A Rising Role for Decentralized Solar Minigrids in Integrated Rural Electrification Planning? Large-Scale, Least-Cost, and Customer-Wise Design of Grid and Off-Grid Supply Systems in Uganda

Abstract

Increasing Uganda’s low electrification rate is one of the country’s major challenges. Power service is essential to achieve socioeconomic development and poverty reduction, especially in rural areas. This paper shows the advantages of using an integrated (grid and off-grid) electrification model with high geospatial, temporal, and customer-class granularity as the Reference Electrification Model (REM). In universal electrification strategies, REM will help better ascertain the role of minigrids, jointly with grid extension, solar kits, and stand-alone systems. REM has been applied to the Southern Service Territory (SST) to determine the least-cost mix of electrification modes—grid extension, off-grid minigrids, and standalone systems—that satisfies the hourly demand requirements of each customer—residential, commercial, or industrial—considering its individual location. REM incorporates the existing grid layout, the hourly solar local profile, and the catalogs of actual components for network and generation designs. The paper shows that minigrids can provide grid-like service at a significantly lower cost in many circumstances and to a considerable extent. Therefore, minigrid strategies should play a more important role in electrification planning, both transitorily and on a permanent basis, particularly when the central grid suffers from frequent and prolonged blackouts.

Mini-Grids: Empowering Africa’s Sustainable Energy Transition

“…When mini-grids are integral to a country's national electrification master plan, it tends to attract investments from private companies and donors, and communities are more inclined to embrace them. Mini-grids designed to be compatible with the main grid facilitate a smooth transition between grid and off-grid supply, ensuring the longevity of the assets even when the main grid is eventually established [6].…”

On the role of interconnected mini-grids in net-zero emissions electricity system: insights from Nigeria

“…While evaluating the relevant literature, it was observed that there exists several research on the potential of mini-grids in different electricity system configurations (Kaabeche and Ibtiouen 2014, Maleki and Askarzadeh 2014, Baneshi and Hadianfard 2016, Moner-Girona et al 2016, Ramli et al 2016, Das et al 2017, Shahzad et al 2017, Ahmad et al 2018, Chang et al 2021, González-García et al 2022, Guillou and Girard 2023. Detailed reviews of hybrid renewable energy system considering mini-grids are presented in Bhattacharyya(2018), Come Zebra et al (2021).…”

Attention to detail – exploring effects on technology selection in geospatial electrification modelling

“…In the detailed generation and network design tools class, the Reference Energy Model (REM) has been applied in e.g. India [30], Kenya [31], Rwanda [32] and Uganda [33].…”