Field study of multifunctional platforms in Mauritania

A multifunctional platform (MFP) is a building containing electrical generating system and a variety of electricity consuming devices selected to serve the specific needs of rural villages. Commonly, in West Africa, the generating system consists of a diesel engine and batteries. Typical loads include grain mills and de-hulling. In Mauritania, the generating systems commonly include only photovoltaic generating systems and batteries. We visited 14 such MFPs and interviewed users and representatives of organizations that have sponsored the systems. Major benefits of the MFPs include creation of jobs, resulting in better incomes for population, and time saved by women in the traditional processing of cereals. Major problems we noticed include low maintenance and without control of some MFPs. We performed a brief techno-economic analysis of alternative generating/storage systems and found that, for the loads common in the Mauritanian MFPs, a photovoltaic/battery system is most economical and that diesel generators tend to increase the levelized cost of electricity.