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The Long Road to Universal Electrification: A Critical Look at Present Pathways and Challenges

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  • Nishant Narayan

    (Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy, Delft University of Technology, 2600 Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Victor Vega-Garita

    (Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy, Delft University of Technology, 2600 Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Zian Qin

    (Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy, Delft University of Technology, 2600 Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Jelena Popovic-Gerber

    (Power Electronics Group, University of Twente, 7500 Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Pavol Bauer

    (Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy, Delft University of Technology, 2600 Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Miro Zeman

    (Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy, Delft University of Technology, 2600 Delft, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Nearly 840 million people still lack access to electricity, while over a billion more have an unreliable electricity connection. In this article, the three different electrification pathways—grid extension, centralized microgrids, and standalone solar-based solutions, such as pico-solar and solar home systems (SHS)—are critically examined while understanding their relative merits and demerits. Grid extension can provide broad scale access at low levelized costs but requires a certain electricity demand threshold and population density to justify investments. To a lesser extent, centralized (off-grid) microgrids also require a minimum demand threshold and knowledge of the electricity demand. Solar-based solutions are the main focus in terms of off-grid electrification in this article, given the equatorial/tropical latitudes of the un(der-)electrified regions. In recent times, decentralized solar-based off-grid solutions, such as pico-solar and SHS, have shown the highest adoption rates and promising impetus with respect to basic lighting and electricity for powering small appliances. However, the burning question is—from lighting a million to empowering a billion—can solar home systems get us there?The two main roadblocks for SHS are discussed, and the requirements from the ideal electrification pathway are introduced. A bottom-up, interconnected SHS-based electrification pathway is proposed as the missing link among the present electrification pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Nishant Narayan & Victor Vega-Garita & Zian Qin & Jelena Popovic-Gerber & Pavol Bauer & Miro Zeman, 2020. "The Long Road to Universal Electrification: A Critical Look at Present Pathways and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:3:p:508-:d:311277
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    References listed on IDEAS

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