Zimbabwe's plateau mines have ushered in a new green power supply system. Faced with complex overseas construction environments, domestic state-owned enterprise teams have overcome difficulties and landed large-scale photovoltaic microgrid projects with super fast construction speed. The project significantly reduces the energy consumption cost of mines and has become a benchmark for clean energy cooperation between China and Africa.

Rapid construction and production

Recently, the Zimbabwe Red Mining Light Storage Diesel Microgrid Project, undertaken by AVIC Science and Technology Innovation, has been officially completed and put into operation. This project is equipped with 11MWp photovoltaic, 30MWh energy storage system, and 4MW diesel backup power supply. It is the largest mining photovoltaic storage diesel microgrid project in the local area and also a benchmark project for off grid microgrids implemented by Chinese enterprises in Africa.

The project adopts the 11kV high-voltage direct power supply mode, with a photovoltaic storage power supply ratio of over 85%, and can achieve uninterrupted independent power supply for more than 330 days 24 hours a year. Multiple challenges such as local climate, material transportation, and customs clearance procedures overlapped, and the project team efficiently coordinated the construction, completing all construction tasks in just 50 days, demonstrating China's hardcore infrastructure strength. At the same time, relying on self-developed energy storage systems, precise and stable voltage and frequency are ensured to ensure the safe and stable operation of mining equipment.

Reduce costs, promote green initiatives, and increase efficiency

After the implementation of this microgrid project, the benefits are very outstanding. It can reduce diesel consumption and carbon emissions by more than 90% annually, save 50-60 million yuan in fuel costs, and reduce the overall electricity cost of the mine by 50%. It successfully achieves the dual goals of green production and cost reduction and income increase.

For a long time, remote mines in Africa have relied on diesel power generation, and high electricity costs have constrained industrial development. This project has validated China's ability to integrate the entire clean energy industry chain through customized photovoltaic energy storage and diesel generator integration solutions, which is in line with the deployment of China Africa clean energy cooperation and helps upgrade green infrastructure in Africa. Keywords: microgrid, green mine

Empowering overseas development

The successful implementation of this project highlights the core competitiveness of China's microgrid technology and engineering services. The demand for off grid microgrids in Africa is strong, and the successful practice of this project has formed a replicable and promotable overseas mining new energy construction model, laying a solid foundation for Chinese enterprises to deeply cultivate the African clean energy market and deepen China Africa green cooperation.Editor/Min Jing