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A feasibility analysis of PV-based off-grid rural electrification for a pastoral settlement in Ethiopia
... Among these, the 28 types (including 3 location focuses and 2 country statues) constitute the secondary categories for comprehensive reviews in Section 5.5. (Abouaiana and Battisti, 2022;Barbour et al., 2018;Dauenhauer et al., 2020;Fina et al., 2019Fina et al., , 2020Gaiser and Stroeve, 2014;Garner and Dehouche, 2023;Garniwa and Herdiansyah, 2021;González et al., 2023;Janota et al., 2023;Jasiński et al., 2024;Jenny et al., 2006;Kansongue et al., 2022;Kuno et al., 2023;Li et al., 2022;Ling et al., 2021;Luqman and Al-Ansari, 2020;Marique and Reiter, 2014;Mustafa et al., 2022;Nematchoua et al., 2021;Rafique et al., 2019;Rafique et al., 2018;Sadiq et al., 2023;Saez et al., 2023;Samanta et al., 2021;Tucho and Nonhebel, 2017;Van Hoesen and Letendre, 2010) wind 7 (Garner and Dehouche, 2023;Marique and Reiter, 2014;Mustafa et al., 2022;Sadiq et al., 2023;Van Hoesen and Letendre, 2010) hydro 2 (Guerreiro and Botetzagias, 2018; geothermal 2 Sadiq et al., 2023) others 15 -Bioenergy/ biomass direct use of biofuel* 5 (Aberilla et al., 2020;Chen et al., 2022;Dash et al., 2018;Okoko et al., 2017;Romijn et al., 2010) biomass products (e.g., biogas, biodiesel) 9 (Aberilla et al., 2020;Coady and Duquette, 2021;Nansaior et al., 2013;Okoko et al., 2017;Pinpatthanapong et al., 2022;Roldán-Porta et al., 2023;Romijn et al., 2010;Tucho and Nonhebel, 2017) bioenergy for electricity generation 10 (Aberilla et al., 2020;Janota et al., 2023;Okoko et al., 2017;Pérez-Fortes et al., 2012;Romijn et al., 2010;Sadiq et al., 2023;Samanta et al., 2021;Vongchan et al., 2020) agricultural bioenergy (e.g., agricultural waste/residues, food, livestock manure, bioenergy crops, forestry, biorefinery) 20 (Aberilla et al., 2020;Adhikari and Adhikari, 2021;Bessette et al., 2020;Blanco et al., 2015;Cunfer et al., 2018;Haile et al., 2016;Janota et al., 2023;Kandel et al., 2016;Kishita et al., 2017;Nansaior et al., 2013;Okoko et al., 2017;Perpiñá et al., 2009;Rhofita et al., 2022;Röder et al., 2017;Roy et al., 2018;Shah et al., 2021;Sikka et al., 2013;Stolarski et al., 2021;Supasri et al., 2020) others 8 -Smart grids: multiple sources and advanced energy usage 25 108 energy sources are identified from 86 articles, of which 49% are bioenergy/biomass, and 55% are renewable energy (excluding biomass), illustrated in Table 5.2. Multiple energy sources are combined to create the smart grids, and 25 advanced/integrated energy usage instances were mentioned. ...
... strategic plan (Kuno et al., 2023), further support this development. Local subsidy programs for renewable energy installations and Indonesia9s Government Regulation No. 79 on national energy development also contribute to the growth of energy communities (Rhofita et al., 2022). ...
... Moreover, 66 articles highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability in sustaining energy communities, with Kuno et al. (2023), for example, discussing the role of off-grid solar PV systems in enhancing the resilience of rural communities in Kenya, demonstrating significant improvements in energy security and local economic development. Similarly, 67 articles emphasise the importance of scalability and replicability in advancing sustainable energy practices, as illustrated by Quirapas , which discusses the scalability of community-based energy projects in rural Philippines and highlights their potential for replication in similar rural contexts to enhance sustainability and energy access. ...
As the global energy landscape shifts towards sustainable, bioenergy, especially from agricultural by-products, emerges as a promising alternative to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This thesis investigates the optimisation of bioenergy systems in rural Chinese regions through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and Geographic Information Systems with Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (GIS-MCDA). The research follows a logical progression through the “3-P” concepts: Potential, Prediction, and Position. In Chapter 2, AI models, including Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), are systematically reviewed for their role in enhancing biomass detection and optimising production processes. Chapter 3 applies these AI tools, specifically Backpropagation Artificial Neural Networks (BP-ANN), to estimate bioenergy potential from crop residues, such as rice, maize, and wheat, under various climate scenarios by 2030. Key findings indicate that bioenergy output could decrease by 11% without effective climate mitigation, while moderate climate control could significantly increase output, particularly for rice residues. Building on these findings, Chapter 4 presents a case study in the Jianghan Plain, a rural region in China, which integrates these AI-based bioenergy potential forecasts into a GIS-MCDA framework. This approach identifies 45-66 optimal bioenergy plant sites, strategically located to maximise energy output while minimising environmental impacts. Chapter 5 broadens the scope beyond bioenergy, exploring how renewable energy communities (RECs) can leverage innovative techniques like AI and GIS-based approaches for comprehensive resource management, providing a forward-looking perspective on rural energy resilience and development. Overall, this thesis highlights the transformative role of AI and GIS-MCDA in addressing bioenergy resource variability and optimising rural energy infrastructure in response to climate change. Future research should focus on applying these tools to broader renewable energy systems, refining their integration with socio-economic and environmental factors to facilitate holistic energy planning and sustainable development in rural areas.
Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3548765
... (i) Technological innovation: 49 articles emphasise advanced renewable technologies and smart grid integration, categorised into eight types (Fig. 2(e)- (Jasiński et al., 2021), and Spain's regulatory framework (Raimondi et al., 2024), is crucial. Compliance with Italian regulations transposing European Directives (Trevisan et al., 2023) and engagement with national energy policies, like Ethiopia's strategic plan (Kuno et al., 2023), further support this development. Local subsidy programmes for (27) (2024), discuss the scalability of community-based energy projects in rural Philippines, highlighting the potential for replication in similar contexts to enhance sustainability and energy access. ...
