Seasonal flooding in the wetland regions of rural Bangladesh frequently disrupts national grid infrastructure, leaving hundreds of thousands of households without reliable electricity access for extended periods, a critical energy vulnerability that conventional grid extension strategies have consistently failed to resolve. To address this challenge, this study designs and optimizes a hybrid renewable energy microgrid combining solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines (WT), and a battery energy storage system (BESS), connected to the existing grid via a power converter, to provide reliable and affordable electricity to 200 rural households in Mithamain Upazila, Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh. The system, modeled using HOMER Pro (version 3.14.2), achieves a competitive cost of energy of $0.02995/kWh, which is comparable to conventional rural electricity tariffs. The system's net present cost is $107,712.60, with an initial investment of $48,107 and an annual operating cost of $895.93. Additionally, the system produces 73.9% of its energy from renewable sources, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 43,675kg every year. Sensitivity analysis highlights the system's strength in different weather and economic situations, confirming that hybrid microgrids are a feasible and resilient solution for energy access in rural areas that have been hit by floods. This research demonstrates that hybrid renewable energy microgrids are a long-term, low-cost solution for rural electrification in flood-prone areas.

The digitalization and green and low-carbon development of agriculture are two important directions for the high-quality development of China's agriculture and rural areas and rural revitalization， and they are also important ways to achieve the "dual carbon" goal. Based on the entropy weight method， the coupling coordination degree model， the Dagum Gini coefficient， the kernel density estimation， and the obstacle degree model， the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and obstacle factors of the coupling coordination degree of agricultural digitalization and green and low-carbon development in 31 provinces of China from 2011 to 2022 were explored. The results show that： ① The average growth rate of China's agricultural digitalization level was 5.49%， and the development level of the main grain sales area was the highest. The average growth rate of green and low-carbon development level of agriculture was 1.83%， and the development level of the main grain sales areas was relatively high. ② The coupling and coordination degree of agricultural digitalization and green and low-carbon development was low， but it showed an upward trend year by year， with the average value increasing from 0.312 in 2011 to 0.427 in 2022. The development differences between regions were the main reasons for the differences in the coordinated development of agriculture， but the differences showed a decreasing trend. ③ Rural electricity consumption and regional post and telecommunications services were the two factors with the greatest obstacle degree in agricultural digitalization， and the average obstacle degree in the four years was 23.36% and 21.11%， respectively. The water-saving irrigation rate was the greatest obstacle factor in the green and low-carbon development of agriculture， and the average obstacle degree was 29.23%. Therefore， it is necessary to accelerate the construction of agricultural digital infrastructure， introduce technologies to improve resource utilization， establish a cross-regional coordinated development mechanism， and promote the coordinated development of agriculture.

• The efficiency of off-grid renewable energy is enhanced by optimal financial allocation. • SDGs 7, 11, and 13 are addressed by hybrid microgrid solutions for rural electricity. • Better microgrid typologies for isolated locations in KPK and Sindh with various energy requirements. • KPIs evaluate the technical, financial, and environmental effects of MGs in KPK and Sindh. • For different discount rates, load demand, inflation rate, wind speed, solar irradiation, and lifespan, sensitivity analysis finds workable hybrids. Hybrid renewable energy systems are common in rural electrification as an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative. For all these systems, such as techno-economic, sensitivity and environmental are discussed in this paper and the way in which these systems can be utilized in achieving sustainable development goals. Remote, unelectrified locations are identified using a geospatial analytic method. The suggested battery-powered PV-hydro-B-DG system for Ayun Chitral provided the lowest LCOE and NPC of $692,000 and $0.0880/kWh, in that order. On the other hand, the maximum NPC and the LCOE of $2,460,000 and 0.212$/kWh are provided by PV with a battery storage system. The installation of microgrids powered by renewable energy sources is predicted to cut emissions by up to 95.35%. Nowshera has the highest DG contribution and emits 20,911 kg of GHG annually. To guarantee the technological dependability of the suggested system, a thorough investigation is conducted. Sensitivity analysis looks at the effects of unclear parameters on both NPC and LCOE. This paper provides a comparison of proposed system with the existing literature in terms of LCOE and NPC. This research provides a pathway for U.N.-SDGs and for Pakistan to achieve its own target of renewable expansion.

