Planning energy access: Centralized or decentralized electrification - Revision history

Vivien Albers: /* Decentralized Electrification or Off-grid electrification */

2018-07-13T08:57:58Z

Decentralized Electrification or Off-grid electrification

Vivien Albers: /* Decentralized Electrification or Off-grid electrification */

2018-07-13T08:57:39Z

Decentralized Electrification or Off-grid electrification

Johanna: /* Further Information */

2018-06-27T12:06:35Z

Further Information

Arjun Surendra at 08:06, 18 May 2018

2018-05-18T08:06:45Z

Ranisha at 07:39, 2 May 2018

2018-05-02T07:39:10Z

Ranisha at 07:35, 2 May 2018

2018-05-02T07:35:21Z

Johanna: /* Further Information */

2018-05-01T09:27:50Z

Further Information

Johanna at 09:11, 1 May 2018

2018-05-01T09:11:20Z

Johanna at 09:09, 1 May 2018

2018-05-01T09:09:35Z

Show changes

Ranisha at 19:30, 30 April 2018

2018-04-30T19:30:13Z

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 #'''Daily demand supply mismatch''': Mismatch between the hourly curves of generation (typically solar) and of uptake (load curve), which implies the need for energy storage provided by batteries.<br/>
 #'''Size''': As of now mini-systems can only support smaller loads, such as households or limited income generating activities. Scaling up the installed capacity is challenging.<br/>
 #'''Environmental risk''': the inadequate disposal of storage technologies, such as batteries used in off-grid renewable energy solutions, poses significant environmental risks. Thus, take back systems for such technologies must be considered.
 As this is a newer model of electrification, in some countries government policy has not caught up to the latest technology. Some of the issues mentioned herein could be alleviated by the development of appropriate policy measures by governments. This could include easing financing for such projects – such as subsidies, soft loans, rationalizing import duties for panels, formulating tariff guidelines etc., as well as initiating skill development programs and other forms of training to best adapt global best practices to local needs and constraints.

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 = Decentralized Electrification or Off-grid electrification =
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 #'''Skilled manpower''': Skilled manpower to manage and maintain these systems may be lacking in remote rural areas.
 #'''Seasonal demand supply mismatch''': Seasonal variation of demand and supply needs to be considered in the design of these plants. &nbsp;
-#'''Daily demand supply mismatch''': Mismatch between the hourly curves of generation (typically solar) and of uptake (load curve), which implies the need for energy storage provided by batteries.
+#'''Daily demand supply mismatch''': Mismatch between the hourly curves of generation (typically solar) and of uptake (load curve), which implies the need for energy storage provided by batteries.<br/>
-#'''Size''': As of now mini-systems can only support smaller loads, such as households or limited income generating activities. Scaling up the installed capacity is challenging.
+#'''Size''': As of now mini-systems can only support smaller loads, such as households or limited income generating activities. Scaling up the installed capacity is challenging.<br/>
 As this is a newer model of electrification, in some countries government policy has not caught up to the latest technology. Some of the issues mentioned herein could be alleviated by the development of appropriate policy measures by governments. This could include easing financing for such projects – such as subsidies, soft loans, rationalizing import duties for panels, formulating tariff guidelines etc., as well as initiating skill development programs and other forms of training to best adapt global best practices to local needs and constraints.
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 = Discussion =

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 = Further Information =
 {{EnergyAccessPortal}}
-*'''[[:Portal:Energy Access|Energy Access Portal]]'''
+*'''[[:Portal:Energy Access|Energy Access Portal]]'''<br/>
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 = References =

