Renewable-energy clusters for remote communities

Abstract

Remote rural communities are especially vulnerable to the reliability of conventional electricity supply methods and many of these communities are post-industrial and therefore suffer from fuel poverty. In this study, the potential contribution to electricity supply to a remote community based on emerging technologies for embedded solar and wind renewable energy, is investigated using simulation modelling. The technologies focus on photovoltaic “slate” roof coverings and micro-vertical-axis wind-turbines. A new model for photovoltaic energy-supply is developed and combined with an existing method for modelling wind-turbine energy. These supply-side models are matched to an existing model of domestic electricity-demand for a whole village community. Results show that in excess of 40% of annual electricity-demand can be relied upon from these sources, provided that a mechanism for surplus power export is available. In the absence of surplus power management, however, only 8% of the annual electricity demand could be met by these sources.