Mini Grids - Revision history

Fernanda Wynter: /* Further Information */

2021-09-03T12:42:26Z

Further Information

Fernanda Wynter: /* Further Information */

2021-09-03T12:38:45Z

Further Information

Fernanda Wynter: /* Impacts */

2021-08-27T12:12:23Z

Impacts

Fernanda Wynter: /* Impacts */

2021-08-27T12:11:26Z

Impacts

Fernanda Wynter: /* Technologies */

2021-08-27T12:07:43Z

Technologies

Fernanda Wynter: /* Definition and Overview */

2021-08-27T11:52:42Z

Definition and Overview

Fernanda Wynter: /* Further Information */

2021-08-25T08:57:52Z

Further Information

Fernanda Wynter: /* Further Information */

2021-08-25T08:41:04Z

Further Information

Fernanda Wynter: /* Sizing */

2021-08-25T08:22:18Z

Sizing

Fernanda Wynter at 15:20, 19 August 2021

2021-08-19T15:20:09Z

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 = Further Information<br/> =
-*'''[[Portal:Mini-grid|MIni-grid portal on energypedia]]'''
+*'''[[Portal:Mini-grid|MIni-grid portal on energypedia]]'''<br/>
-[https://www.unido.org/sites/default/files/files/2021-03/CEMG_Development_Guide_EN.pdf Clean Energy Mini-grid Policy Development Guide]<br/>
+*'''[[Portal:Mini-grid|Clean Energy Mini-grid Policy Development Guide]]'''
 *[[Basic Energy Services - Overview|Basic Energy Services - Overview]]
 *[[Portal:Grid|Grid Portal on energypedia]]

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 *'''[[Portal:Mini-grid|MIni-grid portal on energypedia]]'''
 *[[Basic Energy Services - Overview|Basic Energy Services - Overview]]
 *[[Portal:Grid|Grid Portal on energypedia]]

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 = Impacts =
-Implementation of mini-grids have proved to have a positive social impact by fostering and improving the local governance structure through the involvement of the community in the decision making process linked with the energy system. Furthermore, mini-grids are often the only economically viable option of electrifying rural communities. There are hundreds of diesel-based isolated grids worldwide which lend themselves to be retrofitted with renewable energy technologies. Sharing limited resources and power among users in a mini-grid requires rules and a [[Feed-in Tariffs (FIT)|tariff structure]] that ensures sustainability in the operation. In general, mini-grids involve intense preparation to ensure the systems operation and maintenance will be sustainable.<ref name="Rural electrification with renewable energy: https://www.ruralelec.org/sites/default/files/are_technological_publication_0.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf">Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf</ref><br/><br/>
+Implementation of mini-grids have proved to have a positive social impact by fostering and improving the local governance structure through the involvement of the community in the decision making process linked with the energy system. Furthermore, mini-grids are often the only economically viable option of electrifying rural communities. There are hundreds of diesel-based isolated grids worldwide which lend themselves to be retrofitted with renewable energy technologies. Sharing limited resources and power among users in a mini-grid requires rules and a [[Feed-in Tariffs (FIT)|tariff structure]] that ensures sustainability in the operation. In general, mini-grids involve intense preparation to ensure the systems operation and maintenance will be sustainable.<ref name="Rural electrification with renewable energy: https://www.ruralelec.org/sites/default/files/are_technological_publication_0.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf">Rural electrification with renewable energy: https://www.ruralelec.org/sites/default/files/are_technological_publication_0.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf</ref><br/><br/>

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 = Impacts =
-Implementation of mini-grids have proved to have a positive social impact by fostering and improving the local governance structure through the involvement of the community in the decision making process linked with the energy system. Furthermore, mini-grids are often the only economically viable option of electrifying rural communities. There are hundreds of diesel-based isolated grids worldwide which lend themselves to be retrofitted with renewable energy technologies. Sharing limited resources and power among users in a mini-grid requires rules and a [[Feed-in Tariffs (FIT)|tariff structure]] that ensures sustainability in the operation. In general, mini-grids involve intense preparation to ensure the systems operation and maintenance will be sustainable.<ref name="Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf">Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf</ref><br/><br/>
+Implementation of mini-grids have proved to have a positive social impact by fostering and improving the local governance structure through the involvement of the community in the decision making process linked with the energy system. Furthermore, mini-grids are often the only economically viable option of electrifying rural communities. There are hundreds of diesel-based isolated grids worldwide which lend themselves to be retrofitted with renewable energy technologies. Sharing limited resources and power among users in a mini-grid requires rules and a [[Feed-in Tariffs (FIT)|tariff structure]] that ensures sustainability in the operation. In general, mini-grids involve intense preparation to ensure the systems operation and maintenance will be sustainable.<ref name="Rural electrification with renewable energy: https://www.ruralelec.org/sites/default/files/are_technological_publication_0.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf">Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf The history of mini-grid development in developing countries: http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf</ref><br/><br/>
 = Opportunities<br/> =

