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Typical Case of Off-Grid Applications: Nigeria's Mesh Grid
Created on 07.31
Australia's OkraSolar's mesh-grid is a distributed off-grid solar solution suitable for communities with fewer than 1,000 households. Compared to traditional off-grid solutions, costs can be reduced by about 60%, and such communities have a coverage rate of nearly 80% in Nigeria.
OkraSolar, founded in 2016, focuses on providing distributed renewable energy solutions for off-grid and weak grid areas. Through technological innovation, it offers reliable and affordable electricity services to energy-poor regions around the world, especially rural and remote communities.
The mesh grid has 4 key components:
(1) Okra Pod
Includes smart IoT devices, integrated electric meters, charging controllers, and power-sharing algorithms, supporting plug-and-play deployment.
(2) Okra Suite
Includes solar panels, batteries, inverters, and supporting hardware (central Hub, radiation Spoke).
中心Hub: Provides up to 3.6kwh of power for high energy-consuming users such as restaurants and processing plants, with an average daily power generation of 3kwh.
Radiation Spoke: Provides lighting, fans, and other daily power under 150w for low-energy households, obtaining surplus power from the Hub via cable.
(3) 50V DC power grid: low voltage design, safe, low cost (cables are only about 1/5 of traditional ones).
(3) Cicada IoT module: cost communication module, supports 2G/3G/4G and WiSun protocols, with a coverage range of 700 meters, achieving IoT connectivity in off-grid areas. A single Beacon device can cover 90 households through 4G satellite connection.
Why is this mesh grid solution the ideal choice for communities with fewer than 1,000 households?
1. Cost and Deployment Efficiency
• Deployment speed: A single site can be installed within weeks after the equipment arrives, without the need for land approval or complex infrastructure.
• Low cost: Localization maintenance (only requires basic training for solar energy systems), operating costs as low as $10-20 per household per year (including SAAS fees).
• Flexible expansion: Start from a single node and expand as needed, supporting the growth of community energy demands. Moreover, failures only affect local nodes and will not cause a complete network outage.
2. Smart Power Distribution
• Dynamic optimization algorithm: Adjusts power transmission in real-time through Pods, reduces line loss, and extends battery life.
• Hub & Spoke model:
Hub: High energy-consuming users bear the main power generation, and the remaining electricity is distributed to surrounding Spoke households.
Spoke: Low-energy users access at low cost, can be upgraded to Hub in the future.
3. Compatibility and Interconnection
• Integration with mini grids: Through the Grid Gateway device, convert 230V AC to 50V DC to achieve hybrid grid deployment.
• Supports high power loads: Multiple Pods stacked can provide up to 3.6kW of power for commercial loads.
• Open communication module: Supports WiSun protocol to build a local mesh network, a single Beacon device can provide network coverage for 90 households through 4G/satellite connection.
The advantages of mesh grid solutions compared to traditional solutions:
Dimension | Centralized Mini Grid | Okra Mesh Network |
Voltage | 230V-33kV AC Power | 50V DC |
Deployment Cost | High (requires land approval, heavy-duty cables) | Low (lightweight cable, plug and play) |
Applicable Scenarios | High-density community, high-power commercial load | Low-density community, dispersed families |
Maintain security | Need professional technical personnel | Local personnel can operate |
Fault Impact | Total network paralysis | Only affects local nodes |
In Nigeria, 80% of off-grid households are distributed in low-density communities (<1000 households), making it difficult for traditional solutions (SHS, microgrids) to cover them. The mesh grid covers low-density communities and achieves economic feasibility through the flexible deployment of the Hub & Spoke model.
Nigerian empirical data
• Energy consumption surge: In 2023-2024, the average daily energy consumption per user (ACPU) skyrocketed from 304 Wh/day to 787 Wh/day (+159%), and the proportion of high consumers jumped from 17% to 45.3%.
• Driving factors: Starting from September 2023, deploying L90 high-power kits (1200W) in commercial dense areas to replace diesel generators, supporting high load demands such as chillers and processing equipment.
Business level
1. User segmentation and revenue balance
• High consumption scenarios: Deploy the L90 suite in commercial areas to quickly replace diesel generators and enhance project returns.
• Low consumption scenario: Provide families with a 120W low-power kit to reduce initial investment (Capex).
2. Value-added service innovation
• Appliance financing: Promote home appliances such as refrigerators and televisions through installment payment models to stimulate electricity demand and enhance ARPU.
• Hybrid deployment: In areas with weak power grids, the Okra suite can serve as a backup power source to enhance power supply reliability.
3. Sustainable Expansion
• Community Engagement: Train local personnel to maintain the power grid, reduce operation and maintenance costs, and enhance community trust.
• Technology iteration: Optimize algorithms based on user energy consumption data and dynamically adjust power distribution strategies.
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