IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v66y2014icp523-534.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysis of the cost of reliable electricity: A new method for analyzing grid connected solar, diesel and hybrid distributed electricity systems considering an unreliable electric grid, with examples in Uganda

Author

Listed:
  • Murphy, Patrick Mark
  • Twaha, Ssennoga
  • Murphy, Inês S.

Abstract

More than 1.3 billion people lack access to grid electricity. Uganda provides a typical example of an under-electrified country, with less than 12% of Ugandans having access. To address the lack of electricity access, there has been much analysis devoted to grid-connected distributed generation. What these analyses lack is a consideration that even where grid electricity reaches people, it is not always reliable; customers often experience hundreds of outage hours per month. This paper addresses this analytical shortfall to provide new methods to analyze reliable electricity and identify optimal systems to provide more reliable electricity. We adapt the HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables) in this work to address unreliable electricity from the grid, and develop a method for determining optimal system configurations and predicting electricity costs for reliable power generation in regions with unreliable grid electricity. We demonstrate the method for a village in Uganda, but the method holds universally. Results indicate that diesel is the most economical choice, but slight increases in diesel and decreases in PV (photovoltaics) prices make solar/diesel hybrid systems competitive. Improved reliability increases cost, but the increase of can be justified for users needing more reliability.

Suggested Citation

  • Murphy, Patrick Mark & Twaha, Ssennoga & Murphy, Inês S., 2014. "Analysis of the cost of reliable electricity: A new method for analyzing grid connected solar, diesel and hybrid distributed electricity systems considering an unreliable electric grid, with examples ," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 523-534.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:66:y:2014:i:c:p:523-534
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2014.01.020
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544214000279
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2014.01.020?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Varun, & Prakash, Ravi & Bhat, I.K., 2012. "Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions estimation for small hydropower schemes in India," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 498-508.
    2. Türkay, Belgin Emre & Telli, Ali Yasin, 2011. "Economic analysis of standalone and grid connected hybrid energy systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 1931-1943.
    3. Nandi, Sanjoy Kumar & Ghosh, Himangshu Ranjan, 2010. "Prospect of wind–PV-battery hybrid power system as an alternative to grid extension in Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 3040-3047.
    4. Li, Chong & Ge, Xinfeng & Zheng, Yuan & Xu, Chang & Ren, Yan & Song, Chenguang & Yang, Chunxia, 2013. "Techno-economic feasibility study of autonomous hybrid wind/PV/battery power system for a household in Urumqi, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 263-272.
    5. Aghaei, Jamshid & Muttaqi, Kashem M. & Azizivahed, Ali & Gitizadeh, Mohsen, 2014. "Distribution expansion planning considering reliability and security of energy using modified PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 398-411.
    6. Levin, Todd & Thomas, Valerie M., 2012. "Least-cost network evaluation of centralized and decentralized contributions to global electrification," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 286-302.
    7. Paudel, Ananda Mani & Sarper, Hűseyin, 2013. "Economic analysis of a grid-connected commercial photovoltaic system at Colorado State University-Pueblo," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 289-296.
    8. Lee, Kyoung-Jun & Shin, Dongsul & Yoo, Dong-Wook & Choi, Han-Kyu & Kim, Hee-Je, 2013. "Hybrid photovoltaic/diesel green ship operating in standalone and grid-connected mode – Experimental investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 475-483.
    9. Singh, G.K., 2013. "Solar power generation by PV (photovoltaic) technology: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1-13.
    10. Kirubi, Charles & Jacobson, Arne & Kammen, Daniel M. & Mills, Andrew, 2009. "Community-Based Electric Micro-Grids Can Contribute to Rural Development: Evidence from Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(7), pages 1208-1221, July.
    11. Anton Eberhard & Vivien Foster & Cecilia Briceño-Garmendia & Fatimata Ouedraogo & Daniel Camos & Maria Shkaratan, 2008. "Underpowered : The State of the Power Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Bank Publications - Reports 7833, The World Bank Group.
