Search Results (94)

Access to clean cooking remains a major challenge in rural and off-grid areas where traditional fuels are costly, harmful, or scarce. Solar cooking offers a sustainable solution, but many existing systems suffer from fixed positioning and low efficiency. This study presents a low-cost, dual-axis solar tracking parabolic dish cooker designed for such regions, featuring adjustable pot holder height and portability for ease of use. The system uses an Arduino UNO, LDR sensors, and a DC gear motor to automate sun tracking, ensuring optimal alignment throughout the day. A 0.61 m parabolic dish with ≥97% reflective silver-coated mirrors concentrates sunlight to temperatures exceeding 300 °C. Performance tests in April, June, and November showed boiling times as low as 3.37 min in high-irradiance conditions (7.66 kWh/m²/day) and 6.63 min under lower-irradiance conditions (3.86 kWh/m²/day). Compared to fixed or single-axis systems, this design achieved higher thermal efficiency and reliability, even under partially cloudy skies. Built with locally available materials, the system offers an affordable, clean, and effective cooking solution that supports energy access, health, and sustainability in underserved communities. Full article

Off-grid and isolated rural communities in developing countries with limited resources require energy supplies for daily residential use and social, economic, and commercial activities. The use of data from space assets and space-based solar power is a feasible solution for addressing ground-based energy insecurity when harnessed in a hybrid manner. Advances in space solar power systems are recognized to be feasible sources of renewable energy. Their usefulness arises due to advances in satellite and space technology, making valuable space data available for smart grid design in these remote areas. In this case study, an isolated village in Namibia, characterized by high levels of solar irradiation and limited wind availability, is identified. Using NASA data, an autonomous hybrid system incorporating a solar photovoltaic array, a wind turbine, storage batteries, and a backup generator is designed. The local load profile, solar irradiation, and wind speed data were employed to ensure an accurate system model. Using HOMER Pro software V 3.14.2 for system simulation, a more advanced AI optimization was performed utilizing Grey Wolf Optimization and Harris Hawks Optimization, which are two metaheuristic algorithms. The results obtained show that the best performance was obtained with the Grey Wolf Optimization algorithm. This method achieved a minimum energy cost of USD 0.268/kWh. This paper presents the results obtained and demonstrates that advanced optimization techniques can enhance both the hybrid system’s financial cost and energy production efficiency, contributing to a sustainable electricity supply regime in this isolated rural community. Full article

Energy poverty is a significant barrier to sustainable development, limiting access to modern energy solutions and exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities in South Africa. This research identifies key socioeconomic factors contributing to energy poverty among off-grid households using the household-specific energy poverty line. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a well-structured questionnaire among 53 households. The findings reveal significant gender disparities, with female-headed households being more vulnerable to energy poverty, which continues to subject them to economic hardship and social marginalization. Additionally, while larger households generally face higher energy demands, they were found to be less likely to experience energy poverty. The findings also challenge the ‘energy ladder hypothesis’ by showing that education, while potentially enabling better energy awareness, does not guarantee improved energy access in off-grid areas due to infrastructural limitations. Social grant dependency was found to be strongly correlated with energy poverty, underscoring the inadequacy of income transfers in addressing the systemic barriers to energy access. The findings emphasize the need for multidimensional, gender-responsive policy interventions that address both infrastructural and socioeconomic barriers to energy access, particularly in rural South Africa. These insights are crucial for developing targeted interventions to alleviate energy poverty and foster sustainable development in off-grid communities. Full article

Transitioning to clean energy in off-grid remote locations is essential to reducing fossil-fuel-generated greenhouse gas emissions and supporting renewable energy growth. While hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES), including multiple renewable energy (RE) sources and energy storage systems are instrumental, it requires technical reliability with economic efficiency. This study examines the feasibility of an HRES incorporating solar, wind, hydrogen, and biofuel energy at a remote location in Australia. An electric vehicle charging load alongside a residential load is considered to lower transportation-based emissions. Additionally, the input data (load profile and solar data) is validated through statistical analysis, ensuring data reliability. HOMER Pro software is used to assess the techno-economic and environmental performance of the hybrid systems. Results indicate that the optimal HRES comprising of photovoltaic, wind turbines, fuel cell, battery, and biodiesel generators provides a net present cost of AUD 9.46 million and a cost of energy of AUD 0.183, outperforming diesel generator-inclusive systems. Hydrogen energy-based FC offered the major backup supply, indicating the potential role of hydrogen energy in maintaining reliability in off-grid hybrid systems. Sensitivity analysis observes the effect of variations in biodiesel price and electric load on the system performance. Environmentally, the proposed system is highly beneficial, offering zero carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions, contributing to the global net-zero target. The implications of this research highlight the necessity of a regional clean energy policy facilitating energy planning and implementation, skill development to nurture technology-intensive energy projects, and active community engagement for a smooth energy transition. Potentially, the research outcome advances the understanding of HRES feasibility for remote locations and offers a practical roadmap for sustainable energy solutions. Full article

