Microgrid community

Gutu Community Microgrid

The Gutu Community Microgrid, a project designed and built by Peak Power in collaboration with ADB, AEPC, and Motherland Energy Group. This microgrid has brought electricity to over 1000 people in a remote village where there was previously no electrical system.

After a year of completion, Power Peak was approached to extend the system by adding another 50 kW of AC-coupled PV, showcasing the trust and confidence in our expertise.

The project was an ambitious endeavor that demanded months of meticulous planning and execution. Power Peak constructed a powerhouse building and erected 119 power poles, spanning an impressive 7.8 km of transmission lines, even before delivering the solar modules, inverters, and batteries to the site.

The microgrid harnesses the power of 2 SMA Sunny Tripower 50 and 12 Sunny Island 8H units, along with DataManager, forming a robust multi-cluster system. With 100 kW of AC coupled solar PV and 768 kWhr of deep cycle battery storage, the microgrid ensures reliable and sustainable energy supply. Additionally, 278 households are equipped with smart pre-paid meters, enabling efficient and equitable distribution of electricity.

The Gutu Community Microgrid now produces an impressive annual yield of approximately 364.195 MWh, resulting in a substantial reduction of approximately 236.36 tons of CO₂ emissions per year. This showcases the significant environmental impact of our sustainable energy solution.

Challenges

Gutu is a remote area with only bus and jeep access, the drive takes a couple of hours from the local city – which is again an overnight bus trip from Kathmandu.
Power plant building and transmission line was started 3 months before the SMA power plant was installed.
The site was completely off-grid so transportation of all building supplies, install materials, tools etc. was brought in from outside.

The project encountered unique challenges due to the remote location of Gutu, accessible only by bus and jeep, which takes several hours from the nearest city. Undeterred, Power Peak commenced the power plant building and transmission line construction three months prior to the installation of the SMA power plant. Overcoming logistical hurdles, we ensured the seamless transportation of building supplies, installation materials, and tools from outside the area.

The transmission line, spanning over 5.5 km, ingeniously navigates the area, reaching all the homes that are spread out due to the farming land. This comprehensive coverage ensures that every household in the community benefits from the microgrid's electrification.

The microgrid is skillfully operated by a local power plant operator who expertly manages the system and recharges pre-paid cards for the meters. This sustainable and self-sufficient energy system empowers the Gutu community to take control of their energy consumption and enjoy a better quality of life.

We are incredibly proud to have been a part of this transformative project, bringing electricity and improving the lives of the Gutu community. The Gutu Community Microgrid stands as a shining example of how collaboration, innovation, and sustainable energy solutions can make a significant impact in remote areas. Together, we are lighting up lives and paving the way for a brighter, greener future.

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