Abstract
This work proposes a sustainable socio-techno-economic-environmental-political (STEEP) microgrid design framework utilizing locally accessible energy sources for rural electrification for developing/least-developing countries. In the proposed STEEP microgrid framework, four layers of the sub-design process are combined into a single comprehensive design process to find appropriate electrification solutions based on sustainable indices. This study combines various energy sources and storage technologies to find the best viable solution. The first stage of the proposed framework deals with a socio-political evaluation of different energy and storage technologies using decision analysis based on sustainable performance indicators considering variant decision scenarios. In lieu of that, an enhanced decision-making model is proposed to accommodate multiple performance indices with multi-variable scenarios. In the second level of the design process, a techno-market analysis is introduced to check the market suitability of various alternatives for microgrid design. A detailed feasibility analysis is then performed to obtain optimal solutions considering multiple architectures in the subsequent design stage. Furthermore, a control algorithm is also introduced for power management, considering annual load growth at the tertiary level. In the fourth stage of the framework, an extensive environmental and economic analysis is performed using multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) models. Finally, a case study is introduced to determine the optimal electrification solutions based on specific characteristics and requirements for an unelectrified remote community. Various detailed system behavioural results based on yearly, monthly and hourly power profiles with seasonal variations considering annual load growth are also illustrated to show the performance of the optimal microgrid solution.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4213-4246 |
| Number of pages | 34 |
| Journal | Energy and Environmental Science |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 28 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
The authors extend their special gratitude to Mr Ajit Tajo Sonam for his continued support and his immense help in the various data collection of the EKR Region over all these years. Without his constant support, this research would have never been possible. We also thank all the political leaders and representatives across the ideologies for their continued support in carrying out this research work. We thank Er. A. Singh and Er. S. K. Tyagi from State Public Work Department, Government of India, for their help in estimating and designing the various potential reservoirs for pumped hydro storage. We express special thanks to Late. Er. Sunil Dwivedi for helping in data collection, land calculation incorporating state rules, design of pump-hydro storage systems, and presenting views and discussions based on the practical challenges they faced in the actual design of systems. Recently, he passed away in a road accident. However, his contributions are multifarious and formed the base of the work presented in this manuscript. We also thank Er. Nabam Epo Hina, State Power Department, Government of India, for his help in evaluating the pumped hydro storage. We are forever indebted to Er. K. K. Singh, CEO, Brawn Energy Pvt. Ltd, India, who helped arrange several online and offline meetings with several field experts, policymakers, and political leaders throughout all these years. We thank Er. Aditya Kumar Singh for his help in sharing the actual data on the construction status of several energy projects in the EKR region during the COVID-19.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Brawn Energy Pvt. Ltd |
