1. PAWAWORLD: WHY KENGEN SHOULD EMBRACE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
By: Catherine Nyambala: Chief Engineer, Quality
@I.Am.Auma #PawaWorld

2. Contents 1 2 3 4 5 The Opportunity Challenges The Solution
The Proposal 4
Investment and Benefits 5

3. Pop Quiz 1 2 3 4 5 Strathmore Solar PV Capacity
RBS Pension Plaza II Generator Capacity 2
Energy generated or sold year FY 2016/ 2017 3
Drilling Generators in KenGen 4
Average monthly energy consumption in Kenya 5

4. The Opportunity 1: High Capacity Battery Energy Storage System
Q5 208kWh
10kWh for home
Disruptive technology
High capacity batteries
Storage capabilities
Scale this +
mount in an array =
“infinite storage capability”. 
210kWh for commercial  

5. 3,150 kWh Powerpack system Singita Lodge in Kruger national park
The Opportunity 1: High Capacity Battery Energy Storage System Applications
3,150 kWh Powerpack system Singita Lodge in Kruger national park 
20 MW/80MWh battery system: Edison, Southern California, can power 2,500 households a day.
54MWh Powerpack batteries,13MW solar generation, solar panels: Hawaiian island powered 

6. The Opportunity 2: As battery technology improves, the cost of the same is decreasing
Lithium Ion technology is lighter,
has got higher energy density,
increased cycle life,
lower self-discharge
and lower maintenance.
$1,000/kWh to $230/kWh between 2010 & 2016. 

7. The Opportunity 3: Potential Uses of BESS
Backup power to grid power failure
Cut peak-demand charges.
Peak capacity to the grid.
Provide frequency regulation
Off grid solution in combination with renewable sources
This paper focuses on battery energy storage systems as
backup to grid failure or as
an off grid solution in combination with a renewable source.  

8. The Opportunity 3: Importation of Generators in in Kenya
Year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Generators
961
1,011
1,223
1,311
1,705
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
1,270
1,500
1,777
2,052
1,413
Source: Kenya Revenue Authority Customs 2017

9. The Opportunity 3: Capacities of Generators in Kenya
Q2:345KVA
Generator Capacities
KVA
2017 %
2016 1
815
58%
1219
59% 2
416
29%
621
30% 3
160
11%
193 9% 4 21 1% 17 5
>2000 0%
Total
1413
2052
Source: Kenya Revenue Authority Customs 2017

10. The Opportunity 4 Power Interruption. Need for backup

11. Q1 650KW
The Challenge1 Inability to store or sell excess energy from off grid installations

12. The Challenge 2 Disadvantages of Diesel Generators
Heavy and large body parts
Smoke
Sound
High maintenance costs,
cost of fuel and logistical cost of refueling.
In lodges backup generators pollute the environment and disturb peace.
The Challenge 2 Disadvantages of Diesel Generators

13. battery energy storage system solution provider
The Proposal 1
battery energy storage system solution provider
put in place solutions that aim to replace backup generators in
schools,
hospitals,
malls,
Apartments,
universities,
hotels and others

14. for off grid areas including lodges, islands, remote villages,
The Proposal 2
develop solutions of high capacity battery storage accompanied by solar generation
for off grid areas including
lodges,
islands,
remote villages,
refugee camps and other similar areas.

15. Generator Data kW Equivalent and Purchase Price%
kW Equivalent
Purchase Price
Millions
KVA 58
6 -64kW
0.65
KVA 30 kW 2
KVA 10 kW 4
KVA
639-1,700KVA 7

16. Backup Generator Considerations: Annual Maintenance and Running Cost
Capacity KVA %
Maintenance cost in kshs ’000
Fuel cost in kshs ’000
Total kshs ’000 1
7.5 – 75 58 80
240
320 2
76 – 375 30
110
1,315
1,425 3
376 – 750 10
180
3,286
3,466 4
>751
590
5,844
8,621
Assumptions
1 litre of fuel = 10kWh
Run hrs = 50 hrs
Cost of fuel = kshs 109
Median kW = 35, 192, 479, 1169 respectively
This includes the following costs
Fuel filters
Oil Filters
Air filters
Oil
Coolant
Use of Workshop
Spares where needed and
Labour

17. Proposed Battery Energy Storage System
It is practical to replace the 24 hour generators of 7.5 to 75 KVA with a Battery Energy Storage System of the following or close specifications and cost.
50kW,
200kWh,
4 hour,
50kWPeak Power,
2 $94,000,
1 Bidirectional 250kW $65,000,
Cabling and site support $ 3,000:
Total $ 162,000.
Payback Period 7 years

18. 24 Hour Generator Considerations Annual Maintenance Cost
Annual Running and Maintenance Cost
Capacity KVA %
Maintenance cost in Kshs millions
Fuel
Kshs millions
Total Kshs millions 1
7.5 – 75 58
0.7
1.6
2.3 2
76 – 375 30
8.9
10.5 3
376 – 750 10
2.5
22.3
24.8 4
>751
4.8
54.1
58.9
Assumptions
1 litre of fuel = 10kWh
Run hrs = 50 hrs
Cost of fuel kshs 109
Median kW= 35, 192, 479, 1169 respectively

19. Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Specifications (to be accompanied by Solar PV in off grid areas
Storage Systems of the following or close specifications and cost to be combined in array
50kW
100kWh,
4 hour,
50kW Peak Power,
2 Powerpack version 1.5
Cost $ 72,000.
Payback period:7 years

20. Proposed Alternative Power Source Solar Solution Costs
Q3: 7600 GWh
Capacity KVA kW
Cost in millions Kshs 1
7.5 – 75 35 21 2
76 – 375
192
115 3
376 – 750
479
287 4
>751
1,162
701

21. Investment and Return: 8 Installations Only 2 of Each
Consider investing in 8 projects:
4 generator back up replacements and
4 24 hour generator replacements
BACKUP GENERATOR REPLACEMENT SOLUTION
7.5KVA -75KVA
76KVA -375KVA
Cost of ESS
16,200,000
64,800,000
50 kW 200kWh 1
Kshs
81,000,000
 24 HOUR GENERATOR
50kW, 100kWh
7,200,000
36,000,000
Solar Solution
16,000,000
80,000,000
23,200,000
116,000,000
139,200,000   
220,200,000
Profit (20%)
44,010,000
Investment in skills and tools
25,000000
Q4: 4 Generators rated 600V, 1.7 MVA, 0.7 pf 2.
One (1) Auxiliary Generator; 415 V, 625 kVA, 0.8 pf

22. Cost Benefit Back Up Generator Solution Profit 7.5 -75 KVA 3.2
Year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Generators
961
1,011
1,223
1,311
1,705
1,270
1,500
1,777
2,052
1,413
Back Up Generator Solution Profit
KVA 3.2
KVA 13
24 Hour Generator Profit
KVA 4.6
KVA
Total Profit for 1 installation each 44
12 per year such installations -= 500 million profit
Benefit
Brand Equity