... 2(d)) highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability in sustaining energy communities. For example,Kuno et al. (2023) discuss off-grid solar PV systems in rural Kenya, showing significant improvements in energy security and local economic development. Similarly, 67 articles emphasise the importance of scalability and replicability in advancing sustainable energy practices. ...
... ( Acheilas et al., 2020;Alvial-Palavicino et al., 2011;Barbour et al., 2018;Coady and Duquette, 2021;Dasí-Crespo et al., 2023;Dauenhauer et al., 2020;Gaiser and Stroeve, 2014;Garner and Dehouche, 2023;González et al., 2023;Jenny et al., 2006;Kansongue et al., 2022;Kuno et al., 2023;Luqman and Al-Ansari, 2020;Marinakis et al., 2020;Muhoza and Johnson, 2018;Mustafa et al., 2022;Nassar et al., 2024;Quirapas Franco and Taeihagh, 2024;Rafique et al., 2019;Sadiq et al., 2023;Saez et al., 2023;Samanta et al., 2021;Shabdin and Padfield, 2017;Smpoukis et al., 2020;Sudhoff et al., 2022) ...
Achieving environmental and economic stability amid climate change requires renewable energy technologies. This review analyses 86 articles on rural energy communities, highlighting key technological, economic, and social drivers of their growth and sustainability. Findings show that rural energy development (38%), community engagement (36%), and agricultural integration (26%) are key focus areas, supported by drivers like technological innovation, regulatory frameworks, and community participation. Emerging trends reveal a shift from localised solutions to integrated hybrid systems and smart grids across three stages (2004–2024). Cross-country comparisons indicate varied regional priorities, with environmental benefits emphasised in China, Thailand, and Italy, and economic gains in the U.S., Poland, and India. Main challenges include financial constraints (21%), infrastructure (35%), regulation (44%), and participation (52%). Core elements for development are resilience, scalability, and innovation, with strong correlations (R2>0.80) between resilience, economic benefits, and social engagement. This review underscores the need for innovation, policy support, and community involvement to foster resilient, scalable rural energy communities, promoting sustainability and energy security.
... Despite global advocacy for renewable energy adoption, Zambia faces unique challenges hindering widespread solar energy use. Specifically, issues with financing and the technical feasibility of solar PV mini grids present significant obstacles [15,[30][31][32][33]. Addressing these challenges requires focused research and strategic interventions tailored to Zambia. ...
... Rural electrification from micro-grids using renewable energies is gradually proving its worth, although it is still not widespread due to its relatively high investment costs. In the literature, several scientific studies have been carried out with the aim of promoting rural electrification from renewable energies in developing countries for various applications [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. Shilpa et al [27] found that the energy cost of a PV/Battery system was 0.34 $ kWh −1 whereas it was 0.93$ kWh −1 when using a diesel generator for supplying the same load. ...
Sub-Saharan rural areas mostly use cereals diesel milling because of lack of electricity. However diesel engine operation is very polluting. Using an alternative energy source for cereals milling could be beneficial both environmentally and economically. In this regard, a comparative analysis based on a multi-objective NSGA-II is carried out between diesel and electric milling of cereals. Different electrical energy sources including photovoltaic solar energy are proposed and investigated. The concept of cost of mechanical energy (COME) is introduced for the economic comparison between diesel and electric milling. The obtained results have shown that for 0% DPSP (Deficit of power supply probability), the COME of PV/Batt/EM, Grid/EM, DG/EM, and DE systems, are respectively 0.2455 kWh⁻¹, 0.5649 kWh⁻¹. The corresponding cost of electrical energy (COEE) of PV/Batt, Grid and DG systems, are respectively 0.2051 kWh⁻¹, and 0.4785 kg⁻¹, 0.0091 kg⁻¹, and 0.0175 kWh⁻¹, 0.1215 kWh⁻¹. The calculated CO2 emissions (CO2e) per year of PV/Batt/EM, Grid/EM, DG/EM, and DE systems, are respectively 3191 kgCO2e, 6906.8 kgCO2e, 14484 kgCO2e, and 8963.8 kgCO2e. The outcomes of this study show that, the electric milling based PV energy could be the best techno-economic and environmental option to adopt in grid and non-grid connected rural areas.
... Resources for water and land utilization are challenges in India and pose a major hurdle when promoting a newer technology use such as electric vehicles and solar photovoltaics for electricity utilization and generation. Off-grid power solutions for solar applications for rural saves costs [3] [4] and peer-to-peer integration helps with increasing power reliability [5]. And sustainable agriculture at rural areas may be supported by solar energy [6]. ...
Considering rural India a major contributor to agriculture, many applications of electric vehicles, both light to medium and heavy-duty, apply to improving the produce and productivity. The major food produce is transported over trucks, and many agricultural farming tools require the use of tractors. The vision of increasing the penetration of electric vehicles by government and local companies materializes via a plan that integrates renewable energy with chargers. India is seeing one of the largest moves to cleaner energy generation, with a vision of more than 300GW from solar and wind power in the coming years. A study that derives the relationship between the number of vehicles in rural areas in India and documents the power required to supply using renewables is required for planning a sustainable future for people from low-income to underprivileged statuses. A total of more than 649,369 villages require clean and green power to meet the needs for energy demand for electrified trucks and tractors. To become more independent of the utility grid, a large-scale use of unutilized and underutilized spaces becomes a site for large solar and wind farms. Some farmers were interviewed to understand underutilized spaces on farmland in Akbarpur, Kanpur Dehat, India. The basis of the interview became a driving force to study whether a solar farm becomes a viable solution. The results were generated to identify the potential of the farm in providing power on an annual basis. Accordingly, a combination of level 2 and fast charger, as known from past studies, was proposed.