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 = Background =
-<br/>
+<br/>It has been established that energy access is essential for bringing people out of poverty. Unfortunately, while strides have been made in recent years, it is estimated that around 1.03 billion people around the world do not have access to electricity. In addition, a comparable number of people lack access to modern, safe, sustainable, affordable and regular electricity supply.<ref name="International Energy Agency and World Bank, 2017. “Sustainable Energy for All 2017-Progress toward Sustainable Energy.” World Bank, Washington DC."> International Energy Agency and World Bank, 2017. “Sustainable Energy for All 2017-Progress toward Sustainable Energy.” World Bank, Washington DC.</ref> &nbsp;Electricity supply can be provided by either centralized grid- based means, or by decentralized methods.
 There is no one-size-fits all solution to providing energy and each of the available options operates at different scales and serves different specific needs. While there is no universally accepted definition of what the exact scale and capacity of each of these options are, Table 1 gives a general idea of the comparative scale of various decentralized systems.
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 &nbsp;
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 &nbsp;
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+| style="width:116px; height:22px" |
 Mini Grid
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+| style="width:123px; height:22px" |
 Micro Grid
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+| style="width:123px; height:22px" |
 Stand Alone
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 = Centralized Electrification or grid extension =
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 {|
 |-
-| [[File:Minigrid Means Impact.jpg|border|300px]]
+| [[File:Minigrid Means Impact.jpg|border|300px|alt=Minigrid Means Impact.jpg]]
 | Centralized energy supply involves large-scale generation of electricity at a central power plant. This generated electricity is then transported over a distance to consumers through an electric power grid. Conventionally, access to electricity has been expanded by extending the existing electricity supply infrastructure to unserved areas. This involves adding generation capacity, installing new transmission and distribution lines, as well as building and installing associated infrastructure, such as feeders and transformers.
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 As we can see, electrification through grid extension, especially to rural areas, involves huge investment and risk and is usually taken up by governments, rather than private enterprises. Therefore, for grid-connected access to be effective in providing access to the majority of people, there needs to be sustained commitment and a '''long term vision''' from governments to build lasting institutions that '''plan''', '''regulate''', '''implement''' and '''monitor electrification'''. Electricity also needs to be affordable and dependable for maximum uptake, and thus maximum impact, as providing limited electricity to a limited number of people defeats the purpose of electrification.
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 = Decentralized Electrification or Off-grid electrification =
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 {|
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-| [[File:Imm1 1 solar Massai.jpg|border|left|250px]]
+| [[File:Imm1 1 solar Massai.jpg|border|left|250px|alt=Imm1 1 solar Massai.jpg]]
 | Decentralized electrification involves generating electricity at or near the place where it will be used. This involves setting up a smaller scale electricity generating unit and supplying to a limited area. These are generally locally managed and supply smaller loads, such as households. They can be integrated to the grid or be completely off-grid. These units can be powered by fossil fuels, such as diesel generators, or by renewables such as solar PV, wind, biomass, micro hydro and so on.'''<ref name="World Bank. (2017). State of electricity access report (SEAR) 2017. World Bank Washington DC Available at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/364571494517675149/pdf/114841-REVISED-JUNE12-FINAL-SEAR-web-REV-optimized.pdf">World Bank. (2017). State of electricity access report (SEAR) 2017. World Bank Washington DC Available at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/364571494517675149/pdf/114841-REVISED-JUNE12-FINAL-SEAR-web-REV-optimized.pdf</ref>'''
 |}
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 As this is a newer model of electrification, in some countries government policy has not caught up to the latest technology. Some of the issues mentioned herein could be alleviated by the development of appropriate policy measures by governments. This could include easing financing for such projects – such as subsidies, soft loans, rationalizing import duties for panels, formulating tariff guidelines etc., as well as initiating skill development programs and other forms of training to best adapt global best practices to local needs and constraints.
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 = Discussion =
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-Would it be better to continue encouraging decentralized solutions until the grid catches up?
+<br/>Would it be better to continue encouraging decentralized solutions until the grid catches up?
