Palau Utility-Scale Solar PV & BESS

Case Study Context

Ekistica was engaged by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the local utility, Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC), in the feasibility, scoping, development and delivery of 40MW of renewable generation and 100MWh of energy storage to deliver on its renewable energy targets within the context of an ageing and diesel-reliant power system. 

Delivery 

Ekistica acted as technical advisor and owners’ engineer, including:

• Pre-development support for the PV and BESS systems and new control centre, including site assessment and analysis;
• Pre-feasibility studies - engineering analysis, economic assessment and risk analysis; review of geology, earthquake and seismic risks, hydrology, flood and future climate change risks; design and cost estimates for associated civil works; energy yield and solar uptake scenario assessments; preparation of financial models and financial analysis of procurement and contracting options;
• PV & BESS procurement - bid documentation and tender process management through assessment, selection, and negotiations;
• Proposal evaluation - modelling to assess the likely outcomes of proposed PV & BESS solutions when integrated into the existing grid;
• Change assessments - analysing the likely effects of minor changes to the proposed systems;
• System planning and prioritisation - Assessing the relative merit of potential upgrades to PPUC and assisting them in communicating these priorities to potential Project funders;
• Engineering and technical advisory services to PPUC for the assessment of critical, contingent, and provisional network upgrades;
• Owner’s Engineer during construction to oversee the construction contractor & network integration, including significant time in-country.