Turning to innovative hybrid solar power solutions can change all of that.

Despite being the world’s second largest in terms of both landmass and population, poor and unreliable electricity supply across many African countries pose a serious challenge to mobile operators looking to expand network coverage, hindering efforts to bridge the digital divide.

Traditionally, network providers or tower companies looking to operate off-grid or in areas where grids are unstable have had to depend on diesel-powered generator sets to power sites. Depending on reliability of supply, this can result in enormous fuel and maintenance costs for the operator.

Intelligent operations

Huawei’s Solar Hybrid Power Solution is based on industry-leading SolarMax technology, and converts the abundant energy from the sun into DC output to supply stable electrical power for site equipment.

The solution features intelligent management features: by analysing data from the solar panels, battery and generator set, an algorithm is used to modify battery charging times and generator running time to maximise the benefits derived from solar radiation.

This, together with lithium instead of lead-acid batteries, has shown to improve the harvesting of solar energy by as much as 40%, and to reduce fuel consumption costs by almost 70%, as compared to other hybrid solar power systems. The benefits could grow wider in summer months, with the intelligent solution being able to take advantage of lengthier periods of sunshine.

Intelligent batteries

Huawei’s Solar Hybrid Power Solution uses intelligent lithium batteries, called BoostLi, which includes several intelligent features, including central management tools that allow for remote checks on the system’s state of health, state of charge, and more. This feature alone helps operators cut down on hundreds of dollars required per site visit.

Another challenge facing network expansion is the issue of theft; with multiple channels available for the recycling of lead-acid batteries, some operators report that up to 20% of batteries are stolen. With Intelligent Protection, BoostLi batteries that are disconnected from their central monitor can be ‘locked’ after a user-defined period, after which they will no longer supply power.

The batteries have surpassed the industry standard for parallel output power with 15kW against 5kW, and further help operators maximise existing infrastructure investments by allowing for the mixing of intelligent lithium with legacy lead-acid batteries.

Working with African operators

Safaricom, one of East Africa’s major mobile network operators, was faced with high battery theft rates and fuel bills exceeding US$10 000 per site before turning to Huawei’s hybrid solar power solution. Battery theft has dropped to zero, while fuel consumption has been cut by 90%.

The solution helped MTN reduce battery theft to zero and improve network reliability slightly. Tower operator ANTOSC (Angola Tower Sharing Company), which has deployed the hybrid solution in off-grid areas, has been able to save over $20 000 in fuel costs.

–

Source: Huawei

The post Huawei to connect Africa with reliable solar energy appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Alex Mould, making his first appearance at the ongoing Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Ghana’s participation at the 2014 world cup told the commission on Tuesday that his organisation made payments for accommodation and transportation to the GFA for some of their friendly games.

[contextly_sidebar id=”faMaXtZnEpCkRBxtalSEqH3cFIK5CCln”]This appears to be in contrast with the known practice where all the GFA’s expenses for friendlies are paid for by match agents.

Below are highlights of the interaction between Alex Mould of GNPC and Justice Dzamefe, chairman of the commission;

Dzamefe: Some of these friendly matches are arranged by FIFA agents and they pay the FA for those matches. FA incurs no cost. Agents organize the matches, pay for their flight and accommodation for those friendly matches.  But for your rendition you also pay for friendly matches.

Alex:  Yes we do.

Dzamefe: so are you aware agents pay for those matches?

Alex:  No, I am not aware.

Dzamefe: Are you surprised hearing this today?

Alex:  I will be surprised that they will be receiving money for matches that we are paying for. And I think that there should be full disclosure. I don’t think we’d have a  problem with it if they were receiving monies because  if they gave us an explanation that they were using it for other events and it’s part of their revenue, I think it’s a justification that we would be able to accept. But it think there should be full disclosure.

Dzamefe: If you go into your contract, there is a clause like that, confidentiality. I’m surprised hearing that they’ve never disclosed this to you that the agents pay for these friendly matches.

Moses Foh Amoaning: Lordship, if we can add a caveat.  It’s not all the matches. The claim [from the FA] is that the Montenegro and the other matches against Korea, and the other one against Holland, the FA funded itself. We’re yet to investigate that because [the FA] have not come over. And if the state funds were committed for those things, then we are concerned about these same things, that’s why we are probing in respect of these matters.

Death trap

Aziz Haruna Futa, President of Nationwide Supporters Union (NSU) has described the Accra Sports Stadium as a death trap following the recent dilapidated nature of the national stadium.

Haruna Futa, who appeared before the commission also said the stadium is fast collapsing and will soon bring a national calamity, if care is not taken.

“My Lord just go round the Accra Sports Stadium now, and you will see how weak the stadium has become.”

The commission continues sitting on Wednesday.

–

By: Gary Al-Smith and Godwin Allotey Akweiteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin

Follow @garyalsmith

The post DAY 21: Mould shocked that Ghana “paid double” for Stars friendlies; Futa appears appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.