India's massive cow dung waste can be turned from an environmental burden into a renewable resource, opening up a sustainable path for soil enrichment, rural electricity, and climate mitigation. This would make a persistent waste management issue a key component of the country's circular bioeconomy. Cow dung, often considered agricultural waste, poses a significant environmental disposal challenge despite being a rich source of lignocellulosic biomass containing cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other valuable compounds. Conventional methods of cellulose extraction from such biomass often involve harsh chemicals and energy-intensive processes, raising sustainability concerns. This study addresses the issue by exploring the more eco-friendly and energy-efficient valorization protocols of cow dung through a comparative analysis of two extraction techniques: deep eutectic solvents (DES), a green and environmentally benign alternative, and traditional alkaline hydrolysis. The goal is to evaluate and optimize cellulose fiber recovery using these methods, promoting the sustainable use of an underutilized biomass resource. The impact of deep eutectic solvent and alkaline hydrolysis treatments was assessed based on yield, lignocellulosic composition analysis, and functional and structural properties. In a comparative study, washed cow dung and cellulose fibers obtained were analyzed using various physicochemical characterization techniques, including compositional analysis, ultimate analysis, Fourier-transform infrared, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Among both methods, the deep eutectic solvent method proved to be the most effective, yielding a 74.4% crude solid fraction with 34.1% cellulose content at 100°C. In comparison, the alkaline hydrolysis method resulted in a 25% crude solid fraction with 32% cellulose content. The cellulose extracted using the deep eutectic solvent (DES) method has a 49% crystallinity index and a thermal decomposition temperature of 390°C. In contrast, cellulose obtained through alkaline hydrolysis has a crystallinity index of 47% and decomposes at 380°C. Life cycle analysis depicted the impacts of cellulose production methods on various environmental impact categories, exhibiting significantly reduced impacts in critical categories such as global warming (18 vs. 47kg CO2 eq), photochemical oxidation, eutrophication, and toxicity indicators. These findings highlight deep eutectic solvent extraction as the superior method for cellulose extraction compared to alkaline hydrolysis, highlighting the potential of deep eutectic solvents as a green and efficient substitute for conventional chemical methods.

Nigeria, a key agricultural nation in West Africa, faces persistent food insecurity due to limited access to improved farming practices, with cassava production playing a pivotal role in addressing hunger and supporting rural economies. In Ekiti State, mobile phone technologies offer a potentially impactful solution to enhance cassava production and food security, yet their utilization remains underexplored. This study investigates the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria, and identifies factors influencing their use of mobile phone technologies to improve agricultural productivity and food security. Conducted across three agricultural zones (Aramoko, Ikere, and Isan), the study employed a multistage sampling technique to select 376 cassava farmers from nine local government areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaires via the Open Data Kit (ODK) and focus group discussions (FGD) with a Multifunctional Rechargeable Device (MRD), a software app for data collection. Factor analysis, chi-square tests, and linear regression were applied to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data were processed using Atlas. Ti. Four key factors emerged from factor analysis influencing mobile phone technology utilization: economic factors (27.267%), perceived benefits (20.517%), technology enablers (15.033%), and constraints (10.921%). Significant relationships were found between utilization and technology enablers, alongside socio-economic variables like education, farming experience, and farmland size. Qualitative data from FGDs revealed inadequate electricity and poor network coverage as major barriers to mobile phone technology utilization. The study underscores that the mobile technology adoption by cassava farmers is driven by economic factors and perceived benefits but hindered by infrastructural constraints. To improve utilization and boost productivity, it is recommended to invest in rural electricity and internet, design inclusive applications with local languages, and enhance farmers' access to affordable credit.

