● Background:
In Guyana’s gold mining region, conventional diesel generators have been the primary source of power for many years. However, the area faces several challenges, including high electricity costs, limited infrastructure, and growing environmental concerns. To address these issues and promote sustainable mining practices, the PV+ESS+diesel solution offered by POWEROAD was launched. The goal of this project is to provide a cleaner, more reliable energy solution that aligns with the region’s vision for low-carbon, eco-friendly development.
● Challenges:
Considering that Guyana’s rainy season is frequent and the local humidity can be as high as 100%, the battery equipment faucet must be placed on a foundation 2 meters higher than usual, which poses a huge challenge to on-site installation.
● Solutions:
POWEROAD addressed these challenges with a tailored microgrid solution that integrates solar power generation and diesel generators with an energy storage system (ESS). The key elements of the solution include:
- Solar + ESS Integration: Abatch of1.26MW/2.15MWh FLEX 215 Air Cooling Outdoor Cabinet ESS maximizes solar energy use while reducing reliance on diesel power.
- Hybrid Power Supply: The microgrid intelligently switches between solar and diesel power, ensuring a continuous and reliable energy supply even in periods of low solar generation.
- Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly: By prioritizing solar self-consumption, the system significantly reduces fuel costs, operational expenses, and carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable mining operation.
● Highlights:
- Environmental Adaptability: Guyana is near the equator and has a tropical rainforest climate. During the rainy season, relative humidity can reach 100%, with an annual average of about 90%. Given the high humidity, the energy storage system is deployed on a base elevated 2 meters above the ground, with a cabinet protection level of IP55, and heaters are used to reduce internal relative humidity.
- Energy Independence: The hybrid microgrid system provides a high degree of energy self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on traditional fuel-based power.
- Diesel Reduction: Optimizing solar energy use allows for significant diesel consumption reductions, cutting both operational costs and environmental impact.
● Project Values:
- Economic Savings: By reducing fuel and maintenance costs, the solution enhances profitability for mining operations.
- Environmental Sustainability: Replacing a significant portion of diesel consumption with solar energy promotes eco-friendly practices and reduces carbon emissions.
- Enhanced Reliability: ThePV+ESS+dieselmicrogrid ensures a stable energy supply, supporting continuous and efficient mining operations, even in remote areas with limited infrastructure.
POWEROAD plays the role of ESS integrator in this project and is dedicated to providing tailored PV+ESS+diesel microgrid solutions that suit local conditions. We take into consideration the geographical characteristics of the mining area, the current state of the power grid, customer needs, and local policies. Our solution combines containerized substation, PCS, BMS, EMS and lithium-ion batteries. By maximizing energy utilization efficiency through multi-energy complementation and intelligent control, we can optimize energy usage and ensure better stability in the electricity supply. This will not only reduce the electricity costs for local mining areas but also reduce O&M costs.
The project is a step forward in aligning energy use with sustainable, low-carbon development goals, helping transform the mining region’s energy landscape.
To address these issues and promote sustainable mining practices, the PV+ESS+diesel solution offered by POWEROAD was launched. This project aims to provide a cleaner, more reliable energy solution that aligns with the region’s vision for low-carbon, eco-friendly development.