    12. Twaha, Ssennoga & Idris, Mohd Hafizi & Anwari, Makbul & Khairuddin, Azhar, 2012. "Applying grid-connected photovoltaic system as alternative source of electricity to supplement hydro power instead of using diesel in Uganda," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 185-194.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yanık, Seda & Sürer, Özge & Öztayşi, Başar, 2016. "Designing sustainable energy regions using genetic algorithms and location-allocation approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 161-172.
    2. Kunaifi & Angèle Reinders, 2018. "Perceived and Reported Reliability of the Electricity Supply at Three Urban Locations in Indonesia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-27, January.
    3. Sani Hassan, Abubakar & Cipcigan, Liana & Jenkins, Nick, 2018. "Impact of optimised distributed energy resources on local grid constraints," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 878-895.
    4. Fitsum Salehu Kebede & Jean-Christophe Olivier & Salvy Bourguet & Mohamed Machmoum, 2021. "Reliability Evaluation of Renewable Power Systems through Distribution Network Power Outage Modelling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-25, May.
    5. Rajbongshi, Rumi & Borgohain, Devashree & Mahapatra, Sadhan, 2017. "Optimization of PV-biomass-diesel and grid base hybrid energy systems for rural electrification by using HOMER," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 461-474.
    6. Bateer Baiyin & Kotaro Tagawa & Joaquin Gutierrez, 2020. "Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of a Stand-Alone Photovoltaic System for Combined Aquaponics on Drylands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Milton Fonseca Junior & Ubiratan Holanda Bezerra & Jandecy Cabral Leite & Jorge Laureano Moya Rodríguez, 2017. "Maintenance Tools applied to Electric Generators to Improve Energy Efficiency and Power Quality of Thermoelectric Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-21, July.
    8. Andrés González-García & Pedro Ciller & Stephen Lee & Rafael Palacios & Fernando de Cuadra García & José Ignacio Pérez-Arriaga, 2022. "A Rising Role for Decentralized Solar Minigrids in Integrated Rural Electrification Planning? Large-Scale, Least-Cost, and Customer-Wise Design of Grid and Off-Grid Supply Systems in Uganda," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-31, June.
    9. Sanni, Shereefdeen Oladapo & Oricha, Joseph Yakubu & Oyewole, Taoheed Oluwafemi & Bawonda, Femi Ikotoni, 2021. "Analysis of backup power supply for unreliable grid using hybrid solar PV/diesel/biogas system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    10. Yahya Z. Alharthi, 2023. "Performance Analysis Using Multi-Year Parameters for a Grid-Connected Wind Power System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-20, February.
    11. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Hiendro, Ayong & Al-Turki, Yusuf A., 2016. "Techno-economic energy analysis of wind/solar hybrid system: Case study for western coastal area of Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 374-385.
    12. Musonye, Xavier S. & Davíðsdóttir, Brynhildur & Kristjánsson, Ragnar & Ásgeirsson, Eyjólfur I. & Stefánsson, Hlynur, 2020. "Integrated energy systems’ modeling studies for sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    13. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Analysis of renewable energy feed-in tariffs in selected regions of the globe: Lessons for Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 649-661.
    14. Ren, Haoshan & Ma, Zhenjun & Chan, Antoni B. & Sun, Yongjun, 2023. "Optimal planning of municipal-scale distributed rooftop photovoltaic systems with maximized solar energy generation under constraints in high-density cities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    15. Francis Kemausuor & Muyiwa S. Adaramola & John Morken, 2018. "A Review of Commercial Biogas Systems and Lessons for Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, November.
    16. Satya Prakash Makhija & S. P. Dubey, 2018. "Feasibility of PV–biodiesel hybrid energy system for a cement technology institute in India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 377-387, February.
    17. Trotter, Philipp A. & McManus, Marcelle C. & Maconachie, Roy, 2017. "Electricity planning and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1189-1209.
    18. Ruben Zieba Falama & Felix Ngangoum Welaji & Abdouramani Dadjé & Virgil Dumbrava & Noël Djongyang & Chokri Ben Salah & Serge Yamigno Doka, 2021. "A Solution to the Problem of Electrical Load Shedding Using Hybrid PV/Battery/Grid-Connected System: The Case of Households’ Energy Supply of the Northern Part of Cameroon," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-23, May.
    19. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Hiendro, Ayong & Sedraoui, Khaled & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Optimal sizing of grid-connected photovoltaic energy system in Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 489-495.
    20. Andreas Fazekas & Christopher Bataille & Adrien Vogt-Schilb, 2022. "Achieving net-zero prosperity: how governments can unlock 15 essential transformations," Post-Print halshs-03742125, HAL.