Optimized design of a hybrid renewable energy system with biogas energy storage for sustainable rural electrification: A case study in Sempu, East Java, Indonesia

A modular scalable electrification network for Sub-Saharan Africa: Real-world deployment of autonomous DC picogrids for Tier 2 access and communal refrigeration

Barriers to sustainable rural electrification: A PESTEL-based qualitative case study of Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

Abstract- The increasing demand for reliable and sustainable energy has accelerated the adoption of solar power systems for uninterrupted electricity supply. This project presents the design and implementation of a solar power inverter system that efficiently converts solar energy into usable alternating current (AC) power for domestic and commercial applications. Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, which is regulated through a DC–DC boost converter and stored in a battery for backup usage. An inverter module converts the stored DC power into stable AC output, ensuring continuous power supply during grid outages or low sunlight conditions. The system integrates a charge controller, monitoring unit, and safety protection features to enhance performance, efficiency, and operational safety. The proposed system reduces dependency on conventional fossil fuel-based energy sources, lowers electricity costs, and supports environmental sustainability. Additionally, the integration of battery storage and automatic power switching ensures uninterrupted operation, making the system suitable for residential backup, rural electrification, EV charging support, and small-scale commercial applications. The implementation demonstrates a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for reliable power generation and energy management. Keywords— Solar Energy, Power Inverter, Battery Energy Storage, Renewable Energy System, Uninterrupted Power Supply etc.

This paper presents a hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization–Grey Wolf Optimizer (PSO–GWO) approach for optimal slip coordination and power management of converter-free grid-connected parallel induction generators (2.2 kW and 5.5 kW) in micro-hydro power plants. The methodology addresses multi-objective optimization of slip values for maximum power extraction, inrush current mitigation through intelligent synchronization, and power flow coordination without power electronic converters. The hybrid PSO-GWO achieves superior convergence compared to standalone PSO (18.3% faster), GWO (12.7% faster), and five recent hybrid methods (AGWOPSO, HFPSO, FFA, HCHOPSO, PSO-AHA), attaining 96.4% global optimum detection rate across 500 Monte Carlo simulations confirmed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test (p < 10^{-5} for all comparisons). Experimental validation demonstrates 68.8% inrush current reduction (45.2 A to 14.1 A), 126% active power improvement through optimal slip matching (2328 W to 5262 W), and 74–79% cost reduction ($960 versus $3,650–$4,650). The optimization identifies the Pareto-optimal slip range of -1.8% to -1.0% with power factor between 0.85 and 0.92. A comprehensive distribution network model incorporating transformer and feeder impedances validates voltage regulation within ±4.2% at the point of common coupling, with uncertainty analysis confirming predictions within instrument accuracy. Robustness evaluation under four fault conditions (LL, LG, LLG, LLL) confirms stable recovery satisfying IEEE Standard 1547–2018 fault ride-through requirements. The proposed approach offers a computationally efficient and economically viable solution for rural electrification with total harmonic distortion below 4.2%.

Provincial decarbonization in China's rural residential sector: From end-use electrification to grid decarbonization.

The rapid advancement of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) offers a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, especially for India, with its abundant sodium resources. Despite their potential, SIBs face significant challenges, including R&D funding, a lack of pilot projects, and the dedicated recycling frameworks. This manuscript explores the current state of SIB technology in India, examining its potential applications in grid storage, rural electrification, and electric vehicles. It outlines strategic policy recommendations, such as expanding the Production Linked Incentive Scheme to include SIBs, developing a National Sodium-Ion Battery Research Mission, and fostering industry-academia collaboration. By addressing these gaps, India can position itself as a leader in sustainable energy storage, leveraging its sodium resources to reduce dependency on imported lithium, improve energy security, and promote cost-effective, environmentally friendly energy solutions. • It emphasizes leveraging abundant sodium resources to reduce dependency on imported lithium and enhance energy security. • The potential of SIBs for applications such as low-speed electric vehicles is highlighted. • The SIB-specific recycling frameworks and safety standards may foster a circular economy and environmental sustainability. • Public-private partnerships and incentivizing academia-industry collaborations may drive innovation in SIB technologies. • Expantion the PLI Scheme and establishing a National Sodium-Ion Battery Research Mission would be fruitful.

