Presented at the event “The Future of Grid in Rwanda: How Will it Be Smart?" 24-04-2014

1. SMART GRID TECHNOLOGIES
CHALLENGES IN RWANDA
MARCEL GAKUBA
HEAD- SRDU, ENERGY -EWSA LTD
Theme:
The Future of Grid in Rwanda: How Will it Be Smart?
College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda (CST – UR, Kigali Campus).
27th March 2014

2. Presentation Outline
1. What is smart grid?
2. Why Smart Grid?
3. Global Energy Use
4. Smart Grid Implementation in Africa
5. Challenges in Implementing Smart Grid in
Rwanda
6. Way forward
7. Conclusions

3. What is smart grid?
• Short Answer: Smart Grid = IT + Electric Grid
“Smart grid” generally refers to technologies that
people are using to bring utility electricity delivery
systems into the 21st century, using computer-based
remote control and automation.
These systems are made possible by two- way digital
communications technologies and computer
processing that has been used for decades in other
industries.

4. What is smart grid?

5. What is smart grid?

6. What is smart grid?

7. What is smart grid?

8. Why Smart Grid?
The basic structure of the electric power
grid has remained unchanged for many
years (hundreds).
Existing power generation infrastructure is
not able to keep pace with growing power
demand.
The methods of power delivery to
consumers are also outdated and extremely
inefficient.
Global power industry is facing challenges.

9. Why Smart Grid?
The electric grid in its current state is falling behind
the 21st century technological advancements and
energy demands.
Current trends in energy supply and use are
unsustainable-economically, environmentally and
socially.
IEA Predict the overall energy use to double by
2030.
Most of the expansion will be powered by growth in
fossil fuels.

10. Why Smart Grid?
On the other hand, climate change scientists now tell
us that we will need to reduce emissions of CO2 and
other greenhouse gases by at least 60% by 2050, if
we are to meet our emissions reduction target.
We can decide to do something about climate change
by expanding massively the contribution of
renewable energy to our overall energy needs or
continue with “the business as usual” model.

11. Global Energy Use
About 87% of the world
primary energy is fossil
fuels.
A substantial proportion
of coal and gas
production is used to
generate electricity
(about 40%), a
percentage that is
gradually increasing

12. Global Energy Use
China has consolidated its position as the world’s
largest energy consumer. By 2035, China will consume
nearly 70% more energy than the US (the second
largest consumer).
In 2010, about 1.3 billion people (1/5 of the world
population) did not have access to electricity. In 11
countries all in Africa, more than 90% of people
go without electricity.
Until now, most Africans have no access to modern
fuels like natural gas, kerosene or propane. They
still rely on traditional use of biomass for cooking.

13. Smart Grid Implementation in Africa
Africa has an abundance of natural resources. The
entire continent can be regarded as one giant solar
panel. Rwanda for instance, has very good solar
and wind resources -RE
The deployment of RE technologies has been slow
to take off.
With the abundant RE resources in Rwanda, we
can improve access to electricity services by
adapting smart grid technologies to meet the
electricity demand of now & the future.

14. Challenges in Implementing Smart Grid
in Rwanda
Ageing and outdated Infrastructure: Present
Infrastructure in Rwanda is inadequate and requires
major overhaul and augmentation to support the
introduction of Smart Grids.
Inadequate resources: There is a need for new
technologies in the electricity supply system and new
infrastructure for transmission and distribution.
Lack of integrated communication platform

15. Challenges in Implementing Smart Grid
in Rwanda
Cost of deployment: Distribution systems make
up the bulk of smart grid costs.
Management of the vast amount of data
generated by a wide range of stakeholders such as
the vendors, local government, IPP, industries, and
consumers may be challenging.
Transition from legacy systems: Old systems
cannot always be retrofitted with new technologies
and there may be a need for an entire technology
solutions.

16. Challenges in Implementing Smart Grid
in Rwanda
Smart consumers: “ The customer is ultimately
the stakeholder that the entire grid was created to
support”.
consumer’s embrace of the two-way
communication
Implement dynamic pricing that can be
incentives for consumers to change their energy-use
patterns.

17. Challenges in Implementing Smart Grid
in Rwanda
Compatibility of older equipment: Some older
equipment must be replaced as it cannot be
retrofitted to be compatible with smart grid
technologies. Early retirement of equipment may
become an issue
Smart Grid Cybersecurity: is another challenge
area for smart grid implementation

18. Challenges in Implementing Smart Grid
in Rwanda
Lack of standard and interoperability: The
shift to common standard will take years of
additional development, testing and negotiation.
The quest for Smart Grid standards to facilitate
interoperability is the most complicated issue facing
the Smart Grid industry.
Make more energy available at affordable
prices to enable all people to use modern energy
to meet their basic needs.

19. Challenges in Implementing Smart Grid
in Rwanda
To slow overall growth of energy consumption
through conservation and energy efficiency
improvement and to make energy sources more
environmentally sustainable.
Changes in Regulatory Policies: Our policies
can not to deal with consequences of Smart Grid.
Lack of human skills: who have the “know how”
to deal with highly sophisticated equipment.

20. Way forward
Energy efficiency and conservation policies should
be put in place.
If the grid were just 5% more efficient (worldwide),
the energy savings would equate to permanently
eliminating the fuel and greenhouse gas emissions
from 53 million cars .
Diversification of energy sources should be a priority
of the government
Facilitate access to modern energy for all households

21. Conclusions
The Smart Grid will come from the application of
intelligent energy technology to optimize the
use of generation resources and the delivery
of power
There are several key challenges that should be
addressed before smart grid implementation could
be a reality in Rwanda (and/or many Africa
countries).

22. Conclusions
Government must
Promote broad deployment of energy
efficiency
Deploy various types of renewable
energy
Put the right policy in place

23. THE END
mgakuba@ewsa.rw
www.ewsa.rw