National Grid Research Articles

Entangled Mathematics as a Tool of Reasoning in the Mid-Twentieth-Century UK Electricity Industry

In the mid-twentieth century, the identity of those who oversaw the UK electricity grid tentatively and slowly began to shift from those who joined the electricity industry directly from secondary school to a university-educated elite with a higher level of technical education. At the same time, electricity infrastructure became increasingly centralised, leading to the creation of a national grid in 1938, meaning that control of electricity became concentrated in the hands of an ever-smaller group and increasing the stakes in debates over strategy. By using the case studies of power engineer Paul Schiller and mathematician Maurice Davies, this paper traces how the boundaries of what mathematics could or could not be used for were renegotiated between factions within the UK electricity industry. Schiller unsuccessfully attempted to use mathematics, including the authority of academic mathematicians, to reinforce controversial arguments about the strategic direction of the industry in the 1940s. Such arguments failed to resonate with a class of, as Schiller put it, “practical men” that still held considerable influence. Davies on the other hand was employed by the industry in the 1950s to improve efficiency, and was able to implement lasting measures in this effort by using the weather to forecast electricity demand, and successfully defended the usefulness of his work in the 1970s against colleagues who felt that forecasting could be done better with mathematical models without weather inputs. The contrast between these two stories shows how the influence of mathematical thinking was contingent upon existing power dynamics, and reinforce how the history of mathematics should be socially embedded.

PV Based Microgrid for Remote Area Electrification in Nigeria: A Systematic Review of Concepts and Extant Strategies

Centralized power generation, transmission and distribution system operations in Nigeria can no longer deliver affordable and reliable electricity to remote households, both on and off the national grid. Therefore, a balanced approach, through renewable energy generation is the best option that would potentially lead accelerated journey to full electrification in the country. Renewable energy has become a panacea to energy problems worldwide because it is clean, environmentally friendly and ultimately cheaper. Due to the massive capacity of Nigeria to generate electricity from its numerous green energy resources, it has become crystal clear that access to sustainable and reliable energy in Nigeria is required for proper economic and social development. This work is based on an extensive review of recent experiences of more than 120 papers covering mostly the off-grid PV sector in the past 15years. The review included: scientific journals, conference papers, (PhD) theses, books and scientific reports from governments/NGOs and publications from energy institutions. A comprehensive review of relevant concepts and current microgrids optimization strategies applied to sizing, siting, load estimation and energy management has been conducted. Future research directions and potential of PV based microgrids for rural electrification have equally been specified.

Optimization of a proposed biomass generator: Harnessing citizen waste with electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Global municipal solid waste production is rising, causing significant environmental, health, and economic issues. Developed countries have advanced recycling technologies, but cities like Dhaka, Bangladesh—among the most densely populated-struggle with inadequate waste management. This feasibility study aims to improve environmental protection and create new energy sources by proposing a waste management system across Dhaka, focusing on waste valorization for bioenergy with optimized efficiency and minimal impact. The study includes design and optimization of a biomass-based power plant to meet the energy needs of EV charging stations and the national grid, evaluating its economic performance through discounted cash flow and payback period analyses. The paper explores the integration of an EV charging station powered by biogas, addressing the growing need for EV infrastructure in Dhaka. By evaluating biomass generators as a greener alternative to fossil fuels, the study analyzes the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility, including CO2 emissions, using HOMER Pro.

Power Outage and Vandalism in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

There are prevalent cases of vandalism on the national grid which usually throws Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria into darkness due to power outages. Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is facing serious challenges of vandalism on electricity facilities across the country as it affects power supply, a situation that has become a social problem affecting both the rich and the poor. This study was conducted to examine the cause of power outage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using multiple sampling techniques; this includes purposive, snow-ball and simple sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through interview and participant observation. Secondary data were collected from extant literature to make it more scientific. The study recommends that the government should provide a security network that would protect electricity facilities across the state. Government should prosecute any vandal caught sabotaging electricity facilities in the state.

