Enabling remote management of green mini-grids. This is the aim of the project that SparkMeter will be implementing in West Africa in the coming weeks. The smart metering and analytics technology provider has received a $1 million grant from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to deploy a comprehensive digital analytics platform to improve the operation of solar mini-grids in rural areas.

The SparkMeter remote management system will be operated by Sherlock Grids SAS. This special purpose company is being set up by mini-grid operator Power:On and Akuo Energy Africa, the subsidiary of French independent power producer (IPP) Akuo Energy. The joint venture between the players is involved in the deployment of off-grid solar systems that contribute to the electrification of rural areas in Benin.

The benefits of remote management

More than a year ago, the two electricity providers were selected in a call for projects by the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (Ocef) to build, operate and maintain 10 grid-connected solar hybrid mini-grids in 19 localities in the Atacora and Donga departments in the north of the country. As part of its project, SparkMeter plans to provide advice on developing geospatial models of utility assets and an electrical model of the grid.