Search Results (225)

This study evaluates the feasibility and visibility of electric vehicles (EVs) in Egypt, addressing critical research gaps and proposing actionable strategies to drive adoption. Employing a systematic review of academic, governmental, and industry sources, the paper identifies underexplored areas such as rural–urban adoption disparities, lifecycle assessments of EV batteries, and sociocultural barriers, including gender dynamics and entrenched consumer preferences. Its primary contribution is an interdisciplinary framework that integrates technical aspects, such as grid resilience and climate-related battery degradation, with socioeconomic dimensions, providing a holistic overview of EV feasibility in Egypt tailored to Egypt’s context. Key findings reveal infrastructure limitations, inconsistent policy frameworks, and behavioral skepticism as major hurdles, and highlight the untapped potential of renewable energy integration, particularly through synergies between solar PV generation (e.g., Benban Solar Park) and EV charging infrastructure. Recommendations prioritize policy reforms (e.g., tax incentives, streamlined tariffs), solar-powered charging infrastructure expansion, public awareness campaigns, and local EV manufacturing to stimulate economic growth. The study underscores the urgency of stakeholder collaboration to transform EVs into a mainstream solution, positioning Egypt as a regional leader in sustainable mobility and equitable development. Full article

This study examines the integration and sustainability of solar energy technologies as a tool for rural electrification in Ghana, using the Lofetsume community as a case study. Persistent electricity access deficits in rural areas, coupled with unreliable grid systems and high energy costs, underscore the need for alternative energy solutions. Through semi-structured interviews and surveys, the study explores community perspectives and expert views on the viability of solar energy in rural Ghana. Findings reveal strong grassroots support for solar energy due to its reliability and environmental benefits, despite barriers such as high upfront installation costs and maintenance challenges. The study recommends multi-stakeholder partnerships, innovative financing models, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance solar energy adoption. By prioritizing solar energy technologies, the government, private sector, and local communities can collaborate to develop sustainable and affordable electrification solutions, ultimately improving living standards in remote areas and contributing to Ghana’s broader energy sustainability goals. 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

Electricity in rural Alaska is provided by more than 200 standalone microgrid systems powered predominantly by diesel generators. Incorporating renewable energy generation and storage to these systems can reduce their reliance on costly imported fuel and improve sustainability; however, uncertainty remains about optimal grid architectures to minimize cost, including how and when to incorporate long-duration energy storage. This study implements a novel, multi-pronged approach to assess the techno-economic feasibility of future energy pathways in the community of Kotzebue, which has already successfully deployed solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, and battery storage systems. Using real community load, resource, and generation data, we develop a series of comparison models using the HOMER Pro software tool to evaluate microgrid architectures to meet over 90% of the annual community electricity demand with renewable generation, considering both battery and hydrogen energy storage. We find that near-term planned capacity expansions in the community could enable over 50% renewable generation and reduce the total cost of energy. Additional build-outs to reach 75% renewable generation are shown to be competitive with current costs, but further capacity expansion is not currently economical. We additionally include a cost sensitivity analysis and a storage capacity sizing assessment that suggest hydrogen storage may be economically viable if battery costs increase, but large-scale seasonal storage via hydrogen is currently unlikely to be cost-effective nor practical for the region considered. While these findings are based on data and community priorities in Kotzebue, we expect this approach to be relevant to many communities in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions working to improve energy reliability, sustainability, and security. Full article

This study examines the constrained social acceptance of small-scale geothermal energy in a rural sub-Saharan region, a critically understudied area, characterised by high energy poverty, heavy dependence on biomass, and suitable for geothermal energy exploration. Small-scale geothermal energy may offer an additional option for decentralised power supply through mini grids. The study investigates public awareness and knowledge level of geothermal energy technologies among the residents of Eka Awoke, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, to assess the potential of the deliberative process to enhance the social acceptance of geothermal energy technologies and the development of an improved participatory framework to aid the discussion. Citizen jury and survey methods, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques, were employed. This study presents the first in-depth analysis of the social acceptance of small-scale geothermal energy for electricity supply in a rural African context. Pre-deliberative assessments revealed that 36% of the jurors had limited knowledge and expressed environmental concerns. The post-deliberative assessment revealed that over 80% of jurors reported improved understanding and views. The study demonstrates that citizen jury, when combined with surveyed results can serve as a powerful and scalable tool for advancing social acceptance of geothermal energy. These findings provide a solid foundation for policymakers, stakeholders, and energy providers to design more effective communication engagement strategies for sustainable energy transition in the community. Full article