Modular construction provides numerous benefits over traditional methods, especially when combined with digital technologies, offering a faster, safer, leaner, and more sustainable construction environment. This literature review follows the PRISMA method to assess recent advancements in digital-oriented modular construction towards a sustainable and climate-neutral built environment, identifying research trends and gaps based on three pillars: digital tools, building solutions, and environmental sustainability. This review examines the integration of digital technologies with modular construction methods, extending the analysis to circular and bioclimatic efforts, renewable energy sources, and passive building design strategies. While most articles focus on BIM uses, there is an increasing emphasis on IoT applications that leverage real-time data to achieve sustainability goals. However, no full-scale automated Digital Twin was found in this context. Additionally, Building Energy Modelling (BEM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools are frequently discussed, reflecting the push for climate-friendly housing. Despite the interest in parametric and generative design, the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence applications for sustainable modular construction strategies remains underexplored. Only a few papers acknowledged reaching nZEB requirements despite the great emphasis on passive building solutions and renewable energy sources that contribute to this goal. However, material circularity has yet to achieve its full potential for sustainable modular construction. Moreover, there is some interest in off-grid modular buildings, although further research should be undertaken to analyse the modular construction feasibility for sustainable off-grid communities. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential of digitalisation in modular construction to enhance efficiency and ensure environmental sustainability within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. Full article

People, communities, and economies in small island developing states are extremely vulnerable to climate change, disasters, and other crises. Renewable energy can play an important part in building the resilience of these communities. Three case studies were conducted in Fiji (i.e., a grid-connected secondary school with roof-top solar PV and biogas, an off-grid community with solar home systems, and a farm that uses solar PV for irrigation) to demonstrate how renewable energy initiatives build community resilience. This study used the community resilience framework, RETScreen tool, information gathered from key informants’ interviews, and secondary data sources to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses. It found that seven community assets, i.e., human, social, cultural, financial, natural, built, and political assets, are enhanced, leading to an increase in absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities for these communities. Furthermore, current research shows that human capital is one of the key instruments in the adoption of new innovative technologies. The results from this study can be used by decisionmakers to promote and implement similar technologies in communities, which not only provide clean electricity and clean cooking energy for climate change mitigation but also build community resilience. Full article

Renewable energy has high volatility in the traditional off-grid AC hydrogen (H₂) production system, which leads to low reliability of the system operation. To address this issue, this paper designs the topology scheme of wind-photovoltaic generation powered off-grid H₂ production system. Firstly, a DC off-grid system topology scheme with the wind turbine (WT) and photovoltaic (PV) is connected to the medium voltage DC bus by two-stage conversion is proposed. The power fluctuation of WT and PV generation systems and the power-adjustable characteristics of electrolyzers are taken into consideration. Meanwhile, the scheme of distributed access of energy storage (ES) to the WT side and PV side to provide the voltage support for the system is proposed. Secondly, the operating characteristics of DC microgrids and AC microgrids under abnormal operating conditions, such as the fault of the source side, the fault of the load side, and communication interruption, are analyzed in this paper. Finally, the electromagnetic transient simulation model of the DC off-grid H₂ production system and the traditional AC off-grid H₂ production system is established. The effectiveness of the proposed topology scheme is verified by simulation of typical operating conditions. Full article

