The problem being tackled:
Nigeria’s electricity access rate stood at less than 60% in 2015, with the government aiming for 90% access by 2030. Typically people in Nigeria experience up to 10 power outages per day. Expensive, polluting diesel generators are commonly used as a back-up for the regular power outages. Usually, in households, the power would often stay out for hours. No one knows how long power outages will last — they can be as short as 30 seconds and as long as three days.
Capital Science Academy which is chosen for this demonstration will have 15kW-12.3kWp Solar Panels with a 30kWh-18kW Battery system, which when connected to 10 houses from the neighbouring community(Dafara) will simulate the energy trading platform. This local energy trading platform named Q Energy if proven successful, will be deployed on a wider scale helping the Nigerian community.
The project will analyse the commercial viability of the Q Energy system to be established nationwide after its completion by end of June. Q Energy will look to rethink the way energy is being perceived as and traded in Nigeria. Providing Nigeria with a quality energy supply will be the root of development in the region and enable growth and prosperity to the country.
Q Energy is a Manchester-based smart digital energy service providerfounded in 2018. The Q Energy platform can optimise the use of renewable generation and battery storage to balance local supply and demand and reduce energy costs to consumers. VAYA Energy Solutions is a renewable energy company in Nigeria specialising in solar generation.
In this project, VAYA is installing solar panels and battery storage at a school near Abuja, and in the nearby community, which will be connected to the Q Energy platform. This will manage the buying and selling of electricity between participants to reduce the frequency of blackouts, and the cost of energy bills. Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), with expertise in smart infrastructure and peer-to-peer trading, will simulate the system to test and optimise the outcomes.
As of April ‘21, the QEnergyTM Dashboard is live on-site in Nigeria, through which the users get an insight into their energy usage and it showcases the benefits they receive with the help of Q Energy Platform.
Currently, all the 9 houses connected in Nigeria are having a clean/green, reliable, and constant energy supply 24/7 throughout the week which is unheard of in the region which typically gets about 2 days of electricity in a week.
Initial feedback has been extremely positive and people from other nearby houses have come forward and requested the service to be extended throughout and within the Dafara community.
Project is expected to be complete by end of October and a survey will be conducted to identify the user feedback which will then be taken into account for the improvement of the platform and will pave way for the commercialisation of this solution throughout Nigeria.
The project is expected to be complete by end of October and a survey will be conducted to identify the user feedback which will then be taken into account for the improvement of the platform and will pave way for the commercialisation of this solution throughout Nigeria.
Q Energy is looking to revolutionise the way energy is being traded to play an integral part in achieving Net-Zero and saving energy cost. Today, Qbots Energy leads multiple grand-scale commercialised projects to lead the UK to this ambitious target. The seamless integration of this energy management and recommendation system with the energy contracts through QEnergy™ makes it easier for consumers and prosumers alike to spend less time while having a fair contribution in the goal towards a better world for everyone.
If you are interested to know more details, contact Jevin Mathew at jevin.mathew@qenergy.ai