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The design of renewable energy systems traditionally emphasizes life cycle costs, often focusing primarily on emissions rather than a comprehensive life cycle impact assessment. This research proposes a four‐tier methodology to balance cost‐effectiveness and sustainability in the electrification of remote areas. Tier 1 focuses on understanding the community context by analyzing electrical load profiles, meteorological data, and component specifications for microgrid design. Tier 2 evaluates the feasibility of various systems, optimizing them through cost analysis and Multi‐Criteria Decision‐Making (MCDM) to rank alternatives. Tier 3 assesses environmental impacts using life cycle assessment, ranking alternatives based on environmental criteria. Tier 4 integrates cost and environmental rankings to determine the most suitable energy configurations, followed by sensitivity analysis to ensure robust decision‐making. The methodology is validated through a case study of an unelectrified remote community, demonstrating that the PV‐Wind Turbine‐Biomass Generator‐Converter configuration is the most robust alternative, proving to be the optimal choice in 50% of the analyzed scenarios, achieving a Cost of Energy of 0.213 USD/kWh while minimizing environmental impact across all 18 criteria considered over a 25‐year life cycle. This novel framework offers a scalable approach to designing renewable energy systems, enhancing sustainable electrification efforts in developing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgency of addressing environmental challenges has become more apparent than ever in recent years. Using existing renewable resources and reducing environmental impacts is critical for boosting economic growth and sustainable development. Ethiopia has limited access to modern bioenergy because of insufficient biomass data and policy gaps. This study estimated the theoretical potential of forest residue biomass resources for modern bioenergy production in Ethiopia. A combination of forest statistics data, publicly available data, literature models, and standard procedures was utilized. Ethiopia generates approximately 16.4 million dry tons of recoverable forest residue biomass each year. This indicates that the theoretical energy potential of forest residue available in Ethiopia is about 1.8–4.93 billion liters of ethanol each year, equivalent to 172%–469% of the country's gasoline consumption. Alternatively, the same amount of residue could generate 1.23–3.29 billion liters of biodiesel (biomass to Fischer–Tropsch) each year, accounting for 40%–107% of the country's biodiesel consumption. The theoretical estimations also show that the recoverable forest residues have the potential to produce about 12.7–34 TWh of electricity. This could significantly improve remote rural household electrification while decreasing the country's reliance on fuel wood biomass for traditional biofuels by 26%. The findings indicate that generating modern bioenergy from forest biomass residue has the potential to contribute to Ethiopia's energy mix, boost rural power access, and open new avenues for socioeconomic development. Finally, it can be concluded that the study findings reported in this study are useful to energy professionals, researchers, and policymakers interested in biomass fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a modern and globalized world, the advances in technology are rapid, especially in terms of energy generation through renewable sources, which is intended to mitigate global warming and reduce all the ravages that are currently occurring around the world. Photovoltaic and biomass generation sources are attractive for implementation due to the abundant energy resources they offer; however, the intermittency of these sources is a disadvantage when it comes to the needs of the load, decreasing the reliability of the system. Therefore, it is essential to use a backup and storage system such as a diesel generator and a battery bank to continuously supply the load demand. This work presents a case study to meet the energy needs of a community made up of 17 low-income homes on an island in the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador. The optimization and economic evaluation of the hybrid system is achieved using specialized software, resulting in the optimized architecture of the renewable energy system based on the available resources of the locality. The architecture is made up of a 22 kW photovoltaic generator and a 1.5 kW biomass generator, while the diesel generator is 12 kW, the battery bank is made up of 58 units of 111 Ah, and the dispatch strategy is load tracking. The results of the economic evaluation indicate that the total cost of the system (TNPC) is USD 96,033, the initial cost for the implementation of the system is USD 36,944, and the levelized cost of energy is USD 0.276, which makes it attractive for implementation. The importance of this research lies in its practical approach to solving electrification challenges in isolated and low-income communities through a hybrid renewable energy system. By demonstrating how intermittent sources like solar and biomass can be effectively combined with backup and storage systems, the study provides a reliable, economically viable, and implementable solution, addressing both the global need to mitigate climate change and the local need for accessible energy in vulnerable regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of solar energy at a regional scale necessitates a thorough understanding of available resources. Cuba, facing prolonged economic, environmental, and energy crises, urgently needs to enhance its sustainability through solar energy. Although solar resource mapping is widespread, Cuba lacks extensive field measurements, often relying on models that may not be ideally suited for large regions, like Matanzas province. Spanning over 12,000 km² with nearly 150 km between its northern and southern extremes, Matanzas presents challenges for high-resolution solar mapping. This study introduces a methodology that integrates various methods and databases to achieve the maximum resolution in the resulting solar map. This approach is designed for large areas, where conventional high-resolution models fall short. By optimizing calculation times and parameterizing the entire surface latitudinally, a high-resolution solar resource map for Matanzas has been developed. This map significantly enhances the understanding of solar resources in Cuba and enables the proposal of new methodologies for analyzing solar potential in similarly large regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A novel control mechanism is presented for rural microgrids, standing out in the current literature with its advanced approach to load prioritisation and energy allocation. The system's main goal is to maximise energy supply to essential loads while effectively managing available resources. Distinct from traditional methods, this mechanism dynamically classifies loads according to user‐defined priorities, adjustable based on the control system's computational power and complexity. A critical feature is the utilisation of the Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) algorithm to optimise demand side management (DSM). This innovative approach leverages day‐ahead load and generation forecasts to ensure optimal energy distribution across load levels, maintaining continuous power supply to high‐priority loads and reducing blackout risks due to generation and load fluctuations. Analyses under stochastic scenarios demonstrate the robustness of the control action, with percentile‐based day‐ahead forecasting allowing for adaptation to significant variations in renewable energy generation patterns. The implementation results are significant, maintaining 100% supply continuity to essential loads throughout the day, even with generation fluctuations up to ‐20%. This marks a considerable improvement in load satisfaction, increasing it from 83% to 96%. A significant advancement in microgrid control is contributed, providing an adaptive, user‐centric approach that enhances load management and energy distribution, and facilitates more resilient and efficient microgrid systems in the face of highly variable renewable energy sources (RESs).

