Rural Electrification Schemes Research Articles

Fracking, farmers, and rural electrification in India

The shale gas revolution in the United States induced an unprecedented commodity boom across northwestern India. Leveraging population-based discontinuities in the contemporaneous roll-out of India’s national rural electrification scheme, we show that access to electricity increased total employment and non-agricultural employment in villages affected by this exogenous economic shock, but had no impact on labor markets elsewhere. This combination of two natural experiments highlights how complementary economic conditions drive heterogeneity in the labor-market impacts of rural electrification. It also helps explain the large variation in the reported impacts of such resource-intensive infrastructure investments globally.

The Electoral Effects of Large-Scale Infrastructure Policies: Evidence from a Rural Electrification Scheme in Brazil

The Electoral Effects of Large-Scale Infrastructure Policies: Evidence from a Rural Electrification Scheme in Brazil

“You Know What She Died of, Mother Pegg? Of Darkness …”

Abstract This article examines the Shannon Scheme, which involved the construction of the largest hydroelectric dam in Europe from 1925, and the subsequent Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) not just as defining projects of the modern Irish State, but as social watersheds of the twentieth century that had a complex and wide-ranging influence on artists including Seán Keating and Samuel Beckett. The article considers the intertwining of art and electricity in the artistic responses to the Scheme and the RES, Irish electrification’s political and social resonances, and the extent to which Beckett’s plays, particularly Endgame, can be read as ‘electric’ works.

In a New Light: Histories of Women and Energy

In a New Light: Histories of Women and Energy

Design, experimental and feasibility study for highway electricity generation using low‐cost wind turbine

With the ever-increasing demand for electricity, the need to generate electricity from potential sources is high. A promising idea to generate electricity from highways is proposed, designed and tested. A low cost Savonius wind turbine (SWT) was fabricated at a cost of around $110 and was tested by placing in highways at varying wind speed and traffic conditions to generate electricity. This generated electricity is utilized to satisfy the electricity needs of the rural houses nearby highways with rural electrification schemes to operate lighting. From the experimental data, the estimated average electricity generation from a SWT was found around 0.4 kWh/day. The life cycle analysis (LCA) of the proposed system is conducted by considering the real-time economic parameters. Also, the economic study conducted showed the levelized cost of electricity was around $0.07/kWh LCA is studied by considering as a SWT farm installed with 250 SWTs connected in 1 km stretch with estimated power output around 100 kWh/day. With this, the demand for energy for atleast 6 h/day in rural households is fulfilled.

Electrifying the ‘eighth continent’: exploring the role of climate finance and its impact on energy justice and equality in Madagascar’s planned energy transition

Developing country case studies have thus far been under-represented in conceptual models attempting to theorize energy transitions. This paper explores the role of climate finance in the process of Madagascar’s planned transition to renewable energy sources as envisioned in the country’s New Energy Policy in order to demonstrate the different experience in developing countries when compared to hegemonic transition narratives. Drawing upon qualitative interviews with energy finance providers and focus groups in recently electrified rural communities, this paper reveals that Madagascar’s transition is dependent on the financial resources mobilized by the government’s technical and financial partners. Climate finance emerges as a critical lever to implement environmental legislation. The interview findings were correlated with census data to evaluate how current financing strategies are directly connected to energy justice issues, namely the equality in access to affordable and clean energy. Through an analysis of projected energy finance flows and key financiers’ financing strategies, this paper exposes a shift from grant-based climate finance to financial instruments with clear return profiles, such as concessional loans and private capital, and finds that the choice of financial instrument impacts the provision of complementary social services in rural electrification schemes. Grants are linked to higher investments into complementary social services, while private financiers focus on innovation and scale. Purely private financed electrification projects were found to negatively impact social cohesion by increasing the inequality in access to energy. This study concludes that if only commercially viable energy projects were to be financed going forward, up to 19 million Madagascans might be excluded from future electrification efforts. Consequently, this paper urges researchers to consider social justice implications when evaluating climate finance strategies.

Transmission System and Rural Electrification Scheme in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, Constraints and Way forward

This paper x-rayed the transmission system and rural electrification scheme in Nigeria. The electric power transmission network and rural electrification scheme were critically reviewed in terms of issues, challenges, constraints, roles and current state of the power systems to identify their areas of strength and shortcomings in the Nigeria power sector. The paper further proposes the way forward to enhance the performance of the Nigeria’s electric power transmission system and rural electrification scheme.

