Abstract
Like in most developing countries, meeting the load demand and reduction in transmission grid bottlenecks remains a significant challenge for the power sector in Sierra Leone. In recent years, research attention has shifted to demand response (DR) programs geared towards improving the supply availability and quality of energy markets in developed countries. However, very few studies have discussed the implementation of suitable DR programs for developing countries, especially when utilizing renewable energy (RE) resources. In this paper, using the Freetown’s peak load demand data and the price elasticity concept, the interruptible demand response (DR) program has been considered for maximum demand index (MDI) customers. Economic analysis of the energy consumption, customer incentives, benefits, penalties and the impact on the load demand are analyzed, with optimally designed energy management for grid-integrated battery energy storage system (BESS) and photovoltaic (PV)-hybrid system using the genetic algorithm (GA). Five scenarios are considered to confirm the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed scheme. The results show the economic superiority of the proposed DR program’s approach for both customers and supplier benefits. Moreover, RE inclusion proved to be a practical approach over the project lifespan, compared to the diesel generation alternative.
Highlights
Achieving the sustainable energy objectives for all (SEforALL) by universal access to modern energy efficiency approach is an essential component for economic development
The daily load curve is divided depending on the nature of demand into three intervals: Low peak (00:00–7:00), valley (8:00–14:00) and peak load (15:00–22:00); and demand response (DR) program will be employed to decrease the demand in peak load periods
From the supplier point of view, the proposed methodology succeeded in decreasing the peak load, and reduced the energy consumption; in addition to mitigating the load factor that significantly enhances the power of the power system
Summary
Achieving the sustainable energy objectives for all (SEforALL) by universal access to modern energy efficiency approach is an essential component for economic development. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No., energy security is pivotal to economic development, access to energy will enable the small-and large-scale business to thrive, and utilities can function efficiently [1,2]. The study identified several opportunities that surround RE incorporation such as improved energy security, better accessibility, climate change mitigation and improved socio-economic development. Access to electricity in Sierra Leone is constrained to a small cross-section of the population, and it is estimated to be less than 15% of approximately 7 million people, with the capital city (Freetown) accounting for a significant proportion of electricity consumption. The energy sector in Sierra Leone is severely challenged with limited generation capacity, ageing, and overloaded transmission and distribution network. The running cost at which these companies operate becomes exorbitant, and often their services and products within the country go for higher costs [4,5]
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