Rural electrification is a crucial step for the socio-economic development of isolated communities. Decentralized power generation, typically more favorable for renewable energies, requires an accurate analysis of the different electrification options, whose convenience depends on multiple factors. The application of Geographical Information Systems (GISs) to energy planning allows the assessment at a local level, considering the variability and demand distribution of spatial resources. This work introduces IntiGIS-local, a GIS-based model implemented in the ArcGIS environment, designed to calculate the levelized energy cost (LEC) for different electrification options. The model allows the comparison between three power generation alternatives: solar system, diesel generator set and solar–diesel hybrid system. Configurations are adjustable through input variables, with a special focus on the confrontation between individual systems and microgrids. The objective is to provide an adequate groundwork for developing a decision-making tool to assess diverse rural electrification options in future studies. The model IntiGIS-local is tested in the case study of the Guasasa community (Cuba). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] It reveals the spatial distribution of carbon flow and the key path of carbon element transfer in Bin County, grasps the existing problems of Bin County's Production-Living-Ecological (PLE) space ecological environment, and then provides theoretical support for the future low-carbon rural planning and land-use resilience planning and management decisions in Bin County area. [Methods] Bin County was taken as an example. The overall metabolic network model of rural carbon elements' was constructed to identify and master the evolution law of the PLE spatial pattern, to quantitatively measure the characteristics of carbon sources, carbon sinks and the spatial-temporal dynamic changes of carbon elements in Bin County. [Results] (1) The predominant use of land continued to be for cultivation, while other types of land use displayed varying degrees of change, impacting the ecological environment. (2) Bin County's expanding residential areas had resulted in an initial surge, followed by a decrease in overall carbon emissions. In 2010, carbon emissions of Bin County spiked to 3.07 times of their previous levels, marking a crescendo. In 2020. the emissions of Bin County decreased by 2.25 million tons. The increase in the carbon sink was associated with the alteration in the area of the ecological space. (3) The spatial distribution of high carbon sink and source density mainly concentrated in the central and western parts of Bin County. The cultivated land production space and urban living space were the key components of carbon transfer in the two periods, respectively, and the mutual carbon transfer between the two land uses was also the dominant transfer path in different periods. [Conclusion] The spatial distribution of carbon flow and key paths of carbon element transfer in Bin County mainly concentrate in the areas with rapid urbanization process, where the ecological environment has serious problems. In the future, land use elasticity planning can promote regional sustainable development by formulating sustainable rural low-carbon emission reduction strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature shows that only 56% of Kenyan households had access to electricity, with rural areas having the lowest access rate at percent. The high cost of extending the power grid to remote areas and power losses on distribution are significant challenges facing rural electrification. In addressing power accessibility problems, especially in rural areas, there is a need for tapping hydropower generation through the invention and implementation of in‐duct turbines to maximize the utilization of already existing pressurized water ducts that supply water in various parts of Kenya for hydropower generation. Makueni County is endowed with gravity‐fed water ducts with high potential for hydropower which can innovatively be produced by application of in‐duct turbines. This paper focuses on the assessment of energy needs and applications in rural areas. The research design was exploratory and experimental in nature. It was exploratory because, through an assessment, it sought to explore and identify the potential areas within the water supply lines for the production of hydropower to supply hydropower in Makueni County. It was experimental because the researcher developed (designed and fabricated) a hydro turbine for use in the production of hydropower from gravity water ducts of a diameter raging 100 mm. The research revealed that 62% (98) used solar power for lighting their homes, while 17% (28), 12% (20), and 8% (12) used lanterns, electricity, and kerosene lamps, respectively. Among the fuels assessed was firewood which was identified as the most used fuel at 89% (140). This was followed at a distance far by paraffin at 6% (9) of respondents. The households at 100% (158) identified electricity as a potential source of lighting for their household. The study recommends harnessing hydropower to enhance reach to 100% of the rural communities. The energy availability will provide opportunities for communities and institutions in rural areas to open their minds to business development and engage in income‐generating activities like the rearing of poultry and the development of light industries like the gridding of maize and other cereals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: PV/diesel microgrids are getting more popular in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa, where the national grid is often unavailable. Most of the time, for economic purposes, these hybrid PV/diesel power plants in rural areas do not include any storage system. This is the case in the Bilgo village in Burkina Faso, where a PV/diesel microgrid without any battery storage system has been set up. This power plant is composed of three diesel generators operating in parallel (two of 16 kW and one of 24 kW), coupled with a photovoltaic field of 30 kWp. It was observed that for such power plants, the grid management is not always efficient due to constantly fluctuating solar output and loads. This inconsistency in energy output raises the question if integrating battery energy storage systems could improve the grid's performance. While many studies in the literature focus on hybrid energy systems, only a few of them have tackled the optimization of existing and operational systems. Methods: This study investigated three scenarios based on the existing microgrid's characteristics: conventional standalone diesel generators, PV/diesel without battery storage and PV/diesel with a battery storage system which are the main technologies used for off-grid rural electrification in Burkina Faso. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) was used to assess the economic performance of each scenario, and the calculations were made using the HOMER software. Results: It was found that the best among the scenarios considered is the PV/diesel/battery configuration which has the lowest LCOE of US$ 0.524/kWh. The battery storage system for the optimal configuration has a capacity of 182 kWh with about 8 h of autonomy. Conclusions: It can be inferred from this study that a storage unit is necessary for an optimal management of a PV/diesel microgrid. Indeed, the storage unit significantly reduces the operating and maintenance costs associated with running diesel generators, as well as the excess electricity. The storage system also allows for a greater reduction in CO2 emissions compared to systems without storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the design feasibility and economic advantage of photovoltaic (PV)-diesel generator (DG)-battery, PV-wind-battery, and PV-biogas (BG)-battery hybrid systems. The objective of this study is to investigate the performance of the three hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) for sustainable electricity supply in remote areas of Afghanistan. Hybrid optimization model for multiple energy resources (HOMER) software was utilized to perform modeling, optimization, economic, sensitivity, and multi-year analysis of the hybrid systems. The findings indicates that the PV-biomass-battery hybrid system with $175,938 net present cost (NPC) and $0.29/kWh cost of energy (COE) is the most appropriate approach than the PV-DG-battery, PV-wind-battery and diesel-only system. However, the COE in optimal HRES is higher than the COE supplied by Afghanistan's national grid to the household resident in large cities, but COE in the hybrid system is about 37% lower than the cost of energy in the study area and some provinces of Afghanistan. The multi-year analysis was performed on the PV-biogas-battery hybrid system with considering a 0.8% yearly degradation of PV panels and a 2% load increase annually. The results show about an 11.2% increase in NPC and a 6.2% decrease in COE compare to the system without multi-year consideration. Moreover, the outputs from HOMER were evaluated using the Simplex algorithm. The results indicate that there were no significant variations in the results from HOMER and Simplex algorithms. Therefore, this illustrates that the simulations were consistent. The study's findings are anticipated to be helpful to stakeholders, decision-makers, and investors to achieve the goals and increase the electricity access rate in remote areas of Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The design of renewable energy systems traditionally emphasizes life cycle costs, often focusing primarily on emissions rather than a comprehensive life cycle impact assessment. This research proposes a four‐tier methodology to balance cost‐effectiveness and sustainability in the electrification of remote areas. Tier 1 focuses on understanding the community context by analyzing electrical load profiles, meteorological data, and component specifications for microgrid design. Tier 2 evaluates the feasibility of various systems, optimizing them through cost analysis and Multi‐Criteria Decision‐Making (MCDM) to rank alternatives. Tier 3 assesses environmental impacts using life cycle assessment, ranking alternatives based on environmental criteria. Tier 4 integrates cost and environmental rankings to determine the most suitable energy configurations, followed by sensitivity analysis to ensure robust decision‐making. The methodology is validated through a case study of an unelectrified remote community, demonstrating that the PV‐Wind Turbine‐Biomass Generator‐Converter configuration is the most robust alternative, proving to be the optimal choice in 50% of the analyzed scenarios, achieving a Cost of Energy of 0.213 USD/kWh while minimizing environmental impact across all 18 criteria considered over a 25‐year life cycle. This novel framework offers a scalable approach to designing renewable energy systems, enhancing sustainable electrification efforts in developing regions.

