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Development of a DC Microgrid with Decentralized Production and Storage: From the Lab to Field Deployment in Rural Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Lucas Richard

    (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, G2Elab, 38000 Grenoble, France
    Nanoé, Ambanja 203, Madagascar)

  • Cédric Boudinet

    (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, G2Elab, 38000 Grenoble, France)

  • Sanda A. Ranaivoson

    (Nanoé, Ambanja 203, Madagascar)

  • Jean Origio Rabarivao

    (Nanoé, Ambanja 203, Madagascar)

  • Archille Elia Befeno

    (Nanoé, Ambanja 203, Madagascar)

  • David Frey

    (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, G2Elab, 38000 Grenoble, France)

  • Marie-Cécile Alvarez-Hérault

    (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, G2Elab, 38000 Grenoble, France)

  • Bertrand Raison

    (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, G2Elab, 38000 Grenoble, France)

  • Nicolas Saincy

    (Nanoé, Ambanja 203, Madagascar)

Abstract

The rural electrification of Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia is crucial to end the energy poverty in which around 1 billion people are trapped. Swarm electrification, i.e., the progressive building of decentralized and decarbonized electric infrastructure in a bottom-up manner, tackles rural electrification challenges by quickly providing modern and reliable electricity services to unelectrified communities while fostering local socio-economic development. This paper follows the technological approach of this electrification model and presents the development of a DC microgrid with decentralized production and storage suitable for rural electrification. This DC microgrid aims at interconnecting nanogrids, small collective autonomous power units composed of a solar panel and a lead–acid battery for 4 to 6 households, to increase the electrical services brought to the community and enhance the economic sustainability of this rural electrification model. The design of the proposed microgrid as well as its control algorithm are thoroughly addressed and tested from software simulations and experimental testing to field deployment in Madagascar. Extensive software, experimental and field-tests results are illustrated, and the microgrid design feedback is given. This paper overall validates the proper operation of the proposed microgrid, confirming the technical feasibility of the swarm electrification approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucas Richard & Cédric Boudinet & Sanda A. Ranaivoson & Jean Origio Rabarivao & Archille Elia Befeno & David Frey & Marie-Cécile Alvarez-Hérault & Bertrand Raison & Nicolas Saincy, 2022. "Development of a DC Microgrid with Decentralized Production and Storage: From the Lab to Field Deployment in Rural Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-27, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:18:p:6727-:d:915032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Setu Pelz & Shonali Pachauri & Sebastian Groh, 2018. "A critical review of modern approaches for multidimensional energy poverty measurement," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(6), November.
    2. Antoine Boche & Clément Foucher & Luiz Fernando Lavado Villa, 2022. "Understanding Microgrid Sustainability: A Systemic and Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-29, April.
    3. Kirchhoff, Hannes & Strunz, Kai, 2019. "Key drivers for successful development of peer-to-peer microgrids for swarm electrification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(C), pages 46-62.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vitor Fernão Pires & Armando Pires & Armando Cordeiro, 2023. "DC Microgrids: Benefits, Architectures, Perspectives and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Kimsrornn Khon & Chhith Chhlonh & Vannak Vai & Marie-Cecile Alvarez-Herault & Bertrand Raison & Long Bun, 2023. "Comprehensive Low Voltage Microgrid Planning Methodology for Rural Electrification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Olivia Graillet & Denis Genon-Catalot & Pierre-Olivier Lucas de Peslouan & Flavien Bernard & Frédéric Alicalapa & Laurent Lemaitre & Jean-Pierre Chabriat, 2024. "Optimizing Energy Consumption: A Case Study of LVDC Nanogrid Implementation in Tertiary Buildings on La Réunion Island," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, March.

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