REopt Facilitates Solar Microgrid Scaling in Cameroon

A microgrid in Voundou, Cameroon, was launched in October 2022 and serves 47 connections, including 35 businesses, 10 households, one hospital, and one church, with an average total consumption of approximately 100 kWh per day. NREL used the REopt codebase to conduct initial system sizing and cost assessments and to inform distribution system schematics and design constraints. Photo from Renewable Energy Innovators Cameroon.

More than 9.4 million people in Cameroon (35% of the population) currently lack reliable access to electricity. This lack of access hinders opportunities for socioeconomic development and can force households and businesses to rely upon burdensome biomass fuels or expensive and unreliable generators to meet their energy needs. To address this challenge, microgrid developer Renewable Energy Innovators Cameroon (REIc) partnered with Grouconser, Simpliphi, Morua Power, and NREL to conduct an extensive microgrid feasibility study and capacity building project supported by the United States Trade and Development Association and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Smart Village. The project aimed to enhance REIc's technical approaches and tools for microgrid development and position the company to expand microgrid projects throughout Cameroon.

As part of this effort, NREL used the REopt^® codebase to conduct initial system sizing and cost assessments for a pilot solar, storage, and generator microgrid in Voundou, a community in the central region of Cameroon. REopt results were also used to inform initial distribution system schematics and design constraints. The microgrid was launched in October 2022 and currently serves 47 connections, including 35 businesses, 10 households, one hospital, and one church, with an average total consumption of approximately 100 kWh per day. The project team estimates more than 20,000 people in Voundou and surrounding villages indirectly benefit from more reliable electricity services, crucial for healthcare facilities and local businesses. A satisfied microgrid customer from Express Union, a national microfinance institution with a branch in Voundou, testified to the value of the services provided, stating:

"Initially we doubted the capability of the microgrid to power our computers and equipment, but we decided to take the chance. We are glad we did! After a few months of usage, we really appreciate the quality of electricity service we are receiving and the savings we are able to realize."

Building on the success of the Voundou pilot, REIc now aims to install microgrids in an additional 134 communities across Cameroon. To support planning for the scale-up of REIc's microgrid portfolio, REopt was employed to model hypothetical cost-optimal microgrid deployments for hundreds of combinations of community types, sizes, and productive use loads. The results of this sensitivity analysis were compiled into a user-friendly workbook, allowing the project team to explore system size and financial implications across various deployment scenarios. As REIc continues to expand its impact, REopt remains a valuable tool for initial system designs and cost estimates for successful and sustainable microgrid deployments throughout Cameroon.