Scalability Considerations in the Design of Microgrids to Support Socioeconomic Development in Rural Communities

Author(s):  
Hailie Suk ◽  
Abhishek Yadav ◽  
John Hall

The interaction between technology and people is characterized by sociotechnical models. In the context of design, these types of systems are analyzed to increase productivity. The level of productivity is expected to increase as the technology evolves. Still, a lack of focus on adaptive design hinders the success of sociotechnical systems. The problem is evident in the relationship between microgrid technology and the residents of developing communities. An analysis of this type of sociotechnical system is analyzed in this paper. Rural villages in the developing world often lack access to the power grid. However, microgrids can provide electrical power in these locations. Power can be harnessed from renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower. Large batteries are used to store energy and buffer the electrical supply with the demand. The system powers security lighting, water pumps, and purification systems. Microgrids also power small machines that sustain agriculture in developing communities. The access to energy uplifts the developing community socially and economically. Still, as the community evolves, energy demand increases and the microgrid is unable to provide sufficient energy. A challenge in microgrid design involves the scalability of the system. Currently, there is no method for adapting the microgrid system to the increases in demand that occur over time. Accordingly, a mathematical framework is needed to support design decisions that could otherwise support adaptability. A demand model to predict the energy use for a composite rural village is presented. The predicted demand requirements are configured using a design optimization simulation model. These configurations are studied, and adaptive design techniques are devised through the process. The outcome of this study identifies a basic design methodology for microgrid design that is cognizant of scalability. Moreover, it identifies key attributes and relationships for the mathematical framework that supports the overarching goal of adaptable design.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-94
Author(s):  
Colmore S. Christian

The island-nation of Dominica, 790 km2 in area, is located approximately 1126.5 km Southeast of Florida, USA. In the mid-1990s, Dominica embarked on developing the 183.5 km Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT), the first and only national trail model in the Eastern Caribbean. The 14-segment WNT, officially opened in May 2013, passes through some of the island’s most diverse landscapes. WNT was designed to link as many rural communities as possible and promote ecotourism and community socioeconomic development. Rehabilitation work continues on the WNT and the rest of Dominica, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria of 2017. This article, based primarily on a limited questionnaire survey, selected interviews, and literature review, explored the research question ‘What were the challenges faced by a small-island nation in the development of a National Trail? Five specific research objectives focused on the conceptualization, implementation challenges, partnerships fostered, national and sub-regional significance, and future outlook of the Trail were considered. Questionnaire respondents identified the island’s topography and negotiations with private landowners as significant trail construction challenges. A 100% of survey respondents anticipate that reliable funding to support timely maintenance would likely be a critical future issue. Some respondents identified marketing, public engagement, and visitor safety as potential issues. Face-to-face interviews found strong support for the WNT. The interviewees were confident that Dominica would realize sustainable socioeconomic benefits from the Trail. The article concludes with lessons learned and proposes strategies and research themes to ensure the Trail’s sustainability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khoa Nguyen ◽  
René Schumann

Abstract The development of efficient electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requires modelling of consumer demand at an appropriate level of detail. Since only limited information about real customers is available, most simulations employ a stochastic approach by combining known or estimated business features (e.g. arrival and departure time, requested amount of energy) with random variations. However, these models in many cases do not include factors that deal with the social characteristics of EV users, while others do not emphasise on the economic elements. In this work, we introduced a more detailed demand model employing a modal choice simulation framework based on Triandis’ Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour, which can be calibrated by empirical data and is capable of combining a diverse number of determinants in human decision-making. By applying this model on Switzerland mobility domain, an analysis on three of the most popular EV incentives from both supply and demand sides is provided, which aims for a better understanding of electro-mobility systems by relating its causes and effects.


