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FAR from the grid: A rural electrification field study

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  • Díaz, P.
  • Arias, C.A.
  • Peña, R.
  • Sandoval, D.

Abstract

This paper analyses the field performance of different off-grid generation technologies applied to the electrification of rural villages. Autonomous diesel generators are the most extended technology. It is a well known application, although it has also some disadvantages: fuel transportation and consumption costs, maintenance needs or environmental problems. In places where accessibility is difficult and costly, the use of local energy resources (basically renewable) constitutes a significant advantage. Due to the intermittent character of those resources, renewable generation systems are sometimes associated to diesel gen-sets in order to increase the reliability of supply of small and medium-size communities. A comparative analysis between diesel, hydro-diesel and photovoltaic-diesel technologies is presented in this article. It is based on data collected from systems installed in the rural area of the province of Jujuy, northwest of Argentina. The study covers from year 2001 to 2008, with a research universe of 16 locations supplied by thermal diesel generation (1 with a large-diesel system and other 15 with smaller ones), 5 locations with hydro-diesel and 7 with photovoltaic-diesel systems. The energy demand evolution of rural villages is also studied because of its influence on the system operation and sustainability.

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  • Díaz, P. & Arias, C.A. & Peña, R. & Sandoval, D., 2010. "FAR from the grid: A rural electrification field study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2829-2834.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:35:y:2010:i:12:p:2829-2834
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2010.05.005
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    6. Perera, A.T.D. & Attalage, R.A. & Perera, K.K.C.K. & Dassanayake, V.P.C., 2013. "A hybrid tool to combine multi-objective optimization and multi-criterion decision making in designing standalone hybrid energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 412-425.
    7. López-González, A. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2018. "Lifetime, cost and fuel efficiency in diesel projects for rural electrification in Venezuela," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 152-161.
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    17. Rim Berahab, 2019. "Thinking outside the Grid: The role of decentralized power systems in electrifying Sub Saharan Africa," Policy briefs on Commodities & Energy 1903, Policy Center for the New South.
    18. 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.
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