Off-grid renewable energy and security: a match made in heaven?

29 Feb 12

Colin Sworder explains how reductions in power demands for security systems due to lower power electronics are opening the door to off-grid supplies from renewable sources.

Here in the UK, the market sprang into life when taxpayer subsidies for grid-tied installations were implemented in April 2010. However, the grid-tied sector relied on subsidies which have created market distortions and an unstable, artificial market.The renewable energy sector worldwide is in its infancy in terms of market size but offers immense commercial potential, most notably at the local level.

That aside, some of the technology initially developed for grid-tied renewable energy markets, and some developed specifically for off-grid applications, has now reached a level of maturity that can offer reliable, fuel-free power systems which do not need subsidies to remain effective for the user and represent an international market.

Off-grid renewable power has been neglected in regions where feed-in tariff grants have made on-grid solutions (power worth <£0.10/unit being 'bought' for £0.24/unit) irresistibly attractive at first sight. However, off-grid power can be worth as much or even more in many applications as the alternatives either carry hidden operating costs or involve an initial capital investment which is prohibitive.