A Study of the Potential and Energy Balance of the Emergency Energy Module in Mozambique

Abstract

This study investigates the potential for implementation of a solar PV-biodiesel hybrid system with battery storage in two rural villages in the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique. These villages, Nicuita and Quirimize, have at present very limited access to electricity which greatly inhibits an increase in living standards and development of the respective communities.   Based on the results of conducted surveys mapping potential electricity demand, the load profiles of the villages alongside an investigation of the availability of different resources are the input of the model of this study with which appropriate dimensions of the hybrid system are suggested for each village.   The targeted biofuel of the solar PV-biodiesel hybrid parallel configuration suggested in this study is jatropha based biodiesel for both Nicuita and Quirimize. The biodiesel fueled diesel generator and battery storage meets the nighttime load of the villages, while the solar PV system meets the load during daylight hours and also charges the battery bank to supply the nighttime load not covered by the diesel generator. The electricity production of the hybrid system is distributed through a mini-grid