Rural electrification, gender and the labor market: A cross-country study of India and South Africa

Abstract This cross-country study estimates the effect of household electrification on labor market outcomes for rural individuals in India and South Africa, two developing countries that have implemented large-scale rural electrification schemes in recent decades. Two identification strategies are used: propensity score matching and panel fixed effects estimation. We focus on three indicators of labor market success: employment, earnings and hours worked. We find that electrification raises the annual incomes earned by those who work in paid employment, for both men and women in both countries. For India, both genders work fewer hours, suggesting that electricity raises productivity. For South Africa, where the labor market has less absorptive capacity, there is no employment benefit of electrification. But women who work benefit the most from the productivity gains of electrification: they have greater increases in earnings than men. Our findings suggest that the benefits of electrification do not accrue universally, but rather depend on gender roles, supporting policies and the labor absorptive capacity of the economy.

The Application of Homer Optimization Software to Investigate the Prospects of Hybrid Renewable Energy System in Rural Communities of Sokoto in Nigeria

<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This paper investigates the prospects and cost-effectiveness of implementation of standalone PV/wind system in sokoto state Nigeria. Daily electricity demand, yearly solar radiation and wind speed were applied to determine the optimum sizing of the renewable energy (RE) system. To design optimum RE with proper sizing of system components, meteorological data obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration were applied as input for this study. In Nigeria, sokoto is a region with solar radiation of 6kWh/m<sup>2</sup>/day and wind speed of 5m/s at 10m above height. Using the Homer optimization software, the optimum integrated RE system is 35.21kW PV, 3 x 25kW wind turbines, 12 x 24V lead acid battery and 17.44kW converter. The system has a total capital cost of $249910.24, the replacement cost of $82914.85 and maintenance cost of $53802.80 for 25 years. Though the initial capital cost is high but the long term benefits are enormous, considering the high cost of implementing rural electrification scheme, coupled with ahike in electricity tariff. There is also a payback period of 5 years. The results imply a standalone PV/wind system is feasible in rural communities of sokoto with 100% pollution free energy system.</span></p>

Social Cost–Benefit Analysis of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana

This study aims to examine the economic and social aspects of villages under the rural electrification scheme launched by the Government of India in the context of Sonitpur district of Assam (India). The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) method is used to find out the economic benefits of the project in terms of economic (shadow) pricing of the area under study and the impact of the project on savings and investments in Sonitpur district. Primary data such as questionnaire and interaction with villagers and secondary data from various reliable sources are used to fulfil the objectives. The study finds that apart from financial viability, the project is viable from a social perspective as people’s standard of living, income and government savings increased from the past years.

The user-value of rural electrification: An analysis and adoption of existing models and theories

Abstract User-value is a determining factor for product acceptance in product design. Research on rural electrification to date, however, does not draw sufficient attention to the importance of user-value with regard to the overall success of a project. This is evident from the analysis of project reports and applicable indicators from agencies active in the sector. Learning from the design, psychology and sociology literatures, it is important that rural electrification projects incorporate the value perception of the end-user and extend their success beyond the commonly used criteria of financial value, the appropriateness of the technology, capacity building and technology uptake. Creating value for the end-user is particularly important for project acceptance and the sustainability of a scheme once it has been handed over to the local community. In this research paper, existing theories and models of value-theory are transposed and applied to community operated rural electrification schemes and a user-value framework is developed. Furthermore, the importance of value to the end-user is clarified. Current literature on product design reveals that user-value has different properties, many of which are applicable to rural electrification. Five value pillars and their sub-categories important for the users of rural electrification projects are identified, namely: functional; social significance; epistemic; emotional; and cultural values. These pillars provide the main structure for the conceptual framework developed in this research paper. It is proposed that by targeting the values of the end-user, the key factors of user-value applicable to rural electrification projects will be identified and the sustainability of the project will be better ensured.

Problems of Rural Electrification in Bayelsa State

Rural electrification scheme is aimed at promoting the welfare of the rural community and improve the economic status of the people. The presence of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) is rarely felt, that the supply of power to Bayelsa from the grid is less than 10 percent. The Kolo creek gas turbine is only available to only two local communities in the state. The paper therefore is aimed at presenting these problems by studying the problems facing the present scheme in terms of capital cost, the dispersed settlement, the load profile and transport system. It was seen that the coastal environment and the fairly big rivers coupled with the high capital cost are major impediments to successful electrification of the state. It was seen that it cost sever time more than an equivalent scheme in the upload areas. With the abundant oil and gas resources and the renewable energies (solar and wind), off grid electrification project could be the solution to the electrification scheme if properly harnessed.