    21. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Hiendro, Ayong & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Economic analysis of PV/diesel hybrid system with flywheel energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 398-405.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fazelpour, Farivar & Soltani, Nima & Rosen, Marc A., 2014. "Feasibility of satisfying electrical energy needs with hybrid systems for a medium-size hotel on Kish Island, Iran," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 856-865.
    2. Kamjoo, Azadeh & Maheri, Alireza & Putrus, Ghanim A., 2014. "Chance constrained programming using non-Gaussian joint distribution function in design of standalone hybrid renewable energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 677-688.
    3. Pandey, A.K. & Tyagi, V.V. & Selvaraj, Jeyraj A/L & Rahim, N.A. & Tyagi, S.K., 2016. "Recent advances in solar photovoltaic systems for emerging trends and advanced applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 859-884.
    4. Akikur, R.K. & Saidur, R. & Ping, H.W. & Ullah, K.R., 2013. "Comparative study of stand-alone and hybrid solar energy systems suitable for off-grid rural electrification: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 738-752.
    5. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Hiendro, Ayong & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Economic analysis of PV/diesel hybrid system with flywheel energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 398-405.
    6. Bruno Domenech & Laia Ferrer‐Martí & Rafael Pastor, 2019. "Comparison of various approaches to design wind‐PV rural electrification projects in remote areas of developing countries," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(3), May.
    7. Bahramara, S. & Moghaddam, M. Parsa & Haghifam, M.R., 2016. "Optimal planning of hybrid renewable energy systems using HOMER: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 609-620.
    8. Fahd Diab & Hai Lan & Lijun Zhang & Salwa Ali, 2015. "An Environmentally-Friendly Tourist Village in Egypt Based on a Hybrid Renewable Energy System––Part One: What Is the Optimum City?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-19, July.
    9. Pillai, Gobind G. & Putrus, Ghanim A. & Georgitsioti, Tatiani & Pearsall, Nicola M., 2014. "Near-term economic benefits from grid-connected residential PV (photovoltaic) systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 832-843.
    10. Rohani, Golbarg & Nour, Mutasim, 2014. "Techno-economical analysis of stand-alone hybrid renewable power system for Ras Musherib in United Arab Emirates," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 828-841.
    11. William López-Castrillón & Héctor H. Sepúlveda & Cristian Mattar, 2021. "Off-Grid Hybrid Electrical Generation Systems in Remote Communities: Trends and Characteristics in Sustainability Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-29, May.
    12. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Analysis of renewable energy feed-in tariffs in selected regions of the globe: Lessons for Saudi Arabia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 649-661.
    13. Yilmaz, Saban & Dincer, Furkan, 2017. "Optimal design of hybrid PV-Diesel-Battery systems for isolated lands: A case study for Kilis, Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 344-352.
    14. Nock, Destenie & Levin, Todd & Baker, Erin, 2020. "Changing the policy paradigm: A benefit maximization approach to electricity planning in developing countries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    15. Maleki, Akbar & Pourfayaz, Fathollah & Rosen, Marc A., 2016. "A novel framework for optimal design of hybrid renewable energy-based autonomous energy systems: A case study for Namin, Iran," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 168-180.
    16. Ranaboldo, Matteo & Ferrer-Martí, Laia & García-Villoria, Alberto & Pastor Moreno, Rafael, 2013. "Heuristic indicators for the design of community off-grid electrification systems based on multiple renewable energies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 501-512.
    17. Han, Seulki & Won, Wangyun & Kim, Jiyong, 2017. "Scenario-based approach for design and comparatively analysis of conventional and renewable energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 86-100.
    18. Olatomiwa, Lanre & Mekhilef, Saad & Ismail, M.S. & Moghavvemi, M., 2016. "Energy management strategies in hybrid renewable energy systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 821-835.
    19. Das, Barun K. & Hoque, Najmul & Mandal, Soumya & Pal, Tapas Kumar & Raihan, Md Abu, 2017. "A techno-economic feasibility of a stand-alone hybrid power generation for remote area application in Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 775-788.
    20. Ridha, Hussein Mohammed & Gomes, Chandima & Hizam, Hashim & Ahmadipour, Masoud & Heidari, Ali Asghar & Chen, Huiling, 2021. "Multi-objective optimization and multi-criteria decision-making methods for optimal design of standalone photovoltaic system: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:66:y:2014:i:c:p:523-534. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.