Search Results (112)

Remote off-grid microgrids are often locked into diesel-backed operation because renewable variability creates multi-day and seasonal energy gaps that short-duration batteries cannot economically bridge. This work examines how renewable hydrogen can complement batteries and dispatchable biomass to push an existing hybrid microgrid toward near-autonomous, low-carbon operation, while remaining robust under future electrification demands. The analysis is based on real operational load insights from a remote off-grid system, combined with techno-economic optimization in HOMER Pro. The examined architecture includes PV panels, battery energy storage, a biomass CHP unit, and a diesel generator as backup; the hydrogen pathway additionally incorporates an electrolysis, storage and a PEMFC. Three scenarios are considered: a baseline PV/BAT configuration, an intermediate PV/BAT/BIO configuration that strengthens dispatchable renewable supply and short-term flexibility, and a PV/BAT/BIO/H₂ configuration targeting an increase in renewable energy penetration (REP). Results show that hydrogen integration shifts the system from curtailment-limited, diesel-supported operation to storage-enabled operation: surplus renewable production that would otherwise be curtailed is converted into hydrogen and later dispatched during prolonged deficits, enabling deep diesel displacement without compromising reliability. Hydrogen-enabled configurations achieve 90–99% REP, reduced diesel consumption, and lower CO₂ emissions, primarily by converting curtailed surplus into storable hydrogen. A rule-based EMS highlights technology complementarity across timescales, with batteries providing diurnal balancing and hydrogen covering longer deficits, which also reduces battery cycling stress. Overall, the study clarifies key design trade-offs, especially the need for coordinated PV expansion and storage sizing, and illustrates how a multi-storage portfolio can support high renewable penetration in such systems. Full article

This paper presents the design and analysis of solar systems for agricultural applications and the sustainable energy supply of villages, based on a case study of a rural settlement comprising 30 households. The village energy demand is quantified through a detailed assessment of hourly load profiles for daytime and nighttime operation, identifying peak loads and total daily energy consumption. Energy usage patterns are established for residential buildings, agricultural water pumping, public lighting, healthcare facilities, and commercial services. To meet these energy requirements sustainably, a 60 kW photovoltaic (PV) system is proposed in combination with a solar thermal water heating system designed to supply domestic and agricultural hot water. This study details the design methodology and simulation of the solar thermal system, including heat transfer modeling and system dimensioning. MATLAB (V.22b) simulations are conducted to evaluate system performance, covering PV energy generation, battery charge–discharge cycles, and thermal behavior over a 24 h period. Comparative analyses of standalone PV, hybrid PV/T, and combined PV and solar thermal configurations demonstrate that separate PV and thermal systems provide superior cost-effectiveness, operational reliability, and reduced maintenance requirements. The results confirm the technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental benefits of solar-based solutions for rural electrification and agricultural applications. The results indicate that the analyzed rural settlement has an estimated daily electricity demand of approximately 590 kWh. Based on this demand, a 60 kW photovoltaic system was selected to ensure sufficient daytime electricity production while also allowing battery charging for nighttime consumption. In addition, the solar thermal system can increase the water temperature from approximately 10 °C to 55–80 °C, depending on solar irradiance conditions. The combined PV and solar thermal configuration demonstrates the potential to provide a reliable and sustainable energy solution for rural off-grid communities. Full article

