Optimal Design of Off-Grid Power Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Electricity is essential for modern services, appliances, and communication devices, both in a metropolis and in a rural village of a developing country, but the quality and the reliability of this energy vector is very diverse worldwide. Off-grid systems can be cost-effective solutions to provide reliable service also in unconventional situations and remote areas.

In developed countries, most areas are served by the public grid, but some islands and rural territories can be so far from the main continental power system that the corresponding grids are weak or hard to connect to. As a result, many islands and remote communities are supplied by decentralized systems (often diesel-based), because extending the public grid to such locations would be too expensive. Furthermore, depending on the economic and social peculiarities of the context under examination, the power quality and continuity of the industrial process are serious concerns; thus, it is useful that some fractions of the power system, even when usually grid-connected, are able to temporarily operate off-grid, so that when a fault or a blackout occurs in the main network, the local process remains supplied. This means that off-grid systems can be required both for economic and technical reasons, even when a main power grid already exists.

In developing countries, rural areas are rarely electrified, and the population often lacks cheap and reliable electricity service, thus leading to significant social, economic, and healthcare inequalities, described in the Sustainable Development Goals. Due to the small economic activities and the low population density, the corresponding demand is often so limited that does not justify the investment for long transmission lines. Thus, local power systems are seen as promising cost-effective solutions for rural electrification, especially when no service is available, or the public power grid is weak and unreliable. However, accurate economic analyses are required to identify the cost effectiveness and profitability of these solutions, also accounting for the social, economic, political, and technical benefits, such as healthcare concerns, education, and local job creation, among others. Despite the potential benefits of these solutions, private companies are often hindered to enter this market due to the high relevant risks, which shall be compensated by adequate profit opportunities. This is the reason innovative business models are encouraged, considering, for example, the circular economy, the water–energy–food nexus, remote control, pre-paid metering or demand response, among others.

For off-grid systems, exploiting local energy resources, such as solar, wind, hydro or (bio-)fuel, possibly combined with cogeneration, is crucial to cut down long-term costs. The considered solution shall be tailored to the specific context to maximize the economic, environmental, and social benefits. In order to match load and renewable production curves, and their uncertainties, energy storage is then crucial, but this poses complex issues of correct sizing and operation.

Given this context, and especially considering the expected growth in off-grid systems, this Special Issue aims to collect original research and studies on the abovementioned multidisciplinary topics, including all technical, economic, policy, and social aspects related to the optimal design of off-grid power systems. Papers selected for this Special Issue will be subject to a rigorous peer review procedure, with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments, and applications.

We are writing to invite you to submit your original work to this Special Issue, and we look forward to receiving your outstanding research.

Prof. Dr. Davide Poli
Dr. Davide Fioriti
Guest Editors

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