Abstract
Access to affordable, reliable and clean energy is an important sustainability goal of the United Nations. In areas where the public electricity grid is unreliable or unavailable, photovoltaic systems can be a solution. However, they are cost-intensive, mainly because of the energy storage systems. Mini-grids can be an answer for reducing upfront investment and overall system lifetime costs while increasing electricity availability. The mini-grid technology is mature, nevertheless, there are downsides when it comes to integrating existing solar systems of different manufacturers. The system topology is usually predefined and a central instance controls the mini-grid. Thus, the integration of existing power systems is difficult due to the communication constraints of these systems with the mini-grid controller. Including existing power systems into a decentralized mini-grid, can highly increase cost-efficiency. In a decentralized approach payments for the consumed energy between mini-grid actors are required. Accounting is, however, a complex administrative procedure, if the respective power systems are owned by different individuals and organizations. A transparent blockchain-based temper-proof approach can be a solution to automate metering and billing, allowing automatic payments between independent subsystem owners using smart contracts. In order to further optimize the smart mini-grid, an artificial intelligence learning algorithm for a dynamic electricity price needs to be developed. This smart and decentralized approach for building Mini-Grids is a novelty bringing solar systems one step closer to self-sufficiency. This paper describes how a smart mini-grid solution can be implemented using the Don Bosco Solar & Renewable Energy Center campus mini-grid in Tema, Ghana as a case study.
Highlights
The access to electricity is a significant factor in human development
This paper describes how a smart mini-grid solution can be implemented using the Don Bosco Solar & Renewable Energy Center campus mini-grid in Tema, Ghana as a case study
The commitment of universal access to electricity stated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is unlikely to be reached [2]
Summary
The access to electricity is a significant factor in human development. there is an extreme undersupply of electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, where around 580 million people have no access to electricity [1]. On the premises of the Don Bosco Solar and Renewable Energy Training Center in Tema, Ghana, the power distribution connects thirteen buildings, forming the Don Bosco Ashaiman mini-grid. Eight of these building are consumers connected to the mini-grid. A diesel generator is available as an additional safety measure, to provide electricity in case of grid outages during times of low solar irradiance. Possible measures to achieve self-sufficiency are an increased battery storage to raise autonomy time as well as the implementation of a smart mini-grid with an intelligent and fully automatic demand side management system.
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