... Samostalni izvori su posebno atraktivni za elektrifikaciju ruralnih oblasti u zemljama u razvoju, jer podaci pokazuju da preko milijardu ljudi na svijetu i dalje nema pristup elektriĉnoj energiji, od kojih oko 600 miliona ţivi u Supsaharskoj Africi [88]. Mogućnosti ruralne elektrifikacije pomoću samostalnih obnovljivih izvora energije u Etiopiji [89], Zambiji [90] i Sijeri Leone [91], samo su neki od primjera koji su razmatrani u nauĉnim radovima. Samostalni izvori mogu se, takoĊe, koristiti i u razvijenim zemljama, za napajanje udaljene potrošnje kao što su potrošaĉi na ostrvima, nacionalnim parkovima, farmama i odmorištima auto-puteva, ukoliko je to jeftinije od izgradnje distributivnog dalekovoda. ...
U ovoj monografiji sumirana su iskustva autora u primjeni Monte Karlo simulacija za rješavanje različitih problema iz oblasti elektroenergetike, nastala kao rezultat dugogodišnjeg istraživanja i rada na realizaciji više naučno-istraživačkih projekata. Monografija je namijenjena studentima elektroenergetskih usmjerenja, na sva tri ciklusa studija, kao i istraživačima i inžinjerima, koji se susreću sa problemima koji imaju stohastičku prirodu.
U posljednjih nekoliko decenija, Monte Karlo simulacije postale su ključni alat u različitim oblastima inžinjerstva i nauke, omogućavajući analizu složenih sistema i procesa koji su podložni slučajnim promjenama. Posebno u elektroenergetici, gdje neizvjesnosti poput varijabilnosti potrošnje, meteoroloških veličina i pouzdanosti elemenata elektroenergetskog sistema, igraju značajnu ulogu, Monte Karlo simulacije pružaju moćan okvir za rješavanje ovih izazova.
Monografija, uz uvod i zaključak, sadrži tri osnovne cjeline. Prvo je definisana Monte Karlo metoda, uz tumačenje osnovnih pojmova iz teorije vjerovatnoće i statistike, koji su neophodni za pripremu i izvođenje Monte Karlo simulacija. Potom su predstavljene mogućnosti za modelovanje stohastičkih promjenljivih važnih u elektroenergetici, kao što su brzina vjetra, iradijansa, temperatura ambijenta, snaga potrošnje i pouzdanost elemenata elektroenergetskog sistema. Na kraju je dato šest ilustrativnih primjera, u okviru kojih je Monte Karlo simulacija primijenjena za rješavanje karakterističnih problema iz važnih oblasti elektroenergetike: relejne zaštite, pouzdanosti distributivnih sistema i planiranja upotrebe obnovljivih izvora energije.
... Based on the existing work in the research area, both geographical conditions and the potential of renewable energy sources influence the configuration and performance of HRS. Numerous studies have recommended the HRS for both on-grid and off-grid configurations for various applications such as university campuses, public infrastructure, urban cities, and rural areas in many counties [48], [49], [50], [51]. Despite extensive research on the development of HRS across various sectors, its application in energy-rich rural areas, such as West Waru village in Indonesia, has not yet been explored. ...
Energy access is crucial for rural development in developing countries, as electrification drives economic growth, creates employment opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for rural communities. This study aims to determine the feasibility of powering a remote community with a hybrid energy system (HRS) combining solar photovoltaic, wind, and biogas to generate electricity and meet the energy needs of the rural area. West Waru Village was selected as the case study area due to its abundance of renewable energy sources. The HOMER tool was employed to model and optimize the HRS, providing a detailed analysis of its technical, economic, and environmental aspects. Furthermore, the study's findings were analyzed through a sensitivity analysis, considering uncertainty factors such as village load consumption, solar radiation, wind speed, and biomass availability. The best configuration for an on-grid scheme included a 2,284 kW photovoltaic (PV) system, 388 unit vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT), and a 500 kW biogas generator, resulting in a net present cost (NPC) of 0.054/kWh, and a payback period of 5.79 years. This configuration also reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 67.2% compared to grid electricity. The optimal configuration for an off-grid scheme consisted of a 5,491 kW PV system, 954 VAWT, a 500 kW biogas generator, and 4,850 batteries, with an NPC of 0.1601/kWh, reducing CO2 emissions by 99.993%. These findings can serve as a baseline for the government to develop renewable energy systems in West Waru.
... The remarkable solar potential of equatorial regions, characterized by consistent and intense sunlight year-round (de Lima Montenegro Duarte et al., 2021), amplifies their significance in the journey toward renewable energy proliferation. Photovoltaic systems as a sustainable solution for electrifying the pivotal role of national energy policies and strategic planning in advocating for and implementing clean energy initiatives (Kuno et al., 2023). ...
Through a thorough analysis using Net Present Cost (NPC) over a 20-year period, this research presents a comprehensive and economically optimized solar panel design methodology. The study examines two different PV system configurations: On-Grid PV and Off-Grid PV, using sophisticated simulation and analytical techniques with the aid of HOMER Pro software. The simulation results offer compelling new information about these systems' economic viability. The simulation results in an NPC value of IDR 31,386,360,- for the Off-Grid PV configuration. The On-Grid PV system, in contrast, exhibits a significantly lower NPC value of IDR 8,903,329,- emphasizing its superior economic performance. This On-Grid PV system boasts a significant energy generation capacity of 5,012 kWh/year in addition to favorable cost efficiency. Notably, this is greater than the National Power Company's 1,186 kWh/year energy output. These results highlight the financial benefits of the On-Grid PV system and demonstrate its capability to provide affordable and sustainable energy solutions over a long period. The thorough analysis carried out in this study aids in the optimization of solar panel designs, offers insightful information for future sustainable energy projects, and emphasizes the crucial part that economic factors play in influencing the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
In rural areas of sub-Saharan countries, there is great potential for solar and biomass resources to achieve a reliable electricity supply, reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, thereby tackling energy poverty and promoting sustainable development. This work aims to address the lack of reliable electricity access in rural communities of sub-Saharan countries through biomass gasification assisted by solar photovoltaic (PV) energy and a small back-up diesel engine–generator set. The biomass gasification plant is designed to convert locally available agricultural waste into producer gas, which can then be used to generate electricity. A detailed analysis of the system components, including the PV array, battery bank, biomass gasifier with a combined cooling, heat and power generation unit (CCHP), is carried out to evaluate their performance and efficiency under different operating conditions. The results reveal a CCHP efficiency of 62% for the gasification CCHP unit, accompanied by a remarkable 93.8% reduction in CO2 emissions considering the whole hybrid system. From an economic standpoint under conservative assumptions, the proposed facility can generate a cumulative profit of 0.287/kWh, comparable to that of related studies. The outcomes demonstrate that the PV-assisted biomass gasification plant offers a sustainable technical, economical and environmentally friendly solution for electrification of rural communities in sub-Saharan
South Sudan is expansive and sparsely populated with over 80% of the population living in rural areas. The country has no national grid connecting its cities and towns, thus making rural areas “good candidates” for stand-alone renewable energy systems. This study was conducted to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system compared to a diesel generator. A techno-economic model was developed to forecast the performance of the PV system. The system was initially designed using the IEEE Recommended Practice for Sizing of Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems (IEEE P1562-2021) and the IEEE Recommended Practice for Sizing Lead-Acid Batteries for Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems (IEEE 1013-2019). The solar radiation data used for modeling were acquired from the Ineichen clear sky model and then transposed to the plane of array irradiation using pvlib python. The system optimization and sensitivity analysis was performed under various diesel fuel costs using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software. Results show that at a fuel price of 1 per liter, the payback period increases to about 7 years. These results show that stand-alone PV systems are technically feasible and economically viable in rural and peri-urban areas of South Sudan.
