On May 21 2024, during the Alliance for Rural Electrification Energy Access Investment Forum, Schneider Electric, an energy management and automation firm, unveiled its Villaya Flex microgrid solution. Schneider built this solution to allow inclusive energy access in rural and remote communities across Nigeria.
Villaya Flex is a pre-engineered, pre-wired and containerised microgrid system that integrates solar PV panels, lithium-ion battery energy storage and an intelligent microgrid controller.
The scalable solution is available in modular sizes from 50kW to 100kW to suit the energy needs of villages and hamlets. Schneider Electric designed it for easy deployment, operation and maintenance in the harsh climatic conditions prevalent in rural Nigeria.
According to the firm, the solution’s high levels of battery storage scalability make it easy to size, order, commission, operate, and maintain.
In addition, this solution will help the firm achieve its goal of creating 139 million jobs in the energy sector by 2030, resolving the 2.8 million global electrician shortage across regions.
During the event, Thomas Bonicel, the Commercial Director of Schneider Electric’s Energy Access business in Africa, said, “Access to reliable and affordable energy is essential for powering healthcare, education, and livelihoods in rural Nigeria. With over 95 million people lacking access to electricity, innovative solutions are needed to bridge the energy gap.
“With Villaya Flex, we are providing a scalable and sustainable microgrid technology tailored for Nigeria’s intervention programs to help accelerate energy access for communities currently relying on expensive and polluting diesel generators or kerosene lamps.”
Schneider Electric aims to support the electrification of remote communities through strategic partnerships that will help subsidise Villaya Flex, which can scale access to energy for productive uses and livelihoods.
Villaya Flex Microgrid Components
- All-in-one hybrid power conversion Unit. 50/100 kVA bidirectional hybrid power conversion unit.
- Battery storage. Capture and store onsite generation to drive resilience, sustainability, and efficiency.
- Energy control centre. A centralised panel to manage multiple energy sources into an intelligent power management system.
- Advanced and cyber secure easy-to-use digital monitoring platform:
- EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor (energy production management)
- EcoStruxure™ Energy Access Expert (demand-side management)
- EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Build (system design simplification)