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 == Technologies ==
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 *'''Wind mini-grids''': When the wind blows through the turbine, the wind’s kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy. These mini-grids are site specific and depend on the wind speed<ref name="American Wind Energy Association, 2020">American Wind Energy Association. (2020). The basics of wind energy. Retrieved January 11, 2020, from AWEA website: https://www.awea.org/wind-101/basics-of-wind-energyfckLR</ref>
 *'''Hydro mini-grids (MHP)''': MHP has the lowest levelized cost of generation and is at par with grid electricity<ref name="IFC">IFC. (2017). Operational and financial performance of mini-grid descos: Findings and insights from pioneer benchmarking. Retrieved from https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/IFC_Minigrids_Benchmarking_Report_Single_Pages_January_2017.pdf</ref>. Unlike large hydropower, they do not require a dam/reservoir for water storage. They are mostly run-of-river and therefore have very little environmental impacts. The water flows from a higher elevation to the turbines at a lower elevation via a penstock. The turbines then rotate to generate electricity. The electricity generation depends on the water flow and also require a certain elevation. This makes MHP restrictive to a particular geography<ref name="Acharya & Bajracharya, 2013">Acharya, K., & Bajracharya, T. (2013). Current status of micro hydro technology in Nepal. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296348325_Current_Status_of_Micro_Hydro_Technology_in_Nepal</ref>.
-*'''Hybrid mini-grids''': Mini-grids with renewables sources when coupled with non-renewable sources such as diesel systems or with other renewable sources are called hybrid mini-grids. These mini-grids are flexible as they can generate power on demand<ref name="IFC">IFC. (2017). Operational and financial performance of mini-grid descos: Findings and insights from pioneer benchmarking. Retrieved from https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/IFC_Minigrids_Benchmarking_Report_Single_Pages_January_2017.pdf</ref><ref name="GVEP International, 2011b">GVEP International. (2011b). Policy briefing. Retrieved from https://www.energy4impact.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf</ref>. Examples of hybrid systems are solar-diesel mini-grids and solar biomass mini-grids<ref name="EEP Africa, 2018">EEP Africa. (2018). Lessons learned from the EEP Portfolio: Opportunities and challenges in the mini-grid sector in Africa. Retrieved from https://eepafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/EEP_MiniGrids_Study_DigitalVersion.pdf</ref>.
+*'''Hybrid mini-grids''': Mini-grids with renewables sources when coupled with non-renewable sources such as diesel systems or with other renewable sources are called hybrid mini-grids. These mini-grids are flexible as they can generate power on demand<ref name="IFC">IFC. (2017). Operational and financial performance of mini-grid descos: Findings and insights from pioneer benchmarking. Retrieved from https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/IFC_Minigrids_Benchmarking_Report_Single_Pages_January_2017.pdf</ref><ref name="GVEP International, 2011b">GVEP International. (2011b). Policy briefing. Retrieved from https://www.energy4impact.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf</ref>. Examples of hybrid systems are solar-diesel mini-grids and solar biomass mini-grids<ref name="EEP Africa, 2018">EEP Africa. (2018). Lessons learned from the EEP Portfolio: Opportunities and challenges in the mini-grid sector in Africa. Retrieved from https://eepafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/EEP_MiniGrids_Study_DigitalVersion.pdf</ref>.
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 [[Portal:Mini-grid|►Back to Mini-grid portal]]
 = Definition and Overview<br/> =
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 {{#widget:YouTube|id=wNJXgVRPuJ0|width=800px}} A '''mini grid''', also sometimes referred to as a "'''micro grid or isolated grid'''", can be defined as a set of electricity generators and possibly energy storage systems interconnected to a distribution network that supplies electricity to a localized group of customers."'''They involve small-scale electricity generation (10 kW to 10MW) which serves a limited number of consumers via a distribution grid that can operate in isolation from national electricity transmission networks."<ref>Mini-grid policy toolkit: http://www.minigridpolicytoolkit.euei-pdf.org/policy-toolkit</ref>'''