The feasibility and potential assessment (PA) of solar PV energy is one of the key factors in identifying the most promising areas for the installation of solar PV stations. It determines the useful energy generated in the given area. This paper assesses the solar energy distribution and PA in the North Shewa administration zone. Based on the data collected and analysis made, it is found that more than 80% of the North Shewa areas are suitable for the solar energy generation for off-grid and on-grid systems. Hence, the solar potential of the North Shewa zone completely fulfills the standards of sunshine, solar radiation, and temperature. That is, most of the areas have solar radiation of 5.2 kWh/m², and daily sunshine is greater than 7 h. The maximum energy production is found in December in Shewa Robit, Mehal Meda, Eneware, Debre Berhan, Alem Ketema, and Sela Dengay with 175.35 kWh, 188.18 kWh, 180.78 kWh, 189.54 kWh, 175.78 kWh, and 189.63 kWh, respectively. This is a good opportunity for investors to invest in solar PV electricity generation. It will solve the issue of electricity supply to the community, which currently relies on wood and fossil fuels. It also highlights the positive opportunities for the future implementation of solar energy.
Photovoltaic (PV) panels are one of the most emerging components of renewable energy integration. However, where the PV systems bring power conversion efficiency with its bulk installation setup and eco-friendly feasibility, it also brings the factors that could hamper the performance and efficiency of the system. One of these dependent factors is the accumulation of dust particles and its aggregation which could significantly influence the effect of PV systems. The dust can accumulate in its various forms of soiling by fusing with other environmental variations like rain, storm, and humidity. To resolve these challenges which could impact the energy yield of PV systems, the impact of dust as well as effective cleaning mechanisms are required to be studied to restore the performance and power generation output. In this article, an integrated survey of 1) possible factors of dust accumulation, 2) dust impact analysis, 3) mathematical model of dust accumulated PV panels, and 4) proposed cleaning mechanisms discussed in the literature, and 5) a possible sustainable solution for PV systems to survive in this dust accumulated environment are presented. This study also represents handy information to readers, engineers, and practitioners on the development phase of various technologies involved in minimizing the impact of dust accumulation by its removal, adequate cleaning, and restoration. It also addresses the future possible challenges of these cleaning mechanisms. A comprehensive list of publications to date in the open literature is thereby compiled to canvas a complete visual of the different developments in this area.
Power shortages are a major problem in rural Ethiopia. Only about 45% of people living in around cities have access to the public power grid. The rest of the inhabitants lives in rural regions with limited access to grid-connected energy. To evaluate the potential of a standalone solar-wind hybrid energy system (HES) for a rural off-grid settlement in western Ethiopia, a feasibility study was performed. The electrical demand of a model household, comprising a school and health facility, was calculated. HOMER Pro is a tool for determining the viability of HES. When the software is executed, optimization results are obtained and sorted according to the lowest net present cost (NPC) and cost of Electricity (COE). The results reveal that the Photovoltaic (PV)/battery/converter combination is the most cost-effective, with the lowest NPC and COE. This setup's NPC is 0.173/kWh, and the renewable resource contribution is 100%. The study's findings can be used by interested parties, decision makers and investors to show the benefits of increasing renewable energy, modifying components, and reducing electricity bills.
The efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) panels drops significantly in dusty environments. The variation in temperature could have a substantial impact on PV panel cells, which could further lead to high deterioration and eventually permanent damage to the PV material in the presence of dust. To resolve this issue, in this work a novel hydrophobic silicon dioxide (SiO2)-based nanoparticle coating is proposed for the PV panel, to shrink the surface stress developed between the water and the coated facet. Two identical PV modules were installed to conduct comparable experimental tests simultaneously. The first module is coated by the SiO2 nanoparticles, and the second is uncoated and used as a reference. To maintain coherency, the experiments are done in the same environmental conditions, cleaning the PV modules at regular intervals. Results reveal that the accumulated energy generated during this period of study was comprehensively enhanced. Moreover, the self-cleaning property of the hydrophobic surface of the coated panel allowed water droplets to slide smoothly down the PV module surface, carrying dust particles. Useful recommendations are made at the end to enhance the performance of PV panels in dusty environments.
Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world despite immense challenges towards access to sustainable energy supplies and modern energy technologies. The country is undertaking great effort towards the development of renewable energy technologies and green legacy. However, the largest share of energy consumption (≈87%) in Ethiopia is dominated by traditional fuels (charcoal, fuel wood, dung cakes, and agricultural residues) which pose various health and environmental risks. The country has an enormous amount of renewable energy potentials (e.g., solar, hydro, wind and geothermal), but only 5% of its full hydropower potential is exploited and others are not fully harvested or not well developed to date. This review paper provides a comprehensive assessment on renewable energy availability, potential, opportunity, and challenges in Ethiopia. We believe the information provided in this review will enlighten the current and future prospects of renewable energy deployment in Ethiopia.
