Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, and DONG Energy, one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe, has announced an agreement to cooperate on a technological and commercial partnership for a more sustainable energy supply of remote islands in Africa. The ambition is to enable African electric network operators of remote or isolated island grids to increase the share of renewable used while maintaining grid stability and reliability for consumers.

Of the world’s 52 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), six are in Africa. They include Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea Bissau, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe and Seychelles. These countries range in size from the smallest, Seychelles, to the largest Guinea Bissau.

In Africa alone, at least 300 remote islands distanced from mainland grids exist. These isolated island grids are often heavily diesel-dependent, incurring high electricity costs and subject to fluctuating fuel prices.

Many island utility operators aim to replace diesel with renewable generation to reduce costs and reach renewable targets. However the main challenge of integrating intermittent renewable energy is the ensuing complexity of balancing the grid and maintaining reliability and stability.

“DONG Energy has developed a virtual power plant system called Power Hub, which aggregates loads and generation capacity for network flexibility through a software platform. The system has already successfully demonstrated its capability and value in optimizing, balancing and improving the stability of remote micro-grids at the Faroe Islands,” says Evert den Boer, SVP, DONG Energy.

“Alongside DONG Energy, Schneider Electric will bring its market-leader expertise in grid field devices, network automation and grid management systems in a uniquely modular approach to virtual power plants in order to overcome the operational challenges of dynamically balancing supply and demand,” says Frederic Abbal, EVP of Schneider Electric’s energy division.