In the Amazon, nearly one million people remain without reliable access to electricity. Moreover, the rural electricity grid is a mostly single-phase, ground-return type, with poor energy quality and high expenses. This study examines very low-head micro-hydropower (MHP) sites in the Amazon, emphasizing the integration of multiple axial-flow turbines. It includes an analysis of flow duration curves and key curves, both upstream and downstream, to design an MHP plant with multiple units targeting maximized energy yield. The presence of multiple turbines is crucial due to the substantial annual flow variation in the Amazon rivers. One contribution of this work is its scalable framework for ultra-low-head and high flow variability in small rivers, which is applicable in similar hydrological configurations, such as those typical of the Amazon. The design applies the minimum pressure coefficient criterion to increase turbine efficiency. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations forecast turbine efficiency and flow behavior. The CFD model is validated using experimental data available in the literature on a similar turbine, which is similarly used in this study for cost reasons, with discrepancies under 5%, demonstrating robust predictions of turbine efficiency and head behavior as a function of flow. This study also explores the implications of including inlet guide vanes (IGVs). We use a case study of a small bridge in Vila do Janari, situated in the southeastern part of Pará state, where heads range from 1.4 to 2.4 m and turbine flow rates span from 0.23 to 0.92 m³/s. The optimal configuration shows the potential to generate 63 MWh/year. Full article

Air–water heat pumps are gaining interest in modern architectures, and they are a suitable option as a replacement for fossil fuel-based heating systems. These systems consume less electricity by combining solar panels, a heat pump, thermal storage, and a smart control system. This study was applied to a completely ecological rural health sub-center built on the basis of recycled bottles, and that, for its regular operation, requires an energy system according to the needs of the patients in the rural community. Detailed analyses were performed for heating and hot water preparation in two scenarios with different conditions (standard and fully integrated). From a technical perspective, different strategies were analyzed to ensure its functionality. If the photovoltaic system is sized to achieve advanced control, the system can even operate autonomously. However, due to the need to guarantee the energy efficiency of the center, the analyses were performed with a grid connection, and it was determined that the photovoltaic system guarantees at least two-thirds of the energy required for its autonomous operation. The results show that the system can operate normally thanks to the optimal size of the photovoltaic system, which positively influences the rural population in the case under analysis. Full article

In areas such as remote, rural, and mountainous regions, supplying low-voltage three-phase power has traditionally required distribution line extension and transformer installation. However, these areas often yield low electricity revenues, making cost recovery difficult for utilities. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a Single-to-Three-Phase Converter (STPC) capable of converting single-phase low-voltage input into three-phase output for use in low-voltage distribution systems. The STPC topology employs a single-phase half-bridge AC–DC stage and a three-phase full-bridge inverter stage using SiC-MOSFETs. To validate the system, simulations and experiments were conducted under various load conditions, including unbalanced, nonlinear, and motor loads. The results show that STPC maintains output stability while minimizing impact on the existing grid. The findings demonstrate STPC’s feasibility as an alternative to conventional line extension and transformer installation, with potential for application in grid-forming and low-voltage distribution current (LVDC) systems. Full article

Energy communities led by local citizens are vital for achieving the European energy transition goals. This study examines the design of a regional energy community in a rural area of Spain, aiming to address the pressing issue of rural depopulation. Seven villages were selected based on criteria such as size, energy demand, population, and proximity to infrastructure. Three energy valorization scenarios, generating eight subscenarios, were analyzed: (1) self-consumption, including direct sale (1A), net billing (1B), and selling to other consumers (1C); (2) battery storage, including storing for self-consumption (2A), battery-to-grid (2B), and electric vehicle recharging points (2C); and (3) advanced options such as hydrogen refueling stations (3A) and hydrogen-based fertilizer production (3B). The findings underscore that designing rural energy communities with a focus on social impact—especially in relation to depopulation—requires an innovative approach to both their design and operation. Although none of the scenarios alone can fully reverse depopulation trends or drive systemic change, they can significantly mitigate the issue if social impact is embedded as a core principle. For rural energy communities to effectively tackle depopulation, strategies such as acting as an energy retailer or aggregating individual villages into a single, unified energy community structure are crucial. These approaches align with the primary objective of revitalizing rural communities through the energy transition. Full article

