Category: News

 

More than half of Colombia’s territory is located outside the National Interconnected System, which means that people living in these areas are dependent on alternative solutions to get access to electricity. Since the grid extension to these regions is too expensive, other decentralized and off-grid solutions are required. Within this scenario, the Colombian government has promoted the development of projects using renewable sources of energy.

Many of the decentralized energy projects already implemented in this country have shown the high efficiency of renewable energy hybrid systems such as solar combined with diesel, which can be designed to suit the demand of a specific location.  Since Colombia is a hydro-powered country and many of these locations are close to water sources, the addition of base-load hydro generation is an interesting option. This can significantly reduce the initial investment and the kWh costs, making the hybrid systems even more attractive, especially when linked to productive use such as food processing and irrigation.

This is the proposal from Smart Hydro Power GmbH, a German hydrokinetic turbine manufacturer that develops complete and standardized solutions for decentralized electrification. After four years installing its turbines in the most remote locations all over the world, the company has developed a proprietary technology that changes the scene by adding base-load supply to renewable energy systems, turning them more efficient for a better monetary value.

In order to show the functionality and the economic advantages of combining the SMART Hybrid System with irrigation, Smart Hydro Power GmbH, through a partnership with the Colombian company ENERA SAS and the support of the German Energy Agency (dena), is stepping into the agricultural market in Latin America this year. The project chosen for this market entry is in the region of Neiva, Colombia, where this system will replace diesel irrigation pumps in a rice farm.

The modular SMART Hybrid System consists of a hydrokinetic turbine, photovoltaic panels, and a backup diesel generator and can be installed up to 50 kW. These three complimentary sources use sophisticated control systems to ensure stable electricity generation. The system was developed to offer a continuous, convenient, and scalable renewable energy solution that is affordable in developing countries.

The application of this hybrid system in agriculture is essential for the region since the farms at the upper Magdalena River often lack of grid connection but have a close proximity to water sources. On top of that, agriculture is one of the sectors that suffer the most with the climate change.  Along just the river Magdalena, it is estimated that hundreds of farms are dependent on diesel for irrigation.

In Neiva, rice farmers beside the river are not connected to the national grid, but instead use highly inefficient diesel pumps, spending large portions of their costs on energy. With the base load supply of the hydrokinetic turbine, the SMART Hybrid technology is the most suitable to power an irrigation pump in order to decrease the cost per kilowatt-hour by approximately 50%, compared to a diesel generator.

 

ENERA SAS is a Colombian company dedicated to the management of sustainable energy and automation projects, providing lasting solutions with the use of non-conventional energy sources and energy efficiency optimization.

Smart Hydro Power GmbH develops and commercializes affordable and environment-friendly solutions for rural electrification. The core product of these solutions is a kinetic micro hydropower system (river turbine). This proprietary technology is standardized and easily scalable.

Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena): The Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency – is Germany’s centre of expertise for energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and intelligent energy systems. dena’s aim is to ensure that energy is used in both a national and international context as efficiently, safely and economically as possible with the least possible impact on climate. dena is working with stakeholders from the worlds of politics and business and from society at large to achieve this aim. Shareholders in dena are the Federal Republic of Germany, KfW Bankengruppe, Allianz SE, Deutsche Bank AG and DZ BANK AG. www.dena.de/en.

Renewables – Made in Germany Initiative: The “renewables – Made in Germany” brand represents innovative, practical and efficient technologies and services which use renewable energy sources in a variety of ways, ranging from rural electrification to industrial-scale power stations. “renewables – Made in Germany” also contribute significantly to climate protection promoting the worldwide acceptance and use of renewable energies. It is the official aim of the German government to make a significant contribution to international climate protection. Therefore, the government has been actively supporting the world-wide dissemination of cutting-edge German renewable energy technology and know-how since 2002.