The photovoltaic (PV) cells are highly sensitive to temperature variations. The linear variation of PV cells with operating temperature could lead to the loss of conversion efficiency and permanent damage of PV material. To address this critical issue, while improving the performance of solar photovoltaic system (SPVS) during the operating period, the deployment of a proper cooling system is a prime requisite in the design process. Considering this, two new and cost‐effective cooling techniques are proposed in this study, which can improve efficiency and increase the life of the PV panel. The first technique is the active cooling design with water. The proposed design enhances the access to PV cells to maximize cooling. The second one is an improved passive cooling technique that uses fins mounted on the backside of PV module. This further reduces the temperature by increasing the heat dissipation. Additionally, a third PV module without any cooling system is deployed as a reference margin. The techniques have been experimentally evaluated and a recommendation is made in order to reduce the temperature variation across the PV panel.
Soiling losses of photovoltaic (PV) panels due to dust lead to a significant decrease in solar energy yield and result in economic losses; this hence poses critical challenges to the viability of PV in smart grid systems. In this paper, these losses are quantified under Qatar’s harsh environment. This quantification is based on experimental data from long-term measurements of various climatic parameters and the output power of PV panels located in Qatar University’s Solar facility in Doha, Qatar, using a customized measurement and monitoring setup. A data processing algorithm was deliberately developed and applied, which aimed to correlate output power to ambient dust density in the vicinity of PV panels. It was found that, without cleaning, soiling reduced the output power by 43% after six months of exposure to an average ambient dust density of 0.7 mg/m3. The power and economic loss that would result from this power reduction for Qatar’s ongoing solar PV projects has also been estimated. For example, for the Al-Kharasaah project power plant, similar soiling loss would result in about a 10% power decrease after six months for typical ranges of dust density in Qatar’s environment; this, in turn, would result in an 11,000 QAR/h financial loss. This would pose a pressing need to mitigate soiling effects in PV power plants.
Lack of access to electricity is one of the major impediments to economic development and the provision of public services in rural/off-grid areas of developing countries. This study examines the drivers and impacts of rural electrification with Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems in Ethiopia from a cross-sectional study of 605 rural households and direct field examination of 137 solar PVs/lanterns. Multiple linear regression and econometric analyses were used to analyse the data. Findings showed that the use of solar PV systems in rural Ethiopia is growing and its impact appears significant. A solar-electrified rural household could save the consumption of 43.68 L of kerosene and emission of 107 kg CO2 per year compared with a non-electrified one. This reduction in kerosene use and the access to electricity from solar PVs could enable a rural household to save between US75 per year from avoided energy costs and mobile charging expenses. The study finds that Solar PVs could provide rural households with access to electricity for 3 to 5 h a day, reduce health damage from kerosene lamps; and allow micro-businesses to generate more income. Empirical results from a binomial logit, and multivariate probit analyses revealed that solar PV adoption is strongly influenced by several economic and non-economic factors. However, it was also found that the use and effectiveness of solar PV systems in rural/off-grid Ethiopia is faced with critical challenges from poor quality and counterfeit products in the market, high cost of quality-verified solar products, lack of after-sales maintenance services, and limited access to credit financing sources.
Standalone solar photovoltaic systems are increasingly being distributed in Ethiopia, but these systems are sub-optimal due to their intermittent power supply. A hybrid system that integrates and optimizes across solar photovoltaic and complementary energy sources, such as wind and diesel generation, can improve reliability, and reduce the unit cost of power production. This study assesses the potential of a hybrid system to electrify a remote rural village in Ethiopia. The Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables model is used to assess primary data, develop a load profile and identify the optimal least-cost system option for the village. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the effect of variations in solar radiation, wind speed, and diesel price on optimal system configurations. The results show that a hybrid system with a combination of photovoltaic array, wind turbine, battery and diesel generator is the best option from an economic point of view. To meet the village's daily peak demand of 19.6 kW, energy generation cost is estimated at 0.207 dollars per kilowatt hour and net present cost at 82,734 dollars. The optimal system allows for a reduction of 37.3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year compared with diesel-only electricity generation.
Background:
Approximately 80% of Ethiopia's energy consumption is dominated by woody biomass fuel use, resulting in 91.2 million tons of firewood and 4.2 million tons of charcoal consumed annually. Ethiopia's dependency on non-sustainable energy, especially for cooking, has been a major concern for the nation for the past 30 years, contributing to deforestation, climate change, and adverse human health impacts.
Objectives:
Our objective was to document the work of Gaia Association and the implementation of the ethanol CleanCook stove in the refugee camp and urban settings of Ethiopia. We then assessed the potential for the scale-up of ethanol as a household fuel.
Methods:
We utilized the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the ethanol cookstove intervention. We obtained secondary data from a variety of sources to evaluate a.) The performance of the CleanCook ethanol stove; b.) Effectiveness of the ethanol cookstove implementation; and, c.) Barriers to scale-up and commercialization of ethanol use as a household fuel. In addition, we conducted primary analysis of qualitative surveys to evaluate the perceptions of the ethanol and adoption of the CleanCook stove.
Results:
Our case study results provide critical insight into the 13-year implementation of the CleanCook ethanol stove in Ethiopia. Laboratory tests demonstrate that the CleanCook stove reduces harmful emissions compared to biomass stoves, and preliminary field tests show 24-hour average PM2.5 levels of 200 μg/m3. To-date 8,731 CleanCook stoves were distributed to refugee households, while an additional 500 were sold at a subsided price to low-income urban households. CleanCook stove users report the continued use of multiple stoves.
Conclusions:
The CleanCook ethanol stove has been implemented as an energy intervention for the vulnerable refugee population in Ethiopia for over 13 years. There has been limited success of a subsidized CleanCook stove among low-income households in Addis Ababa. This case study demonstrates the complexities of promoting a new fuel for household cooking, and the numerous obstacles and stagnations in implementation. Ethanol demonstrates some potential for scale-up and commercialization as a household fuel in Addis Ababa, but it may require simultaneous stabilization of ethanol supply, growth of a city-wide distribution infrastructure, and an affordably priced stove and fuel.