The pursuit of electrifying rural areas has been a multi-decade quest, emblematic of Nigeria's longstanding efforts to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the electrification status and perform a techno-economic analysis of a hybrid system to ensure electricity reliability, bill reduction and reduced grid demand for three representative rural communities in Rivers State using HOMER Pro Software. Subsequently, five hybrid system scenarios that encompassed different combinations of the grid, PV modules, wind and battery, were examined using the CRITIC-PROMETHEE II methodologies. Each community was assessed based on its own hourly electricity demand, using data obtained from the injection substation. The Aluu, Choba and Rumuekini communities experienced an average daily electricity supply of 4.6, 5.4 and 6.2 h respectively from the national grid with energy usage of 5436.4 MW for Aluu, 3375.4 MW for Choba and 1626.1 MW for Rumuekini, in 2022. The findings indicate that the grid/PV module was the optimal choice for the three communities. Moreover, the cost of energy (COE) for the proposed systems ranged from 0.0181 $/kWh to 0.0185 $/kWh, significantly lower than the grid's COE of 0.08625 $/kWh in the respective communities. This research further includes a sensitivity analysis of the optimal system, examining variations in PV cost, discount rate, inflation rate, annual scaled solar irradiance and electrical demand. The results provide a comprehensive framework to support decision-making, optimize system design and align renewable energy solutions with project goals and stakeholder priorities.

Access to sustainable, clean, affordable, and reliable electricity is crucial for social and economic development, yet Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) struggles significantly in this context. In CHAD, only 11.3% of the population is able to access electricity, making it one of the least electrified countries in SSA with the lowest clean energy access. In rural areas, electricity access falls to just 1.3%. This research applies and executes a Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm using MATLAB R2023b to assess the techno-economic, environmental, and social impacts of a hybrid system based on optimal PV/Wind/Battery/Fuel Cell (FC)/Diesel generator (DG) sizing for rural electrification in CHAD. The proposed system's self-sufficiency index (SSSI) and the Annualized System Cost (ASC) were chosen as objective functions to guarantee the economic feasibility of the system, higher self-sufficiency, and lower dependence on external energy sources (DG). The simulation results show that the optimal size of the proposed system supplies the load demand by 100% of the renewable energy sources (RES) fraction, and the optimal capacities of the main components to supply the load demand are: Solar Power (493 KW), Wind Turbine (166 KW), Battery Energy Charge/Discharge (229180 kWh /221300 kWh), Hydrogen tank storage energy (83 874 kWh), Electrolyzer size (202 KW), Fuel cell size (144 KW). The evelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.2982 $/kWh, which is 51.12% lower than the national unit production costs of electricity in rural areas of CHAD (0.61 $/kWh). This LCOE is also the lowest compared to previous works done using HOMER Pro for the country of CHAD. The results also give a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of 3.8563 US $/kg, lower than for all studies found in the literature for the country of Chad. The proposed system's yearly avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is 374 640 kg. The proposed system will create five (5) new jobs (JCO) and improve the Human Development Index (HDI) of the study area by 17.66% (the obtained HDI is 0.4683, and the CHAD HDI is 0.398) with an SSSI of 51.14%. This study provides a better practical energy design tool in decision-making for designers, companies, investors, policymakers, and the Chadian government when implementing this type of system in particular rural locations.

Abstract This paper explores scenarios for powering rural areas in Gaita Selassie with renewable energy plants, aiming to reduce system costs by optimizing component numbers to meet energy demands. Various scenarios, such as combining solar photovoltaic (PV) with pumped hydro-energy storage (PHES), utilizing wind energy with PHES, and integrating a hybrid system of PV, wind, and PHES, have been evaluated based on diverse criteria, encompassing financial aspects and reliability. To achieve the results, meta-heuristics such as the Multiobjective Gray wolf optimization algorithm (MOGWO) and Multiobjective Grasshopper optimization algorithm (MOGOA) were applied using MATLAB software. Moreover, optimal component sizing has been investigated utilizing real-time assessment data and meteorological data from Gaita Sillasie, Ethiopia. Metaheuristic optimization techniques were employed to pinpoint the most favorable loss of power supply probability (LPSP) with the least cost of energy (COE) and total life cycle cost (TLCC) for the hybrid system, all while meeting operational requirements in various scenarios. The Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimization (MOGWO) technique outperformed the Multi-Objective Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (MOGOA) in optimizing the problem, as suggested by the results. Furthermore, based on MOGWO findings, the hybrid solar PV-Wind-PHES system demonstrated the lowest COE (0.126€/kWh) and TLCC (€6,897,300), along with optimal satisfaction of the village's energy demand and LPSP value. In the PV-Wind-PHSS scenario, the TLCC and COE are 38%, 18%, 2%, and 1.5% lower than those for the Wind-PHS and PV-PHSS scenarios at LPSP 0%, according to MOGWO results. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the design and implementation of sustainable energy solutions for remote communities, paving the way for enhanced energy access and environmental sustainability.

Abstract In the context of modern agricultural production mode and domestic energy consumption, profound changes have taken place in agricultural and rural energy consumption, resulting in the demand for new technology development in various sectors of source, network, and load in rural energy systems. Agricultural energy internet (AEI) has promoted the development of renewable energy and agricultural electrification in villages. The construction of the AEI is crucial for achieving the synergistic development of agriculture, energy, and environment. The basic theory and key technologies of AEI are investigated and the prospects for the direction of agricultural energy technology are conducted. The research investigation shows that the AEI framework proposed by China Agricultural University is of great significance for realizing agricultural electrification and reducing agricultural carbon emissions. The article describes in detail the key data and characteristics of agricultural electrification loads. Digital twin technology and virtual power plant technology will be crucial to the construction of advanced AEI.

This paper presents a framework for hybrid power production designed to promote rural electrification. This study aimed to model, simulate, and optimize a renewable power framework under the assumption of the operation of services in rural areas in “Kuakata,” located in Southern Bangladesh. This hybrid model integrates solar panels, wind turbines, micro hydropower systems, and diesel generators. The proposed hybrid model analyzes and optimizes the energy framework with the HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) software. The cost of the framework is dissipated in the current market, and the sensitivity analysis is studied using the simulation from HOMER as a tool for sustainable development. The findings suggest that a renewable energy framework can replace conventional framework competence and offer a solution for rural electrification.

