Pre-Conference Masterclass: End-to-End Microgrid Design and Financing for Off-Grid Systems
Location: CANBURY ROOM
Microgrids are expanding fast all over the world and especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa. We can find them in different sizes and types from their simplest form of few connections and a single source of power generation to systems consisting of multiple sources, interconnection with the main grid and tens of thousands of connections. Their financing can come from several sources such as equity, commercial debt, concessionary debts and donor funds. Unfortunately we find very often microgrids which are either off-service, operating partially or operating at loss.
The development and operation of a microgrid has to follow a number of steps each equally important and requires know-how, experience and careful planning in order to expect a successful outcome.
This Masterclass is intended to guide participants through the basic economic and technology aspects of effective microgrid design, planning, financing and execution. The objective is to share key insights from real-world deployments and the must-do takeaways that are critical for successful microgrid design and implementation.
Schedule:
13:00 - 13:50 Session 1: Project Development Process and Technical Overview
- Typical development and project preparation processes
- Applicable economic and technical terms relating to microgrid systems
- Component economics and use cases
- Current state of key enabling technologies for microgrids (solar, storage, controller, etc)
- Key system economic metrics including LCOE, capex, cashflow, pay-back period, IRR
- System financing
- Stakeholder considerations and requirements
15:00 - 15:50 Session 3: Case studies -- High Renewable Penetration Village System and Commercial System
- Practical overview of two case studies: one village system and a commercial system
- Comparison of microgrid system with alternatives and assessment of renewable penetration impacts
- Discussion on trends in microgrid finance including results-based financing, portfolio approaches, and insurance offerings
- Discussion on options for improving economics (increasing or broadening revenues, reducing capex or operating costs)
- Discussion on key lessons learned and must-dos in microgrid system design and deployment
Workshop Facilitators:
Arnaud Henin
Managing DirectorGommyr Power Networks
Arnaud is heading the Gommyr team and brings more than 10 year experience in the renewable energy field. He was previously managing the Piraeus Clean Energy fund, investing in renewable energy projects in South East Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region, and working as a manager with McKinsey in the energy, renewables and climate change sectors across Europe and Africa. Arnaud has also worked as an engineer and manager with a number of start-ups in the high tech sector in Canada. Arnaud holds a BEng in Electrical Engineering from McGill University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Francisco Barcelo
Microgrid Commercial VPSchneider Electric
Francisco holds a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, with a focus in Automation, from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. At Schneider Electric, a leading world specialist in Energy Management, he has led the Projects Unit, the Medium Voltage Business, the Buildings & Projects Division and the Energy Division for Iberia until 2018. Prior to his current position, Francisco served as Europe & Mexico Power Systems Commercial VP for three years and as Energy Division VP for seven years.