The Philippines, which is rich in natural resources, has significant biomass potential. Among the country’s renewable energy sources, biomass is currently the slowest-growing in terms of power generation. Various types of biomass resources with full or partial use in Laguna Province include bagasse, sweet sorghum, coconut, rice husk, corn cobs, and municipal solid waste. Additionally, the adoption and implementation of HRESs (hybrid renewable energy systems) are mainly achieved through large-scale projects. This paper intentionally showcases highly optimized hybrid configurations for off-grid microgrids to promote rural electrification in Laguna, with a focus on various technoeconomic parameters, specifically the minimization of net present costs and the levelized cost of electricity across all simulations. Each off-grid scenario was compared with scenarios featuring hybrid renewable energy systems incorporating a biomass generator. Laguna, one of the few provinces in the Philippines with all forms of renewable energy systems present, each with high renewable energy potential and renewable fraction values, was selected as the primary study site in this paper. After optimizing and analyzing technoeconomic parameters such as the net present cost and the levelized cost of electricity, a hybrid biomass-solar-wind energy system is proposed to power off-grid areas in Laguna, thereby supporting rural electrification and decarbonization goals. Scenario simulations and comparisons using hybrid optimization demonstrate that adding battery backup systems improves both economic and environmental performance. This paper highlights two key benefits of including a biomass generator: (1) a 17.0% reduction in long-term carbon emissions for the entire system and (2) approximately 9.4% savings in operation and maintenance costs after seven years. The optimization results support the goal of providing Laguna with power through off-grid, decentralized, community-based hybrid renewable energy systems. Full article

Sub-Saharan Africa’s cereal yields remain ~60% below global benchmarks, while unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) adoption in smallholder systems averages below 2–3% across major economies, revealing a performance–adoption disconnect that requires systematic investigation. This Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 synthesis of 127 sources quantifies the performance of UAV sensors and identifies mechanisms that constrain their adoption across regional agricultural systems. Random-effects meta-analysis synthesized evidence from 81 quantitative studies, yielding 101 total observations. Pooled detection accuracy was estimated from 49 studies contributing 52 observations (mean 90.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 89.8–92.6%). Yield prediction performance was assessed from 32 studies contributing 49 observations (pooled coefficient of determination (R²) = 0.841, 95% CI: 0.827–0.855), validating technical feasibility. Cost-effectiveness analysis reveals significant performance–price differentiation: red-green-blue (RGB) sensors achieve 89.4% accuracy at United States Dollar (USD) 16.50 per percentage point versus hyperspectral systems at 93.7% accuracy but at USD 132.17 per point, resulting in a 25.6 times cost differential. Yield prediction models demonstrate robust performance (R² = 0.81; cereal crops R² = 0.82). Barrier analysis identifies economic constraints as the primary limiter, with capital requirements reaching 0.8–3.1 times the annual smallholder income. Infrastructure deficits impose secondary constraints, particularly in rural electrification, below 50%. Case study synthesis reveals that coordinated interventions addressing multiple barriers simultaneously—cooperative ownership, off-grid infrastructure, and streamlined regulation—achieve substantially higher adoption than isolated approaches. Engineering economics positions RGB platforms for individual deployment and multispectral systems for cooperative scales (20–50 farmers), establishing feasible deployment pathways for tens of million regional smallholder operations. Full article

This paper examines the application of an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for voltage regulation in a small-scale wind turbine (SWT) system intended for off-grid rural electrification in Uzbekistan. The proposed architecture consists of a wind turbine, a permanent-magnet DC generator, and a buck converter supplying a regulated 48 V DC load. While ANFIS-based control has been reported previously for wind energy systems, the novelty of this work lies in its focused application to a DC-generator-based SWT topology using real wind data from the Bukhara region, together with a rigorous quantitative comparison against a conventional PI controller under both constant- and reconstructed variable-wind conditions. Dynamic performance was evaluated through MATLAB/Simulink simulations incorporating IEC-compliant wind turbulence modeling. Quantitative results show that the ANFIS controller achieves faster settling, reduced voltage ripple, and improved disturbance rejection compared to PI control. The findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of ANFIS-based voltage regulation for decentralized DC wind energy systems, while recognizing that economic viability and environmental benefits require further system-level and experimental assessment. Full article

