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Follow on Google News |  Danvest/THEnergy study: low-load gensets are a game changer for solar–diesel hybrid plantsThe genset industry reacts to growing hybrid markets with a new approach that overcomes limitations of traditional gensets and reduces operating costs for mining companies.
By: THEnergy As the future market potential of solar–diesel hybrid solutions has become more explicit, the diesel genset industry reacts and has launched a first solution, which is specifically optimized for balancing solar plants. Danvest has introduced its Power Box solution with either CAT or Cummins engines inside. The traditional gensets are modified in a way so that they can run in low-load and operate in a reverse mode whilst hardly consuming any diesel, but with the full ability to respond quickly to output changes from the PV array or to changes in demand. On sunny days, penetration of the PV system can reach 100% while the diesel consumption is almost zero. At night, when the PV plant does not generate electricity, the low-load diesel gensets are run as normal diesel gensets and power the mine. “Danvest low-load generators have been used in combination with wind turbines for years. As the solar–diesel market receives more attention than the wind–diesel market at this moment, we have adapted our field-tested solution for this very dynamic market segment,” explains Thomas Qvist Vestesen, CEO of Danvest Energy A/S. The new study “Low-load Gensets for Solar–diesel Hybrid Plants in the Mining Industry” analyses the technical and strategic fit of low-load gensets for solar–diesel hybrid applications. It integrates several tests and verifies market-related questions through 21 expert interviews. In addition, several business cases are simulated. The study shows that low-load gensets almost double the solar penetration rate in solar–diesel hybrid systems and that low-load diesel gensets are more efficient in hybrid plants, all this without the use of batteries or other storage systems. This straightforward solution has the potential to considerably lower the operational costs of mines. The fast spinning reserve of the low-load diesel systems in all its operations modes ensures the power supply in any case of variation of demand or of PV production losses, for example from shading. “The demand for raw materials has slowed down and prices have decreased recently. The mining industry is facing substantial challenges. Reducing the costs of operations such as energy expenditures has become an important competitive factor. One of the game changers could be low-load diesel hybrid power plants giving maximal room to locally produced inexpensive solar and/or wind energy. Even at the current low oil prices, optimized hybrid technologies normally beat the current conventional diesel based electricity prices. The additional investment including the PV system has usually a pay-off period in the range of 4 to 7 years,” summarizes Dr. Thomas Hillig, CEO of THEnergy. “We see a big market potential for low-load gensets – especially in the mining industry as power demand is high and the market develops new dynamics – several companies report large pipelines of upcoming projects.” About Dr. Thomas Hillig Energy Consulting (“THEnergy”) THEnergy assists companies in dealing with energy-related challenges. Renewable energy companies are offered strategy, marketing and sales consulting services. For industrial companies THEnergy develops energy concepts and shows how they can become more sustainable. THEnergy combines experience from conventional and renewable energy with industry knowledge in consulting. In addition to business consulting, THEnergy is active in marketing intelligence and as an information provider in select fields such as renewables and mining through the platform th-energy.net/ About Danvest Energy A/S Danvest is an innovative diesel technology company from Denmark and a world leader in hybrid wind–diesel power. Its hybrid technology optimizes wind–diesel as well as solar–diesel operations. Increased wind and solar penetrations results in annual reductions of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of up to 70 per cent when compared to conventional diesel generator plants. For more information visit www.danvest.com. The study can be downloaded at: http://www.th- Contact for journalists: THEnergy Dr. Thomas Hillig +49-152 3618 6442 press(at)th- For images and the files visit: http://www.th- End
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