This paper explores scenarios for powering rural areas in Gaita Selassie with renewable energy plants, aiming to reduce system costs by optimizing component numbers to meet energy demands. Various scenarios, such as combining solar photovoltaic (PV) with pumped hydro-energy storage (PHES), utilizing wind energy with PHES, and integrating a hybrid system of PV, wind, and PHES, have been evaluated based on diverse criteria, encompassing financial aspects and reliability. To achieve the results, meta-heuristics such as the Multiobjective Gray wolf optimization algorithm (MOGWO) and Multiobjective Grasshopper optimization algorithm (MOGOA) were applied using MATLAB software. Moreover, optimal component sizing has been investigated utilizing real-time assessment data and meteorological data from Gaita Sillasie, Ethiopia. Metaheuristic optimization techniques were employed to pinpoint the most favorable loss of power supply probability (LPSP) with the least cost of energy (COE) and total life cycle cost (TLCC) for the hybrid system, all while meeting operational requirements in various scenarios. The Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimization (MOGWO) technique outperformed the Multi-Objective Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (MOGOA) in optimizing the problem, as suggested by the results. Furthermore, based on MOGWO findings, the hybrid solar PV-Wind-PHES system demonstrated the lowest COE (0.126€/kWh) and TLCC (€6,897,300), along with optimal satisfaction of the village's energy demand and LPSP value. In the PV-Wind-PHSS scenario, the TLCC and COE are 38%, 18%, 2%, and 1.5% lower than those for the Wind-PHS and PV-PHSS scenarios at LPSP 0%, according to MOGWO results. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the design and implementation of sustainable energy solutions for remote communities, paving the way for enhanced energy access and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study thoroughly investigates the potential of direct current (DC) microgrids to enhance electricity access in rural and remote areas of Indonesia that continue to face significant obstacles despite ongoing national electrification efforts. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research comprehensively evaluates socio-economic and technical factors that influence the adoption of DC microgrids. The results indicate that DC microgrids offer significant potential for enhancing energy access, reliability, and sustainability, particularly when combined with renewable energy sources. This aligns with Indonesia's move towards renewable energy. Nevertheless, the analysis identifies significant obstacles, such as the substantial initial investment, the requirement for complete regulatory frameworks, and the technological complexities that need to be conquered. In conclusion, DC microgrids present a promising solution for rural electrification. However, the implementation requires a strategy that emphasizes strategic investments, policy innovation, and capacity-building initiatives. This research significantly contributes to the study of sustainable energy by evaluating the criticality of integrating policies and technology for implementing DC microgrids as a key factor in achieving sustainable energy access in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of modern agricultural production mode and domestic energy consumption, profound changes have taken place in agricultural and rural energy consumption, resulting in the demand for new technology development in various sectors of source, network, and load in rural energy systems. Agricultural energy internet (AEI) has promoted the development of renewable energy and agricultural electrification in villages. The construction of the AEI is crucial for achieving the synergistic development of agriculture, energy, and environment. The basic theory and key technologies of AEI are investigated and the prospects for the direction of agricultural energy technology are conducted. The research investigation shows that the AEI framework proposed by China Agricultural University is of great significance for realizing agricultural electrification and reducing agricultural carbon emissions. The article describes in detail the key data and characteristics of agricultural electrification loads. Digital twin technology and virtual power plant technology will be crucial to the construction of advanced AEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Off-grid electrification planning increasingly recognizes the importance of productive use of electricity (PUE) to promote community value creation and (financial) project sustainability. To ensure a sustainable and efficient integration in the community and energy system, PUE assets must be carefully evaluated to match both the community needs and the residential electricity demand patterns. We propose a novel methodology interlinking qualitative interviews, statistical analysis and energy system modeling to optimize decision making for PUE integration in off-grid energy systems in rural Madagascar by aligning relevant PUE effectively with anticipated residential electricity demand patterns based on socio-economic determinants of the community. We find that a possible contribution of the PUE to reducing the electricity costs depends significantly on three factors: (1) The residential electricity consumption patterns, which are influenced by the socio-economic composition of the community; (2) The degree of flexibility of (i) PUE assets and (ii) operational preferences of the PUE user; and (3) The capacity of community members to finance and operate PUE assets. Our study demonstrates that significant cost reductions for PUE-integrated off-grid energy systems can be achieved by applying our proposed methodology. When matching PUE and residential consumption patterns, the integration of PUE assets in residential community energy systems can reduce the financial risk for operators, provided the PUE enterprise operates reliably and sustainably. We highlight that the consideration of local value chains and co-creation approaches are essential to ensure the energy system is addressing the community's needs, creates value for the community, enhances the project's financial sustainability and is achieving the overall objectives of decentralized energy system planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shift towards renewable energy is resulting in increased investment in energy infrastructure, affecting communities of all sizes worldwide. A study on Bugala Island in Lake Victoria, Uganda, explored how socioeconomic factors influence households' decision to adopt hybrid solar electricity. The study utilised a binary logistic regression analysis of cross-sectional research design to understand the significant socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption. The sex of the household head, education level, monthly income, tenure status, and wall and floor materials were the most significant factors for the adoption. However, results suggest that age, household size, marital status, and main occupation were not statistically significant factors in adopting hybrid solar electricity. Insights from these variables can enable policymakers to formulate more efficient and equitable policies geared towards fostering the widespread integration of clean energy solutions. It should be noted that the socioeconomic factors vary in context and location; solar energy systems should be tailored to the needs of each community rather than being implemented using a standardised approach.

Nigeria is the seventh most populous country in world being the highest in Africa. The country is blessed with vast natural resources and is one of the highest producers of oil in the world. However, the inadequate supply of electrical energy is a major setback in the nation's economic development. Thus, there is need for an urgent and immediate solution to address the electricity access situation in Nigeria. It is in view of this that we first present an overview of the electrical energy situation of Nigeria (especially in the rural areas). The benefits of rural electrification and it impacts are discussed to buttress the need for electrifying rural areas and an overview of the abundant renewable energy resources in Nigeria is presented. As a proposed solution to improve the electricity situation, the concept of a reuse solar photovoltaic system based on e-waste components and old materials is presented. The system comprises repurposed Power Supply Unit (PSU) from old desktop computers, old thermal car Lead-acid batteries, old solar panels and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units. The possibility of adopting this solution in Nigeria depends on the amount of e-wastes generated annually thus necessitating the need for an analysis to see the annual impact of this system on electricity access based on the amount of available e-waste. Using the huge amount of e-waste generated/received annually in Nigeria, the feasibility of our solution is assessed by estimating the possible number of households that could be electrified by the second life renewable energy systems we propose. Due to the lack of official data in this field, certain constraints and assumptions were defined for the purpose of this analysis which resulted in obtaining a range of results that showed the possible impacts of adopting the reuse system. The analysis showed the minimum and maximum impacts the reuse solution could have on electricity access in Nigeria, based on best and worst case scenario respectively. The results further showed that an average of 287,000 households can be electrified annually if this solution is adopted, causing 2.2 % increment in population with electricity access in a year (between 620 thousand and 4.1 million individuals). Thus, the result is an indication that it is possible to achieve immediate growth in electricity access based on renewable energy integration, frugal innovation and reuse/repurposing of e-waste materials. In addition, this extension of their lifespan reduces their ecological footprint. It is expected that the energy demands of the continuously growing population can be met by strict adherence to set targets including adoption of smart-grids, generation diversification and focusing on rural electrification.

