Reduce costs, hedge risk with a modern hybrid energy solution

Reduce costs, hedge risk with a modern hybrid energy solution

By Jack Ward, managing director of Powermode

Budgets for capital equipment purchases are tight. But don’t take my word for it - captains of industry in South Africa all point to continuing labour unrest, dramatic increases in fuel and energy prices and the spectre of the falling value of the rand as clear indications of trouble ahead. The result? Restrictions are being placed on spending as the hatches are battened down in preparation for the expected financial storm.

Against this backdrop, starting a new business project – or looking for savings on existing projects – is never easy. The search is on for ways to achieve more with less. Or reduce costs and provide a hedge against future rising prices.

Let’s take power generation as one of the few examples of where this principle can be successfully applied. Electricity costs are on the rise, but so are fuel (diesel) costs. So companies using industrial-scale base load diesel power generation systems (such as mines, or those in remote, off-grid locations) are facing the same price hike shocks as their city-based cousins.

What if there was a way to cut the cost of diesel fuel by 50% or more while achieving the same energy dividend?

There is - using free solar power as an energy supplement. Solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions are ideally suited to southern Africa and deliver fast, measurable results. When combined with diesel generators in advanced, reliable hybrid systems, the results are often way beyond the most optimistic expectations.

A revolutionary new product is now available from SMA Solar Technology, and one of the world’s largest private investors in energy solutions. Dubbed the Fuel Save Controller, it presents a proven method of reducing diesel spend by over half by capitalising on the power of the sun.

Can this be achieved without a sizable capital equipment (CAPEX) budget? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’. In a bid to bring the benefits of hybrid technology – and the Fuel Save Controller - to companies employing diesel generators, Powermode (SA’s power specialist) has teamed up with SMA and various financial institutions. Together we are offering cost-effective, solar PV/diesel hybrid power to the market via a fully-financed Private Power Agreement (PPA).

Entering into a PPA means no CAPEX outlay, significant savings on operating expenditure (OPEX) and – best of all – no risk.

In terms of the PPA, a state-of-the-art solar PV installation with all hardware accessories and management software is provided to be linked – hybrid style – to an existing diesel generator. The system is backed, certified and monitored by SMA, a company with a global footprint.

Implementation to approved purchasers is fast, just a few weeks from order, and international financing is available over 10, 15 or 20 year periods. A wide range of solutions - from 250kW to 10 MW - is on offer to meet your specific requirements.

The best news is that financial break-even is achieved in just four years or less and conversion to an out-right purchase can be achieved at any time.

  

www.powermode.co.za