Nigeria Smart Mini-Grid Project

Challenge

The challenge was to establish a sustainable community energy scheme in NIgeria that could provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy to local communities, starting with a school and extending to 15 nearby houses. 

Solution

In a pioneering effort led by Q Energy, in collaboration with VAYA Energy and Manchester Metropolitan University, the project implemented solar PV panels and battery storage at a local school, setting a foundation for a broader community energy network. This initiative aimed to showcase a scalable model of local energy systems using virtual mini-grids. 

Results

The project achieved: 

• Successful deployment of solar energy solutions that provided a significant portion of the energy needs for the school and nearby houses. 
• Introduction of demand-side management techniques through virtual mini-grids, which optimised energy use and enhanced the sustainability of the community’s energy resources. 
• Laid groundwork for future commercialisation of similar energy systems in other communities.