Robben Island, South Africa, has a geography so daunting that for centuries it housed a notorious sun-baked, windswept prison. It is the place where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years during his arduous but ultimately successful struggle to end apartheid. The island, where that prison now serves as a liv Contact online >>
Robben Island, South Africa, has a geography so daunting that for centuries it housed a notorious sun-baked, windswept prison. It is the place where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years during his arduous but ultimately successful struggle to end apartheid. The island, where that prison now serves as a living museum, has just become an exemplar of the clean-energy future.
To power Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that receives up to 2,000 ferry-riding visitors a day and is home to more than 100 tour guides and staff who operate the museum, South Africa''s Department of Tourism has just installed a new solar-powered microgrid built with advanced technologies from ABB.
Essentially a small-scale electric grid, the microgrid will enable Robben Island to drastically reduce use of the fuel-guzzling, carbon-polluting diesel generators that previously were the island''s only source of power. ABB, which has installed more than three-dozen microgrids in various settings, sees the technology as adaptable to islands elsewhere around the world – or anywhere that a remote or geographically discrete population shares the need for clean, sustainable, stable energy separate from a big public-utility grid.
Residents see it as yet another way that Robben Island can help inspire the world through vision and example. "Robben Island should always be a beacon of hope for everyone," said Vusumzi Mcongo, who was arrested at age 24 and held as a political prisoner on the island for years. Now, at age 63, he is one of the tour guides. "I am positive that the future looks brighter."
The microgrid depends on extensive digital capabilities to achieve optimal efficiency. An ABB AbilityTM remote monitoring capability enables the system to be monitored and operated from Cape Town, 9 kilometers away across waters with treacherous currents. The remote set-up also eliminates the need to maintain a workforce on the island, whose volatile weather can sometimes impede travel to and from the mainland.
Robben Island, which also has a working harbor and lighthouse, has the overall energy requirements of a small village – equivalent to the needs of about 130 households. Before the microgrid was powered up, the island''s sole reliance on diesel generators required burning around 600,000 liters of fuel annually, at great cost and creating considerable pollution. By enabling the island to run on solar power for at least nine months of the year, and using diesel only as a backup, the microgrid is expected to lower fuel costs and carbon emissions by 75 percent.
"Microgrids are a key element of the grids of the future," said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB''s Power Grids division. "What we are implementing as a technology at Robben Island is definitely one of the benchmarks of how we can support to enable stronger, smarter and greener grids."
The Robben Island microgrid captures solar power from an array of photovoltaic panels on the southeast side of the island that cover an area the size of a football field and have a peak capacity of 667 kilowatts. 12 solar inverters convert the variable direct current (DC) output from the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) needed to provide electrical power to the island. The microgrid can run on solar power through the day, bolstered by a battery bank that can provide power for approximately seven hours after the sun goes down.
An additional benefit of the wireless network is that it there was no need for cable trenches, helping protect the local habitat. Robben Island is included in the South African natural heritage program and is home to more than 20,000 African penguins, herds of springbok, South Africa''s national mascot, as well as a bird sanctuary.
"I have a passion for this place," said Mr. Mcongo, the tour guide, who values preservation of both the natural and the historical significance of Robben Island. "I can learn from the past, because the past has made me what I am today."
The system, situated on the World Heritage Site, consists of a solar PV farm, combined with a lithium-ion battery storage facility and smart controllers to ensure a seamless electricity supply, whilst significantly reducing the island''s fossil fuel consumption.
Robben Island has an energy usage profile that comprises residential needs, desalination, harbour and offices; in total, the island uses almost 2M kWh of electricity annually. Commissioned by the Department of Tourism, the solar PV project will produce almost 1M kWh of electricity annually, significantly reducing costs of buying diesel and transporting it to the island. The island is also embarking on a drive to reduce its own electrical consumption.
The microgrid consists of three power production elements. The solar PV farm consists of 1960 mono-crystalline modules with a total of 666.4 kW power supply. The battery bank, consisting of 2420 lithium-ion battery cells, is able to store 837 kWh and output a maximum of 500 kVA. The third power production element is the diesel generators, which are used when no solar or battery storage is available. Multiple controllers between these power production elements balances the power supply and creates a smart microgrid, ensuring a seamless supply of power.
The island is a world heritage site and a very sensitive area to carry out construction. Environmental and historical considerations meant that the site for the PV farm was carefully chosen. SOLA staff had to also be sent for training to handle penguins, snakes and wildlife as well as archaeological artifacts that might be discovered underground.
SOLA Future Energy believes that Africa''s future relies on affordable, clean, reliable and accessible energy. Besides financial savings, Robben Island''s transformation is symbolic: it shows that an affordable and clean energy future is possible for off grid communities. SOLA was awarded the contract by the DoT and has carried out the design and construction over the past year.
Zurich, Switzerland, November 2, 2017 – Microgrid and wireless technologies will integrate renewable solar energy and reduce the use of fossil fuels to power World Heritage Site in South Africa
Bringing a modern, sustainable technology solution to a historically significant site, ABB has provided a microgrid system to integrate solar energy and supply power to Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison during the apartheid era. Now a living museum and World Heritage Site, Robben Island lies 9 kilometers off the coast of Cape Town and previously relied on fuel-thirsty, carbon-emitting diesel generators as the only source of electric power.
Essentially a small-scale electric grid, the new microgrid will substantially lower fuel costs and carbon emissions, enabling the island to run on solar power for at least nine months of the year. The microgrid project is part of a sustainable tourism initiative funded by the Department of Tourism in South Africa and was executed for SOLA Future Energy, an engineering, procurement and contracting company.
ABB is a pioneer in microgrids, which because of their size and power are ideal for remote locations like islands, which cannot easily be connected to the main power grid. That is particularly the case with Robben Island, which served as a prison for nearly 400 years because the strong currents around the 4.8 square km island made escape almost impossible.
Robben Island became a symbol of non-violent anti-apartheid resistance during and after the imprisonment of Mr. Mandela, who after his release became president in 1994 and led South Africa through the early years of its transition. The Robben Island Museum, which opened in 1997, is today one of South Africa''s most popular tourist sites. It receives more than 300,000 visitors a year, who come to the island by ferry and are led on guided tours by former political prisoners.
With about 100 museum staff living on the island, which also has a working lighthouse and busy harbor, Robben Island has the electricity requirements of a small village. The microgrid will capture solar energy from a 667-kilowatt peak photovoltaic field – equivalent to the average power needed for about 130 homes – that has been installed on the island.
The system is equipped with ABB solar inverters that convert the variable direct current (DC) output from the solar panels into the alternating current (AC) required for electric utilities. As the main energy source, the microgrid will reduce carbon emissions and the fuel demands of the diesel generators, which previously required around 600,000 liters of fuel a year but now will serve primarily as a back-up.
Madrid, November 26, 2024 – SEAPLACE successfully organized a specialized Industry Day focused on Service Operation Vessels (SOV) and Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOV) at INTA-CEHIPAR facilities in El Pardo, Madrid. The event brought together 70 professionals from the offshore wind sector, coinciding with World Sustainable Transport Day, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and… Read more »
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has today announced the appointment of Steve Foxley to be its new Chief Executive, following an extensive recruitment process led by its Board. He will take up the post in early 2025. Steve is currently the CEO of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield, part of the… Read more »
About South africa island microgrids
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in South africa island microgrids have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient South africa island microgrids for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various South africa island microgrids featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
