Towards the Electrification of Informal Settlements Through a Mix of Solar Energy and Human Excreta

Abstract

South Africa lies among countries that enjoy great electrification statistics globally. Nevertheless, the rise of non-structured settlements emerges as a disturbing spot in the whole habitat landscape on several aspects including housing, electrification, and sanitation. There is no doubt about how much this affects the development of the individuals living in such settlements and that of a nation at large scale. Informal, random, and risky feeding from the national grid lines is the way to have electricity in those areas; this comes with financial and operational strains on the South African power utility ESKOM about energy theft and electrical hazards with their aftermath.This paper explores means to improve the living standard of township residents by focussing on safe and secure electrification. The study intends to exploit renewable energy sources in the formof solar and human excreta. The project is encouraged by sanitation issues relating to human waste disposal in densely populated areas as well as the abundance of solar radiation on the surface of the earth. Thermoelectric effects form the leading technology in supplying electricity in the development of the energy system in those areas.This study explores the feasibility of this project, establishes energy baseline at a primary level of energy supply, and delivers recommendations on the way forward.