Rural electrification remains a great challenge for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as access to electricity is a prerequisite to accelerate its development. The present paper reviews the measures adopted to promote access to electricity in rural and remote areas of SSA. The main barriers to rural electrification in these developing countries are presented before showing technologies used for the aforementioned purpose. Then, adopted methods for enhancing the use of renewable energy in SSA are shown. Moreover, the policy adopted by decision makers and project planners are also highlighted. In addition, the optimal solutions proposed by researchers are given such as the cost-effective off-grid system type that might be a viable alternative to diesel power generation.

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Solid waste is a promising renewable fuel that can substitute conventional fuel. According to the researchers, thermoconversion of solid waste such as municipal solid waste or residual household waste (RHW) is beneficial to society. However, due to its heterogeneity, the gasification of RHW is more complex. This review article discusses the steps that RHW must undergo before its thermoconversion and the state of the art of solid waste gasification. First, characterisation methods of RHW are surveyed. Second, the properties of RHW, the production lines of refuse derived fuel (RDF) from RHW, the influence of RDF composition and operating parameters such as equivalence ratio and temperature are reviewed. Moreover, RDF gasification products, scientific barriers and proposed solutions are evaluated. In conclusion, concerning emissions, costs and technical aspects related to each thermochemical process, it can be said that gasification is a promising technique for the recovery of RHW. However, studies on cogasification of waste and biomass on a pilot-industrial scale are still scarce and synergistic effects of this cogasification need to be clarified.

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