1995 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Arsenault ◽  
J.-T. Bernard ◽  
C.W. Carr ◽  
E. Genest-Laplante

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ogunjuyigbe Ayodeji Samson Olatunji ◽  
Ayodele Temitope Raphael ◽  
Ibitoye Tahir Yomi

This paper is part of the ongoing research by the Power, Energy, Machine and Drive (PEMD) research group of the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Ibadan. The paper presents various sites with possible hydrokinetic energy potential in Nigeria with the aim of quantifying their energy potential for rural electrification application. Overview of hydrokinetic technology is also presented with the view of highlighting the opportunities and the challenges of the technology for rural electrification. A case study of using hydrokinetic turbine technology in meeting the energy demand of a proposed civic center in a remote community is demonstrated.  Some of the key findings revealed that Nigeria has many untapped hydrokinetic potential site and if adequately harnessed can improve the energy poverty and boost economic activities especially in the isolated and remote rural communities, where adequate river water resource is available. The total estimated untapped hydrokinetic energy potential in Nigeria is 111.15MW with the Northern part of the country having 68.18MW while the Southern part has 42.97MW. The case study shows that harnessing hydrokinetic energy of potential site is promising for rural electrification. This paper is important as it will serve as an initial requirement for optimal investment in hydrokinetic power development in Nigeria.Article History: Received November 16th 2017; Received in revised form April 7th 2018; Accepted April 15th 2018; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Olatunji, O.A.S., Raphael, A.T. and Yomi, I.T. (2018) Hydrokinetic Energy Opportunity for Rural Electrification in Nigeria. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 7(2), 183-190.https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.7.2.183-190


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1215-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Subbiah ◽  
Anamitra Pal ◽  
Eric K. Nordberg ◽  
Achla Marathe ◽  
Madhav V. Marathe

Author(s):  
D. Cerra ◽  
M. Alberdi-Pagola ◽  
T.R. Andersen ◽  
K.W. Tordrup ◽  
S.E. Poulsen

We assess the feasibility of a collective district heating and cooling network based on a foundation pile heat exchanger in a new urban area in Vejle, Denmark. A thermogeological model for the area is developed based on geophysical investigations and borehole information. In tandem with a building energy demand model, the subsurface thermal properties serve as the input for a newly developed computational temperature model for collective heating and cooling with energy piles. The purpose of the model is to estimate the long-term performance and maximum liveable area that the energy piles are able to support. We consider two case studies where residential and office buildings dominate the building mass. We find that three to four floors can be supplied with heating and cooling from the energy piles, depending on the use and design of the buildings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saheed Lekan Gbadamosi ◽  
Nnamdi I. Nwulu

Renewable energy sources (RES) are seen as potential alternative energy sources for rural communities to meet energy demand where electricity supply is inaccessible. Wind and Photo-Voltaic (PV) power is seen as mature and sustainable alternatives for rural electrification. This paper discusses the optimal power dispatch for hybrid combined heat and power (CHP), wind, PV and battery systems with a view to determining the operation of the hybrid system for farming applications. This is accomplished by considering the basic power system probability concepts to assess the performance of the reliability indices. The proposed mathematical model seeks to minimize the system operation costs from CHP. The developed model was validated on five case studies with the same load profile, solar radiation, wind speed and CHP generating unit parameters and solved using a CPLEX solver embedded in Algebraic Modelling Language. The sensitivity analysis performed indicates that the hybrid system achieved a higher reliability as compared to other case studies. The result shows 48% of energy cost reduction is achievable when considering the proposed hybrid CHP, wind, PV and battery system as compared to energy supply via CHP.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Katiyar ◽  
C. K. Pandey

Energy is considered as a key source for the future and plays a pivotal role in its socioeconomic development by raising the standard of living and the quality of life, not only for India but also for the world. In view of the scarce fossil fuel reserves, solar energy is one of the important sources of renewable energy used in India because of the suitable climate conditions. It receives about 5485.17 Wh/m2day of solar insolation with an annual total of about 19, 74, 661.2 Wh/m2. Except for the monsoon months, solar radiation incidence is very encouraging, from the application point of view. For the efficient functioning and better performance of solar energy device, the information of solar radiation and its components at particular location is very essential for designing the solar energy devices. Therefore, over the years, several empirical correlations have been developed in order to estimate the more appropriate solar radiation in India as well as around the world. Here we present a review of different solar radiation models which predict global solar radiation and discussed the long-term plan to meet future energy demand with renewable energy due to economy growth.


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