A simulation-based evaluation of the benefits and barriers to interconnected solar home systems in East Africa

Bartosz Soltowski; Jonathan Bowes; Scott Strachan; Olimpo Anaya-Lara

doi:10.1109/PowerAfrica.2018.8521058

A simulation-based evaluation of the benefits and barriers to interconnected solar home systems in East Africa

Bartosz Soltowski, Jonathan Bowes, Scott Strachan, Olimpo Anaya-Lara

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

92 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper outlines the relative advantages and disadvantages of interconnecting Solar Home Systems (SHSs) to form micro-grids. Real world remote monitoring data from a number of SHSs operated by BBOXX in Rwanda is analyzed and it is shown that significant demand diversity and differing patterns of energy use exist in SHSs. Significant variation in daily demand, is demonstrated for identical SHSs from 0-10 Wh/day up to 110 Wh/day. Around 65% of generated energy is currently unused and could be utilised to connect new customers and increase the demand of existing customers if systems were interconnected.

Original language	English
Number of pages	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/PowerAfrica.2018.8521058
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 5 Nov 2018
Event	IEEE PES Power Africa Conference 2018 - Cape Town, South Africa Duration: 26 Jun 2018 → 29 Jun 2018

Conference

Conference	IEEE PES Power Africa Conference 2018
Country/Territory	South Africa
City	Cape Town
Period	26/06/18 → 29/06/18

Keywords

mini-grids
micro-grid
interconnection
solar home system

Access to Document

10.1109/PowerAfrica.2018.8521058

Soltowski-etal-2018-A-simulation-based-evaluation-of-the-benefits-and-barriersAccepted author manuscript, 784 KB

Cite this

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title = "A simulation-based evaluation of the benefits and barriers to interconnected solar home systems in East Africa",

abstract = "This paper outlines the relative advantages and disadvantages of interconnecting Solar Home Systems (SHSs) to form micro-grids. Real world remote monitoring data from a number of SHSs operated by BBOXX in Rwanda is analyzed and it is shown that significant demand diversity and differing patterns of energy use exist in SHSs. Significant variation in daily demand, is demonstrated for identical SHSs from 0-10 Wh/day up to 110 Wh/day. Around 65% of generated energy is currently unused and could be utilised to connect new customers and increase the demand of existing customers if systems were interconnected.",

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AU - Strachan, Scott

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AB - This paper outlines the relative advantages and disadvantages of interconnecting Solar Home Systems (SHSs) to form micro-grids. Real world remote monitoring data from a number of SHSs operated by BBOXX in Rwanda is analyzed and it is shown that significant demand diversity and differing patterns of energy use exist in SHSs. Significant variation in daily demand, is demonstrated for identical SHSs from 0-10 Wh/day up to 110 Wh/day. Around 65% of generated energy is currently unused and could be utilised to connect new customers and increase the demand of existing customers if systems were interconnected.

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KW - micro-grid

KW - interconnection

KW - solar home system

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ER -

A simulation-based evaluation of the benefits and barriers to interconnected solar home systems in East Africa

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Power Networks and Smart Grids | Bowes, Jonathan

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A simulation-based evaluation of the benefits and barriers to interconnected solar home systems in East Africa

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Power Networks and Smart Grids | Bowes, Jonathan

Cite this