Sarvantara Village

Uttar Pradesh, India

Together with the German Energy Agency (dena) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), a renewable energy solution project was initiated in 2017 in India in order to electrify a village with limited access to the existing grid.
The selected village in Uttar Pradesh has approximately 100 households. Thanks to the intelligent DC mini grid and renewable electricity produced using photovoltaic modules, the households’ basic electrification needs could be covered and the village’s water supply improved with solar pump systems. At the same time, investment costs stayed low, as highly efficient DC loads (such as LED lamps and low power consumption fans) require smaller solar systems.
With the support of our local partner Oorja to operate the grid service, training and maintenance work are guaranteed. The entire system is designed to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity for ten years.

This project is part of the worldwide dena Renewable Energy Solutions Programme coordinated by Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency – and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) within the German Energy Solutions Initiative.

PROJECT FLYER | 3 MB

PRESS RELEASE I | 248 KB

PRESS RELEASE II | 265 KB

Villagers are provided with a SMART DC mini grid

TECHNICAL DETAILS

• Village with approximately 100 households (HH)
• An energy station connects 15 HH
• Each energy station is powered by PV panels of around 660Wp (total installed PV power 9900Wp)
• Each energy station houses a hybrid storage system with a gross storage capacity of 3056Wh (656Wh lithium + 2400Wh lead acid)
• Total installed capacity in the grid is 21500Wh
• In addition to the DC mini grid, two DC water pumps were installed
• The system is designed to provide two days of autonomy even in the month with the lowest irradiation of the year in India
• The loads are powered from the lithium battery; the lead acid battery is used as backup and for autonomy purposes. This ensures a long-term storage solution lasting around 10 years

CUSTOMER STATEMENTS

Before we had electricity, we only used kerosene oil. When we wanted to charge our mobile phones we had to go to other people’s houses.With no light and no fan, there was no charm in life. But now with electricity we feel comfortable, life will be easy.We feel good, very good.

– Family with three children

When electricity was not available, we used kerosene oil which was not producing enough light.It was difficult to read without light in the evening. As electricity is available now in the village, we can read even at night.I think, the future will be good enough. Now in the day time we can do some other jobs and at night we can continue to study.The first thing I want to use when we have electricity, is a light bulb.By using it, we can work even at night.

– Student

Without electricity, the only opportunity to get light was with kerosene oil. However, the quality of light was not good and we didn’t get it sufficiently.Since the village is electrified, I expect there will be enough light, mobile charging facility, irrigation water and we will get protection from insects at night.But the main reason why we decided to get electricity was to have light, so my children can study easier.

– Mother with two children

We decided to take this service, so we get the bulb and fan in the house. It will provide a good atmosphere for reading and for other jobs. Also, we can read and do some other jobs at night too.Normally we had to use kerosene oil for doing our work in the evening. But after dinner, we had to go to bed quickly. When we wanted to charge our mobile phones, we had to go to a charging point and pay 5 rupees for it.However, it is dangerous to walk outside in the night without light. There are snakes and scorpions and people died because of their bites.Now with electricity the future for us and our village will be very good, we will be able to read at night and do other work as well. I am looking forward to using the bulbs, fan and mobile charging applications.

– Student

PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS

dena Renewable Energy Solutions Programme (dena RES Programme) The dena RES Programme was developed by the Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency. This programme, co-financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy within the German Energy Solutions Initiative, helps German renewable energy companies enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference and demonstration projects are installed near prestigious institutions. The installation is accompanied by comprehensive PR, marketing and training programmes. These projects showcase high-quality German renewable energy technology and help participating companies gain a foothold in new markets. www.german-energy-solutions.de/en

Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) The Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency – is Germany’s centre of expertise for energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and intelligent energy systems. As the Agency for Applied Energy Transition, it helps achieve energy and climate policy objectives by developing solutions and putting them into practice, both nationally and internationally. In order to do so, it brings together partners from all areas of politics and business. dena’s shareholders are the Federal Republic of Germany, the KfW Group, Allianz SE, Deutsche Bank AG and DZ BANK AG. www.dena.de/en

German Energy Solutions Initiative The transfer of energy expertise, the promotion of foreign trade and the facilitation of international development cooperation are part of the German Energy Solutions Initiative, which is coordinated and financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The initiative offers networking and business opportunities in Germany and abroad, it showcases reference projects and facilitates capacity building. www.german-energy-solutions.de/en

Oorja Development Solutions Limited

Oorja is a for-profit social enterprise incorporated in 2016 with the mission of addressing energy poverty, agricultural productivity and economic stagnation of rural areas in India whilst combating greenhouse gas emissions.
www.oorjasolutions.org

In partnership with:

1.44 kWh total usable battery capacity

28% Lithium

72% Lead Acid

9.9 kWp of solar PV
4.6 kWh installed lithium capacity
11.8 kWh installed lead acid (70% DOD)
7 individual energy hubs, one system per hub

7 Systems installed
BOS Hybrid Storage Systems
HS500 DC

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Uttar Pradesh, India