Nazareth project (La Guajira, Colombia)

Currently the town of Nazareth in the region of La Guajira (Colombia), as many other towns in the world, has no provision of electricity service in spite of having a generator, because of the poor state of electricity networks.

Fuel high prices, due to the increase in the international prices, coupled with the difficulty of access to this district, difficult and expensive power supply in this zone interconnected.

Due to the above, it is imperative the search for new alternatives to the current generation.

The solution proposed by ADES is the integration of different energy sources to ensure supply. For them it will include two wind turbines that will support PV plant and the existing generators.

The results of this project will result in saving fuel and extending the hours of community service.

To undertake this project was an UTE (Temporary Consortium) was set up with two Colombian companies responsible for onsite supervision.

:: Benefits

:: Project description

Energy Consultancy Services

The ADES engineering team prepared a preliminary study and then developed a customised project, according to the reality of the area, the demand of its population and the appropriate use of local resources. The experience of our professionals is the best guarantee of our solutions.

Technological Innovation

The technological innovation developed for the wind turbine and energy integration project of Nazareth consists in achieving the utmost savings of fossil fuels by providing renewable energies (wind and photovoltaic), leading to a stable grid and constant supply.

With the equipment developed, the entire energy demand can be met with renewable sources, even making the diesel generators unnecessary, with a stable, constant power supply.

Issues

In a remote, low-power grid integrating renewable energy, the present solution is to use a base system that regulates the grid, such as a diesel generator running 24 hours a day, and then to have the renewables contribute a small percentage compared with diesel generation, in order for the diesel to ensure regular supply.

The disadvantage of this system is that when diesel works with low loads, efficiency drops and high fuel consumption is needed to deliver a little power.

Solution

This issue is overcome in this project, as the systems developed by ADES achieve the required energy savings, allowing for a stable grid and the utmost savings of diesel fuel.

Project components

Two self-steering 100 kW swaying wind turbines.

The design, supply, transportation, installation, testing and start up of an energy demand and consumption management centre for the prioritisation of generating sources, system balancing, mini grids and source synchronisation accessories (3 fuel generators and a 100 kW photovoltaic plant) with a battery storage bank.

Web pages of the project

IPSE - The Institute for the Planning and Promotion of Energy Solutions for non-interconnected areas

FEN - The National Energy Finance Corporation