Grid-connectivity of remote isolated islands—A proposition in Indian context

This paper has analyzed the cases of Moushuni Island at Sundarban of 24 Parganas South of West Bengal, India. The proposition is to find out the possibility of grid-connectivity of isolated remote islands which is under rural electrification scheme by hybrid renewable energies under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission of India. In these rural electrification program, grid extension can be the best option if the grid is reliable, the rural community rather big and in proximity to the grid. In many circumstances, a strong case for mini-grids based on hybrid systems can be made. Scattered communities and isolated houses are well served by solar and small hydro (where available) or small wind energy systems. By feeding renewable electricity to the utility grid through grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system, during time of peak demand, sufficient electrical loads can be shed to prevent turning on a coal or natural gas-fired plant and therefore save CO2 emissions and potentially energy import costs, replacing fossil fuels. But there is a barrier for grid-connectivity for isolated island, which can be overcome by feed-in-tariff policy implementation for renewables. Also, feed-in-tariff for mini-grids is a promising approach for linking off-grid and grid-connected renewable energy support. Also, most intelligent controller for grid interactive operation of solar photovoltaic-wind-bio hybrid energy system at Moushuni Island is proposed. This intelligent controller will switch from various renewable resources like solar-wind-biomass through change over switch panel to find out optimized hybrid renewable energy system. Malda district of West Bengal, India is a vision towards smart-grid city towards sustainable future, where rural consumers can upgrade their quality of life through solar energy resource. This paper also illustrated the socio-economic and environmental benefits and social costing of adopting renewables future for India. Cost proposition for integrating distributed renewable energy sources-solar energy to electricity grid has been analyzed along with the feasibility studies for factors responsible for cost/unit reduction. The feasibility studies for social, economic, and environmental benefits of renewables have been discussed along with justifications for hybrid renewable vs stand alone-photovoltaic and other types of renewable energy systems along with the comparative analysis of economic costing of installation of various types of renewable energy systems.

Soft Magnetic Composite Switched Reluctance Generator - Fabrication and Analysis

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the suitability of Soft Magnetic Composite (SMC) material SOMOLOY1000 for a Switched Reluctance Generator (SRG) through electromagnetic, thermal and vibration characteristics employing extensive Finite Element Analysis. The fabrication aspects of Soft Magnetic Composite Switched Reluctance Generator (SMC-SRG) using preform material blanks utilizing indigenous machining process have been delineated. The static and transient electromagnetic characteristics have been obtained through the electromagnetic finite element analysis software MagNet6.22.1 while the thermal and vibration aspects have been studied through coupled field Finite Element Analysis employing the multi physics software ANSYS10 while the Impulse hammers excitation - free vibration test using RT Pro Photon data acquisition system facilitated the experimental determination of vibration characteristics. The study concludes that the advantages of less weight , low torque ripple, low eddy current losses, reduction in vibration level of stator structure coupled with the ability to maintain precise mechanical dimensional tolerance may present SMC-SRG a viable candidate in standalone wind energy conversion systems meant for rural and remote area electrification scheme.

A comparative evaluation of household preferences for solar photovoltaic standalone and mini-grid system: An empirical study in a costal village of Indian Sundarban

Solar PhotoVoltaic (SPV) based systems have been widely accepted technology for rural electrification in developing countries. The standalone SPV home lighting system has increasingly been popular among rural households, while SPV mini-grid supply system is being promoted for rural electrification schemes. This study uses data from household survey to explore the impact of household characteristics on the preference for electrical energy from SPV systems. Econometric evidence shows heterogeneity in behavioural pattern for these two SPV systems. The flexibility in use and cost of systems might explain this difference. Household characteristics such as monthly household income, household size, occupational status of household head, number of room and type of house significantly influence household’s decision for SPV standalone home lighting systems. For SPV mini-grid supply household’s income and monthly expenditure on kerosene are significant predictors. The result reported in this paper might be a valuable input for policy makers to frame right policy mix with regard to provide subsidy on rural electrification programmes.