The transfer of renewable energy expertise, the promotion of foreign trade and the facilitation of international development cooperation are part of the “renewables – Made in Germany” initiative. www.renewables-made-in-germany.com

Dena Renewable Energy Solutions Programme (dena RES Programme): The dena RES Programme was developed by the Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency. This programme, co-financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy within the “renewables – Made in Germany” initiative, supports renewable energy companies entering new markets. Within the framework of the programme reference and demonstration projects are installed nearby designated institutions in different countries around the world. The installation is accompanied by comprehensive marketing and training programmes. These projects impressively present high-quality renewable energy technology. www.renewables-made-in-germany.com

For people that are around Munch this weekend (until Sunday, the 1st of May), this is the chance to appreciate an impressive bond between art and renewable energy. One of the hottest spots of the Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW) is the Kraemer’schen Kunstmühle (Birkenleiten, 41) featuring “Der blaue Stern” (The Blue Star) by the artist Sigi Bußinger.

During the day, visitors at the Kraemer‘schen Kunstmühle encounter, in the field behind the traditional location, transparent stars powered by their own hydro power plant. At night these colorful stars from Sigi Bußinger illuminate the location as if they had fallen from the sky.

Where does the energy that supplies Sigi Bußinger’s stars come from? In the Auer Mühlbach an installed 5 kW SMART Duofloat turbine is combined with photovoltaic panels designed and built by AquaSoli. Both sources are connected to a SMART Electrical Management System that powers Sigi Bußingers’s stars.

Over the past three years Munich Creative Business Week (MCBW), the largest design event in Germany, has evolved into one of the main attractions in the design world. 

In December 2014, Smart Hydro Power Nigeria spent an entire week in Germany attending workshops and practical training sessions at our facilities. This was the first professional training for technology transfer held by Smart Hydro Power, which from now on is an official part of our portfolio, under the services we offer to SHP-Partners.

Engineers Cheta Edward Akanegbu, Olawale Damilare Tinuoye and Lilian Amen Osawemwenze were instructed by Peter Fröde, SHP operations chief and Johannes Fischer, operations manager. They started the week in the conference room with some theory and case studies, followed by long practice sessions at the workshop, where they assembled the SMART Turbine, guided by our expert, Johannes Fischer. By the end of the week, they visited a SMART Hybrid System installation and finished it with a feedback session.

The goal is for our partners to have complete understanding of the products and be prepared to perform the installations independently. In this way, they are empowered and able to successfully develop their local business with SHP Solutions. This business model adopted by SHP, in which local partners control a large part of value chain, has brought positive results to all involved parties.

The engineers took their certificates home with them with all the support materials that included brochures, images and videos.  Their feedback was very positive and all in all the time was very wisely spent. 

Back in Nigeria, still in December, the team of engineers applied the knowledge gathered and successfully performed another installation. In Dr. Gideon M. Adogbo’s words “We have successfully completed our 1st independent installation in Nigeria with a great result at a village called Iro in Ogun State.” The power from the turbine is used for the street lighting of a bridge and for supporting fishermen in their fishing activities.

 

 

Munich, September 2014 – Smart Hydro Power continues to act worldwide. After four years of installing the hydro kinetic turbine across four continents, we still believe in sustainable development and believe there is a dire need to bring renewable energy to locations that don´t yet have access to it.  That is why we have just launched an Indiegogo campaign to finance a reference project in Marisol, Peru, a village with approx. 40 households where the majority of people work in the cocoa plantation.

We developed a project scope for the installation of a hybrid, renewable power plant (river turbine + photovoltaic) for rural electrification that is versatile and applicable in diverse locations. Now we want to install this power plant at Marisol as a reference project in South America.

This project consists of a combined photovoltaic and a river turbine for primary generation, an electrical cabinet for power management and distribution, and a backup generator. These three sources will complement each other, ensuring reliable electricity generation year-round. Once installed, the system will provide the villagers with clean and constant energy, enabling them to work longer hours in the workshop and increase their cacao production in the rainy seasons, making them more productive, economically organized and entirely self-sufficient. After we show the world that this project works in these adverse conditions, we can apply the same renewable energy system in many communities living in similar situations and allow the villagers to shape their own lives and enhance their quality of life.

We want to show that rural electrification is all about the creation of opportunities and approach other local governments to reapply the system to other communities. We are counting on you to help spread the word about this amazing crowd funding initiative. You can be the light that Marisols villagers need! You can add your energy and drive to this campaign! Take a look at our campaign and enlighten Marisol!

