Approach for standardization of off-grid electrification projects

Kumar, Atul; Mohanty, Parimita; Palit, Debajit; Chaurey, Akanksha

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2009.03.008

Cited by 67 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The design, modeling and planning of renewable energy-based microgrids are different from those of conventional petrol or diesel-powered systems with which most are already familiar [81,146,147]. We have found that poor design is one of the major factors that curtail the lifespan of microgrids.…”

Section: Poor and Inappropriate Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application

2018

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Abstract:There is a growing interest in the application of microgrids around the world because of their potential for achieving a flexible, reliable, efficient and smart electrical grid system and supplying energy to off-grid communities, including their economic benefits. Several research studies have examined the application issues of microgrids. However, a lack of in-depth considerations for the enabling planning conditions has been identified as a major reason why microgrids fail in several off-grid communities. This development requires research efforts that consider better strategies and framework for sustainable microgrids in remote communities. This paper first presents a comprehensive review of microgrid technologies and their applications. It then proposes the STEEP model to examine critically the failure factors based on the social, technical, economic, environmental and policy (STEEP) perspectives. The model details the key dimensions and actions necessary for addressing the challenge of microgrid failure in remote communities. The study uses remote communities within Nigeria, West Africa, as case studies and demonstrates the need for the STEEP approach for better understanding of microgrid planning and development. Better insights into microgrid systems are expected to address the drawbacks and improve the situation that can lead to widespread and sustainable applications in off-grid communities around the world in the future. The paper introduces the sustainable planning framework (SPF) based on the STEEP model, which can form a general basis for planning microgrids in any remote location.

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Section: Poor and Inappropriate Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application

2018

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“…Moreover, numerous studies have shown that the relatively high initial investment costs make off-grid PV systems unattainable for rural households in DCs [9,79,118,124,134,135], except for the rural elite [136]. In India for instance, given the unequal income distribution, SHS could only be afforded by around 10% of households [135].…”

Section: Initial Investmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability of Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems for Rural Electrification in Developing Countries: A Review

Féron

2016

Sustainability

115

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Abstract:A review on rural electrification programs and projects based on off-grid Photovoltaic (PV) systems, including Solar Pico Systems (SPS) and Solar Home Systems (SHS) in Developing Countries (DCs) was conducted. The goal was to highlight the main multidimensional drawbacks that may constrain the sustainability of these systems. Four dimensions of sustainability (institutional, economic, environmental and socio-cultural) were considered in this review. It was found that institutional flaws (such as the scarcity of durability/stability and enforcement of formal institutions, weak regulations or standards, incomplete decentralization/participation and the lack of institutional adaptability) seriously compromise the sustainability of rural electrification efforts in DCs. While the lack of an effective focalized subsidy scheme (e.g., cross-tariff scheme) for the electricity tariffs of the poor population often made projects economically unsustainable, the scarcity of environmental awareness, regulations or incentives has often turned presumably clean energy technologies into environmentally unsustainable projects. Progress regarding social acceptance, accuracy and cultural justice is urgently needed for ensuring the socio-cultural sustainability of rural electrification efforts in DCs. This review may help stakeholders to identify and (based on prior experiences) address the most severe drawbacks affecting the sustainability of rural electrification efforts in DCs.

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“…Study conducted for the rural and semi-urban northern part of Nigeria suggests that decentralized hybrid systems are a better and cheaper option in long run compared to diesel generators [21]. The foreseeable limitations and possibilities associated with the hybrid mini-grids have been highlighted in different literatures [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Only a few works [32][33][34][35][36][37] exist in this field in Bangladesh and the limitations and possibilities of hybrid mini grids are still to be explored.…”

Section: Mini-grid Optionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decentralized Renewable Hybrid Mini-Grids for Sustainable Electrification of the Off-Grid Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

Alam

Bhattacharyya

2016

Energies

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Abstract:Lack of access to energy is considered as a serious bottleneck for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Despite earning recognition for promoting solar home systems, most of the rural areas and remote islands of the country still remain non-electrified due to very high unit cost and low quality of electricity from solar home systems (SHS) coupled with only few hours of restricted usages in the evening. Considering the resource potential and demand characteristics at the local level, the present study investigates the hybrid renewable mini-grid approach as a possible solution for universal electricity access in the country. Using Hybrid Optimisation of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) simulation model, the study, covering the whole coastal region of Bangladesh, shows that it is possible to offer a much better quality electricity for 12 h to 18 h a day for as low as USD 0.29-USD 0.31/kWh. Hybrid models suggested in this study can be replicated along the coastal belt and remote islands to obtain maximum diffusion of this technology and hence universal electrification.

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Approach for standardization of off-grid electrification projects

Cited by 67 publications

References 2 publications

Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application

Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application

Sustainability of Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems for Rural Electrification in Developing Countries: A Review

Decentralized Renewable Hybrid Mini-Grids for Sustainable Electrification of the Off-Grid Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

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