The electricity demand is highly stochastic and unpredictable. This is due to the fact that it is significantly impacted by a number of factors, including the type of load, weather, time of day, seasonality, economic limitations, customers’ way of living, and other randomness factors. An accurate load model is one of the main inputs for the design of an economical and reliable renewable-based rural electrification system for rural communities and demand management systems. This paper presents a generic methodology for determining a rural community's energy consumption load profile, which is used to determine the most cost-effective size of renewable energy sources for rural electrification purposes. To determine the load profile parameters, such as the types of appliances used, their functioning times, functioning windows, and expected minimum and maximum cycle time, a field survey was conducted in four rural electrified Ethiopian villages. Since the survey findings will not fully explain the stochastic nature of the load profile, the load parameters are randomly generated, and a bottom-up approach is used to estimate the rural community's energy usage. In this study, household loads, public institution loads, business loads, and small industrial loads are the main consumer types taken into account. These loads are classified according to their energy usage as weekdays, weekends, and national and religious holidays. A MATLAB program is developed and implemented to obtain the load profiles of different customer groups. The results of this study are assessed in accordance with the multi-tier criterion and verified through the use of the well-known software HOMER Pro- and LoadProGen.

It is evident that out of the 1.3 billion people worldwide that lack access to electric energy are rural dwellers. Furthermore, the majority of them are living in rural areas of developing countries which are often remote, dispersed populated, and categorized by pitiable infrastructure and services. Given this, the rising contemplation concerning the target of worldwide access to energy has stressed the role of rural electrification and off-grid hybrid power generation system. To this effect, the present work focuses on the overview of rural electrification programs in Nigeria and offers a general framework. The Mini-grid Value Chain for the effective implementation of mini-grid projects was developed. Furthermore, to overcome the issue of affordability of cost of energy in rural areas of the country and to promote sustainability of the off-grid electrification projects, an Improved Local Electrification Committee Model (ILEC) was developed. The main aim of this is to guarantee the reliability of the power supply network to the off-grid rural areas and also to overcome the major demerit of the overall high initial capital cost that is associated with the establishment of mini-grid projects for off-grid rural electrification.

Electricity is one of the essential requirements for the economic development of a country. In Ethiopia, more than half of the total population does not have access to electric power. Micro-hydropower (MHP) is one of the most feasible renewable energy options for providing reliable electricity to rural areas. However, in low-income countries such as Ethiopia, the high price of a purpose-made turbine to generate electricity from MHP resources is difficult. This paper presents the feasibility study of a pump as a turbine (PAT) for MHP applications with and without impeller blade modification. The analysis was conducted in terms of initial investment cost, the net present value, payback periods, and the cost of energy. Decreasing blade thickness, blade tip rounding, adjusting blade inlet angle, and blade grooving, then comparing the result with PAT without modification and cross-flow turbine are the modification techniques considered in this research. Based on the projected system lifetime, the equivalent cost of power for the PAT and cross-flow turbines are 0.065 and 0.100 $/kWh respectively. The cross-flow turbine's payback period is 6.04 years, which is significantly longer than the PATs payback period of 3.42 years. From the entire study, it can be concluded that the MHP coupled with PAT provides a lower payback period and cheaper power production. Whereas, impeller blade modification has no significant advantage from the economic point of view. Generally, the impeller modification cost needs to be less than or equal to 25% of the initial cost of the PAT to use the less cost advantage of the PAT.

The present paper examines, based on literature review and data from Africa Energy Outlook 2019, the feasibility of adoption of renewable energy from the ocean for socioeconomic development in sub-Saharan Africa, given the enormous potential the region has for ocean-based sources of energy. The study concludes that mini tidal power plants and salt gradient power are the ocean energy sources most suitable for coastal development. It recommends a gradual reduction in subsidies of fossil fuel-based energy sources in favour of support to renewable energy, building human resources and technical capacity, the establishment of smart partnerships and mobilisation of resources for an effective promotion of ocean renewable energy. It recommends further, that community engagement is needed to assure ownership and acceptance.

The main objective of this review paper is to examine the lessons learnt from 16 solar home system (SHS)-based World Bank projects implemented between 2000 and 2020 in the remote rural areas of developing countries. This study emphasises the role of SHS as a technology option in providing electricity to the remaining 10% of the world’s population without access to electricity. This study identifies three major internal factors and two external factors that may affect the successful implementation. The internal factors that emerge within the project and arise primarily during its design and implementation include financial barriers (barriers on subsidies and investment support, risk management and commercial viability, credit services and support, and partnerships with the local banking sector and micro-finance institutions), technical barriers (barriers on effective operation, maintenance and after-sales technical service, qualified technical entities and professionals, product quality assurance and monitoring, and the availability and feasibility of other complementary energy technology applications) and project design and implementation barriers (barriers on the monitoring, evaluation and sustainability of the project, the development of local capacity, and clearly defined project objectives). The external factors that have emerged outside the project and are already existing in the societal context include political and institutional barriers (barriers on the institutional framework and its sustainability, and political support and commitment from the community and local political leaders) and social and cultural barriers (barriers on building trust, relationships, confidence and partnerships among stakeholders, the sociocultural perceptions of SHSs, maintaining ongoing dialogues, coordination and cooperation among stakeholders, and adapting to changing international and local conditions). Subsequently, this study considers policy implications that are valuable for the current and upcoming challenges of rural electrification in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 – electricity for all – by 2030.

