The core business of FRES companies in Africa is selling electricity as a service via a fee-for-service business model.
Key to success is to ensure FRES is utilizing the most economic, efficient and long-lasting technology. A standard SHS consists of battery, a regulator and a solar panel, sufficient to power several lamps and small appliances. Batteries are a key component of a SHS and the most expensive component over the life time of the system. As such, FRES is continually seeking to optimise the lifecycle performance of its batteries for the benefit of its local companies.
The overall objective is to provide clear recommendations on how FRES can improve the lifecycle performance of the batteries in its SHS. Specific objectives include:
Benchmarking the lifecycle costs of batteries in one or two FRES companies
Analysing key risk factors which diminish battery performance, in particular:
- Customer tampering
- System overloading and control systems
- Customer relationships
- Recommending practical steps to mitigate key risk factors, including technical and non-technical solutions.
- Recommending guidelines for battery handing with respect to HSE (Health, Safety and Environment).
- Analysing the business case and prioritisation of the aforementioned recommendations.
By necessity, the scope of the investigation will include technical and non-technical aspects of FRES business.
- Technical: the study scope will include other – SHS components, such as the regulator, PV module sizing, battery housing & security…
- Non-technical: the study scope will include customer contracting, customer education, battery handling / ergonomics, operating and maintenance procedures and policies.