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Methodology for the Energy Need Assessment to Effectively Design and Deploy Mini-Grids for Rural Electrification

Author

Listed:
  • Valeria Gambino

    (DIEF, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Riccardo Del Citto

    (DIMA, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00162 Roma, Italy)

  • Paolo Cherubini

    (DESTEC, Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Carlo Tacconelli

    (DIMA, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00162 Roma, Italy)

  • Andrea Micangeli

    (DIMA, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00162 Roma, Italy)

  • Romano Giglioli

    (DESTEC, Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

In order to successfully deploy a large number of decentralized energy systems in developing countries, it is necessary to standardize effective methodologies and procedures to develop off-grid/mini-grid systems. Considering that the energy need assessment provides inputs and assumptions used in business modelling and mini-grid design, the accuracy of its results directly affects the technical and financial feasibility studies. Thus, the approach for applying a proven methodology for the energy need assessment of rural communities is aimed at obtaining reliable input data for the mini-grid development. This helps in reducing both the financial challenges by mitigating the uncertainties in electricity demand and the technical challenges by contributing to adequately size off-grid power generation systems, with a view to boost toward a common overall objective of mini-grid’s optimization methods and tools. Hence, taking into consideration that target communities differ in terms of needs and context conditions, the proposed paper describes an inclusive methodology that can be adapted case-by-case. It provides an effective applied solution the lack of proven guidelines from project developers or literature, giving priority to data collection methods able to achieve a large sample representative of the market, with high accuracy in estimating the energy consumptions from electricity substitutes.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeria Gambino & Riccardo Del Citto & Paolo Cherubini & Carlo Tacconelli & Andrea Micangeli & Romano Giglioli, 2019. "Methodology for the Energy Need Assessment to Effectively Design and Deploy Mini-Grids for Rural Electrification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-27, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:574-:d:205281
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Nigel Scott & William Coley, 2021. "Understanding Load Profiles of Mini-Grid Customers in Tanzania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Jann Michael Weinand & Maximilian Hoffmann & Jan Gopfert & Tom Terlouw & Julian Schonau & Patrick Kuckertz & Russell McKenna & Leander Kotzur & Jochen Lin{ss}en & Detlef Stolten, 2022. "Global LCOEs of decentralized off-grid renewable energy systems," Papers 2212.12742, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2023.
    4. Weinand, Jann Michael & Scheller, Fabian & McKenna, Russell, 2020. "Reviewing energy system modelling of decentralized energy autonomy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    5. Abhi Chatterjee & Daniel Burmester & Alan Brent & Ramesh Rayudu, 2019. "Research Insights and Knowledge Headways for Developing Remote, Off-Grid Microgrids in Developing Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-19, May.
    6. Andrea Micangeli & Davide Fioriti & Paolo Cherubini & Pablo Duenas-Martinez, 2020. "Optimal Design of Isolated Mini-Grids with Deterministic Methods: Matching Predictive Operating Strategies with Low Computational Requirements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.

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