Evaluating Synergies between Electric Vehicles and Photovoltaics: A Comparative Study of Urban Environments

Electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaics (PVs) are expected to be broadly adopted in future power systems. However, the temporal variability of EV load and PV production presents challenges for integrating them into the power grid. This study evaluates and assesses the synergies between EVs and PV systems to maximize solar energy utilization for EV load coverage. The configurations studied include EV charging via the national grid as a reference case (Case 1) and two solar energy harvesting options: EVs powered directly by vehicle-mounted PVs (Case 2) and EV chargers connected to residential PV installations (Case 3). These cases are evaluated across different urban environments with large EV fleets and dissimilar weather conditions: Berlin and Los Angeles. A customized operation profile based on the worldwide harmonized light-duty test cycle (WLTC) and a charge-right-away (CRA) strategy is used. Energy performance analysis is conducted through dynamic simulations using the Modelica language, with environmental and economic indices derived. Key findings highlight the superior performance of residential PV systems in both cities compared to current solar EV technologies, with both solutions offering significant benefits over the reference case. Cases 2 and 3 result in a 44% and 59% reduction in annual energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and charging costs in Berlin, while in Los Angeles, the reductions are 67% and 98%. The average daily solar driving range reaches 20.3% in Berlin and 30.4% in Los Angeles.

Vehicle To Building (V2b) Peak Load Shaving and Tariff Analysis

Abstract Commercial buildings are essentially important energy consumers for national electricity grid provider as it’s owned by businesses owners that directly keep up the national gross domestic product (GDP). Soaring load demand from commercial buildings usually occurs within few hours on peak business hour. Electricity grid infrastructure designed to support maximum demand of the system but underutilize most of the time outside the peak session. Growing number of EV penetration in local market can serve as mobile energy storage for Vehicle to Building (V2B) energy integration thus enable peak load shaving to minimize maximum demand during peak period. This study presents a feasible methodology approach on determining the suitable V2B tariff on several peak load shaving scenarios to provide attractive return to building owner and discounted off-peak tariff to accommodate lower EV owner’s charging cost. By having the combination of attractive V2B and off-peak tariff that benefits both sides, subsequently increase EV penetration for V2B. It may also charm EV markets as it minimizes the total cost of EV ownership and reduce maximum demand from electricity grid. Hence it reduces the transportation CO2 emissions and contribution toward optimization of grid network electrical infrastructure of transmission and distribution systems design with lower maximum design system requirement.

Integrated rooftop solar PV-based residential advanced energy management system: An economic involvement of energy systems for prosumers

The growing adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, coupled with the ability to sell surplus energy back to the national grid, presents a promising opportunity for residential energy management. This research introduces an innovative Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS) that integrates rooftop solar PV with energy-efficient appliances, offering a transformative approach to optimizing household energy consumption. By leveraging advanced demand-side management (DSM) techniques, the AEMS enables users to strategically shift energy usage away from peak hours, thereby reducing reliance on grid energy and minimizing costs. Empirical evaluations reveal that the AEMS significantly outperforms conventional energy management systems, achieving cost reductions of 28.59–35.48 %. The user-friendly interface and robust optimization strategies of the proposed model ensure operational efficiency, making it a valuable tool for maximizing energy savings and enhancing grid stability. Focusing on the specific context of Bangladesh, this study provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis, demonstrating the practical applicability and long-term sustainability of suggested AEMS. The findings underscore the potential of the proposed model to revolutionize residential energy management, positioning it as a key enabler of both economic and environmental benefits for prosumers in emerging markets.

Nun of the river: The material and spiritual economies of small hydropower in rural Tanzania

This article examines the significance of hydroelectric mini-grids owned and operated by Catholic sisterhoods in rural Tanzania, situating them within a broader context of energy transition and environmental justice. The Tanzanian state is betting that mini-grids can effectively supplement the national grid’s limited reach; since 2010 it has invested considerable effort in developing a regulatory framework that streamlines licensing procedures and specifies feed-in tariffs. Today, the field is wide open and a range of ownership models – community, private, state-owned – are unfolding on the ground with variable results regarding their financial sustainability, environmental impact, and developmental outcomes. Though often overlooked in this discourse, missions, churches, abbeys, and convents have a history of operating run-of-the-river power stations and other off-grid systems that stretches back into the colonial era. Such infrastructures anchor material and spiritual economies of rain, care, and cash that straddle both community and commercially oriented modes of provisioning. Their continued presence suggests that in some ways this new paradigm of decentralized energy provision builds upon long-standing historical logics of patronage and political authority in marginal areas.

