Development of a DC Microgrid with Decentralized Production and Storage: From the Lab to Field Deployment in Rural Africa

Author:

Richard LucasORCID,Boudinet CédricORCID,Ranaivoson Sanda A.,Rabarivao Jean Origio,Befeno Archille Elia,Frey David,Alvarez-Hérault Marie-CécileORCID,Raison BertrandORCID,Saincy Nicolas

Abstract

The rural electrification of Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia is crucial to end the energy poverty in which around 1 billion people are trapped. Swarm electrification, i.e., the progressive building of decentralized and decarbonized electric infrastructure in a bottom-up manner, tackles rural electrification challenges by quickly providing modern and reliable electricity services to unelectrified communities while fostering local socio-economic development. This paper follows the technological approach of this electrification model and presents the development of a DC microgrid with decentralized production and storage suitable for rural electrification. This DC microgrid aims at interconnecting nanogrids, small collective autonomous power units composed of a solar panel and a lead–acid battery for 4 to 6 households, to increase the electrical services brought to the community and enhance the economic sustainability of this rural electrification model. The design of the proposed microgrid as well as its control algorithm are thoroughly addressed and tested from software simulations and experimental testing to field deployment in Madagascar. Extensive software, experimental and field-tests results are illustrated, and the microgrid design feedback is given. This paper overall validates the proper operation of the proposed microgrid, confirming the technical feasibility of the swarm electrification approach.

Funder

LEAP-RE Project

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Energy (miscellaneous),Energy Engineering and Power Technology,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Control and Optimization,Engineering (miscellaneous),Building and Construction

Reference38 articles.

1. United Nations (UN) https://sdgs.un.org/goals

2. International Energy Agency (IEA) https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2021

3. Scalable Solar dc Micrigrids: On the Path to Revolutionizing the Electrification Architecture of Developing Communities

4. Swarm Electrification: Investigating a Paradigm Shift Through the Building of Microgrids Bottom-up;Groh,2015

5. The Heartland Institude https://www.heartland.org/publications-resources/publications/energy-for-all-financing-access-for-the-poor

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