Dependence on fossil fuel has significantly resulted in global climate change and harms the ecosystem. The process of integration of electricity production with renewable energy sources can significantly improve the economics and energy balance, especially in rural areas. The optimization of decentralized energy generation in India is done by HOMER Pro software. It performs energy balance calculations and determines the least net present cost for each system configuration. In the present study, design of hybrid renewable energy system (HRES), i.e. solar PV, wind and biomass for a rural village in North Sikkim, has been done as a case study. The village is mainly dependent on agriculture and livestock economy. Daily load consumption by 160 houses in village calculated for two distinct seasons was 262.4 kWh with a peak energy demand of 63.45 kW. The optimized simulation results gave the best possible configuration combinations made up of 1.9 kW PV array, 20 kW biogas generator, 63 strings batteries, 1.96 kW inverter and a 2.3 kW rectifier. Results for the combination showed electricity generation was mainly from biogas generator which was cost-effective and sustainable alternative to grid extension. Moreover, the most economical HRES was strongly dependent on the available energy sources at the location. In addition to this, the system has internal rate of return of 7.42% and payback period of 4.53 years. The software helps in determining feasibility of the configuration and estimates the cost of installing and operating the system over the project lifetime. This techno-economic approach is viable and will meet the power demand of 160 households of the village and is therefore recommended for future electrification projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this investigation is to propose a comprehensive decision-making checklist to evaluate the utilization of hybrid renewable configurations in each remote area. By considering the exergetic performance, financial, environmental, and social perspective approaches, the decision-making between the grid extension and the use of local renewable resources is performed, and the optimal solutions are recognized. To create this novel checklist, the methodologies of Geographic Information System (GIS), exergy evaluation, and HOMER Pro software are integrated. The proposed checklist also includes several sensitivity analyses to generalize the obtained findings to other remote villages. To investigate the extension of the central grid based on the geographical analysis, the breakeven point for each village is obtained. After that, by computing the value of the Cost-Effective Index (CEI), the most cost-efficient solar tracker mode could be introduced. For instance, the PV/DG/BG/Bat option with a cost of energy of 0.138 and CO2 emission of 30,917 kg/year is found as the optimum configuration for the village related to cold & dry climate. The overall exergetic proficiency is calculated to be 37.27%, as well as it was determined that about 92% of overall irreversibility belonged to the PV modules. The highest value of CEI is related to the vertical tracker mode (40.17), as well as the breakeven distance is gained as 6.21 km. By employing the vertical tracker system, the overall exergetic efficiency reached 41.31%. Evaluation of the outcomes illustrated that the presented checklist could be a powerful tool for feasibility investigation of applying combined renewable systems and grid extension for each remote rural anywhere in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaics are considered the practical solution to energy access and climate change issues, especially in tropical countries that receive relatively more sunlight throughout the year. However, questions arise on the reliability of these systems in providing sufficient supply to meet the users' electricity needs. This paper looks at the reliability of a solar project installed on two rooftops on an off-grid island in Cebu, Philippines, that provides increased electricity access to 11 households. PVSyst and HOMER Pro software analyzed solar PV systems performance and techno-economics. The simulations yielded the annual mean values of reference yield, array yield, final yield, array capture loss, system loss, performance ratio, and capacity factor are 5.66 kWh/m2/day, 3.51 kWh/kWp/day, 3.23 kWh/kWp/day, 2.15, 0.278, 57.10%, and 18.96%, respectively. The peak PV resource of 3.30 kWp/day can supply the 1.66 kWp/day of the consumer's electrical demand. It was concluded that the current installation could supply the electrical load demand of the residents; however, consideration for the potential increase in demand must be in place. While renewable energy sources are relevant in achieving 100% electrification in rural communities, their ability to address the energy demands of the users must be carefully considered in planning and design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of decentralized renewable energy systems will continue to play a significant role in electricity generation especially in developing countries where grid expansion to most remote areas is uneconomical. The income levels of these off-grid communities are often low, such that there is a need for the delivery of cost-effective energy solutions through optimum control and sizing of energy system components. This paper aims at minimizing the net present cost (NPC) and the levelised cost of energy (LCOE). The study presents a hybrid power system involving a hydroelectric, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery system for a rural community in Cameroon. The optimization of the system was done using HOMER Pro and validated using a meta-heuristic algorithm known as genetic algorithm (GA). The GA approach was programmed using the MATLAB software. After the HOMER simulation, the optimal power capacity of 3 kW solar PV, 334.89 Ah battery, and 32.2 kW microhydropower was used to meet the load. The village load profile had a daily energy usage of 431.32 kWh/day and a peak power demand of 38.49 kW. The optimized results showed an NPC and LCOE of $90,469.16 and 0.0453 $/kWh, respectively. The system configuration was tested against an increase in hydropower capacity, and it was observed that increasing the hydropower capacity has the ability to significantly reduce the LCOE as well as the battery and solar PV size. A comparative analysis of the two approaches showed that the optimization using GA was more cost-effective than HOMER Pro with the least LCOE of 0.0344 $/kWh and NPC of $86,990.94 as well as a loss of power supply probability (LPSP) of 0.99%. In addition, the GA method gave more hydropower generation than HOMER Pro. This supports the fact that stochastic methods are more realistic and economically viable. They also accurately predict system operation than deterministic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass gasification has significantly advanced in terms of performance and is increasingly used in rural off-grid electricity applications. The downdraft gasifier is primarily used in biomass gasification applications, in which it functions as a reactor into which biomass and gasifying air are introduced to generate producer gas that is then used in an engine generator to produce electricity. However, the safety and stability of biomass gasification remain challenging and depend on several factors, such as the startup heating process, which can affect risks of fire, explosion, and toxic gas emissions. As the biomass gasification is associated with high temperatures and demands safety measures, its startup process should follow a rigorous procedure that ensures reliable operation and minimizes the risk of hazard issues. This study presents a gasifier startup heating process based on a proposed safety protocols hazard analysis. The study indicates that the heating temperature in startup processes has been identified as a critical factor due to its role in impacting safety. The findings indicate that the biomass gasification process has significant risks, including the potential for fire, explosion, and release of environmental emissions via multiple pathways. The methods proposed here could lead to reduced risk from the abovementioned issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural farms constitute a vital component of a country's agricultural landscape, traditionally reliant on energy installations known for their reliability yet notorious for their energy-intensive and inefficient characteristics. While the smart farm concept, integrating renewable energy sources and resource management technologies, has seen widespread adoption in domestic and industrial sectors, rural farms have been slower to embrace these innovations. This study presents a groundbreaking solution, deployed on a rural farm in Portugal, resulting in an impressive 83.24% reduction in energy consumption sourced from the grid. Notably, this achievement translates to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, aligning with the growing need for environmentally sustainable farming practices. The technical intricacies of this pioneering solution are comprehensively described and juxtaposed with other scientific case studies, offering valuable insights for replication. This initiative represents a vital first step towards the integration or combination of conventional farming with photovoltaic energy production, exemplified by agrivoltaic systems. In conclusion, this research showcases the potential for rural farms to significantly enhance energy efficiency and financial viability, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective agricultural sector. These findings serve as a model for similar endeavors, paving the way for a greener and more economically viable future for rural farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity is one of the essential requirements for the economic development of a country. In Ethiopia, more than half of the total population does not have access to electric power. Micro-hydropower (MHP) is one of the most feasible renewable energy options for providing reliable electricity to rural areas. However, in low-income countries such as Ethiopia, the high price of a purpose-made turbine to generate electricity from MHP resources is difficult. This paper presents the feasibility study of a pump as a turbine (PAT) for MHP applications with and without impeller blade modification. The analysis was conducted in terms of initial investment cost, the net present value, payback periods, and the cost of energy. Decreasing blade thickness, blade tip rounding, adjusting blade inlet angle, and blade grooving, then comparing the result with PAT without modification and cross-flow turbine are the modification techniques considered in this research. Based on the projected system lifetime, the equivalent cost of power for the PAT and cross-flow turbines are 0.065 and 0.100 $/kWh respectively. The cross-flow turbine's payback period is 6.04 years, which is significantly longer than the PATs payback period of 3.42 years. From the entire study, it can be concluded that the MHP coupled with PAT provides a lower payback period and cheaper power production. Whereas, impeller blade modification has no significant advantage from the economic point of view. Generally, the impeller modification cost needs to be less than or equal to 25% of the initial cost of the PAT to use the less cost advantage of the PAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper examines, based on literature review and data from Africa Energy Outlook 2019, the feasibility of adoption of renewable energy from the ocean for socioeconomic development in sub-Saharan Africa, given the enormous potential the region has for ocean-based sources of energy. The study concludes that mini tidal power plants and salt gradient power are the ocean energy sources most suitable for coastal development. It recommends a gradual reduction in subsidies of fossil fuel-based energy sources in favour of support to renewable energy, building human resources and technical capacity, the establishment of smart partnerships and mobilisation of resources for an effective promotion of ocean renewable energy. It recommends further, that community engagement is needed to assure ownership and acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy resources are becoming more appealing as energy demand and fossil fuel costs increase. The hybridization of these resources has the potential to reduce unpredictability and intermittency while increasing efficiency. The accuracy of size optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) can be improved by using accurate weather data that can be obtained through forecasting. Thus, to increase the precision of the size optimization, hourly forecasting of global horizontal irradiation, temperature, and wind speed for one year has been performed using Gaussian process regression (GPR), Support Vector Regression, Extreme Gradient Boosting, and Decision Tree techniques. The results of all four forecasting models (FM) are then compared and revealed that the results obtained from GPR are better than those of other FM; therefore, the forecasted data for solar, wind, and temperature obtained from GPR are used for sizing the HRES. The net present cost is utilized to analyze the viability of the HRES while considering system reliability. Furthermore, recently developed optimization algorithms, namely the Colony Predation Algorithm (CPA), Tunicate Swarm Algorithm (TSA), and Aquila Optimization (AO) algorithms have been applied to the sizing of a grid-connected HRES to meet the energy needs of a remote site in the Indian province of Haryana. A comparison of CPA, AO, and TSA has been carried out and revealed that TSA offers more promising outcomes. In addition, the simulation results demonstrate a 0.42% reduction in per unit cost of energy when forecasted data has been used for size optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is evident that out of the 1.3 billion people worldwide that lack access to electric energy are rural dwellers. Furthermore, the majority of them are living in rural areas of developing countries which are often remote, dispersed populated, and categorized by pitiable infrastructure and services. Given this, the rising contemplation concerning the target of worldwide access to energy has stressed the role of rural electrification and off-grid hybrid power generation system. To this effect, the present work focuses on the overview of rural electrification programs in Nigeria and offers a general framework. The Mini-grid Value Chain for the effective implementation of mini-grid projects was developed. Furthermore, to overcome the issue of affordability of cost of energy in rural areas of the country and to promote sustainability of the off-grid electrification projects, an Improved Local Electrification Committee Model (ILEC) was developed. The main aim of this is to guarantee the reliability of the power supply network to the off-grid rural areas and also to overcome the major demerit of the overall high initial capital cost that is associated with the establishment of mini-grid projects for off-grid rural electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In least-developed countries (LDCs), electricity shortages are the primary barrier to economic and social growth. Some remote areas in LDC rely on diesel-based systems. However, renewable energy must be taken into account for generating electricity because of the uncertainty of diesel fuel prices and the emissions of carbon dioxide. Hybrid energy systems (HES) are becoming increasingly popular, which is unsurprising given the rapid advancement of renewable energy technologies, which have made them the preferred method to respond to the current unreliable electricity supply, reduce the impact of global warming that occurs from electricity production, and contribute to cost reduction. This study explores the feasibility of utilizing a combination of solar PV, wind energy, and battery systems with the existing diesel generator in four different locations in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Hybrid optimization multiples for electric renewables (HOMER) is used as a tool for techno-economic analysis and finding the possible combination of solar PV, wind, diesel, and battery. The multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique was used to verify all configurations obtained from HOMER’s results. This approach considers environmental, economic, and technological factors by utilizing the AHP, TOPSIS, EDAS, and PROMETHEEE II techniques. The results show that PV/diesel with batteries is the optimum solution. This hybrid system comprises 89% PV penetration, a cost of electricity (COE) of 0.257 $/kWh, an initial capital cost (IC) of $244,277, and a net present cost (NPC) of $476,216 for a case study in Cambodia. Furthermore, this system can reduce almost 51,005 kg/year of carbon dioxide compared to a diesel-only system, while the cost of electricity is reduced.

