Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Electrical and electronic engineering

Publication Details

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032123000138

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113157

Abstract

In the global North, the need to decarbonize power generation is well documented and the challenges faced are endemic to the design of the electrical grids. With networks relying on centralized generation, it can be difficult to replace fossil-fuel power plants with renewable energy sources as generation may be intermittent causing grid instability when there is no ‘spinning reserve’ [1]. In parts of the global south, however, many under-electrified nations have high levels of solar irradiance. This, combined with falling prices for solar panels, is allowing for alternative paths to electrification from costly grid extensions and has resulted in grids built from the bottom up [2]. These grids can vary considerably in scale and capacity, dubbed micro-grids, nano-grids, and pico-grids. They can utilize AC, DC, or both and generally have either a centralized or distributed topology where each design has specific advantages and disadvantages [3]. Bangladesh has seen an unprecedented proliferation of small solar home systems. After performing a case study Groh et al. [4] discovered much of the generated electricity was not being utilized.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113157

Funder

This publication has emanated from research supported in part by a grant from Science Foundation Ireland under Grant number 18/CRT/ 6222.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

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