Recently, good news came from the Red Mining area in Zimbabwe. The photovoltaic storage microgrid project, constructed by AVIC Science and Technology Innovation, has been officially completed and put into operation. This 11 megawatt photovoltaic and 30 megawatt hour energy storage photovoltaic project has lit up green electricity for mining areas on the African plateau. Complete all construction tasks in 50 days, with a photovoltaic power supply ratio of over 85%, and save fuel costs of 50-60 million yuan annually. Chinese technology is providing replicable solutions for the green transformation of African mining.

Build a microgrid in the mining area within 50 days

The project is located on the African Plateau in Zimbabwe, facing multiple challenges such as difficulties in material transportation, long equipment customs clearance cycles, and short construction window periods during the rainy season. The AVIC Science and Technology Innovation Project team scientifically organized, reversed the construction schedule, coordinated scheduling, and worked day and night to complete all construction tasks in 50 days. The peak installed power of the photovoltaic project is 11 megawatts, accompanied by a 30 megawatt hour energy storage system and a 4 megawatt diesel generator backup power supply. It is currently the largest mining photovoltaic storage diesel microgrid project in Zimbabwe. In terms of construction organization, the project team precisely controls each link of design, procurement, and construction to achieve efficient connection of processes.

Photovoltaic power supply exceeds 85%

The project achieves direct power supply of 11 kV high voltage, with a photovoltaic power supply ratio of over 85%. It is the first microgrid project in Zimbabwe to directly connect to the mining distribution system at the 11 kV voltage level. China Aerospace Science and Technology Innovation Corporation (CASC) and Extreme Energy Storage jointly developed the NOVAGREEN grid type energy storage system, which effectively suppresses the surge current caused by the start stop of mining equipment, controls the voltage deviation within ± 2%, and stabilizes the frequency at 50 Hz ± 0.1 Hz, ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the system and equipment under harsh working conditions. The project meets the extremely high requirements for power continuity in mining production, and can achieve 24-hour uninterrupted power supply, with an annual power supply of over 330 days and fully off grid independent operation, effectively solving the long-standing problems of difficult, expensive, and unstable power supply in mining areas. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, optical storage, power

Annual fuel cost savings of 50 million

According to calculations, after the project is put into operation, it can reduce diesel consumption and carbon emissions by more than 90% annually, saving fuel costs of 50 to 60 million yuan. Compared to traditional diesel power generation, electricity costs can be reduced by about 50%, helping Zimbabwe to build green mines and achieve a win-win situation of commercial value and environmental benefits. As the largest mining photovoltaic storage microgrid project in Zimbabwe, the successful operation of this project provides a demonstration sample for the promotion and application of China's clean energy technology in African mining. China Aviation Industry Corporation stated that it will continue to leverage its technological advantages in the field of clean energy to provide more systematic solutions for the green transformation of African mining.Editor/Gao Xue