The global shift towards renewable energy (RE) is essential for combating climate change and achieving energy sustainability. This transition, however, faces multifaceted challenges that hinder its deployment. The purpose of this work is to provide a global status of RE, examine the challenges faced, provide future directions, and provide an insight into the emerging RE technologies. A case study of Namibia is used because the country remains one of Africa’s emerging RE powerhouses. This study uses a qualitative and data-driven review methodology, and key metrics considered include installed renewable capacity, RE share in energy mix, investment levels, and policy mechanisms. In addition, official policy documents and national energy statistics were prioritized for Namibia. The findings of this research are that Namibia is in the early stages of developing its RE infrastructure, renewable energy sources, mostly solar and wind power. Namibia currently generates the majority of its electricity primarily from hydropower and solar. However, rural electrification remains low, with financing and grid coverage as the key barriers. A major challenge is securing funding to build projects efficiently. Slow government approvals and difficulties in connecting new energy to the power grid are also hindering the RE uptake. The global shift toward renewable energy is essential for combating climate change and achieving energy sustainability. The world’s discovery on the potential of renewable energy resources is vast as it is projected to have a significant share in the future global energy mix. However, this transition faces multifaceted challenges that hinder its deployment. This paper therefore, provides a comprehensive review on status of renewable energy in the global context and in the African continent. A case study of Namibia is considered. The authors further discuss in depth the challenges that impede the uptake of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) where technology and policy frameworks remain at the forefront of these challenges. In the African context however in addition, the funding remains a critical impediment. The future direction for Africa examines critical factors influencing the sector's development: regulatory frameworks, investment modalities, technological integration, and transnational collaboration. The discussions presented on emerging technology in RES and future directions for renewable energy in Africa and Namibia are also presented. A comparative analysis on African countries is also provided in this work. Namibia is just starting to build its RES, mostly solar and wind power. A big challenge is getting funding to build projects quickly. Also, slow government approvals and difficulties connecting new energy to the power grid are slowing things down. In this work, strategies for overcoming challenges to the uptake of RES are presented.

Achieving universal electricity access in rural areas remains a complex challenge in many developing countries, particularly for communities located within reach of existing distribution infrastructure but not yet connected. In such contexts, decision-makers must often choose between extending the main grid and deploying off-grid systems. This study presents a structured scoping review based on bibliographic sources, aimed at identifying how decision-making processes are supported in selection of rural electrificationstrategies, when both options are technically and economically viable. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a multi-phase filtering strategy was applied to the Scopus database, covering literature published between 2013 and 2024. A total of 3780 documents were initially retrieved, from which 136 were selected for in-depth analysis. Data extraction, co-citation mapping, keyword clustering, and thematic coding were used to classify the literature into five decision-related domains: technology selection, network configuration, system optimisation, policy frameworks, and multi-criteria methodologies. The review identifies recurring methodological patterns and systematises the decision-making criteria most frequently applied in rural electrification planning. It highlights that current approaches often treat grid extension and off-grid alternatives within isolated frameworks, despite their coexistence in practical planning scenarios. The analysis reveals significant gaps in the integration of technical, economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions, as well as in the use of unified indicators that enable meaningful comparisons. These findings emphasise the need for more comprehensive frameworks that reflect the complexity of electrification choices in grid-adjacent rural areas and support more consistent, evidence-based planning processes. • A scoping review of 136 studies assesses decision-making in rural electrification planning. • Literature is categorised across five thematic domains using bibliometric and qualitative methods. • Decision-making tools lack integration of institutional and social dimensions. • Criteria used across studies remain heterogeneous and rarely comparable. • Findings reveal fragmented frameworks for planning trade-offs between grid and off-grid options.