The growing penetration of renewable energy sources into electricity grids, along with the problems linked to the electrification of rural areas, has drawn more attention to the development of microgrids. Their Energy Management Systems (EMSs) can be based on evolutionary optimization algorithms to identify efficient scheduling plans and improve performance. In this paper, a new approach based on evolutionary algorithms (EAs) is designed, implemented, and tested on a real microgrid architecture to evaluate its effectiveness. The proposed approach effectively combines heuristic information with the optimization capabilities of EAs, achieving excellent results with reasonable computational effort. The proposed system is highly flexible, making it applicable to different network architectures and various objective functions. In this work, the optimization algorithm directly manages the microgrid Energy Management System, allowing for a large number of degrees of freedom that can be exploited to achieve highly competitive solutions. This method was compared with a standard scheduling approach, and an average improvement of 11.87% in fuel consumption was achieved. After analyzing the differences between the solutions obtained, the importance of the features introduced with this new approach was demonstrated. Full article

As global energy demand increases, ensuring a reliable electricity supply in rural or semi-remote areas remains a significant challenge. Hybrid energy systems, which integrate renewables, generators, storage, and grid connections, offer a promising solution for addressing energy reliability issues. In this context, the rural community of Aras de los Olmos, Spain, serves as the focal point because of its frequent power outages despite being connected to the main grid. This study investigates innovative solutions tailored to the community’s unique needs. It highlights critical challenges in achieving reliable energy access and bridges the gap between existing limitations and sustainable, future-oriented energy systems. This is achieved by analyzing the current energy setup and evaluating potential alternatives. Two scenarios were evaluated: one optimizing the existing configuration for economic efficiency while retaining the grid as the primary energy source, and another introducing a biomass generator to enhance reliability by partially replacing the grid. Detailed technical, financial, and environmental assessments were performed using HOMER. These assessments identified an optimal configuration. This optimal configuration improves reliability, enhances stability, reduces disruptions, and meets growing energy demands cost-effectively. As will be indicated, the first scenario can reduce total costs to approximately USD 90,000 compared to the existing setup, whereas the second scenario can lower grid dependence by approximately 70%. In addition, introducing renewable energy sources, such as solar and biomass, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, these solutions create local job opportunities, promote community engagement, support energy independence, and align with broader sustainability goals. Full article

The transportation sector is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, thus necessitating a transition toward renewable energy sources (RESs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Among EV technologies, fuel-cell EVs (FCEVs) offer distinct advantages in terms of refueling time and operational efficiency, thus rendering them a promising solution for sustainable transportation. Nevertheless, the integration of FCEVs in rural areas poses challenges due to the limited availability of refueling infrastructure and constraints in energy access. In order to address these challenges, this study proposes a multi-objective energy management model for a hydrogen refueling station (HRS) integrated with RESs, a battery storage system, an electrolyzer (EL), a fuel cell (FC), and a hydrogen tank, serving diverse FCEVs in rural areas. The model, formulated using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), optimizes station operations to maximize both cost and load factor performance. Additionally, bi-directional trading with the power grid and hydrogen network enhances energy flexibility and grid stability, enabling a more resilient and self-sufficient energy system. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first in the literature to present a multi-objective optimal management approach for grid-interactive, renewable-supported HRSs serving hydrogen-powered vehicles in rural areas. The simulation results demonstrate that RES integration improves economic feasibility by reducing costs and increasing financial gains, while maximizing the load factor enhances efficiency, cost-driven strategies that may impact stability. The impact of the EL on cost is more significant, while RES capacity has a relatively smaller effect on cost. However, its influence on the load factor is substantial. The optimization of RES-supported hydrogen production has been demonstrated to reduce external dependency, thereby enabling surplus trading and increasing financial gains to the tune of USD 587.83. Furthermore, the system enhances sustainability by eliminating gasoline consumption and significantly reducing carbon emissions, thus supporting the transition to a cleaner and more efficient transportation ecosystem. Full article

