Heidelberg Mall has installed a hybrid power system that will allow 100% off-grid operation.

The hybrid project, installed by Energy Partners, delivers 3,2 MWp, 3,1 MWh. The hybrid system controller integrates three sources of power generation: grid electricity, solar power, and diesel. The uninterrupted power supply is capable of handling loads of up to 2,5 MVA and can adapt in cases of power outages or when the solar system is not producing power.

The rooftop solar system can carry the mall’s full load during the day, and the combination of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and diesel generation is sized to ensure supply during load-shedding and unexpected grid failures by means of smart load management, says Charl du Plessis, General Manager of Energy Partners.

The combination of battery and solar power prevents interruptions caused by passing clouds, and BESS can be used to carry some of the load during evening peaks, high tariff periods or spread the load evenly in power breaks. “Additionally, the design protects the entire mall load from voltage fluctuations and other grid power quality issues,” du Plessis says.

The project also includes weather prediction for solar generation forecasting and load shedding schedule planning. The system is remotely monitored via real-time dashboards from Energy Partners’ plant monitoring hub in Bellville, Cape Town.