The energy sector of Ethiopia continues to largely rely on traditional biomass energy due to limited access to modern energy sources to meet growing demand. Long-term energy demand forecasting is essential to guide the country's plans to expand the energy supply system. This study provides a general overview of Ethiopia's current energy demand and forecasts sector-wise energy demand out to 2030 for alternative policy scenarios using the Long-range Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP) model. The reference scenario assumes a continuation of recent energy consumption trends and takes account of current energy and economic dynamics. Three alternative scenarios on improved cookstoves, efficient lighting, and universal electrification scenario were identified as key priorities of the government of Ethiopia and modeled. Results from the model can assist energy planners in ensuring that the country's capacity for supply meets projected growth in demand for energy. They also shed light on the tradeoffs implicit in alternative policy priorities and investments in terms of economic development and environmental sustainability. Most importantly, the results suggest that alternative investments can conserve energy, improve environmental sustainability, enhance energy equity and improve the country's development indicators.
With insolation levels ranging from 4 to 7 kW h/m²/day, the African continent receives a higher amount of solar energy on its surface than the rest of the world. Hence, investments in solar electricity generation projects in African countries have the potential to be economically attractive. This paper reviews the feasibility of off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in SSA, focusing on five major issues in the context of falling system costs: cost-effectiveness, affordability, financing, environmental impact, and poverty alleviation.
Over time, solar PV system costs have fallen dramatically across the globe. This is also the case in SSA, yet the costs prevailing in SSA are much higher than the world average owing to political, financial, and technological risks. Solar PV power systems continue to be an extremely costly source of electricity for the vast majority of the rural poor in SSA. The levellized cost of energy for solar PV systems is high, at US/tCO2, which is extremely high compared with the current price of traded CO2 emission permits or current estimates of the social cost of carbon of approximately 39 US$/tCO2. Off-grid solar PV systems are not feasible financially or economically for rural households of SSA unless these technologies are subsidised from abroad. If the policy of a country is to encourage rural electrification, it should carry this out through a systematic expansion of either local or national grids rather than household-level solar PV systems.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 600 million people live without electricity. Despite ambitions of governments and donors to invest in rural electrification, decisions about how to extend electricity access are being made in the absence of rigorous evidence. In this paper, we present high-resolution spatial data on electrification rates in rural Kenya in order to quantify and visualize energy poverty in a novel way. Using our dataset of 20,000 geo-tagged structures in Western Kenya, we provide descriptive evidence that electrification rates remain very low despite significant investments in nearby grid infrastructure. This pattern holds across time and for both poor and relatively well-off households and businesses. We argue that if governments wish to leverage existing infrastructure and economies of scale, subsidies and new approaches to financing connections are necessary.
The Somali region in Ethiopia enjoys an average wind speed of 5m/s at 10m elevation and an average daily solar radiation of 7.5kwh/m 2 /day. Within this perspective, a remote rural village in Somali region called Werder district (6050'N 45030' E) can be electrified with a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system. The village is far away from the national electric grid and the electrical load density in the village is low. Extension of national grid to this village which is located 576km away from national grid is not economically feasible. Therefore, this study aims to explore techno-economic analysis of electrifying the village with hybrid renewable energy. The software HOMER was used in this study to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of various hybrid energy alternatives to the village. The economic analysis compares the levelized cost of electricity generation for the three option; wind/PV/diesel generator, diesel generator only system and national grid extension. The levelized cost focusing on the elements causing differences such as fuel price, PV modules, with battery or generator rather than the elements that are similar across the technology choices (distribution, metering, etc). The finding indicate that photovoltaic/wind/diesel generator hybrid system was feasible systems based on some important parameters such as high renewable penetration, less annual diesel consumption, less carbon dioxide emission, less unmet load, less capacity shortage, and cost of energy. A thermal load (boiler) is added to the system that uses the excess power generation during the night rather than dissipating it to the dump load, which improved the efficiency of the system at small cost of diesel to the boiler.
As key economic, ecological and demographic trends converge to reshape Africa and its relationship with the outside world, a new politics is emerging in the twenty-first century around the water-food-energy nexus, which is central to the continent's relevance in the global economy. On the one hand, Malthusian anxieties are proliferating; pessimists link population growth and growing water scarcity to state failure and 'water wars'. On the other hand, entrepreneurs, sovereign wealth funds and speculators consider Africa's potential in water resources, energy production and food output as one of the last great untapped opportunities for the global economy: Africa is on the brink of an agro-industrial transformation. This article examines how African actors are not merely responding to economic and environmental changes but also thinking politically about water, food and energy security. Many of them are seizing the new opportunities to redefine their national politics, their relationship with local communities and their ties with external players, regionally and globally. Ethiopia's project of hydro-agricultural state-building helps to identify the most important fault lines of this new politics at the national, local and international level. The politics of water security and energy development simultaneously puts African states and their populations on the defensive, as they grapple with huge challenges, but also provides them with unique opportunities to take advantage of a more favourable global configuration of forces.
Abstract Renewable energy is shifting from the fringe to the mainstream of sustainable development. Past donor efforts achieved modest results but often were not sustained or replicated, which leads now to greater market orientation. Markets for rural household lighting with solar home systems, biogas, and small hydro power have expanded through rural entrepreneurship, government programs, and donor assistance, serving millions of households. Applications in agriculture, small industry, and social services are emerging. Public programs resulted in 220 million improved biomass cook stoves. Three percent of power generation capacity is largely small hydro and biomass power, with rapid growth of wind power. Experience suggests the need for technical know-how transfer, new replicable business models, credit for rural households and entrepreneurs, regulatory frameworks and financing for private power developers, market facilitation organizations, donor assistance aimed at expanding sustainable markets, smarter subsidies, and greater attention to social benefits and income generation.
