Topic
Rural electrification
About: Rural electrification is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2840 publications have been published within this topic receiving 50142 citations.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a geographically explicit framework and use spatial modeling and cost estimates from recent engineering studies to determine where stand-alone renewable energy generation is a cost effective alternative to centralized grid supply.
315 citations
TL;DR: The role of small-scale generation systems throughout the process of electrification, the main features of rural areas and their typical energy uses, and a new comprehensive taxonomy for off-grid systems for rural electrification are described.
Abstract: Access to electric power supply has always had a significant role in promoting improvements in all the society sectors, nevertheless nowadays 1.3 billion of people still do not have electricity access. Moreover, most of them live in rural areas of developing countries which are often isolated, scattered populated and characterized by poor infrastructure and services. In this situation, the growing consideration towards the target of universal access to energy has emphasized the role of rural electrification, and off-grid small-scale generation represents one of the most appropriate options. As a consequence, the scientific literature has devoted attention to this topic with a large number of papers. In this frame, the present analysis focuses on off-grid systems for rural electrification and provides a general framework to this topic and an analytical review of the literature. The work is based on the review of more than 350 papers mainly published from 2000 to 2014 within selected journals, and it is organized in two sections. In the first one we describe the role of small-scale generation systems throughout the process of electrification, the main features of rural areas and their typical energy uses, and we propose a new comprehensive taxonomy for off-grid systems for rural electrification. In the second one we develop an extensive review of the selected literature according to the proposed classification and to five main research areas: Technology: layout and components; Models and methods for simulation and sizing; Techno-economic feasibility analyses and sustainability analyses; Case studies analyses; Policy analyses. The work results in a comprehensive review which organizes and capitalizes the main fundamentals of the addressed topic and provides elements to get acquainted with the literature.
295 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the technical and economical issues related to decentralized power generation in India using biomass gasification and discuss principal factors influencing the viability of the biomass-based power generation.
Abstract: This article attempts to highlight the technical and economical issues related to decentralized power generation in India using biomass gasification. Biomass-based energy has several distinct advantages such as wide availability and uniform distribution that puts it ahead among the renewable energy options for India. The estimated potential of power generation through renewable sources in India is 85 GW with biomass power contributing approximately 20 GW. Especially, in the remote areas and hilly terrains of India, biomass gasification-based power generation offers a highly viable solution for meeting energy demands of small villages and hamlets, which would not only make them independent but will also reduce burden on state electricity boards. This paper reviews various technical options for biomass gasification-based low-, medium- and large-scale power generation. We essentially discuss the merits and demerits (operational and other problems) of different systems. Further, we also deal with economics of these systems and discuss principal factors influencing the viability of the biomass-based power generation. Finally, we review some case studies of biomass-based power generation for meeting energy needs, both thermal and electrical.
288 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the limitations of over-reliance on solar photovoltaics (PVs) for rural electrification in sub-Saharan Africa, and suggest possible options that could have greater impact on rural clean energy development, such as solar thermal, windpumps, micro-pico-hydropower and cleaner fuels such as kerosene and LPG.
287 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that rural electrification alone is unlikely to resolve the energy access problem because of low penetration of electricity in the energy mix of the poor, despite several initiatives and policies to support poor households.
287 citations