8 - Sustainable off-grid power supply for small settlements

Abstract

Autonomous electricity production based on RES is a sufficient option for covering low to moderate loads in isolated areas. Related research is focused on the implementation of such production systems without paying the necessary attention to the identification of the proper location for the installation of such a system. This chapter attempts to examine whether electricity production systems, based on renewables (PV, wind), in small villages worldwide are sustainable. A multi-criteria methodology for identifying the most appropriate location(s) for installing low-scale RES-based hybrid electricity production systems to cover local energy demands without grid connection is presented here. The selection is initially based on geographical, spatial, and demographical data; also taken into account are optimally combined meteorological data (solar and wind potential), with available resources (in terms of free space and investment costs) and the desired loads.. On top of that, optimization in not only size and operation of the hybrid system, but also in the composition of energy sources mixture, is also performed. Finally, the use of LCA helps to reduce the environmental cost and thus to improve the total sustainability of the applications. In conclusion, this chapter could serve as a policy tool for promoting and generating off-grid electricity at national level, but also as an assessment of autonomous energy production from renewable energy systems for small off-grid settlements, which is deemed viable based on the presented methodology.