Remote northern regions face unique energy challenges due to geographic isolation, harsh climates, and limited access to centralized power grids. In response to growing environmental and economic pressures, there is a rising interest in hybrid energy systems that integrate renewable and conventional sources. This study investigates sustainable and cost-effective energy supply strategies for off-grid northern communities through the modeling and simulation of multi-energy microgrids. Focusing on case studies from Yakutia (Russia), Hordaland (Norway), and Alaska (United States), the research employs a comprehensive methodology that combines a critical literature review, system design using HOMER Pro software (version 3.16.2), and a comparative analysis of simulation outcomes. Three distinct microgrid configurations are proposed, incorporating various combinations of solar photovoltaic (PV), wind energy, diesel generators, and battery storage systems. The findings reveal that integrating solar PV significantly enhances economic efficiency, particularly in regions with high solar irradiance, underscoring its pivotal role in shaping resilient, sustainable energy systems for remote northern areas. This study is innovative in its cross-regional comparative approach, linking techno-economic simulation with climatic variability analysis to identify context-specific energy strategies. The key findings highlight how hybrid microgrids combining PV, wind, and storage systems can reduce both costs and emissions by up to 35% compared to diesel-only systems, offering practical pathways toward sustainable electrification in high-latitude regions. Full article

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) are a practical solution for providing reliable, low-carbon electricity to off-grid and remote communities. This review examines the role of energy storage within HRESs by systematically comparing electrochemical, mechanical, thermal, and hydrogen-based technologies in terms of technical performance, lifecycle cost, operational constraints, and environmental impact. We synthesize findings from implemented off-grid projects across multiple countries to evaluate real-world performance metrics, including renewable fraction, expected energy not supplied (EENS), lifecycle cost, and operation & maintenance burdens. Special attention is given to the emerging role of hydrogen as a long-term and cross-sector energy carrier, addressing its technical, regulatory, and financial barriers to widespread deployment. In addition, the paper reviews real-world implementations of off-grid HRES in various countries, summarizing practical outcomes and lessons for system design and policy. The discussion also includes recent advances in metaheuristic optimization algorithms, which have improved planning efficiency, system reliability, and cost-effectiveness. By combining technological, operational, and policy perspectives, this review identifies current challenges and future directions for developing sustainable, resilient, and economically viable HRES that can accelerate equitable electrification in remote areas. Finally, the review outlines key limitations and future directions, calling for more systematic quantitative studies, long-term field validation of emerging technologies, and the development of intelligent, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven energy management systems within broader socio-techno-economic frameworks. Overall, this work offers concise insights to guide researchers and policymakers in advancing the practical deployment of sustainable and resilient HRES. Full article

Renewable energy sources offer a promising future, backed by mature technologies and a viable pathway toward sustainable energy systems. However, careful planning is necessary to efficiently utilize these resources, especially during site selection. Many rural areas lack access to grid electricity, making off-grid hybrid wind-solar power an attractive solution. In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, no such research has been conducted before. This study aims to identify suitable sites for hybrid wind-solar power for rural electrification using Geographic Information System (GIS), Analytic Hierarchy Process, and Monte Carlo simulation. The criteria fall into three categories: Climate, Topography, and Infrastructure, prioritized through pairwise comparisons by thirteen experts from five organizations engaged in renewable energy research, planning, and operations. Monte Carlo simulation was used for sensitivity analysis to address uncertainties in expert judgments and validate the rankings. The spatial analysis reveals 6470 km² as highly suitable for off-grid solar, 76 km² for off-grid wind with predominant easterly winds, and 177 km² as most favorable for hybrid generation. Areas of good suitability measure 447 km² for wind, 44,128 km² for solar, and 16,695 km² for hybrid systems. Based on this assessment, techno-economic analysis quantified the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) under varying solar–wind shares and battery autonomy days. The analysis shows a minimum LCOE of $0.23/kWh with one-day storage and $0.58/kWh with three-day storage, indicating shorter autonomy is more cost-effective while longer autonomy enhances reliability. Sensitivity analysis shows financial parameters, particularly discount rate and battery capital cost, dominate system economics. Full article