-This power delivery architecture can be contrasted to a single customer system such as in the case of a [[Solar Home Systems (SHS)|solar home system (SHS)]]. Where there are no distribution network interconnecting customers it can be connected to a centralized grid system, where electrical energy is transmitted over large distances from large central generators where local generators are generally not capable of meeting local demand.<ref name="An overview of technical aspects of Mini- Grids: https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/countries/countries-content/india/en/resource_en_224456.pdf">An overview of technical aspects of Mini- Grids: https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/countries/countries-content/india/en/resource_en_224456.pdf</ref><br/>Mini-grids have a unique feature as they can operate autonomously without being connected to a [[Micro Hydropower (MHP) - Off-grid to On-grid|centralized grid]]. However, the mini-grid may be designed to interconnect with the central grid which means it operates under normal conditions as part of the central grid with disconnection occurring only if power quality needs to be maintained. For instance in the case of a central grid failure. Alternatively, a mini-grid may be designed to operate autonomously in a remote location with the option to connect to a central grid when grid extension occurs.<ref name="A review of mini-grid used for electrification in rural areas: http://iasir.net/AIJRSTEMpapers/AIJRSTEM13-239.pdf">A review of mini-grid used for electrification in rural areas: http://iasir.net/AIJRSTEMpapers/AIJRSTEM13-239.pdf</ref> A mini-grid can be supplied by all sorts of energy resources and power plants, however most of the time a mini-grid will use low AC voltage (220-380V) with a centralized production and a storage system and will have an installed capacity of between and 5 and 300kW even though bigger systems exist.<ref name="Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf">Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf</ref>
+This power delivery architecture can be contrasted to a single customer system such as in the case of a [[Solar Home Systems (SHS)|solar home system (SHS)]]. Where there are no distribution network interconnecting customers it can be connected to a centralized grid system, where electrical energy is transmitted over large distances from large central generators where local generators are generally not capable of meeting local demand.<ref name="An overview of technical aspects of Mini- Grids: https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/countries/countries-content/india/en/resource_en_224456.pdf">An overview of technical aspects of Mini- Grids: https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/countries/countries-content/india/en/resource_en_224456.pdf</ref><br/>Mini-grids have a unique feature as they can operate autonomously without being connected to a [[Micro Hydropower (MHP) - Off-grid to On-grid|centralized grid]]. However, the mini-grid may be designed to interconnect with the central grid which means it operates under normal conditions as part of the central grid with disconnection occurring only if power quality needs to be maintained. For instance in the case of a central grid failure. Alternatively, a mini-grid may be designed to operate autonomously in a remote location with the option to connect to a central grid when grid extension occurs.<ref name="A review of mini-grid used for electrification in rural areas: http://iasir.net/AIJRSTEMpapers/AIJRSTEM13-239.pdf">A review of mini-grid used for electrification in rural areas: http://iasir.net/AIJRSTEMpapers/AIJRSTEM13-239.pdf</ref> A mini-grid can be supplied by all sorts of energy resources and power plants, however most of the time a mini-grid will use low AC voltage (220-380V) with a centralized production and a storage system and will have an installed capacity of between and 5 and 300kW even though bigger systems exist.<ref name="Rural electrification with renewable energy: https://www.ruralelec.org/sites/default/files/are_technological_publication_0.pdf">Rural electrification with renewable energy: https://www.ruralelec.org/sites/default/files/are_technological_publication_0.pdf</ref>
 == Sizing ==
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 == Technologies ==
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 = Impacts =