Abstract Over one-quarter of the world’s population relies on fuel-based lighting. Kerosene lamps are often located in close proximity to users, potentially increasing the risk for respiratory illnesses and lung cancer. Particulate matter concentrations resulting from cook stoves have been extensively studied in the literature. However, characterization of particulate concentrations from fuel-based lighting has received minimal attention. This research demonstrates that vendors who use a single simple wick lamp in high-air-exchange market kiosks will likely be exposed to PM2.5 concentrations that are an order of magnitude greater than ambient health guidelines. Using a hurricane lamp will reduce exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by an order of magnitude compared to using a simple wick lamp. Vendors using a single hurricane or pressure lamp may not exceed health standards or guidelines for PM2.5 and PM10, but will be exposed to elevated 0.02–0.3 μm particle concentrations. Vendors who change from fuel-based lighting to electric lighting technology for enhanced illumination will likely gain the ancillary health benefit of reduced particulate matter exposure. Vendors exposed only to ambient and fuel-based lighting particulate matter would see over an 80% reduction in inhaled PM2.5 mass if they switched from a simple wick lamp to an electric lighting technology.
Changing lighting technologies to achieve increased efficiency and energy service levels can provide ancillary health benefits. The cheapest, crudest kerosene lamps emit the largest amounts of PM2.5. Improving affordability and access to better lighting options (hurricane or pressure lamps and lighting using grid or off-grid electricity) can deliver health benefits for a large fraction of the world’s population, while reducing the economic and environmental burden of the current fuel-based lighting technologies.
Although some progress has been made in recent years, ensuring universal access to electricity remains a major challenge in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas. In light of this challenge, solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grid systems have emerged as a promising solution for off-grid electrification. However, little is known about their actual performance and reliability when used in real-world applications. Using real-time monitored data and IEC's evaluation standard, this paper examines the performance and reliability of a 375 kWp off-grid PV mini-grid system installed in a remote small town in Ethiopia. The findings showed that the mini-grid produced 1182 kWh/day of electricity compared to the estimated generation of 2214 kWh/day, a difference of 1032 kWh/day (46.6% less). In contrast, 87% of the average daily electricity generated was delivered to the load. The discrepancies can be attributed to average PV capture losses of 2.75 kWh/kWp/day and system losses of 0.40 kWh/kWp/day. The performance evaluation results revealed that the mini-grid system is performing poorly, with average on-site module efficiency (ηpc), temperature corrected performance ratio (PRcorr), capacity factor (CF) and overall system efficiency (ηsys) of 9.85%, 42%, 13%, and 8.76%, respectively. It was found that the daily PV energy output could not meet the daily demand. As a result, the load is shed off from the power supply for 13 h a day; between 17:00 and 19:00 and again between 21:00 and 08:00. The study demonstrated that accurate demand assessment and robust system sizing, taking into account the impact of local weather conditions and prospective electricity demand growth is critical to ensure high performance and reliability of off-grid PV mini-grid systems.
Approximately 1.2 billion people lack basic access to electricity. The United Nations 'Sustainable Energy for All' initiative exemplifies the urgent need to address this issue. Recent advancements in photovoltaic, light emitting diode and battery technology have resulted in the rise of affordable and innovative household electricity technologies, however penetration rates remain low due to complexity surrounding ‘last mile’ distribution. This paper applies the diffusion of innovations theory as a framework to investigate the ‘last mile’ challenges encountered when launching a Pay As You Go Solar Home System in a region of Central East Africa. The results indicate that Pay As You Go offers the potential to deliver a disruptive positive impact with regard to increasing access to clean affordable energy for the poor, however, both the technology and business model are more complex than current alternatives and therefore require a much more developed go-to-market strategy. The cost of achieving widespread diffusion is therefore higher than similar products sold at retail, yet this is balanced by potential for a much faster rate of adoption. Finally, this paper demonstrates the applicability of the diffusion of innovations theory as a viable framework for analysing last mile challenges associated with Solar Home Systems.
This paper presents an assessment of alternative, long-term energy supply strategies for the Ethiopian power sector, during 2015–2045, using the MARKAL energy system model. This study also identifies alternative, sustainable energy supply options to meet Ethiopia's rising demand for energy, while also achieving the policy goals of universal electrification, zero greenhouse gas emissions, increased electricity exports, and improved energy security. In all scenarios, the results show a large potential for renewable energy technologies, such as hydropower, solar PV and wind. These technologies have implications for neighboring countries in the region and will also affect the agriculture sector in Ethiopia. Hydropower, for example, is a renewable energy source that can contribute to rural electrification, while also providing water to support irrigation expansion. An alternative policy scenario prioritizing renewable energy technologies reduces dependence on fossil fuel completely at minimal cost, while providing long-term environmental benefits. Expansion of electricity access to the entire population entails large investments in power generation capacity as well as substantial increases in the total system cost of energy production. Such a scenario would also increase the country's reliance on fossil fuels and geothermal energy sources. Most alternative policy options show higher investment costs will be required to achieve policy goals in the near term (with the exception of the export scenario). However, the analysis shows long-term benefits from investing in energy supply including sustainable energy system development, expansion of access to modern sources of energy, and the development of a low carbon society.
Past studies on technological innovation system (TIS) were conducted to address the process and challenges of development and diffusion of renewable energy technologies, mainly in the context of developed countries. In this study, we classified TIS into R&D-based TIS and diffusion-based TIS and empirically investigated the formation of diffusion-based solar photovoltaic (PV) TIS in the context of a developing country. Based on historical event analysis, the study showed how the accumulation of system functions influenced the diffusion of PV technology and establishment of local solar PV industry in Ethiopia. Our case study sheds more light on the wider application of TIS framework in a context out of which it was born. The study recommends a policy intervention in building strong TIS for faster diffusion and further development of solar PV systems in Ethiopia and other developing economies.
Biogas technology has uneven dissemination over the globe. The technology is at its infant stage of development and dissemination in many developing countries while China has the largest implementation record. The principal factors controlling its dissemination include: policies and institutions, financial constraint, subsidies, availability of inputs, awareness about the technology, consumers’ considerations, and success stories about the technology. However, biogas technology is a multipurpose technology which assists in addressing economic, health, social and environmental problems simultaneously. Thus, development and dissemination of the technology certainly minimize energy poverty and improve peoples’ status in the energy ladder. In line with this, Ethiopia has completed implementing the first phase (2009–2013) of its National Biogas Programme and has started implementing its second phase. During the first phase, it was able to disseminate 57.6% the total 14,000 domestic biogas plants planned for the period. Though the technology was introduced about five decades ago into the country, biogas installations constructed prior to the establishment of the National Biogas Programme were having varied digester models, lacked standards and central coordination and their entire number was not more than 1000. This paper reviews the status of dissemination of household biogas technology, factors influencing the dissemination of the technology, benefits of the technology at global scales, energy resources, consumption patterns and brief account of the technology at national scale-Ethiopia.