A Review of Factors Affecting the Efficiency and Output of PV Systems Applied in the Tropical Climate of South-South Nigeria

The increasing adoption of renewable energy for electricity generation has led to a growing application of photovoltaic (PV) systems in residential and commercial settings across Nigeria. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the factors affecting the efficiency and output of PV systems applied in the tropical climate of South-South Nigeria. The environmental benefits of PV systems further enhance their appeal as a direct method of converting solar energy into electricity. For remote communities in South-South Nigeria, often disconnected from the national grid, PV systems offer a viable alternative electricity source. However, the efficiency and output of PV systems are significantly influenced by various environmental conditions prevalent in the tropical climate of South-South Nigeria. The methodology employed in this study includes an extensive literature review and analysis of PV system installations in the region. Data was collected from various sources, including journal articles, conference proceedings, and reports, to identify the key factors impacting PV system performance in South-South Nigeria. The findings highlight that high temperatures, humidity levels, frequent dust accumulation, and potential sea salt effects due to coastal proximity are among the critical environmental factors affecting PV system efficiency in this tropical zone. The study concludes that while the region's climate provides advantages for solar energy harvesting, it also presents unique challenges that need to be addressed when implementing PV systems in South-South Nigeria. The authors recommend strategies to mitigate the environmental challenges faced by PV systems in this tropical climate, contributing to the optimization of solar energy utilization in the region.

Empowering the solar energy landscape: The techno-economic analysis of grid-connected PV power plants in Uganda

Solar PV power is still under-utilized despite the abundance of solar radiation in Uganda. There is need for empowering renewable energy landscape through unlocking the technical and economic feasibility of solar photovoltaic power. We analyzed data from 56 locations for the techno-economic and environmental assessment of photovoltaic power facilities in Uganda. This was based on weather data availability and accessibility to the national power grid. Analysis of the energy generation and different input factors was done using PVsyst 7.2. A three stage approach to losses was adopted: absorption of sunlight, conversion to DC and DC to AC conversion. Findings indicate that most of the countryside is suitable for construction of large scale grid-connected photovoltaic power facilities. Due to longer sunshine duration and stronger Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) which are associated with high energy yield, northern Uganda performed better than the rest of the country, making it a preferential siting for large scale grid-connected photovoltaic facilities. South western Uganda performed the poorest. After a thorough energy accounting and a list of all performance metrics, the viability of investing in grid-connected photovoltaic power facilities was assessed.

Strategic integration of national grid or solar photovoltaic power with the on-site hydrogen vehicle refueling station at the hydrogen energy laboratory, BCSIR, Bangladesh

The country's first on-site hydrogen refueling station (HRS) is installed at the Hydrogen Energy Laboratory, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), and its performance is studied to penetrate and prepare the hydrogen refueling network for the future. The study fills the power conditioning and integration information gap to HRS and refueling performances of on-site HRS in the particular conditions of the country. Strategic integration of grid power to the HRS is materialized and its adaptation with on-site HRS. Low-cost frequency & voltage conversion (conversion of 50 Hz, 420 V, or 220 V to stable 60 Hz, 220 V, or 110 V) and its stabilization are successfully made. An initial pressure of 5 MPa and 10 MPa of the vehicle tank (two-time refueling conditions) at 25 °C fills with the hydrogen at the APRR of 5.07 & 6.39 by 5.91& 7.5 min accordingly whereas the target pressure is 35 MPa. Hydrogen transfer to the vehicle tank at the pressure established by SAE J2799 according to the APRR during refueling time. The system consumes 52.71 kW and 3.73 kW of power to produce and compress 1 kg of hydrogen. The temperature profile shows that at the maximum hydrogen flow rate of 20 g/s, the temperature rose to 56 °C maintaining the fueling protocol. The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOHP) of on-site hydrogen production is $6.68 and the LCOHS&D of storage & dispensing of hydrogen is $1.07 using the grid electricity whereas it gets down to $3.74 and $0.76 for the case of solar PV. Hydrogen vehicles reduce 43% fuel cost (using grid power) as compared to diesel engines. The study also depicts that a solar-powered hydrogen fleet is a better option for replacing fossil fuels and in shaping a sustainable transport system. The economic analyses provide the net present value (NPV20) and benefit and cost ratio (BCR) of the on-site HRS are 0.09 million and 1.18 at the discount rate of 9.5% which corresponds to the investment to the on-site HRS is feasible and free of risk.