As a global community our use of data is increasing exponentially with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), leading to a vast increase in the energy demand for data centres worldwide. Delivering this increased energy demand is a global challenge, which the rapid growth of renewable generation deployment could solve. For many data centre giants such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft this has been the solution to date via power purchase agreements (PPAs). However, insufficient investment in grid infrastructure globally has both renewable generation developers and data centre developers facing challenges to connect to the grid. This paper considers the costs and carbon emissions associated with stand-alone hybrid renewable and gas generation microgrids that could be deployed either before a grid connection is available, or to allow the data centre to operate entirely off-grid. WindPRO 4.0 software is used to find optimal configurations with wind and solar generation, backed up by battery storage and onsite gas generation. The results show that off-grid generation could provide lower cost and carbon emissions for each of Europe’s data centre hotspots in Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin. This paper compares each generation configuration to grid equivalent systems and an onsite gas-only generation solution. The results showed that each hybrid renewable generation configuration had a reduced levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and reduced CO₂eq emissions compared to that of its grid and gas-only equivalent. Previous literature does not consider the economic implications caused by a mismatch between generation and consumption. Therefore, this paper introduces a new metric to evaluate and compare the economic performance of each microgrid, the levelized cost of energy utilised (LCOEu) which gives the levelized cost of energy for a given microgrid considering only the energy which is consumed by the data centre. The LCOEu across all sites was found to be between 70 and 102 GBP/MWh with emissions between 0.021 and 0.074 tCO₂eq/MWh. Full article

Efficiently managing and prioritising the charging of portable electronic devices powered by solar photovoltaic sources in off-grid and resource-limited environments is a huge problem. Ensuring that critical devices maintain operational uptime, especially when energy resources are scarce and in instances where multiple devices compete for charging from the limited solar power available is crucial. This paper introduces an optimisation framework designed to prioritise the charging of portable electronic devices powered by solar photovoltaic sources. The approach aims to maximise operational uptime for critical loads before addressing less essential ones. By strategically allocating charging priorities based on comprehensive evaluations of battery capacities, usage patterns, and operational requirements, the optimisation process seeks to enhance overall efficiency and readiness of portable electronic devices in dynamic, austere and resource-constrained settings. The charging prioritisation problem was solved using MATLAB’s (version number 9.13.0.2193358 (R2022b)) OPTI toolbox in conjuction with the SCIP solver. A case study, involving three portable electronic devices—a cellphone, GPS and radio, demonstrated the model’s effectiveness in maximising satisfaction by aggregating device priorities over time. The model prioritised charging of the GPS due to its critical operational role, followed by the radio for its essential communication function, while the cellphone, with lower usage demands, was assigned the lowest priority. The model developed in this study is versatile and applicable to diverse demand profiles and any number of portable electronic devices. Furthermore, it can be customised to operate effectively in various geographic locations, irrespective of solar radiation levels. Full article

Sub-Saharan Africa, especially its rural areas, faces significant challenges in achieving universal electrification despite its abundant renewable energy resources. The region has the highest population without access to electricity, largely due to economic, infrastructural, and geographical barriers. Energy poverty is a critical issue that hinders sustainable development and exacerbates inequalities. Namibia’s sustainable energy policy aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7, which aims to provide affordable and reliable modern energy access for all. The policy emphasizes mini-grids and decentralized power systems as key strategies for rural electrification. However, despite increased deployment of mini-grids, these solutions often struggle with long-term sustainability. This research explores cost-effective electrification strategies through scenario-based modeling to reduce energy poverty and expand energy access in Namibia’s rural communities, focusing on the existing mini-grids in Tsumkwe and Gam. Using a comprehensive methodology that incorporates HOMER Pro for mini-grid capacity expansion and MS Excel for evaluating main-grid extensions, this study aims to identify the most feasible and economical electrification solutions. The analysis compares electricity supply, total net present cost, and the levelized cost of electricity across these systems. The findings will offer insights into addressing energy poverty in Namibia and provide recommendations for sustainable and scalable rural electrification across Sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

South Africa’s extensive marine energy resources present a unique opportunity for advancing sustainable energy solutions. This study focuses on developing a sustainable hybrid power generation system that combines offshore wind and tidal current energy to provide a stable, renewable energy supply for off-grid coastal communities. By addressing the challenges of intermittency and unpredictability in renewable energy sources, the proposed system integrates wind and tidal energy with energy storage and diesel backup to ensure reliability while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing the environmental footprint. The system is optimized for sustainability, with a configuration of one wind turbine, five tidal turbines, and a diesel generator demonstrated to be the most effective in increasing the renewable energy fraction and lowering the net present cost. Simulations conducted using HOMER Pro version 3.20 software underscore the potential of this hybrid system to support South Africa’s transition to a more sustainable energy future, aligning with national and global sustainability goals. The results emphasize the environmental benefits of combining these renewable energy sources, offering a blueprint for achieving energy security and sustainable development in coastal regions. Full article