Global warming and the energy crisis are two significant challenges in the world. The prime sources of greenhouse gas emissions are the transportation and power generation sectors because they rely on fossil fuels. To overcome these problems, the world needs to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy sources (RESs) as sustainable solutions. The rapid evolution of electric mobility is largely driven by the development of EV charging infrastructures (EVCIs), which provide the essential support for large-scale EV adoption. As the number of CIs grows, the utility grid faces more challenges, such as power quality issues, power demand, voltage instability, etc. These issues affect the grid performance, along with the battery lifecycle of the EVs and the charging system. A charging infrastructure integrated with the RES-based microgrid (MG) is an effective way to moderate the problem. Also, these methods are about reframing how smart sustainable cities generate, distribute, and consume energy. MG-based CI operates on-grid and off-grid based on the charging demand and trades electricity with the utility grid when required. This paper presents state-of-the-art transportation electrification, MG classification, and various energy sources in the DC MG. The grid-integrated DC MG, international standards for EV integration with the grid, impacts of CI on the electrical network, and potential methods to curtail the negative impact of EVs on the utility grid are explored comprehensively. The negative impact of EV load on the voltage profile and power loss of the IEEE 33 bus system is analysed in three diverse cases. This paper also provides directions for further research on grid-integrated DC MG-based charging infrastructure. Full article

Investing in large-scale hydropower is on the rise in Ethiopia in accordance with the country’s climate-resilient green economy strategy. Rural electrification is a top priority on the development agenda of the country, with very limited off-grid interventions. Although small-scale hydropower can bring various social and economic benefits compared to other off-grid solutions, it is hardly localized in the country. The motivation for this research is to break this technological bottleneck by synergizing and strengthening the local capacity. Accordingly, this paper presents the full-scale crossflow turbine design and development process of a power plant constructed to give electricity access to about 450 households in a rural village called Amentila. Based on a site survey and the resource potential, the power plant was designed for a 125 kW peak at 0.3 m³/s of discharge with a 53 m head. The crossflow was selected based on the head, discharge, and simplicity of development with the available local capacities. The detailed design of the turbine and its auxiliary components was developed and simulated using SolidWorks and CFD ANSYS CFX. The power plant has a run-of-river design, targeting provision of power during peak hours. This study demonstrates an off-grid engineering solution with applied research on the water–energy–food–environment nexus. Full article

This study presents a novel multi-objective optimization (MOO) model for the design of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) to support sustainable agriculture and rural development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Based upon a case study selected in Linia (Chad), three system architectures are compared under different levels of the reliability requirements (LPSP = 1%, 5%, and 10%). A Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is applied to optimize the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), CO₂ emissions mitigation, and social impact, referring to the Human Development Index (HDI) enhancement and the job creation (JC) opportunity, using the MATLAB R2024b environment. The calculation results show that among the three configuration schemes, the PV–Wind–Battery configuration obtains the optimal techno–economic–environmental coordination, with the lowest LCOE (0.0948 $/kWh) and the largest CO₂ emission reduction (9.58 × 10⁸ kg), and the Wind–Battery system gets the most social benefit. The method developed provides users with a decision-support method for renewable energy systems (RES) integration into rural agricultural settings, taking into consideration financial cost, environmental sustainability, and community development. This information is important for policymakers and practitioners advocating for decentralized, socially inclusive clean energy access initiatives in underserved regions. Full article

Electricity access deficits remain acute in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where more than 600 million people lack reliable supply. Green hydrogen, produced through renewable-powered electrolysis, is increasingly recognized as a transformative energy carrier for decentralized systems due to its capacity for long-duration storage, sector coupling, and near-zero carbon emissions. This review adheres strictly to the PRISMA 2020 methodology, examining 190 records and synthesizing 80 peer-reviewed articles and industry reports released from 2010 to 2025. The review covers hydrogen production processes, hybrid renewable integration, techno-economic analysis, environmental compromises, global feasibility, and enabling policy incentives. The findings show that Alkaline (AEL) and PEM electrolyzers are immediately suitable for off-grid scenarios, whereas Solid Oxide (SOEC) and Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzers present high potential for future deployment. For Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the levelized costs of hydrogen (LCOH) are in the range of EUR5.0–7.7/kg. Nonetheless, estimates from the learning curve indicate that these costs could fall to between EUR1.0 and EUR1.5 per kg by 2050, assuming there is (i) continued public support for the technology innovation, (ii) appropriate, flexible, and predictable regulation, (iii) increased demand for hydrogen, and (iv) a stable and long-term policy framework. Environmental life-cycle assessments indicate that emissions are nearly zero, but they also highlight serious concerns regarding freshwater usage, land occupation, and dependence on platinum group metals. Namibia, South Africa, and Kenya exhibit considerable promise in the early stages of development, while Niger demonstrates the feasibility of deploying modular, community-scale systems in challenging conditions. The study concludes that green hydrogen cannot be treated as an integrated solution but needs to be regarded as part of blended off-grid systems. To improve its role, targeted material innovation, blended finance, and policies bridging export-oriented applications to community-scale access must be established. It will then be feasible to ensure that hydrogen contributes meaningfully to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 7 in SSA. Full article

