Integration of Renewable Energy with Smart Grid Application into the Nigeria’s Power Network: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities

Availability of diverse renewable energy sources (RES) in Nigeria makes their large penetration into the electricity supply mix reasonable. The increasing energy demand, and limited fossil fuel resources (with their negative environmental impacts) support the need for energy from RES. The conventional system of centralized power generation can no longer meet up with the growing demand for electrical energy. Hence, the need for a robust decentralized energy system incorporated with computer and automated systems, for information analysis and response to network operations. Smart Grid Technology (SGT) can be used to address some of the issues and challenges inherent in the traditional grid system for efficient and reliable power supply. This work reviewed the current electricity supply status in Nigeria and the existing policies. The existing network was studied and compared with such in some countries. It identified most of the major problems and challenges in the electricity sector and proposed the integration of RES with SGT into the network. Major policy recommendations were made. Some of the barriers that may likely affect the integration of RES with SGT were also discussed. The outcomes are useful for government and renewable energy developers in formulating effective policies for the smooth integration of renewable energy with SGT into the electricity supply mix.