This paper aims to explore the feasibility of establishing self-sufficient electricity generation systems in off-grid remote communities using renewable energy sources. It provides an overview of current trends and developments in Renewable Energy Communities worldwide, with a focus on remote locations. To assess the technical feasibility, simulations were conducted using PVGIS for irradiation data and a load generator for energy consumption data. Different scenarios combining photovoltaic modules with lithium-ion battery systems were simulated using a dedicated optimization model developed in the PYTHON environment. The simulations aimed to size the entire system for three distinct locations: Congo, Australia, and Canada. The optimal number of PV modules determined for each location was 50 for Congo and 55 for Australia, and the battery system sizes were found to be 225 kWh and 150 kWh, respectively, admitting usual practices for the energy not supplied. The results obtained regarding Canada pointed to a system difficult to justify from an economic standpoint due to challenging weather conditions, namely, the existence of several consecutive days without irradiation. Full article

Inequality and the lack of basic services are problems that affect some regions of the Amazon. Among these services, electricity is considered essential for quality of life, but it is still scarce. In some cases, the absence of electricity brings with it concerns that impact human health, well-being, and development. In this context, this research proposes to develop the sizing of a modular and expandable system for generating electricity with off-grid energy storage to serve single-family homes of river dwellers (from 2 to 8 people) in isolated communities in the Amazon. The research presents and demonstrates the Proknow-C systematic methodology, which shows a systematic approach to rigorous and structured literature reviews. The Amazon Kit concept covers the systems and configurations that can be proposed for single-family homes in the Amazon. The sizing of the Amazon Kit is carried out, ranging from data mapping to estimating consumption per person in homes, followed by the analytical calculation of the solar photovoltaic system—off the grid, considering the basis of the CRESESB portal. SAM (version 2023.12.17) and HOMER PRO^® (Version 3.16.2) software is used to simulate and validate the systems. Thus validating the sizing and configuration according to the mapped data and per capita consumption and validating the operability and functionality according to the operating regime, respectively. In this manner, the system depicted in the design and specifications can be adapted to the requirements of single-family dwellings. Furthermore, it offers convenient system maintenance, with an inverter that operates in various configurations (on, off, and zero grid), as well as energy storage for days without sunlight or system maintenance. As a result, the system uses renewable technologies to provide electricity services, filling a significant gap in the literature found in the research. It also offers a sustainable and affordable solution to improve the quality of life and reduce dependence on non-renewable sources. Full article

Household energy is critical for sustainable development, but many rural and off-grid communities lack access. As global concerns about climate change prompt a re-evaluation of energy strategies, understanding rural household energy decisions becomes increasingly complex, particularly in remote areas without grid access. This study examines the energy decisions of households in the Upper Blinkwater community to uncover the primary drivers for their choice of energy amidst grid connections. Survey data from 53 households were analyzed using multivariate regression. The findings revealed significant economic vulnerability among the respondents, marked by high unemployment and limited resource access, with the majority of households relying on social grants. These households depend on multiple energy sources, with firewood usage significantly influenced by the availability of grants, total income, post-primary education, household size, and remittance income. The findings contradict the energy ladder hypothesis, indicating that despite economic improvements, a complete transition to modern fuels may not be possible as firewood remains a crucial energy source. These results highlight the complex interplay of economic, social, and cultural factors in household energy decisions and underscore the importance of enhancing infrastructure, providing economic incentives, and conducting educational campaigns to facilitate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives. Full article

This paper explores energy poverty and its distribution among households in the Upper Blinkwater community, a typical remote South African community. Its selection was based on being the first identified to benefit from the pilot project implementing a decentralized hybrid mini-grid. We utilize the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke technique, which identifies households below the energy poverty line, measures the depth, and identifies those most vulnerable to energy poverty. A total of 53 households were interviewed by means of a questionnaire. The findings indicate a reliance on diverse energy sources such as wood for heating and LPG for cooking, which has enhanced community resilience and control over energy consumption, with greater proportions not affected by energy poverty. However, about 38% still experience energy poverty. The findings show that energy poverty is unevenly distributed within the community. Older individuals tend to have greater energy security, likely due to the stability provided by social grants. In contrast, female-headed households and lower-income families face the most significant challenges. The study concludes that there are substantial gender disparities and that lower-income households are particularly vulnerable to energy poverty. Therefore, we recommend gender-sensitive interventions to reduce the financial burdens on these vulnerable households, thereby improving their energy security. Full article