Microgrid implementation in New Caledonia

The islands of Maré and Ile des Pins are home to several hotel complexes, with 2,000 and 700 guests respectively. Less than a decade ago, 100% of the electricity produced on the two islands was fossil fuel-based. Today, each island has a small solar power plant to cover part of its annual electricity needs (7% on Maré and 5% on the Isle of Pines), but the objective of the energy transition plan led by ENERCAL is to achieve 100% decarbonized electricity in both islands’ power systems by 2025. This transition is based on the installation of new renewable photovoltaic production facilities combined with stationary batteries and, marginally in the long term, on the use of biofuels as a complement.
Managing a complex system like these two microgrids requires maximum optimization of the use of renewable energy sources, and this is where Energy Pool EMS (Energy Management System) comes in. This solution maximizes the use of photovoltaic power plants, based on optimized battery management and consumption forecasts. Thanks to real-time monitoring and control, the main objective is to guarantee power supply quality (no outages due to energy sources, frequency and voltage stability, etc.) while achieving economic equilibrium and favoring low-carbon means of production.