Electricity plays a vital role in the economy of any nation, and its availability has transformed from being a luxury to being an essential requirement. However, the implementation of conventional distribution networks in sparsely populated rural areas is often deemed economically impractical. Consequently, the exploration of alternative technologies for rural electrification becomes imperative. One such technology is the Capacitor Coupled Substation (CCS), which taps electrical power from high-voltage lines through coupling capacitors. Given that capacitors can introduce interference in an electrical system, the deployment of a CCS necessitates consideration to minimize these network disturbances. This paper modelled and analyzed the impact of multiple CCSs on the electrical transmission network, with a specific focus on the impact on the transmission line voltage when multiple CCSs are located at different proximity to one another. A typical electrical transmission network with fixed supply voltage represented as 230kVac and downstream parameters with a 230kVac and 100 kW load was selected. A system model comprising three CCSs, located at known proximities from one another, was developed using MATLAB/Simulink to simulate the network's response when one or more CCS units are connected or disconnected from the electrical transmission network. Three prototypes were also constructed to represent real-world electrical systems with different loads. The model simulation was executed while connecting and disconnecting one or more CCS at a time and at different proximities from one another within the electrical transmission network. The same procedure was repeated on the prototypes where they were connected and disconnected from the selected network. The proximity to one another was represented by different resistances which represented the electrical transmission lines between the different locations of each CCS on the electrical network. The obtained test results were subjected to comparison across three platforms: the MATLAB/Simulink model, physical prototype testing using a multimeter, and digital testing using an oscilloscope. The results showed negligible disruptions on the supply side and downstream side of the transmission network. The primary goal of this research was to provide valuable insights into the potential application of CCS technology in rural electrification by examining its impact on the transmission network. Further analysis is recommended to understand the impact of each critical component within a CCS.Capacitor Coupled Substation; Rural Electrification; System Modeling; Multiple CCS