Rural electrification: the propelling force for rural development of Edo State, Nigeria

Since the advent of technology, the ability for Man to do work has been enhanced by the discovery of various forms of energy and the efficient manage-ment of these energy resources. Thus, all over the world, the GNP of a nation depends on the energy consumption per capita and the growth in the macro-economics of the locality. This paper addresses the Edo State’s Governments Rural Electrification Scheme, which has been in operation since 1957. The population of the localities, the area coverage in square kilometres and the index of industrialization of the Local Government Area (LGA) are presented. The number of electrified towns compared with the total number of localities per LGA by the successive governments’ shows that the rate of rural electrification is 18%. Consequent-ly, industrialization and the standard of living of Edo State’s people are also seriously affected. It is rec-ommended that to enhance the economic disposi-tion of rural people, the federal government, state government, the local government authority, busi-ness operators in the localities and people involved, must put all their resources together to build stable and reliable electrification schemes all over the country, the back bone of any nations technological development and stable Gross National Product (GNP). The recommendations made will benefit other African countries in general.

Evaluation of Configuration Plans for DGs in Developing Countries Using Advanced Planning Techniques

Many developing countries have emphasis on distributed generation (DG) technology for their generation expansion planning. The planning considerations and judicious choice of attributes are dictated by prevailing conditions. The attributes considered are capital costs, energy not served per annum, and profits from injecting power into the grid at peak load, all of which are important for a developing country. The uncertain futures considered are three possible loading conditions, which can be low, medium and high. Different scenarios (plans) are generated by various combinations of configurations. DGs can be configured as stand-alone mode, hybrid operation, or micro-grid formation with or without grid connection. With the increased complexities in DG planning options along with the multiple attributes to be accounted, more sophisticated techniques other than conventional economic analysis are needed to arrive at correct decisions by decision makers. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used for obtaining relative weights in an objective way. Further, the statistical method like interval-based multi-attribute decision making with tradeoff analysis is used for shortlisting the feasible plans and identifying the most appropriate plan. It is proposed to use the weights obtained from AHP for finding the performance efficiencies in data envelopment analysis (DEA) for evaluating the plans. A new composite utility function is proposed to resolve cases where performance efficiency is insufficient for evaluation in DEA application. The sample system is derived with reference to a rural electrification scheme in India. The assessment of plans is presented and discussed. The comparative strengths and weaknesses of the methods are reported on the basis of the results obtained.

ABLE project: Development of an advanced lead-acid storage system for autonomous PV installations

In the advanced battery for low-cost renewable energy (ABLE) project, the partners have developed an advanced storage system for small and medium-size PV systems. It is composed of an innovative valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery, optimised for reliability and manufacturing cost, and an integrated regulator, for optimal battery management and anti-fraudulent use. The ABLE battery performances are comparable to flooded tubular batteries, which are the reference in medium-size PV systems. The ABLE regulator has several innovative features regarding energy management and modular series/parallel association. The storage system has been validated by indoor, outdoor and field tests, and it is expected that this concept could be a major improvement for large-scale implementation of PV within the framework of national rural electrification schemes.

Involving the user: Community based management of solar home systems in Indonesia

Taking existing technologies simply off the shelf and handing them over to users might in the beginning satisfy stakeholders and users involved in a rural electrification project but the likelihood of failure and disappointment is very high. Pitfalls are well known and have led to a slow down of entrepreneurial initiatives and market development. In Indonesia with its long history of harnessing new and renewable energy technologies (NRE), participatory development is not common for decentralized rural electrification (RE) schemes. Although electrification by means of Solar Home Systems (SHS) has a long tradition throughout the archipelago, community-based management has long been neglected and hence projects have been prone to failure. Implementing SHS in a sustainable way is still far from routine business and requires competent resources, interdisciplinary know-how if the scheme should last long and public knowledge about the benefits of electricity utilization. In this article Claus Dauselt, describes the Indonesian SHS experience and aspects important for sustainable, decentralized rural electrification in particular the need for community involvement in the project right from the start.

Rural electrification scheme in Uganda

The introduction of a reliable system of electricity to a Children's Centre in rural Uganda was essential to tackle a problem of lack of light in the early evening for schoolchildren to do their homework and for staff to prepare their lessons. It would also provide power for small appliances, fridges and small cookers as well as making the Centre a more appealing place for potential staff.