This study explored the potential of grid-connected solar PV power generation in Ethiopia. Overall, 35 locations were assessed for their technical potential considering a 5 MW PV power plant in each site. Input data sources for the study include the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia and the Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy Dataset of NASA. Both HOMER and RETScreen software were employed in the study. It was found in the study that the average value of PV power plant capacity factor of the different locations considered is 19.8%, and the mean value for the electricity exported to the grid is 8674 MWh/year. Furthermore, economic viability study of a 5 MW PV grid-connected power plant in Addis Ababa area was further conducted. Financial indicators showed that the proposed solar PV system is economically viable, but it may not be sufficiently attractive for commercial investors unless an incentive mechanism is introduced. Further scenario analysis indicated that the upcoming feed-in tariff law for solar PV power generation (which is not yet introduced) may influence the investment decision of the private sector. With the proposed system, up to 7658 MWh electricity can be generated and a minimum of 1089 tons of greenhouse gas emission can be reduced annually.
Similar to many net oil importing Sub-Sahara African countries, Ethiopia's economy is rural and as it stands today it is far from being a fossil fuel based economy. Instead, the economy is largely powered by traditional burning of solid biomass. Despite its small share in the overall energy supply (7%), imported fuel absorbs half of Ethiopia's foreign currency earnings. The common justifications behind the development of biofuels such as energy source diversification, foreign currency saving, rural poverty alleviation through employment and technology transfers were all appealing for Ethiopian policy advisers. In 2007, mostly influenced by the global discourse, Ethiopia launched a biofuel expansion strategy and a massive ad hoc investment promotion of two biodiesel crops: castor and jatropha. In this paper, we synthesize the various biodiesel development initiatives and modes of production, and point out at the gaps in policy formulation and project implementation. Evaluating the prospect and constraints for biodiesel production in Ethiopia, we conclude that most of the prerequisites for a viable biodiesel industry still need to be met. We identify key areas and priorities to further strengthen the development of the biodiesel sector.
Measurements of global solar radiation on a horizontal surface, for nine meteorological stations in Ethiopia, are compared with their corresponding values computed based on Ångström relations, Regression coefficients are obtained and correlation equations are determined to predict the global solar radiation. The result shows that Ångström relations are valid for Ethiopian locations, and the correlation equations can be used to predict the monthly mean daily global solar radiation in the locations considered in this study.
This study also proves that the results made by ENEC et al, using the generalised Frere's coefficients, is unsatisfactory for the prediction of monthly mean daily global solar radiation. On the other hand, the work of Dogniaux and Lemoine, using the regression coefficients a and b as a function of latitude and atmospheric turbidity and grouping large range latitudes to extend the application, can give better estimation. However, for more accurate estimation, several additional meteorological stations have to be evaluated and their regression coefficients have to be determined before grouping in to one relationship to express the variations of a and b under any conditions of equipment and location.
Available research literature on power sector reform in Africa indicates that few African decision-makers question the underlying rationale of power sector reform. Many simply accept it as a given and concentrate on identifying measures that would expedite the reform process. This tunnel vision perspective undermines the possibility of developing more nuanced alternatives that can generate a wider range of options that reflect the region's characteristics and institutional/management capacity. This article is based on a regional study by the authors reviewing the status, challenges and prospects of ongoing and planned power sector reform in eastern and southern Africa with special emphasis on the implications for the poor. Reforms have improved generation capacity as well as financial performance in certain utilities. However, there are several challenges that reforms are yet to address. These challenges include poor performance at the transmission and distribution end, increased electrification of the poor and, increased local participation in the power sector. There is inadequate information and data on how ongoing and planned power sector reform can be modified to address the aforementioned challenges, particularly with regard to electrification of the poor. This article suggests a number of measures that could allow the poor to benefit from power sector reform.
This paper is based on a review of the effectiveness of solar home systems (SHS) in Africa in meeting users expectations on a service based analytical approach. Various projects have deployed SHS on the promise that they are cost-effective, can meet end-user demands, have ability to alleviate poverty, can save time and reduce emissions. However, a close review of the actual cost of these systems given the services they provide indicates most of the promises remain unmet and hence questions the wisdom of using public funds to support the system at the expense of more appropriate technologies.
Rural areas continue to be home to majority of the population in Africa. The importance of providing modern energy to rural areas cannot, therefore, be overemphasised. Despite numerous efforts by Governments and donors in the region to promote solar photovoltaics (PVs) for rural electrification (almost every country in the region has had a rural electrification PV project), access to modern energy in rural Africa continues to be woefully low. In addition to being unaffordable to the rural masses, solar PV has the limitation that it can only be used for lighting and powering low-voltage appliances. This article reviews emerging trends in the rural energy sector of sub-Saharan Africa, and discusses the limitations of over-reliance on solar PV. It suggests possible options that could have greater impact on rural clean energy development. For the majority of rural households in the region, biomass fuels will continue to be the dominant fuel of choice. Efficient technologies for the use of biomass would, therefore, ensure that scarce biomass resources are effectively utilised, and reduce the negative impacts of biomass use on women and children's health. Solar thermal, windpumps, micro-/pico-hydropower and cleaner fuels such as kerosene and LPG, have not received adequate attention from policy makers. These energy options could significantly improve the performance of rural small- and micro-enterprises. This article argues that rural energy policies that emphasise a broader range of renewables and target income-generating activities are likely to yield greater benefits to the rural poor than the current policies that rely on the solar PV option.
Target market analysis: Ethiopia’s solar energy market
- Shanko
Assessment of wind and solar energy in ethiopia
- Yakob
Solar and wind energy resource assessment (SWERA),DLR-activities within SWERA
- C Schillings
- R Meyer
- F Trieb
Ethiopia renewable energy potentials and current state.
- Hailu