Technoeconomic analysis of solar PV electrification to remote areas of Dera Ghazi Khan: A case study

With the increase in population at an immense rate, electricity demand is growing exponentially. Researchers and policymakers are seeking alternating means of power generation to meet the load demand. These resources should be cost-effective, environmentally friendly and least carbon emissions. To mitigate the load demand Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are integrated into electrical networks. In this work, an off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) system is designed for rural areas of Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan), Pakistan. These areas often lack access to reliable grid power. Installing PV systems in these areas can help provide a reliable source of electricity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and improve living conditions. This case study is simulated using PVsyst 7.2. of Roonghan village such as hospitals, shops, and residential houses for techno-economic analysis of off-grid solar PV. The economic viability shows that installing off-grid solar PV in DG Khan is much cheaper. The electricity taken from the grid that's almost 80.01%is expensive. This case study helps other researchers and policymakers to mitigate the electricity requirement of remote areas located far away from the national grid. To install a transmission line, having cost $26.98 corer but using an off-grid to provide electricity to the same area is $2.16 corer. Additionally, it integrates Battery Energy Storage (BES) with Renewable Energy Sources (RES) to achieve a 5 % annual energy cost reduction and enhanced self-sufficiency, filling a gap in existing literature.

Design of an injera baking system using parabolic trough solar collectors at Mekelle University cafeteria

Injera baking poses a significant energy demand and strain on the national grid, requiring temperatures of 180–220 °C with traditional clay Mitads. This study aimed to design a solar thermal system to replace electrical baking energy at the Mekelle University student cafeteria. The system, designed for baking 11,000 Injera within a 6-h daily operation, comprises 92 Anodized aluminum plate Mitads heated by hot oil from an oil gallery, stored in a hot oil storage unit, and recharged via a parabolic trough solar collector. A heat exchanger and thermal storage system ensure efficient heat transfer and storage. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Soltrace analyses were conducted to assess temperature distribution on the baking pan and oil gallery surfaces, as well as solar thermal heat flux. Results revealed a heating capacity of 2.11 kW per Mitad, meeting the required capacity, and a system energy consumption of 1216.5 MJ per hour, achieving a thermal efficiency of 57.4 %. Baking Injera at higher temperatures, enabled by a uniform temperature distribution, yielded uniformly textured Injera with an optimal number of eye bubbles and prevented sticking to the Mitad. Consequently, this design offers a viable alternative for the energy-intensive application at the Mekelle University student cafeteria, providing valuable insights for future solar thermal Injera baking system designers.

Study on technical, economic, environmental efficiency of self-consumption rooftop solar power using lithium-ion battery for households in Vietnam

Rooftop solar power (RSP) systems are important to ensure electrical system safety and reduce investment pressure on the national power grid. The Vietnamese Government stopped the FIT price mechanism for solar power and determined that the development solution of RSP in the near future is seft-consumption. In addition, the world is currently developing many RSP projects using lithium batteries to serve self-consumption needs and use the most of excess solar power during the day. However, Vietnam does not have in-depth technical and economic analysis for grid-tied solar power projects using lithium batteries for households, so these projects receive little investment attention, especially in areas with low solar radiation. In this paper, the technical and economic efficiency of a self-consumption RSP system using lithium batteries is specifically analyzed according to different sensitivity ranges to clarify investment possibilities in 3 locations with different climate characteristics in Vietnam. The study results show that the project in Vung Tau city (Southern region) has the highest amount of solar electricity output and the net present value (NPV) is 2669$ while the projects in Hai Phong city (Northern region) and Binh Dinh (Central region) only reach $129 and $1661, respectively. The payback period of the project at the locations in Hai Phong, Binh Dinh, Vung Tau is 12.4 years, 10.7 years, and 9.9 years, respectively. Finally, the actual operating results of a typical RSP system using lithium battery present that the storage system can increase self-consumption and reduce the use of grid electricity for household loads.

