One of edotco’s key missions is to be a truly sustainable towerco and this is reflected by its efforts to implement green solutions across its portfolio. In this interview, Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering for the Group, shares with TowerXchange insights on the towerco’s latest green deployment in Malaysia and regional achievements, as well as considerations on the benefits of investing in renewable solutions and R&D.
TowerXchange: Please tell us about the off-grid sites powered by hybrid renewable energy solutions deployed in Sabah and their characteristics.
Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering, edotco Group:
The hybrid renewable energy solution uses electrolyser-based fuel cells with hydrogen storage, solar panels and lithium batteries. Electrolyser-based fuel cells utilise the excess energy generated from the solar power source to electrolyse water, producing hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is used as fuel to produce electricity to power up telecommunications equipment.
The fuel cell site deployed in Sabah is a successful way to address sites that are hard to access and situated in places with considerable challenges especially for off-grid sites that require frequent diesel refuelling and maintenance.
TowerXchange: Can you describe the “business case” to hybridise these sites versus other power solutions edotco could have opted for?
Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering, edotco Group:
The ultimate business case is to deploy green solutions whenever possible. Championing sustainable solutions is ingrained in our business and if there is an opportunity to equip or complement a site with renewable energy solutions we will do so. We are also committed to reducing our carbon footprint and are consistently looking at innovative designs as well as best practices to do so. Last year, we successfully achieved our target of reducing carbon emissions by 44% through innovative tower designs and best practices, and closed 2018 with a total of 1,112 green sites across our footprint.
Solar based solutions are the most feasible business case for edotco compared to other renewable options. Implementing an off-grid solar and generator solution gives a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approximately 10% lower than the typical off-grid solution of a generator and battery running in alternate mode. We have noticed a slightly better TCO by implementing solar on poor grid sites with generator and batteries.
Fuel cell solutions reduce the carbon footprint drastically although the TCO is comparatively higher. This is mainly due to the high capital expenditure of the solution and methanol availability in a country. The biggest hurdle edotco is trying to overcome is the actual availability of methanol as well as the complex transportation ecosystem. We expect that the TCO will improve when a proper fuel supply chain is developed in the country instead of importing, and more fuel cells are deployed.
TowerXchange: This site is the first of this kind for Malaysia. But can you refresh our memory about the other sites powered by hybrid renewable energy solutions that edotco deployed in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan? How complex is their deployment?
Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering, edotco Group:
Up to March 2019, edotco has implemented close to 1,200 renewable sites across our footprint, comprising of solar, wind, solar air conditioners, solar and wind combination and fuel cell solutions.
Deploying the right renewable solutions depends on multiple factors such as site conditions, geography, grid availability, land space, tower design and so on. These complexities are common across our footprint, and we regularly conduct feasibility analysis to ensure the right solutions are deployed.
TowerXchange: How reliable are these energy options compared to other off-grid solutions available in the market?
Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering, edotco Group:
Solar implementation is the most established, proven and mature technology in terms of industry acceptance, commercial viability and supply chain resources. The techno-commercial feasibility is a function of many factors such as load, solar capacity, space, electricity and diesel rates and annual solar irradiation. edotco currently operates in countries with favourable levels of solar irradiance so we can safely say solar is a reliable power source in our portfolio.
Wind works best for sites in coastal areas. We are also exploring a solar and wind turbine combination solution as these options are complementary to each other.
Although fuel cells are new to edotco, we are currently reaping the benefits of 0% downtime at our fuel cell sites. Fuel cells are currently the most successful method which does not require backup generators. They require small footprint, they are lightweight and, most importantly, they are noise free hence ideal for rooftop sites where generator deployment is not allowed
Although fuel cells are new to edotco, we are currently reaping the benefits of 0% downtime at our fuel cell sites. Fuel cells are currently the most successful method which does not require backup generators. They require small footprint, they are lightweight and, most importantly, they are noise free hence ideal for rooftop sites where generator deployment is not allowed.
TowerXchange: How many hybrid off-grid sites does edotco run in total, across its regional operations?
Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering, edotco Group:
Around 45% of the total 1,200 renewable sites are off-grid.
TowerXchange: Are more of these sites in the pipeline for edotco across its operations? And if so, where?
Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering, edotco Group:
As mentioned earlier, championing sustainable solutions is a part of our business and we will deploy renewable energy solutions whenever possible.
We consistently look at ways we can improve and enhance the solutions we deploy. For example, we are currently carrying out studies in Bangladesh on the implementation of electrolyser and methanol fuel cells and exploring means to continue optimising capex.
TowerXchange: From an environmental standpoint, what are some of the characteristics of these sites? How green is their footprint?
Ir Kumari Nalini, Director of Engineering, edotco Group:
edotco’s renewable energy generation accounts for 1% of the total energy requirement, from the 6% renewable energy sites in the energy portfolio.
The electrolyser fuel cell currently implemented in Malaysia produces no CO2 while the methanol fuel cell has 80% CO2 savings compared to a typical off-grid alternating mode generator and battery site. For an off-grid site with a diesel generator and battery running alternatively versus a site with a DG, battery and solar there is a carbon reduction of approximately 25%. On the other hand, an off-grid electrolyser fuel cell site gives us 100% reduction of carbon compared to a diesel generator and battery only off-grid site.