 

 

Last Friday, July 4, 2014 Smart Hydro Power had the honor of receiving a Colombian delegation at Kraemer’sche Kunstmühle in Munich to show them a running SMART Hybrid System. This site, where a hydrokinetic SMART Turbine and photovoltaic panels work together and complement each other, was developed in order to offer a complete renewable energy solution for the best cost-benefit possible.

Considering the varying energy demand throughout the day as well as the variation in natural energy sources throughout the year, this SMART Hybrid System uses our smart grid to ensure the optimal use of energy and improve battery life (one very expensive factor when opting for renewables).

Ideal for the productive use of electrical energy, this standardized product can be installed in isolated areas. The supply of energy for a workshop or a kitchen can be provided by photovoltaic, while the constant energy consumption by appliances such as water treatment, irrigation or cooling can be covered by the continuously supply of the SMART Turbine.

The Colombian group organized by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy came through the ‘Exportinitiative Erneuerbare Energien’ (export initiative renewable energies) and consisted of professionals from ITELCO IT S.A.S., IEB, CIDET, SuperBrix International S.A., EPM, Colombian universities and other companies from the energy sector. The topic of their trip was ‘Off-Grid – Energy supply in off-grid areas’. This meeting offered a prime opportunity for networking to foster the cooperation of Germany and Colombia.

Munich, April 2014 – This month, the third SMART turbine from the previous order in Nigeria was installed in a remote village near the town of Akwanga. This newest installation provides year-round energy for seven households close to the river Mada, even during the dry season.

Nigeria is rich in natural resources with abundant river systems. However, 50% of the country’s 168.8 million people are not connected to the power grid. Even those with access to the public grid are plagued by frequent power outages, causing interruptions to daily business and private life. 

The installation of these thirteen new turbines is planned for the first half of 2014 and will right away provide continuous clean energy for each local community. More importantly, the presence of the turbines will not harm the environment.

Smart Hydro Power (SHP) is working closely together with its Nigerian partner Dr. Gideon Adogbo, who has been providing vital support in securing business opportunities in the country. Nigeria is a nation in constant development and SHP is ready to grow together with it.

“This is not only a place with good weather, beautiful nature and friendly people; it has great business potential as well”, said SHP Head of Operations Peter Fröde, after returning from the first visit by SHP engineers to Nigeria.

Smart Hydro Power is a German enterprise founded by Dr. Karl Kolmsee in 2010. Its international team is based in Feldafing near Munich. The company’s mission is to develop, produce and commercialize affordable and environment-friendly kinetic micro hydropower systems. Since its foundation, the company has worked on several successful projects with internationally renowned partners.

 

 

Munich, December 2013 – three SMART turbines are sold to Nigeria. This marks the first ever sale to the African continent for Smart Hydro Power. The installation is planned for two of the three units before the end of 2013 behind the Oyan Dam near Lagos, Nigeria. This will be used as a test site for the partners and as a demonstration site for high-level members of the Nigerian government. The first installation will be used in an off-grid modus, although the turbine can be used in both ways.

Nigeria is a wealthy country, rich in natural resources and freshwater, which still has a large population not connected to the public grid. Those citizens with access to the public grid also suffer from frequent blackouts causing interruptions to daily business and private life. This reality presents the partners with an interesting business opportunity to sell kinetic turbines.

https://www.smart-hydro.de/uploads/media/Press_Release_Peruvian_Installation_-_Diario_Hoy.pdf

Santiago de Cali, December 2013 – the first SMART kinetic turbine is installed in Colombia. The installation took place in the outflow of a hydroelectric dam in Salvajinas, Valley of Cauca. It is one of three international tests sites for Smart Hydro Power. In Salvajinas, the development of a new electrical module which combines the turbine with other forms of energy production is being tested.  These sources include a 1 kW solar panel, the public grid and a diesel generator. Along with the integration of different energy sources, a new demand control system is also being implemented. These tests will ultimately expand the usage and user cases of the turbine. Because the turbine delivers base-load power, it is able to serve many purposes such as telecommunication towers, health stations, pumps for irrigation, or mechanical workshops and villages.

The site also has optimal conditions for testing due to the alternative flows behind the hydropower plant. These range between 1 – 2.5 m/s depending on the time of day, which enables the testing of the turbine at almost all power outputs. Smart Hydro Power and their partners plan to demonstrate the test site to Colombian customers soon.