By continuing browsing this website, you accept the use of cookies or other tracers for statistics of visits to optimize the functionality of the site. For more information and for tracers settings

Select language

We energize the world

Contact us
Follow us
Home » Case Studies » Innovative off-grid solar energy storage in Madagascar

Innovative off-grid solar energy storage in Madagascar

Saft Sunica.plus nickel-cadmium batteries store solar energy in a scheme set up by Schneider Electric to provide safe and clean electricity to residents of an isolated village.

Isolated and remote locations

Schneider Electric’s programme of social responsibility, named BipBop (Business, Innovation and People at the Base Of the Pyramid) aims to use the electrical systems firm’s expertise to provide safe, affordable and green energy to the people who need it most. With an operation in Madagascar serving the mining industry, Schneider saw an opportunity to provide a reliable off-grid power supply to the population of the village of Marovato, on the east coast of the island.

  • Marovato’s 120 residents are spread across 20 houses and used only 490 W.
  • Schneider specified a system to generate 1,400 W at peak times.
  • 18 of Saft’s Sunica.plus 920 Ah cells were specified to store energy for night-time use.
  • Batteries were selected for their long life, rugged design, operation in extreme temperatures and suitability for photovoltaic applications.

With 1.6 billion people worldwide having no access to electricity, solar energy storage can play a part in providing reliable energy.

Solar applications

Saft developed its Sunica.plus Ni-Cd battery specifically for storing photovoltaic, wind and hybrid energy in isolated locations, with many remote installations for utilities, signaling and telecoms applications. The cells can operate reliably at various states of charge and depth of discharge, wide temperature fluctuations and under mechanical and electrical abuses.

Reliable off-grid electricity:

After access to clean water, access to electricity is one of the top priorities for many people in new economies. Our BipBop programme brings together forward-thinking partners like Saft to create solutions that disadvantaged communities can take ownership of.

Gilles Vermot Desroches Senior Vice President, Sustainable Development at Schneider Electric

 

  • The average person in Madagascar uses 56 kWh energy per year, versus 6,400 kWh for Europeans and 160 kWh in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Only 3 per cent of the rural population in Madagascar has access to electricity.

 

Saft Sunica.plus batteries – key benefits

 

  • Ideal for photovoltaic energy, wind and hybrid systems; offshore and remote applications; utilities; and telecommunications networks
  • Electrochemically stable nickel-cadmium battery with low Total Cost of Ownership
  • Tough and reliable construction in shock-resistant polypropylene containers
  • Long life-cycle – achieves 8,000 cycles at 15% depth of discharge
  • Extreme operating temperature range of - 20˚C to + 50˚C and can tolerate extremes of temperature of – 50˚C to + 70˚C
  • Low maintenance: more than four years without topping-up
  • Capacity range from 45 Ah to 1110 Ah at C120 rate

Download Case Study

Download (English)

Related Articles, Stories & Events

10/12/2020
Saft reinforces its position in India with the launch of Saft Urja brand
Read More
10/11/2020
Saft launches its new energy storage hub for renewables in Zhuhai, China
Read More
04/09/2020
Infographic: What is the role of batteries in Commercial and Industrial sites ?
Read More
02/09/2020
Saft technology helps Gold Fields’ Agnew Gold Mine to switch to renewables
Read More
23/06/2020
Staying resilient and safe during the COVID-19 crisis
Read More
23/06/2020
Saft’s research melting pot
Read More
23/06/2020
Solid-state technology – the quest for the ‘Holy Grail’
Read More
22/04/2020
Infographic: How to maximize contribution of renewables to the energy mix ?
Read More
01/07/2019
Saft’s worldwide research and production site in Bordeaux turns 70
Read More
04/04/2019
Saft joins forces with the Chinese Group Tianneng to grow in China and scale up its e-mobility and energy storage businesses
Read More
18/02/2019
Saft Energy Storage System to support Bermuda’s future electricity plans
Read More
06/12/2018
The 2005 Clipperton expedition with early energy storage system
Read More

Contact our Saft Specialists

To ensure we can respond as efficiently as possible. Please complete this form which will be delivered to our team of experts who will help you with your enquiry.

In accordance with the provisions of the personal data protection regulation, Saft Groupe SA as data controller will process your data for the purposes of providing the services and for its legitimate interest. Any mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk.

In accordance with current regulations, you have the right to access, correct, delete and object to the use of your personal data. You may ask for your personal data to be sent to you and you have the right to give instructions for the use of your personal data after your death. You can also ask for restriction of the data, portability of the data and/or make a claim to the CNIL (the French data protection agency). For any request please send it to GDPR@saftbatteries.com or to the following address:

Saft Groupe SA
Communications Department
26, quai Charles Pasqua
92300 Levallois-Perret – France
Find out more