Interoperable energy site dispatch controller driving energy access by enabling seamless integration of multiple power and energy solutions (The Auto-Controller)

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Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£997,800

March 1, 2020

Feb. 28, 2021

Given the grid's unreliability, power stabilisation and management are significant problems particularly in rural areas. Dispatching power from multiple sources is a major contributor to costs and CO2 footprint, causing SMEs to depend on unreliable power instead of stable, clean energy. Where grid connections exist, solar PV integration costs are high so most solar PV projects remain idle during frequent power cuts. There is considerable scope for an integrated solution to address these problems. Ariya has developed an innovative integrated Auto-Controller incorporating 5 power functionalities, which significantly supersedes the closest current state-of-the-art and addresses the need for inter-operable, affordable devices.

This Auto-Controller matches solutions to common problems facing the East African agri-producer and processor, identified from our many site visits and energy studies. Currently, there are no known grid-connected energy storage devices in East Africa. Furthermore, there is a zero-export law with the Kenyan utility which causes solar PV systems to be undersized and often less than fully productive. The Auto-Controller optimises power solutions, increases the number of ways of installing clean energy and provides an efficiency component with an in-built control signal which optimally reduces the cost of power. Ariya's internal life-cycle cost analysis indicates that the levelized cost of power will be 30% lower than a conventional system, which represents 25% lower energy costs for a mini-grid. Ariya has already done significant work -- a prototype controller and compatibility testing (with inverters and a common energy meter) have been completed. Data feed integration to a time-series database and machine-learning platform is ongoing.

The project specifically targets the cut-flowers market (in which Kenya is a global market leader) and the dairy industry (where Ariya has a robust client pipeline). The project predominantly involves feasibility studies but also an element of experimental development; we will demonstrate the Auto-Controller at 2 agriculture processors in Kenya. An additional two locations will be identified for installation of an in-depth load monitoring study to further identify the Auto-Controller's value-add. Another 150+ mini-grids will be implemented in Kenya by 2023 and per ERC regulations, every large C&I user (3,000+ facilities) is required to install renewable energy performance measures every three years. This represents a scalable opportunity for innovative companies to deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy -- which this project aims to fulfill. Coupled with Ariya's zero-capex financing proposition, the project eliminates a major barrier to mini-grid and C&I clean energy scalability.