Ecoenergy solutions Tokelau

Can Tokelau support itself with solar energy?

Tokelau, an island nation in the South Pacific, is now completely able to support itself with solar energy. Elly Earls met Joseph Mayhew of the New Zealand Aid Programme to find out how this tiny collection of atolls has become almost 100% self-sufficient in less than 12 months.

Why is electricity so expensive in Tokelau?

Before the PowerSmart systems were installed on the nation’s three atolls, Tokelau was highly dependent on imported fossil fuels to meet its energy needs and therefore vulnerable to international price fluctuations and increasing fuel costs, making electricity extremely expensive for both households and businesses.

What are the characteristics of solar installation in Tokelau?

Solar installation characteristics Source: Provided through communication by Government of Tokelau (2012). Where Ah is Ampere-hour; V is volts. 48 V 6 400 Ah (or larger) battery at C20 discharge rate (Figure 4). Thus each cluster represents 33 kWp of solar.

How do solar panels work in Tokelau?

All three islands have solar installations based on a clus-ter design, with multiple clusters connected in parallel to reach the required capacity (Table 2). In the case of Tokelau, the three-phase cluster design incorporates a combination of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) bus charging2.

How much does a diesel generator cost in Tokelau?

Indeed, until recently, diesel generators were burning around 200 litres of fuel daily on each atoll, meaning more than 2,000 barrels of diesel were used to generate electricity in Tokelau each year, costing more than $1m NZD.

Does Tokelau still use diesel?

Tokelau was said to be the first country in the world to have gone 100% solar, in 2013. Diesel usage, previously needed for power generators, is said to have dropped by 90 percent. Some power generation using diesel remains necessary as backup and in prolonged cloudy spells.