BP Filling Station
Powering BP with solar excellence
Our project at BP filling station showcases the future of sustainable energy. With our state-of-the-art solar installation, BP is now powered by free renewable energy. This installation not only ensures productivity and business up-time but also ensures reliable, cost-effective power for years to come.
Client
BP Filling Station
Sector
Petroleum
System
Hybrid Solar
Solar Capacity
74KW
Inverter Capacity
75kW
Battery Capacity
96kWh
Est. Payback Period
28 Months
Est. 25 Year Net ROI
R9.9 Million
Challenges Faced
- High Electricity Tariff: The property was subject to high electricity costs, significantly impacting operational expenses.
- Long Duration Power Outages: The property experienced frequent and prolonged power outages, sometimes lasting for days, which disrupted business operations.
Solutions Implemented
- Hybrid Solar System: Royal Power installed a hybrid solar PV system to generate electricity during daylight hours, significantly reducing reliance on the grid. The system is designed to seamlessly switch between solar, battery, and generator power as needed.
- Battery Storage: The system, installed by Royal Power, includes 12 x 8kWh Sigenergy batteries, providing a total energy storage capacity of 96kWh. This allows the property to store excess solar energy generated during the day to power the property at night.
- Diesel Generator Integration: The existing 80kW diesel generator was integrated with the solar and battery systems by Royal Power. It is configured to automatically start when battery levels are low, and the grid is unavailable, ensuring continuous power supply.
- AC Coupling: The 120kW 3-phase Sigenergy Gateway was used to AC couple all components of the system, ensuring efficient and reliable integration of the solar panels, inverters, batteries, and generator.
- Outdoor Installation & Security: The Sigenergy equipment, including inverters and batteries, is IP66 rated, allowing for outdoor installation with protection against dust and water. For additional security, a ClearVu fence was installed around the equipment.
- Health & Safety Protocols: Due to the high-risk nature of the site, given the flammable nature of petroleum, stringent health and safety protocols were followed during the construction and installation of the system. These protocols ensured the safety of all workers and the integrity of the site throughout the build-out process.
Integration and Control
- Seamless Integration: The hybrid inverters and battery system, installed by Royal Power, were integrated to work in harmony with the solar panels and diesel generator, providing a reliable and continuous power supply. The total inverter capacity of the system is 75kW.
- Monitoring and Control System: The system’s monitoring and control are managed through the mysiGEN app from Sigenergy, the first system on the market to integrate AI into energy management for SSEG (Small-Scale Embedded Generation) plants. This advanced app ensures optimal performance, enabling real-time monitoring and intelligent decision-making to maximize efficiency and savings.
Results
- Energy Savings: The system now provides the filling station with 50% of its electricity needs, reducing the energy bill and diesel consumption at the site.
- Uninterrupted Operations: The combination of solar power, battery storage, and generator backup ensures that the filling station can operate continuously, even during extended power outages.
- Financial Savings: The reduction in grid electricity usage and optimized generator operation result in substantial savings on operational costs.
- Payback Period: The investment, facilitated by Royal Power, is projected to have a payback period of around 4 years, making it a financially viable and sustainable solution.