Hybrid offshore wind–solar energy farms: A novel approach through retrofitting

Due to the inherent variability of the power output of offshore wind farms, their integration into electrical grids poses a challenge to their stability and leads to significant balancing costs. Combining wind and solar power may be expected to mitigate the power output variability. In addition, a number of synergies can be realised—shared infrastructure, shared crews and vessels for operations and maintenance, and last but not least, optimum use of scarce marine space. The objective of this work is to investigate this hybrid approach and, in particular, to determine the optimum capacity of the solar energy subsystem given a certain installed capacity of the wind energy subsystem. Three case studies are considered in Europe and China. Each of them is an existing wind farm that could be retrofitted with floating solar PV. After assessing the local wind and solar energy resources, the optimal size of the floating solar array is calculated with a view to smooth the aggregated power output of each farm. Subsequently, the benefits of this hybrid approach are demonstrated from various perspectives. It is found that a much larger solar array is required for a wind farm with a large installed capacity, but the specific optimal size depends more on the local wind and solar resources. The novelty of this paper lies in its exploration of retrofitting existing offshore wind turbines with floating solar PV systems from the perspective of addressing the variability challenge for the currently operating wind farms. This study could serve as a guideline for project designs aiming to retrofit existing offshore wind farms with solar PV technology, thus reducing balancing costs and facilitating the penetration of offshore renewable energy into national power grids.

An Investigation into the Models for Financing Renewable Energy Production in Low-Income Settlements in Gauteng, South Africa: A Review

South Africa faces a lack of reliable, modern electricity, essential for economic and social development. Many communities in Gauteng, particularly rural, informal settlements, are not connected to the national grid, leaving 39 percent of the province's residents in darkness and relying on paraffin and gas to survive the cold winters. In addition, these two components increase the number of dead fires in unofficial regulation and the price of electricity camps, increasing the load on the poor. In this study, we surveyed existing literature on the affordable funding model of renewable energy sources, collected primary data in structured industry interviews and stakeholders. This research focused on this survey, focusing on domestic recurring models and analysing the appropriate financing model and financial exhibition source project funding, green finance, public, private partnership, Government subsidies and private investors also instruct foreign investors. Financial procurement model is mixed. In this study, we have developed a framework that allows representatives to link to the outlook of financiers and decision -making, using a mixed methodology approach, and allows you to allow reliable and useful research results. This gap represents a significant obstacle to renewable energy financing. Furthermore, the results indicate that innovative financing channels are needed to promote renewable energy development in Gauteng and South Africa, as traditional financing methods have had little effect in stimulating renewable energy development. Furthermore, the results show that green energy investors consider renewable energy sources to be very risky, even when supported by government policies. Therefore, the study proposes a financing model that brings together funders into small financial consortia to fund local renewable energy projects using a blended financing model. Such a model would spread risk across multiple investors, thereby reducing the potential risks of investments while achieving the goals and benefiting from tax credits and other incentives for investing in renewable energy.

Should We Have Selfish Microgrids?

Substantial breakthroughs in renewable energy have been made in order to reduce energy-induced climate change. Yet our reliance on these sources is still insufficient. The UK’s objective of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050 is highly dependent on shifting to an electrical system that exclusively relies on zero-carbon generation. This entails integrating renewable energy sources, along with other low-carbon sources such as nuclear power, into the energy mix. However, the primary barrier to incorporating additional renewable energy sources into the grid is their intermittent and volatile nature. Therefore, there is a pressing need to stabilise the generation of renewables and manage this volatility by enhancing the balancing mechanism between microgrids and the national grid. This paper examines previous research on microgrids and smart grids, specifically from a supply chain perspective. It has been observed that the majority of the current literature focuses on documenting selfish microgrids that strive to optimise performance at the microgrid level. However, there is an alternative approach that draws inspiration from the field of supply chain management. Consequently, it is possible to enhance a microgrid’s performance within the broader system that it belongs to by reconsidering the timing and location of storage utilisation.

