Renewable Resources
Unlike fossil fuels characterized by limited and exhaustible reserves, RE such as solar energy, wind energy and bioenergy are renewed continuously and are inexhaustible for most. These forms of energy are viable alternatives in rural electrification and isolated applications or locations unconnected to the grid. In addition, they are good for the environment as they allow great reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and prevent from the release of airborne, waterborne and land pollutants that degrade the quality of the environment. In many developing countries, bioenergy is widely used for cooking.
Factus offers consulting services for the design and implementation of your Renewable Energy projects (solar photovoltaic, wind power and bioenergy) by analyzing their technical performance and economic viability when compared to alternative options.
Solar Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic panles are made of cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC). A standard module generally consists of 36 PV cells distributed over 0.5 m2, delivering a DC voltage of 18 V and an electrical power of 50W. In order to obtain the power required for an application, the modules are connected in series or in parallel to form a DC generator. The voltage supplied can also be transformed in an inverter to provide an alternating current (AC).
For photovoltaic power plants, the electricity produced is directly injected into the power grid in the form of alternating current. In domestic applications, electricity is stored in batteries as DC. The battery is then regulated by a controller for its charge and discharge.
Our solar PV expert is an electromechanical engineer, with over 15 years of experience working on solar energy projects across West Africa. Factus can help you, at very competitive costs design your Solar PV project, conduct the technical feasibility and the financial analysis.
Wind Power
Investment in wind power plants for electric power generation carries high stakes for both socio-economic and environmental. When the wind resource is sufficiently available and the speed is optimum, the profitability of wind power projects in electricity generation choices for investment is no longer risky or doubtful. It has the potential to effectively contribute in a country energy security, environmental stewardship and the improvement of people's living conditions, particularly in developing countries where power production is extremely low compared to the communities' needs.
Investment in wind power plants for electric power generation carries high stakes for both socio-economic and environmental. When the wind resource is sufficiently available and the speed is optimum, the profitability of wind power projects in electricity generation choices for investment is no longer risky or doubtful. It has the potential to effectively contribute in a country energy security, environmental stewardship and the improvement of people's living conditions, particularly in developing countries where power production is extremely low compared to the communities' needs.
Nowadays, the technology has tremendously improved with manufacturers offering wind turbines for up to 11MW in nominal power. Financial benefits are higher with larger wind power plants due the economies of scale that allow a reduction of cost per kWh produced.
Bioenergy
Bioenergy
is fuel derived from biological sources. There are various technological
applications for using biomass for energy purposes, such as the use of woodfuel
for heat and elecricity production, gasification and the production of biogas or
biofuels (methanol, ethanol, esther, etc.). The woodfuel is mainly from harvested forest
wood or residus and byproducts from the logging industry or agriculture sector. A single boiler burning biomass can deliver up to
450 MW with an efficiency of 34%.
In developing countries, bioenergy is more often used for cooking and in some of these countries it can represent over 80% of the total household energy consumption. over exploitation of the biomass resource makes biomass energy usage less sustainable. The use of sustainable logging methods and efficient technologies and the diversification of energy sources are the best solutions to meet energy needs for communities without compromising the environment.
In developing countries, bioenergy is more often used for cooking and in some of these countries it can represent over 80% of the total household energy consumption. over exploitation of the biomass resource makes biomass energy usage less sustainable. The use of sustainable logging methods and efficient technologies and the diversification of energy sources are the best solutions to meet energy needs for communities without compromising the environment.
Power Plant Type Cost
$/kW-hrCoal $0.10-0.14 Natural Gas $0.07-0.13 Nuclear $0.10 Wind $0.08-0.20 Solar PV $0.13 Solar Thermal $0.24 Geothermal $0.05 Biomass $0.10 Hydro $0.08
Source:US-DOE Annual Energy Outlook 2014