ComAp – Sustainable & resilient power for a remote island (The Grenadines)
Who, What & Where
- ComAp, VINLEC, The Rocky Mountain Institute and Amandla Engineering
- Hybrid microgrid – 100 kW BESS, PV, gen-sets
- The project is located at Mayreau Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean and was completed in May 2022
Company
ARE Member ComAp designs and delivers smart control solutions for power generation and energy management that empower the world’s transition to sustainable energy. By combining their expertise, innovative mindset and new technologies, they build highly flexible, intuitive and scalable solutions that support their customer’s power control needs anytime, anywhere.
In this project, ComAp has collaborated with:
- VINLEC, a local energy utility.
- The Rocky Mountain Institute, an NGO that transforms global energy systems.
- Amandla Engineering, a local ComAp solutions partner.
The Challenge
The island of Mayreau is a tropical paradise in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Like most Caribbean islands, electric power for the residents is produced with diesel generators, which are costly, noisy, and contribute to climate change. A hybrid microgrid is ideal for these communities, providing them with more sustainable, cost-effective power that can also significantly improve their living conditions.
The hybrid microgrid system in Mayreau was installed but didn’t operate for many years. Therefore, Rocky Mountain Institute’s Island Energy Programme engaged ComAp to get it running successfully.
Renewable Solution
A hybrid microgrid consisting of PVs, BESS and four gen-sets.
Project Financing and Costs
The pilot was funded by Rocky Mountain Institute’s Island Energy Programme.
Project Outcome
ComAp worked together with the local utility, VINLEC, and local partner, Amandla Engineering to install ComAp’s InteliSys NTC Hybrid system that effectively integrates the PV and BESS with the existing diesel generators and maximises fuel savings. The system can now maximise the contribution of solar and can even shut down all diesel gen-sets in certain conditions while BESS and PV support the load, resulting in substantially reduced fuel costs.
Desmond Lewis, VINLEC, Island Operator: “Our greatest benefit is that we save a lot on fuel now. We don’t have to have a generator running 24/7; we do like 6 -7 hours. The noise reduction is excellent; now it is brilliant. So, we have some peace, calm, and quiet on the island while working.”