 It is important to understand that energy access through both these routes have their own challenges. For instance, the issue of limited generation capacity in decentralized systems is an important one to consider. While this method is currently beneficial for households with low power needs, it may be inadequate when additional power is needed for industry or agriculture. In such scenarios, grid-based access might be needed to transition to efficient electric pumps for better irrigation, which will produce higher farm incomes, or for setting up small-scale industries and other income-generating activities from home that will require more power. In these scenarios, the decentralized systems could be termed inadequate. Thus, these systems are sometimes considered a pre-grid electrification option that is useful for low loads such as home lighting and TV viewing.<ref name="Bhattacharyya, S. C., & Palit, D. (2016). Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required? Energy Policy, 94, 166–178. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.04.010">Bhattacharyya, S. C., & Palit, D. (2016). Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required? Energy Policy, 94, 166–178. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.04.010</ref>
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 = Conclusions =
-{{Go to Top}}
+<br/>One size does not fit all when it comes to electrification, there is no one perfect solution for all scenarios. We can find the most appropriate solution based on local needs, budgets and priorities. Whether a said area is better suited for grid extension or decentralized micro grids, needs to be carefully examined by using technology such as GIS mapping and examining cost implications and local priorities.
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 {{EnergyAccessPortal}}
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 = References =
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 = Decentralized Electrification or Off-grid electrification =
 <br/>
-Decentralized electrification involves generating electricity at or near the place where it will be used. This involves setting up a smaller scale electricity generating unit and supplying to a limited area. These are generally locally managed and supply smaller loads, such as households. They can be integrated to the grid or be completely off-grid. These units can be powered by fossil fuels, such as diesel generators, or by renewables such as solar PV, wind, biomass, micro hydro and so on.'''<ref name="World Bank. (2017). State of electricity access report (SEAR) 2017. World Bank Washington DC Available at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/364571494517675149/pdf/114841-REVISED-JUNE12-FINAL-SEAR-web-REV-optimized.pdf">World Bank. (2017). State of electricity access report (SEAR) 2017. World Bank Washington DC Available at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/364571494517675149/pdf/114841-REVISED-JUNE12-FINAL-SEAR-web-REV-optimized.pdf</ref>'''
+{|
 With falling costs of renewables and improved electricity storage technology, there is an increased interest in decentralized power supplies because, unlike the extension of the centralized electric grid, smaller scale grids can be set up as a viable business using local investment. &nbsp;It can also serve to increase skill levels and employment opportunities in local populations who may be employed in the construction and maintenance of the decentralized systems. For the end consumer, this could provide an option to access energy without excessive upfront costs when services are combined with micropayment or pay-as-you-go models. This would save them the monthly subscription costs as well as the minimum billing amounts often seen in grid connected systems.
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 = Centralized Electrification or grid extension =
 <br/>
-Centralized energy supply involves large-scale generation of electricity at a central power plant.&nbsp; This generated electricity is then transported over a distance to consumers through an electric power grid. Conventionally, access to electricity has been expanded by extending the existing electricity supply infrastructure to unserved areas. This involves adding generation capacity, installing new transmission and distribution lines, as well as building and installing associated infrastructure, such as feeders and transformers.
+{|
 This method has provided access to 1.7 billion people from 1990-2010, mostly in urban areas<ref name="Bazilian, M. 2013. “Towards Universal Energy Access by 2030: Areas requiring further research,” Presentation to the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, Boulder, CO, February available at http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/news/presentations/bazilian.pdf"> Bazilian, M. 2013. “Towards Universal Energy Access by 2030: Areas requiring further research,” Presentation to the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, Boulder, CO, February available at http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/news/presentations/bazilian.pdf</ref>. It is easier to provide electricity access through grid extension in urban areas due to the concentration of people and the generally higher incomes of potential consumers. While an overwhelming majority of the world’s urban population is connected to electricity, the same cannot be said for people living in rural areas. Although some progress in rural areas has been made, significant challenges remain:
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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:30, 30 April 2018
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	# Bhattacharyya, S. C., & Palit, D. (2016). Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required? Energy Policy, 94, 166–178. Available at [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.04.010 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.04.010]		# Bhattacharyya, S. C., & Palit, D. (2016). Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required? Energy Policy, 94, 166–178. Available at [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.04.010 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.04.010]
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