Design and evaluation of microgrids based on renewable energy technologies with a perspective of sustainable development

Global warming, energy poverty issues along with prolonged dependency on conventional sources of energy such as fossil fuels to meet the energy demand have inspired the majority of nations to use nonconventional clean sources of energy. Moreover, the affordability to energy access (cooking/heating and electricity) even for the household for the fast-developing nations such as Brazil, India, and China have many significant challenges. Majority of the populace suffering from energy poverty issue is confined mainly in the rural and remote areas of developing nations such as India and sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, even with technological advancement, providing energy access to such areas is far from reality. Also, to achieve the inclusion of renewable energy technologies in the present power system, thoughtful consideration should be given covering not only technical and economic aspects but also social, environmental, and institutional issues. Microgrid design utilizing the locally available nonconventional energy sources, such as solar, wind, and small hydro, could be a key to providing economical and reliable energy access to such areas with a sustainability perspective.