Mauritian Wave and Microgrid Project

Project Partner :   Australian Government, Mauritian Research Council

Location :   Mauritius and the neighbouring island of Rodrigues

Features:

1. The project scope included:

• a technical, commercial and financial feasibility of high penetration renewable energy
• an assessment of the Mauritian wave energy resource
• the identification of a preferred site for a commercial CETO wave energy project
• the design of a microgrid powered desalination plant on the Mauritian island of Rodrigues.

1. Some project key facts and findings:

• Isolated grid system with peak load of 378 MW supplied by multiple generation sources (diesel, biomass, hydro, solar PV, wind)
• Currently 22% renewable energy with near-term target of 35% and longer term target of more than 50%
• Grid integration technologies and distributed generation in the form of microgrids (importing/exporting) to ensure power quality and reliability can be maintained
• The project is supported by $800,000 in funding from the Australian and Mauritian Governments.