Hybrid renewable energy systems offer a sustainable alternative to diesel-based rural electrification in developing countries, yet their long-term reliability and cost performance remain highly sensitive to climatic variability. This study presents a comprehensive 8760-hour (full-year) simulation of a hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV)–wind–battery microgrid across four representative Nigerian climatic zones: Kano, Jos, Abuja, and Calabar. A uniform system configuration comprising 90 kWp PV, 30 kW wind, 450 kWh battery storage, and a 120 kW inverter was adopted to isolate the influence of resource availability on system performance. Reliability was assessed using the Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP), while economic performance was evaluated in Nigerian Naira (₦) using Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Net Present Cost (NPC), and simple payback period relative to diesel generation. Simulation results indicate near-perfect reliability (LPSP ≈ 0) for Kano, Jos, and Abuja, while Calabar exhibits a moderate LPSP of approximately 2.3%, attributed to persistent cloud cover and lower solar irradiance. Despite this, Calabar records the lowest LCOE due to higher annual energy throughput and reduced battery cycling stress, highlighting that low energy cost does not necessarily imply high reliability. The NPC remains constant across all locations (≈ ₦5.71 × 10⁸) due to fixed system sizing, with LCOE variations driven by differences in energy yield and storage utilization. All locations achieve payback periods below nine years, confirming the economic superiority of hybrid renewable systems over diesel generation. The findings demonstrate that while hybrid PV–wind systems are economically viable across Nigeria, location-specific design optimization is essential, particularly in coastal regions where higher storage margins or wind penetration are required to meet strict reliability targets.

Nigeria’s economic growth has long been constrained by inadequate energy access and overdependence on fossil fuels. This study examined the relationship between renewable energy investment and economic growth in Nigeria, using solar irradiation potential, access to Rural Electrification Agency (REA) projects, and the historical share of hydropower as key proxies for renewable energy development. The study employed an ex post facto research design, analyzing panel data from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory covering the period 2010 to 2024, sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NASA’s POWER satellite database, and REA reports. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, diagnostic tests, and panel regression techniques were used to assess the relationships among variables. Findings revealed that solar irradiation potential had a positive and significant impact on economic growth, implying that solar-rich regions experienced higher productivity. Access to REA projects also had a significant positive relationship with economic growth, demonstrating that rural electrification initiatives enhanced inclusivity and reduced regional inequality. Similarly, the historical share of hydropower significantly influenced growth, underscoring the importance of diversifying renewable energy sources. The R² value of 0.71 indicated that 71% of economic growth variations were explained by renewable energy indicators. The study concluded that renewable energy investment remains a vital driver of Nigeria’s sustainable economic transformation. It recommended targeted solar investment policies, improved implementation of REA projects, and modernization of hydropower infrastructure to ensure energy stability and inclusive growth.

Energy transitions that are inclusive are necessary if SDG 7 is to be achieved since SDG 7 entails making sure that there is universal access to energy that is affordable, sustainable, and reliable. This paper analyzes renewable energy transitions from the perspective of energy justice. Specifically, it will analyze issues relating to equitable access to energy, affordability, and inclusion in energy transition programs in selected developing countries. In order to achieve its objectives, the paper will employ econometric methods using Fixed Effects (FE), Random Effects (RE), System GMM, and PCA analysis to develop an index of energy justice. Results show that the mean value of EJI is 0.63, which means that there is an energy justice condition of moderate magnitude with a huge disparity across nations. The highest contributing factor to the level of EJI is the installed capacity of renewable energy sources (40%), followed by renewable energy policies (35%) and investments (28%). Results from the Fixed Effects model indicate that the presence of renewable energy policy (β = 0.28), installed capacity (β = 0.32), and investment (β = 0.21) positively and significantly contribute to enhancing energy justice, whereas income inequality (β = -0.18) adversely impacts energy justice. The System GMM model shows that renewable energy share (β = 0.029), subsidies provided to consumers (β = 0.017), and rural electrification (β = 0.043) positively affect EJI, while the price of energy (β = -0.052) reduces affordability and inclusiveness.

