Bottom-Up Electrification Introducing New Smart Grids Architecture—Concept Based on Feasibility Studies Conducted in Rwanda

Bartosz Soltowski,David Campos-Gaona,Scott Strachan,Olimpo Anaya-Lara

doi:10.3390/en12122439

Bartosz Soltowski, David Campos-Gaona + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en12122439

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Jun 25, 2019
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Strathclyde

Abstract

Over the past eight years, off-grid systems, in the form of stand-alone solar home systems (SHSs), have proved the most popular and immediate solution for increasing energy access in rural areas across the Global South. Although deployed in significant numbers, issues remain with the cost, reliability, utilization, sustainability and scalability of these off-grid systems to provide higher-tiered energy access. Interconnection of existing stand-alone solar home systems (SHSs) can form a microgrid of interconnected prosumers (i.e., households owning SHS capable of producing and consuming power) and consumers (i.e., households without an SHS, and only capable of consuming power). This paper focuses on the role of a smart energy management (SEM) platform in the interconnection of off-grid systems and making bottom-up electrification scalable, and how it can improve the overall sustainability, efficiency and flexibility of off-grid technology. An interconnected SHS microgrid has the potential to unlock latent generation and storage capacity, and so effectively promote connected customers to higher tiers of energy access. This approach can therefore extend the range of products currently used by people located in the remote areas of developing countries to include higher-power devices such as refrigerators, TVs and potentially, electric cookers. This paper shows the results of field studies in the Northern Province of Rwanda within off-grid villages where people mainly rely on SHSs as a source of electricity. These field studies have informed further simulation-based studies that define the principal requirements for the operation of a smart energy management platform for the interconnection of SHSs to form a community microgrid.

Highlights

IntroductionThe UN’s Sustainable Development Goal No. represents a call to action on the part of the international community to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030 [1]
There are 1.1 billion people living without access to electricity in the world
Feedback provided while interviewing families relying on solar home systems (SHSs) in Rwanda was very positive and shows genuine interest in adding new loads to the local demand, there are several implications which need to be considered before introducing the new smart energy networks concept in rural villages of the country

Summary

Introduction

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal No. represents a call to action on the part of the international community to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030 [1]. Most of those living without electricity reside in remote rural areas of developing countries with no prospect of connecting to the national power network. This is due to the large costs associated with grid extension (around $1000 per household connection in Rwanda [2]), which means this is not economically viable for the rural electrification of base-of-the-pyramid communities.

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Conclusion