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) can be an effective and sustainable way to provide electricity for remote and rural villages in Morocco; however, the design and optimization of such systems can be a challenging and difficult task. In this context, the objective of this research is to design and optimize different (HRESs) that incorporate various renewable energy technologies, namely Photovoltaics (PVs), wind turbines, and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), whereas biomass generators and batteries are used as a storage medium. Overall, 15 scenarios based on different HRES configurations were designed, simulated, and optimized by the HOMER software for the site of Ain Beni Mathar, located in eastern Morocco. Furthermore, the potential CO₂ emissions reduction from the different scenarios was estimated as well. The results show that the scenario including PVs and batteries is most cost-effective due to favorable climatic conditions and low costs. In fact, the most optimal HRES from a technical and economic standpoint is composed of a 48.8 kW PV plant, 213 batteries, a converter capacity of 43.8 kW, and an annual production of 117.5 MWh with only 8.8% excess energy, leading to an LCOE of 0.184 USD/kWh with a CO₂ emissions reduction of 81.7 tons per year, whereas scenarios with wind turbines, CSP, and biomass exhibit a higher LCOE in the range of 0.472–1.15 USD/kWh. This study’s findings confirm the technical and economic viability of HRESs to supply 100% of the electricity demand for rural Moroccan communities, through a proper HRES design. Full article

The electrification of rural medical centers in high Andean areas represents a critical challenge for equitable development due to limited access to reliable energy. Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs), which combine solar photovoltaic generation, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs), and backup diesel generators, are emerging as viable solutions to ensure the supply of critical loads. However, their effective implementation requires optimal sizing methodologies that consider multiple technical and economic constraints and objectives. In this study, an optimization model based on metaheuristic algorithms is developed, specifically, Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), to identify optimal configurations of an HRES applied to a remote medical center in the Peruvian Andes. The results show that GA achieved the lowest Life Cycle Cost (LCC), with a high share of renewable energy (64.04%) and zero Energy Not Supplied (ENS) defined as the amount of load demand not met by the system, significantly outperforming PSO and ACO. GA was also found to offer greater stability and operational robustness. These findings confirm the effectiveness of metaheuristic methods for designing efficient and resilient energy solutions adapted to isolated rural contexts. Full article

Mining (1) operations in remote areas (2) face significant challenges related to energy supply, high fuel costs, and limited infrastructure. This study investigates the potential for achieving energy independence (3) and resilience (4) in such environments through the integration of renewable energy sources (5) and battery–electric mining equipment. Using the “Studena Vrila” underground bauxite mine as a case study, a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental analysis was conducted across three development models. These models explore incremental scenarios of solar and wind energy adoption combined with electrification of mobile machinery. The methodology includes calculating levelized cost of energy (LCOE), return on investment (ROI), and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions under each scenario. Results demonstrate that a full transition to RES and electric machinery can reduce diesel consumption by 100%, achieve annual savings of EUR 149,814, and cut GHG emissions by over 1.7 million kg CO₂-eq. While initial capital costs are high, all models yield a positive Net Present Value (NPV), confirming long-term economic viability. This research provides a replicable framework for decarbonizing mining operations in off-grid and infrastructure-limited regions. Full article