The worldwide growing adoption of Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) indicates that such technology might in the near future be decisive for improving the sustainability of transportation. The segment of LEVs has some peculiar features compared to electric mobility in general, which then deserve a devoted investigation. Stakeholders are called to implement the most appropriate technology depending on the context, by taking into account multi-faceted factors, which are the investigation object of this work. At first, a methodology is formulated for estimating the power and energy impact of LEVs recharging. Based on this, and assessed that the load constituted by LEVs is in general modest but might create some problems in lowly structured networks, it becomes conceivable to develop Charging Station (CS) technologies which are alternative to the grid connection at a point of delivery. Yet, it is fundamental to develop accurate methodologies for the techno-economic and environmental analysis. This work considers a use case developed at the University of Brescia (Italy): a CS operating off-grid, powered by PhotoVoltaics (PV). Its peculiarity is that it is transportable, which makes it more appealing for rural/remote areas or when the charging demand is highly not homogeneous in time. On these grounds, this work specializes to a context where the proposed solution might be more appealing: small isolated islands, in particular Favignana in Sicily (Italy). It is estimated that the adoption of the proposed off-grid CS is by far advantageous as regards the greenhouse gases emissions but it is more economically profitable than the grid connection only if the number of users per day is less than order of 200. Hence this work provides meaningful indications on the usefulness of off-grid CS powered by PV in peculiar contexts and furnishes a general method for their techno-economic and environmental assessment. Full article

To address the electric vehicle (EV) charging scheduling problem in rural distribution networks, this study proposes a novel two-phase optimization strategy that combines particle swarm optimization (PSO) and Q-learning for global optimization and real-time adaptation. In the first stage, PSO is used to generate an initial charging plan that minimizes voltage deviations and line overloads while maximizing user satisfaction. In the second phase, a Q-learning approach dynamically adjusts the plan based on real-time grid conditions and feedback. The strategy reduces the system’s entropy by minimizing the uncertainty and disorder in power distribution caused by variable EV charging loads. Experimental results on a 33-bus distribution system under baseline and high-load scenarios demonstrate significant improvements over conventional dispatch methods, with voltage deviation reduced from 5.8% to 1.9%, maximum load factor reduced from 95% to 82%, and average customer satisfaction increased from 75% to 88%. While the computation time increases compared to standalone PSO (66 min vs. 34 min), the enhanced grid stability and customer satisfaction justify the trade-off. By effectively minimizing system entropy and balancing grid reliability with user convenience, the proposed two-phase strategy offers a practical and robust solution for integrating EVs into rural power systems. Full article

The growing demand for electricity in developing countries has called attention and interest to renewable energy sources to mitigate the adverse environmental effects caused by energy generation through fossil fuels. Among different renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic, wind, and biomass, hydraulic energy represents an attractive solution to address the demand for electricity in rural areas of Colombia that are not connected to the electrical grid. In the current paper, the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) of a recently designed Vertical-Axis Hydrokinetic Turbine (VAHT) Straight-Bladed (SB) Darrieus-type, modified with symmetric winglets, was studied by implementing the sliding mesh method (SMM). By coupling with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations, the FSI study demonstrated that the hydrodynamic loads obtained can cause potential fatigue damage in the blades of the Straight-Bladed (SB) Darrieus VAHT. Fatigue life was assessed using the stress–life (S-N) approach, and materials such as structural steel, short glass fiber reinforced composites (SGFRC), and high-performance polymers (HPP), such as PEEK, were studied as potential materials for the construction of the blades. FSI results showed that the biaxiality index (BI) provides a good understanding of the dominant stresses in the blades as the azimuth angle changes. It was also shown that structural steel and PEEK are good materials for the manufacturing of the blades, both from a fatigue resistance and modal perspective. Full article