1. Project Overview

This project is situated in a region of Sudan experiencing unstable or unreliable grid electricity supply. To address the challenge of securing stable power for critical local infrastructure—such as factories, mining sites, or telecommunications base stations—a highly integrated 40-foot foldable photovoltaic energy storage container system has been deployed. Operating under a “self-generation for self-consumption, surplus power not fed into the grid” model, the system employs an integrated photovoltaic-storage unit to enable intelligent grid-connected/off-grid switching. During grid outages, it automatically transitions to off-grid operation, utilising solar energy and storage batteries to sustain power supply to loads, thereby ensuring continuity and reliability of production and operational activities.

2. Project Details

Application

Sudan possesses exceptional solar resources, with the project site characterised by extensive annual sunshine hours and high solar radiation intensity, making it an area exceptionally rich in solar energy and highly suitable for photovoltaic power generation systems. This project aims to establish an intelligent, autonomous “PV + energy storage” microgrid system to meet the round-the-clock power requirements of specific sites, effectively addressing challenges posed by frequent power outages or grid failures.

Installed Capacity

Project configuration:

1 x 40-foot photovoltaic folding integrated storage container

Photovoltaic installed capacity: 129.6 kWp

The energy storage system has a rated power of 200kW and a total storage capacity of 450kWh

Key Equipment

Integrated Container: One 40-foot high-standard container, internally integrating a folding array of photovoltaic modules, an energy storage battery system, and temperature control and fire suppression systems. It offers high protection ratings and is designed for harsh environments.

Photovoltaic-Storage Integrated Inverter: Core equipment with a rated power of 200kW. Supports both grid-connected and off-grid dual-mode operation, enabling seamless switching during mains power failures. Incorporates an MPPT controller to ensure the photovoltaic system consistently operates at optimal power generation.

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery System: Total capacity of 450kWh, featuring extended cycle life and high safety standards, providing energy assurance during off-grid system operation.

Intelligent Energy Management System (EMS): Enables comprehensive monitoring and intelligent dispatch of power generation, storage, and consumption. Maximises self-consumption rates and optimises system economic operation.

3. Project Advantages

Highly Integrated, Rapid Deployment: All core equipment is pre-installed within standard shipping containers, enabling “delivery-ready” deployment. This significantly reduces on-site installation and commissioning time (typically 1-2 days only) while requiring minimal site preparation, making it particularly suitable for emergency or rapid power generation needs.

Reliable Power Supply: Features seamless grid-connected/off-grid switching. Upon mains failure, the system transitions to off-grid mode within milliseconds, with photovoltaics and batteries jointly ensuring uninterrupted load operation, eliminating power outage concerns.

Intelligent Efficiency with Economic Benefits: Prioritises consumption of green electricity through the “self-generation for self-consumption” model, significantly reducing electricity expenditure. The intelligent EMS effectively manages energy flow, enhancing overall system efficiency and shortening the investment payback period.

Flexible Scalability and Adaptability: The modular design allows future capacity expansion by adding photovoltaic containers or energy storage cabinets as electricity demand grows. The integrated enclosure design offers robust protection against wind and sand, along with high-temperature resistance, making it suitable for arid and semi-arid climates such as those found in Sudan.

Maintenance-Free and Low Operational Costs: The system’s high integration and use of industrial-grade components ensure reliability with minimal routine maintenance. Foldable photovoltaic panels facilitate centralised cleaning, offering safe and convenient operation while substantially reducing long-term operational expenses.