Fortis Unum builds on the extensive experience of the e4D team in the areas of energy access, mini grids and networks. This includes in country field experience of research and development in delivering 6 modular PV driven power generation and distribution systems in rural Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) affecting ~ 20,000 people in Cameroon, Kenya and Uganda.
In addition to the e4D team, the Fortis Unum project also brings in partners from Kenya and Uganda. Such a partnership with over 100 years experience, will harness their complementary skills and capabilities across network design, power generation and transmission, distributed generation, mini grids, policy development, fieldwork and stakeholder engagement. The project will test off-grid networks, in terms of their ability to:
- Work individually.
- Work collaboratively with each other in a small network cluster.
- Work in parallel with the national grid, individually, in clusters and transitioning these as a formal part of the national grid.
Clustering mini grids will form wider networks with greater stability and lower Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), while linking such clusters to the national grid could provide support the near end of line utility network. This research will be underpinned by field studies on the applicants’ five existing mini grids in Kenya and Uganda and will consider over 400 mini-grids in planning in these countries.
For more information about the latest progress on this project, please download the project leaflet here.