Ethane integration project—a study for Egyptian NGLs plants and their economics

For Egypt, ethane is a vital chemical precursor, with the potential to significantly attract financial resources and drive economic growth. Enhancing its added value necessitates efficient recovery of ethane before it enters the national grid without processing. This research investigates the technical and economic feasibility of integrating natural gas liquids (NGLs) from three Egyptian NGLs plants—South Western Desert NGLs (SWD NGLs), North Western Desert NGLs (NWD NGLs), and East Mediterranean NGLs (EMD NGLs)—to improve ethane recovery from natural gas fields. The study focuses on revamping these NGLs plants using various NGLs recovery techniques, conducting a comprehensive comparison to identify the most effective methods for processing rich feed gas. Detailed design of the NGLs recovery processes was developed using HYSYS V.14 simulation software and supplementary calculation sheets. The design criteria encompass both technical and economic parameters to ensure a holistic approach in meeting project requirements. Results indicate a significant increase in ethane recovery: 16% for SWD NGLs, 10% for NWD NGLs (A, B, C), and 85% for EMD NGLs. This improvement will boost ethane feedstock for petrochemical companies from 2000 ton/day to 3500 ton/day, enabling increased polyethylene production. Economic analysis for the base case shows an expected internal rate of return (IRR) of 26%, a net present value (NPV) of USD 73 million, and a payback period of approximately 3 years. Sensitivity analysis on product prices, feed gas prices, and total capital investment confirms the project’s economic viability, with all cases showing feasibility (IRR ≥ 15%) except when product prices fall below USD 225/ton for propane, USD 215/ton for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and USD 25/bbl for condensate. This study highlights the potential for enhanced ethane recovery, offering substantial economic benefits and supporting the growth of Egypt’s petrochemical industry.

Alternative Energy in Nigeria: Prospects and Limitations

Energy is a major driving ingredient to the development of any country and determines the quality of life a person lives. Accessibility to constant energy supply is a major challenge in this part of the world because the demand for energy is more than the supply, and since the nation’s major source of energy is fossil fuel, it’s only an eye-opener that our overdependence on this energy source doesn’t meet the demands since energy drives forward an economy, Nigeria could as well not be developed for a couple of number of years. Alternative energy sources are examined in this review especially the renewable source of energy in Nigeria. A delve into other (alternative) sources of energy were also looked into. This review also presents the projections and limits of the alternative sources of energy in Nigeria and the way forward. Policies that can be enacted to promote the use of alternative energy were also identified and some of the limitations were stretched out. Alternative energy sources should be considered priority in the country’s agenda since more than 60% of the nation’s population has access to the national grid of which constitutes more than half of the nation’s populace.

Comparative Analysis of Energy Consumption between Electric Vehicles and Combustion Engine Vehicles in High-Altitude Urban Traffic

This analysis compares the energy efficiency and operational costs of combustion vehicles (Hyundai Accent 1.6 L and Chevrolet Sail 1.5 L) with the Nissan Leaf, an electric vehicle, under current fuel and electricity pricing in Ecuador. Combustion vehicles, converting gasoline into mechanical energy, demonstrate substantial energy losses, leading to higher operational costs, especially with recent gasoline price hikes to USD 2.722 per gallon. In stark contrast, the Nissan Leaf exhibits significantly greater energy efficiency, consuming only 15–20 kWh per 100 km, which translates to lower running costs (USD 11.20 to fully charge a 40 kWh battery). Despite the clear economic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles, their adoption in Ecuador is hampered by geographical challenges such as diverse terrain that can affect vehicle range and battery longevity. Moreover, the limited and uneven distribution of EV charging stations, mostly concentrated in urban areas, poses significant barriers. For broader implementation, a strategic expansion of the EV infrastructure and careful consideration of the national energy grid’s capacity to support increased electric vehicle uptake are essential. Addressing these challenges is crucial for realizing the full potential of electric vehicles in enhancing Ecuador’s sustainability and energy independence.