Xago Africa and Alevo Analytics Partner with US Trade and Development Agency to Provide Technical Assistance for Energy Storage in Kenya
USTDA is partnering with Kenyan renewable energy developer Xago Africa
and US battery storage manufacturer Alevo USA, Inc and analytics service
provider Alevo Analytics to support the development of a utility scale
solar photovoltaic power plant with integrated battery storage in Siaya
County, Kenya. The project will utilize battery storage technology from
Alevo and will be among the first utility-scale battery storage
installations in Africa.
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U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Robert F. Godec, signs the grants on behalf of USTDA, along with Xago Africa Managing Director, Paul W. Webb. (Photo: Business Wire)
A $1.4 million technical study supported by the partnership will also
provide detailed analytics for the Kenyan power system and serve as a
roadmap to help advance the energy storage market in Kenya.
Implementation of energy storage technologies can increase the
efficiency and stability of the national grid, allow for increased
integration of renewable energy generation sources, and reduce reliance
on expensive fossil fuel generation in Kenya.
"Our primary focus is on solar energy which has the potential to
eliminate the power shortages that hold back socio-economic development
across the continent,” said Paul W Webb, Xago Africa’s Managing
Director. “Furthermore, energy storage will transform electricity
transmission networks and rapidly accelerate the take‐up of renewables,
and we are proud to be partnering Alevo which leads the field in battery
technology and network analytics. This USTDA funded project builds on
our valuable relationship with Power Africa and will lay the foundations
for the Kenyan electricity system to become the most advanced in Africa."
“Solar plus energy storage will enable Kenya to increase the adoption of
renewable energy as the storage will provide grid stability, help to
manage solar intermittency, and provide dispatchability of clean
reliable and sustainable power to the Kenyan people,” confirmed Dr
Randell M Johnson, PE, Chief Analytics Officer, Alevo Analytics.
Julian Oteng, Xago Africa’s Director of Operations, said “We are also
looking at expanding into other territories. Energy storage is coming
and we aim to lead the way in North and Sub‐Saharan Africa with Alevo
Battery Technology. This is the start of a long-term relationship which
will help to bring clean power to the 600 million Africans who do not
have access to electricity.”
“USTDA is pleased to facilitate new business partnerships between US and
Kenyan companies that can spur long-term, sustainable economic growth,”
said Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director Lida Fitts. “The adoption of
innovative and cost-effective US technology can help Kenya to meet its
energy development goals.”
Xago Africa is currently developing a 40 MW solar power plant at a cost
of around $75 million near Lake Victoria which will alleviate the
chronic power shortages in Western Kenya. And together with construction
partner, Solarcentury East Africa, Xago Africa will provide solar power
systems to three schools in the area in addition to its ongoing support
for the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation’s school building programme.
About Xago Africa
Xago Africa was established in 2014 to deliver vital public
infrastructure projects financed by private sector funding with the aim
of fostering economic growth and sustainable industrial development in
Africa. Headquartered in Kenya, Xago Africa combines environmental
engineering and project development capabilities with an extensive
investor network to accelerate socio‐economic development for the people
of Africa.
About Alevo
Alevo®, a leading provider of energy storage is redefining energy as a
developer, manufacturer and provider of grid‐scale energy storage
solutions featuring GridBank® & Alevo Analytics. GridBank lithium‐ion
batteries feature a proprietary inorganic electrolyte (Alevolyte™),
which is non-flammable and offers extreme long life and stability.
Alevo’s vertically engineered turnkey energy storage solution can be
placed anywhere on the electricity supply chain, to reduce energy waste,
lower greenhouse gases and other emissions, create efficiencies and
lower costs. Founded in 2009, Alevo is headquartered in Switzerland with
GridBank manufacturing in the US.
About Alevo Analytics
Alevo Analytics provides advanced energy storage and network analytics,
simulation capabilities, business intelligence and advisory services
with a primary focus on the power and energy sectors. Alevo Analytics
offers Consulting Services, Analytics IQ databases and its GridMaestro™
product suite of real time software solutions for remote operation and
control of energy storage with SCADA, SSE Stacked Services Emulator,
Data Collector and Master Controller.
About USTDA
The US Trade and Development Agency helps companies create US jobs
through the export of US goods and services for priority development
projects in emerging economies. USTDA links US businesses to export
opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building
activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic
growth in partner countries.
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