollution. Since the entire system is digitized, CO2 certificates can be used to co-finance investment costs. Together with the Gambian company Sub-Sahara United Vehicles Ltd., a further ten VoltaViewAfrica Powerhouse systems with a total of 50 replaceable batteries will be installed in Gambia over the next 12 months.
The powerhouses are pre-assembled in Goslar, Lower Saxony, and then exported to Gambia. In addition to operating the plants, this project focuses on the transfer of know-how between local communities in terms of operation and maintenance. In this context, Fraunhofer HHI and VoltaViewAfrica are developing a teaching program on photovoltaics, battery storage and electromobility together with the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in Banjul (Gambia), which was newly founded at the beginning of 2023. Students can acquire theoretical and - thanks to the installed system - also practical knowledge about the deployed technology. The aim is to train local experts who will be able to install, operate and maintain the systems in the future. Another goal is the development of new business models that are adapted to local needs and opportunities. Marketing of the powerhouses and training to ensure knowledge transfer and maintenance of the system are funded under the Renewable Energy Solutions Program (RES Program) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
Further information: https://www.hhi.fraunhofer.de/abteilungen/fs.html
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schade
+49 5321 3816-8410
wolfgang.schade@hhi.fraunhofer.de
https://www.hhi.fraunhofer.de/abteilungen/fs.html
https://voltaviewafrica.org/
https://africa-e-vehicles.com/
Fishermen in Gambia
© Fraunhofer HHI
VoltaViewAfrica2Go Powerpack
© Fraunhofer HHI
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Fishermen in Gambia
© Fraunhofer HHI
VoltaViewAfrica2Go Powerpack
© Fraunhofer HHI
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