A hybrid energy system based on renewable energy for the electrification of low-income rural communities

Lucero Gaslac,Sebastian Willis,Carlos Raymundo,Grimaldo Quispe

doi:10.1088/1755-1315/168/1/012005

Abstract

Electrification of low-income rural areas that have a limited connection or no access to electrical grids is one of the most demanding challenges in developing countries such as Peru. The international commitment to stop global warming and the reduction in the cost of renewable sources of energy have reduced the prices of fossil fuels in some cases. This has opened the way to the current research which proposes a hybrid energy system (HES) based on the use of renewable sources of energy. Therefore, a renewable electricity system (HRES) was set up at the village of Monte-Catache in the Cajamarca region, which is one of the poorest areas of Peru. Surveys and field studies were used to evaluate the socioeconomic characteristics, availability of renewable energy resources, and energy demand of this region. Potential energy sources were evaluated, and isolated photovoltaic systems with a battery bank were found to be the most appropriate according to the results obtained in the simulation with HOMER. This proposal constitutes an interesting contribution for future energy solutions in isolated and low-income rural areas.

Highlights

Electric power is considered to be a variable for measuring the regional competitiveness of a country
Electric power in Peru is generated in thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants, following which the voltage is raised to a range of 110–480 kV to reduce losses in transmission systems during transportation, and eventually the power reaches the consumer via medium- and lowvoltage distribution systems [2] [3]
This study indicated that with an increase in demand, the solar/batteries model becomes more inefficient and requires the inclusion of new sources of renewable generation

Summary

Introduction

Electric power is considered to be a variable for measuring the regional competitiveness of a country. Approximately 80% of the global demand for electric power is met by burning fossil fuels, which have negative impacts on the environment [1]. Electric power in Peru is generated in thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants, following which the voltage is raised to a range of 110–480 kV to reduce losses in transmission systems during transportation, and eventually the power reaches the consumer via medium- and lowvoltage distribution systems [2] [3]. Considering that 46% of the electric power in Perú is produced in thermoelectric plants and given the proven correlation of fuel combustion with greenhouse gases, renewable energies in electricity and hydrocarbons are deemed a state policy and increasing their share in the electricity generation as a whole and mitigating the effects of climate change must be sought after [4].

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