The feasibility of a hybrid renewable energy system for long-term rural electrification in Billerahalli village, Karnataka, India, is investigated in this paper. This paper presents a systematic methodology for planning and designing of an efficient hybrid system that incorporates techno-economic optimization analysis. Using HOMER PRO software, several hybridization situations are modelled and analyzed. In this design, electrolyzer and a hydrogen tank are included to reduce the need for batteries. The results shown that the optimal configuration system is a wind turbine, electrolyzer, hydrogen tank, converter, and LL1500-W battery (4 units of 800 kW/ 100 kW/ 100 kg/ 734 kW/ 500 units), with a low net present cost, cost of energy, a significant return on investment, and reductions in carbon emissions. This system offers a steady power supply by utilizing 100 % renewable sources, with a net present cost of $5.21 million and a relatively low energy cost of $0.25 per kilowatt-hour. The optimized hybrid system outperforms other system configurations in terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental performance. Concurrently, the sensitivity analysis emphasizes the system costs majorly depends on the unpredictability of solar radiation and wind speed, as well as changes in interest rates impacting future investment decisions. Finally, the study expects to provide the awareness of renewable energy potential usage in Billerahalli village and significant information for the efficient design and exploitation of hybrid renewable energy systems within the larger energy sector.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) – based tools in the optimization of renewable energy (RE) systems is increasing. These tools could even be more useful to developing countries like Cameroon with abundant RE resources, yet low rural electrification rate. However, the optimization of these energy systems especially in hybrid forms is still a challenge. This paper uses an AI-based Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Differential Evolution (DE) for the design and optimization of a stand-alone hybrid solar PV – hydro- battery power system. These algorithms were developed using the MATLAB software. The proposed smart algorithms ensure that the load is met at a minimum levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and acceptable loss of power supply probability (LPSP). After simulation, DE gave an optimum LPSP of 0.0499 and optimum LCOE of 0.06192 $/kWh after the 19th iteration under set operational limits while PSO gave an optimum LPSP of 0.0492 and optimum LCOE of 0.06358 $/kWh after the 40th iteration. The optimal net present value (NPC) obtained from the PSO and DE were USD $ 96,175.26 and USD $ 93,958.07 respectively. While DE gave a lesser LCOE than PSO, the LPSP obtained using the PSO technique was smaller, signifying more system reliability. The optimum system size of DE showed the least LCOE with the proposed capacities of 1 kW PV, 33.96 kW hydropower and zero battery. The optimized system ensures a proper power management within the hybrid system. An appraisal of the two algorithms showed that the DE tool is accurate and a better option than PSO in terms of cost and speed of convergence. Further statistical analysis revealed that PSO was more robust. The optimal cost function obtained from both algorithms is acceptable for rural electrification projects.

Abstract Rural electrification is a crucial component of meeting sustainable development goals. In Pakistan, load shedding and power outages are frequent. According to the current data, Pakistan is experiencing a shortfall of power between 6000 and 6500 MW. Microgrid technology has the potential to provide a solution to this problem in an efficient and low‐cost manner. This paper proposes the development of a hybrid microgrid system (HMGS) for rural communities. For that purpose, a technological analysis of the HMGS system for rural electrification is performed. Solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind resource‐based renewable energy systems are considered in this work for the electrification of rural areas of Pakistan. A hybrid PV/wind system is designed using MATLAB software. Simulation results show that a 230‐V sinusoidal output voltage has been produced by the proposed model. The advantage of this model is that it minimizes the impact of transients and provides a sinusoidal output waveform.

Rural electrification is a crucial step for the socio-economic development of isolated communities. Decentralized power generation, typically more favorable for renewable energies, requires an accurate analysis of the different electrification options, whose convenience depends on multiple factors. The application of Geographical Information Systems (GISs) to energy planning allows the assessment at a local level, considering the variability and demand distribution of spatial resources. This work introduces IntiGIS-local, a GIS-based model implemented in the ArcGIS environment, designed to calculate the levelized energy cost (LEC) for different electrification options. The model allows the comparison between three power generation alternatives: solar system, diesel generator set and solar–diesel hybrid system. Configurations are adjustable through input variables, with a special focus on the confrontation between individual systems and microgrids. The objective is to provide an adequate groundwork for developing a decision-making tool to assess diverse rural electrification options in future studies. The model IntiGIS-local is tested in the case study of the Guasasa community (Cuba).

Access to reliable electricity remains a significant challenge in many rural communities worldwide. Off-grid solar PV hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) have emerged as a viable option for rural electrification. However, rural communities' lack of productive load often limits their effectiveness. This study aimed to assess the impact of agro-processing productive loads on the performance of off-grid solar PV HRES for rural electrification. Hybrid Optimization Multiple Energy Resource (HOMER) software was used to perform a techno-economic analysis of a solar PV/diesel HRES. The study findings showed improvement in the rural community's load factor and solar load correlation with the integration of the productive load. Subsequently, increasing the renewable energy fraction in solar PV/diesel HRES reduces the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), making electricity generation more cost-effective for rural electrification in Ghana. Comparatively, the improved LCOE was found to be substantially higher than the End User Tariff of all residential consumers on the national grid, even under high PV penetration and full capital cost subsidy cases. The study provides valuable insights into the role of agro-based productive loads in enhancing the performance of rural off-grid solar HRES.

The electrification rate in sub-Saharan Africa, standing at 45% in 2018, is significantly lower when compared with global benchmarks. The 600 million individuals lacking access to electricity constitute over two-thirds of the worldwide aggregate of the population lacking electricity. Limitations of power grids have placed a disproportionate burden of the lack of energy access on rural populations. The cheapest approach to achieving universal electricity access in numerous regions seems to be rooted in renewable energy. The diminishing cost of small-scale solar photovoltaic technology for solar home systems and mini-grids is expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating the provision of affordable electric power to millions. This study aims to elucidate the techno-economic benefits of augmenting photovoltaic mini-grids with the overarching goal of advocating for the adoption of photovoltaic mini-grid solutions in rural electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior research endeavors on rural electrification and photovoltaic mini-grids were meticulously curated and examined, with some attention also given to assessing the feasibility of grid integration. The findings showed that grid extension is the most cost-effective means of electricity delivery within a limited proximity, contingent upon topographical considerations. However, beyond this limited zone, mini-grids have proven to be more apt for providing affordable electricity to clustered customer populations. But mini-grids are not without challenges. High initial cost of installation, intermittency of energy source, energy storage problems, grid integration challenges, are some of the identified problems of photovoltaic mini-grids. The way forward must begin with the mitigation of these challenges. Some of the highlighted solutions include implementation of advanced energy storage systems, the formulation of renewable energy policies geared towards enhancing affordability in rural settings, integration with smart grid technologies, and adherence to grid codes to ensure compliance.