The ongoing Spark Clean Energy Fellowship has given me a great perspective on both the business and technology fundamentals imperative to an energy startup’s success. The weekly video lectures on various energy topics by esteemed MIT faculty, combined with the guidance and support of our Fellowship coordinator - Hannah Bouscher, have resulted in an evolved understanding of what it takes to succeed in the energy space.
One of the most interesting topics I have come across during this Fellowship is the promise of Solar Microgrids in the electrification of rural areas. Unlike the standard solar pv rooftops, solar microgrids give the added advantage of being able to island from the grid. The microgrid’s software senses the next disruption in supply from the grid, and responds by cutting itself off from the grid. Therefore, it offers people the option of receiving clean electricity without the added inconvenience of installing a PV panel on their roof.
Such “community” solar microgrids for a city are typically designed around hospitals, banks, etc - essentially guaranteeing a power supply in the case of an emergency for various needs like charging mobile phones, heat and shelter. For a rural village with much lower energy needs and a disruptive power supply from the grid, a community solar microgrid offers residents the option of operating completely independent from the grid. I came across an excellent implementation of this concept through the weekly energy chats hosted by the Energy Club, where I came into contact with the leader of the Georgia Tech chapter of the IEEE PES Solar Microgrid Project for rural electrification in Haiti. His presentation on his team’s work in installing a solar microgrid in a remote area in Haiti gave me hope that such a concept could be a definite success in underdeveloped regions around the world whose people wish to increase their energy security.
One of the most interesting topics I have come across during this Fellowship is the promise of Solar Microgrids in the electrification of rural areas. Unlike the standard solar pv rooftops, solar microgrids give the added advantage of being able to island from the grid. The microgrid’s software senses the next disruption in supply from the grid, and responds by cutting itself off from the grid. Therefore, it offers people the option of receiving clean electricity without the added inconvenience of installing a PV panel on their roof.
Such “community” solar microgrids for a city are typically designed around hospitals, banks, etc - essentially guaranteeing a power supply in the case of an emergency for various needs like charging mobile phones, heat and shelter. For a rural village with much lower energy needs and a disruptive power supply from the grid, a community solar microgrid offers residents the option of operating completely independent from the grid. I came across an excellent implementation of this concept through the weekly energy chats hosted by the Energy Club, where I came into contact with the leader of the Georgia Tech chapter of the IEEE PES Solar Microgrid Project for rural electrification in Haiti. His presentation on his team’s work in installing a solar microgrid in a remote area in Haiti gave me hope that such a concept could be a definite success in underdeveloped regions around the world whose people wish to increase their energy security.
The Spark Fellowship encourages its fellows to host on-campus events designed to promote energy awareness, and develop viewpoints on upcoming clean energy technologies. I have been fortunate enough to have another 2016 Fellow - Francesca Gencarella - at my university so we’ve decided to collaborate on hosting these events, and we’ll be hosting our next one at the Startup Fair by the Energy Club, a club where I currently serve on the Operations Committee. Along with the Solar Microgrid, we will be talking to the students at the event about the Solar Decathlon team at Georgia Tech, where Francesca is actively involved, as well as on possible research opportunities in energy at Georgia Tech.
Though this Fellowship ends in another three weeks, I hope to continue working in the energy space for years to come, and combine my passions for clean energy technology with my aptitude for data analytics to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy.
Though this Fellowship ends in another three weeks, I hope to continue working in the energy space for years to come, and combine my passions for clean energy technology with my aptitude for data analytics to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy.
About the Author:
Nikhil Dhawan is a mechanical engineering senior at Georgia Tech and is also pursuing a minor in Energy Systems. He serves a key role in the operations team of the Energy Club at Georgia Tech, which involves securing funding from organizations for club events. Throughout his academic journey at Georgia Tech, he has performed undergraduate research in Perovskite Solar Cells, designed a net-energy positive solar-powered home, and is currently engaged in simulations of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrains to further his desire of a cleaner transportation system.
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