Electrification is vital for economic growth, poverty reduction, and improved quality of life. Over 80% of Afghanistan’s rural population lacks electricity. Despite increasing interest in decentralized energy systems, there remains a lack of site-specific studies that jointly assess the technical, economic, and policy feasibility of decentralized solar PV for rural electrification in Afghanistan. This study addresses that gap through a mixed-method case study of Syahgel, Ghazni, combining a household survey of 30 households, PVsyst-based system sizing, economic evaluation, and policy analysis. The study compares multi-tier Solar Home Systems (SHSs) with a community microgrid under local demand and affordability conditions. The results show that SHSs, with entry-level costs starting from USD 95, are more suitable for small, dispersed settlements, while microgrids remain relevant for larger or more concentrated communities. Financing mechanisms, including subsidies and interest-free loans, can improve affordability by up to 75%, while electrification can reduce annual fuelwood expenditure by approximately USD 51.5 per household and generate broader health, educational, and livelihood benefits. The findings highlight the need for integrated policy reform, targeted financial support, and context-sensitive system design to support sustainable and inclusive rural electrification in Afghanistan.

This study examines the feasibility and impact of a blockchain-enabled distributed energy trading platform designed to support rural electrification in Ethiopia’s East Shewa Zone. A simulation model was developed to evaluate how effectively blockchain technology can optimize solar photovoltaic (PV) energy use and facilitate efficient energy transactions within an off-grid rural community—including residential, agricultural, and public service users. Results show that the platform met approximately 94% of the community’s electricity demand while minimizing renewable energy curtailment. The integrated dynamic pricing mechanism successfully managed consumption during shortages by signaling scarcity through real-time price adjustments. The platform also demonstrated strong resilience under various stress scenarios, including seasonal variation, equipment failures, and network disruptions. These findings suggest that blockchain technology is a viable and efficient solution for improving energy access in rural areas and highlight opportunities to further enhance energy equity among diverse user groups.

This research explores the design, analysis, and optimization of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) to supply both thermal and electricity energy needs in rural regions of Türkiye. By leveraging regionally available renewable energy sources (RES) for example, wind, hydro, solar, and biomass, the proposed microgrid integrates advanced storage solutions, including battery storage systems (BSS) and hydrogen technologies, for efficient energy management. By employing HOMER Pro software, the research analyzes different configurations of RES components to optimize system performance, minimize costs, and assess environmental impacts. Key findings reveal that incorporating hydrogen storage and fuel cells enhances the system's sustainability by storing surplus energy and providing reliable power during peak demand periods. The optimal model, including of wind turbines (WT), photovoltaic (PV) panels, biomass gasification generators (BGG), and Archimedean screw turbines (AST), obtains a net present cost (NPC) of $152,622 and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.133/kWh over 25 years, demonstrating its economic feasibility. Moreover, the hybrid system reduces CO2 emissions significantly, supporting global decarbonization goals. Sensitivity analyses highlight the system's robustness under varying solar irradiance and wind conditions, with increased renewable penetration lowering operational costs. The integration of combined heat and power (CHP) technologies further increases efficiency by capturing waste heat to meet thermal demands. The study underscores the capacity of HRES to deliver sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly energy options for remote communities. Through the assessment of technical, environmental, and economic dimensions, this study provides an integrated framework for rural electrification and contributes to the transition toward renewable energy.