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 *[[The Potential of Mini Grids and Critical Factors|The Potential of Mini Grids and Critical Factors]]
 *[[Mini-grid Policy Toolkit|Mini-grid Policy Toolkit]]
-*[[:File:Mini-Grid Sizing Guidebook.pdf|Mini-Grid loas assessment and system sizing handbook]]
+*[[:File:Mini-Grid Sizing Guidebook.pdf|Mini-Grid load assessment and system sizing handbook]]
 *ProSolar handbooks:&nbsp;[[:File:GIZ2014-en-where-shall-we-put-it-kenya.pdf|Site selection]], [[Mini Grid Licensing|Mini Grid Licensing]],&nbsp;[[Mini-Grid Sizing|Mini-Grid Sizing]].
 *ProSolar 2016 factsheets:&nbsp;[https://energypedia.info/index.php?title=File:2016_GIZ_ProSolar_brief_Leading_the_way_to_rural_electrification.pdf&page=1 ProSolar]&nbsp;project,&nbsp;[[:File:Mini-Grids RBF Brochure.pdf|Mini-Grids Result Based Financing]]&nbsp;(RBF) project.

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 This power delivery architecture can be contrasted to a single customer system such as in the case of a [[Solar Home Systems (SHS)|solar home system (SHS)]]. Where there are no distribution network interconnecting customers it can be connected to a centralized grid system, where electrical energy is transmitted over large distances from large central generators where local generators are generally not capable of meeting local demand.<ref name="An overview of technical aspects of Mini- Grids: https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/countries/countries-content/india/en/resource_en_224456.pdf">An overview of technical aspects of Mini- Grids: https://www.eda.admin.ch/content/dam/countries/countries-content/india/en/resource_en_224456.pdf</ref><br/>Mini-grids have a unique feature as they can operate autonomously without being connected to a [[Micro Hydropower (MHP) - Off-grid to On-grid|centralized grid]]. However, the mini-grid may be designed to interconnect with the central grid which means it operates under normal conditions as part of the central grid with disconnection occurring only if power quality needs to be maintained. For instance in the case of a central grid failure. Alternatively, a mini-grid may be designed to operate autonomously in a remote location with the option to connect to a central grid when grid extension occurs.<ref name="A review of mini-grid used for electrification in rural areas: http://iasir.net/AIJRSTEMpapers/AIJRSTEM13-239.pdf">A review of mini-grid used for electrification in rural areas: http://iasir.net/AIJRSTEMpapers/AIJRSTEM13-239.pdf</ref> A mini-grid can be supplied by all sorts of energy resources and power plants, however most of the time a mini-grid will use low AC voltage (220-380V) with a centralized production and a storage system and will have an installed capacity of between and 5 and 300kW even though bigger systems exist.<ref name="Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf">Rural electrification with renewable energy: http://www.ruralelec.org/fileadmin/DATA/Documents/06_Publications/ARE_TECHNOLOGICAL_PUBLICATION.pdf</ref>
 == Sizing ==
-There is no one single definition about the size of the mini-grids. Some organizations define mini-grids in terms of the generation capacity i.e. between 10 kW to 10 MW<ref name="Franz et al., 2014">Franz, M., Peterschmidt, N., Rohrer, M., & Kondev, B. (2014). Mini-grid policy toolkit: Policy and business frameworks for successful mini-grid roll-outs. Retrieved from http://www.minigridpolicytoolkit.euei-pdf.org/system/files_force/RECP_Minigrid_Policy_Toolkit_doublepage (pdf%2C 12.5MB%2C EN)_web60ab.pdf?download=1</ref>. Others define it in terms of customers reached i.e. mini-grids reaching 20-100 customers are called micro mini-grids and mini-grids reaching over 500 customers are called full mini-grids<ref name="ESMAP, 2017">ESMAP. (2017). Mini-Grids and gender equality : Inclusive design, better development outcomes. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/29050</ref>. A general consensus is that mini-grids should supply more than a few kW of electricity to multiple consumers such as community, hospitals or schools.
+There is no one single definition about the size of the mini-grids. Some organizations define mini-grids in terms of the generation capacity i.e. between 10 kW to 10 MW<ref name="Franz et al., 2014">Franz, M., Peterschmidt, N., Rohrer, M., & Kondev, B. (2014). Mini-grid policy toolkit: Policy and business frameworks for successful mini-grid roll-outs. Retrieved from https://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/MinigridPolicyToolkit_Sep2014_EN.pdf</ref>. Others define it in terms of customers reached i.e. mini-grids reaching 20-100 customers are called micro mini-grids and mini-grids reaching over 500 customers are called full mini-grids<ref name="ESMAP, 2017">ESMAP. (2017). Mini-Grids and gender equality : Inclusive design, better development outcomes. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/29050</ref>. A general consensus is that mini-grids should supply more than a few kW of electricity to multiple consumers such as community, hospitals or schools.
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 == Technologies ==

