(ARUBA)
A Caribbean island is adopting microgrid technologies as part of its clean energy strategy to become fossil-fuel free.
The Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba will use ABB‘s microgrid to harness wind and solar power to create a sustainable electricity system for a population of 103,000. It will be run by the island’s main utility, WEB Aruba N.V., who want renewables to supply 50% of annual energy needs – the other half coming from alternative fuels – by 2020.
“This innovative microgrid solution will support the island of WEB Aruba to integrate more renewables and maintain reliability and efficiency of power supplies to meet increasing demand for electricity,” said Massimo Danieli, head of ABB’s Grid Automation business, a part of the company’s Power Grids division. “The embedded software, automation and control technologies will also facilitate 24 hour forecasts and enable a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”
ABB is a world leader in the development of advanced microgrid tech. Its systems are installed in 40 locations worldwide.
Francis Ras, Division Manager Technical Affairs of WEB Aruba, added: “We’re eager to continue developing future projects together with ABB as they have enabled us in achieving our goals by introducing new renewables, new technologies and by adding value to our island’s economy.”
