Siemens and SOLARKIOSK partner to bring microgrid power to Africa

Siemens and SOLARKIOSK announced on Wednesday their joint plan to bring microgrid power to non-electrified communities in rural Africa.

The two companies presented a Memorandum of Understanding at the Intersolar trade show this week, setting the foundation for a joint project in Rwanda, where they intend to create a microgrid gateway that will collect data from both SOLARKIOSK’s existing energy systems and retail businesses while enabling remote control of the E-HUBB system. E-HUBB is a solar-powered system for rural villages, which offers a number of retail and energy-related services. This united system will also connect to applications on Siemens’ EnergyIP smart grid application platform.

“With Siemens’ microgrid applications powered by MindSphere, SOLARKIOSK will be able to improve serviceability of the electrical equipment and make sure the energy is used in the most efficient way,” Ralf Christian, CEO of Siemens’ Energy Management Division, said. “Furthermore the analyzed data supports SOLARKIOSK in making the most economic decisions by evaluating productivity of different service offerings. If the B2B microgrid grows further, you can do even more with the collected data and local control capability.”

From here, the companies will tweak the microgrid cloud-based applications utilized and customize them to fit the needs of various users. They are also looking to upgrade and enhance, rolling in local microgrid control or small battery/inverter kits eventually.

“SOLARKIOSK is thrilled to develop together with Siemens software applications and algorithm which correlates our unique ability to collect valuable energy and commercial data and therefore analyses the energy impact on the various businesses we empower and vice versa,” Andreas Spieß, CEO of SOLARKIOSK, said. “The joint collaboration will refine our retail operations and service offering to B2B customers throughout our African and global network. The insight gained from this disrupting approach will enable SOLARKIOSK to take its impact and business goals to the next level.”