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 There is no one single definition about the size of the mini-grids. Some organizations define mini-grids in terms of the generation capacity i.e. between 10 kW to 10 MW<ref name="Franz et al., 2014">Franz, M., Peterschmidt, N., Rohrer, M., & Kondev, B. (2014). Mini-grid policy toolkit: Policy and business frameworks for successful mini-grid roll-outs. Retrieved from http://www.minigridpolicytoolkit.euei-pdf.org/system/files_force/RECP_Minigrid_Policy_Toolkit_doublepage (pdf%2C 12.5MB%2C EN)_web60ab.pdf?download=1</ref>. Others define it in terms of customers reached i.e. mini-grids reaching 20-100 customers are called micro mini-grids and mini-grids reaching over 500 customers are called full mini-grids<ref name="ESMAP, 2017">ESMAP. (2017). Mini-Grids and gender equality : Inclusive design, better development outcomes. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/29050</ref>. A general consensus is that mini-grids should supply more than a few kW of electricity to multiple consumers such as community, hospitals or schools.
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 == Technologies ==
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 *'''Hybrid mini-grids''': Mini-grids with renewables sources when coupled with non-renewable sources such as diesel systems or with other renewable sources are called hybrid mini-grids. These mini-grids are flexible as they can generate power on demand<ref name="IFC">IFC. (2017). Operational and financial performance of mini-grid descos: Findings and insights from pioneer benchmarking. Retrieved from https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/IFC_Minigrids_Benchmarking_Report_Single_Pages_January_2017.pdf</ref><ref name="GVEP International, 2011b">GVEP International. (2011b). Policy briefing. Retrieved from https://www.energy4impact.org/sites/default/files/policy_briefing_-_mini-grid_final.pdf</ref>. Examples of hybrid systems are solar-diesel mini-grids and solar biomass mini-grids<ref name="EEP Africa, 2018">EEP Africa. (2018). Lessons learned from the EEP Portfolio: Opportunities and challenges in the mini-grid sector in Africa. Retrieved from https://eepafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/EEP_MiniGrids_Study_DigitalVersion.pdf</ref>.
 = Impacts =
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 *Insufficient primary energy resource, in bio gasification projects for example, there are challenges in finding sustainable sources of biomass and operating effective supply chains for biomass feed stocks. Similar challenges can affect diesel powered mini-grids in remote locations where infrastructure is not adequate, thus most of these schemes remain in their pilot stages (e.g. in [[Zambia Energy Situation|Zambia]]).<br/>
 *<u>Poor assessment that is mostly compounded by lack of data on the local physical parameters that affect the power output and economics including:</u><br/>
-**Population density within the location of the mini-grid, This will have an influence on the load factor as well as the overall economics of the mini-grid.<br/>
+**Population density within the location of the mini-grid - This will have an influence on the load factor as well as the overall economics of the mini-grid.<br/>
-**Type of terrain, this will have an impact on the various resources required for the mini-grid i.e. the cost of infrastructure, fuel cost (for diesel systems) as well as the operation and financing of the system.
+**Type of terrain - This will have an impact on the various resources required for the mini-grid i.e. the cost of infrastructure, fuel cost (for diesel systems) as well as the operation and financing of the system.
-**Seasonal resource fluctuations- This includes solar isolation, wind speed fluctuations and river flows.
+**Seasonal resource fluctuations - This includes solar isolation, wind speed fluctuations and river flows.
-**Future policies- This policies are important in determining the future investment capacity in renewable energies, as an example it should include suitable sites and an ambitious rapid rural electrification programme.
+**Future policies - These policies are important in determining the future investment capacity in renewable energies, as an example, they should include suitable sites and an ambitious rapid rural electrification programmes.
 *Development of schemes without attention to developing supplementary programes dealing with issues such as market access, '''small medium enerterprise (SME)''' development and working with local financing institutions, has contributed to a lack of demand and inability to sustain the schemes.
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 <references /><br/>
 [[Category:Basic_Energy_Sevices]]