Status of Micro/Mini-Grid Systems in a Himalayan Nation: A Comprehensive Review (original) (raw)
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Assessment on Scaling-Up of Mini-Grid Initiative: Case Study of Mini-Grid in Rural Nepal
International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology, 2020
A majority of Nepalese population are living in rural areas, where the electricity access by grid extension is not feasible. Development of micro-hydropower in the isolated state is one of the solutions to provide the electricity to these areas. However, the micro-hydro systems are facing numerous challenges, such as high investment cost, low reliability, low load factor and protection issues. For this reason, the concept of mini-grid has been developed to address the discussed challenges. In this study, a case study of a mini-grid, which is formed by interconnecting six isolated Micro Hydropower Plants (MHPs) with an installed capacity of 107 kW at a transmission voltage of 11 kV, is considered. This study performs the technical and financial analysis, to study the possibility for scaling up the system. Based on different factors, optimum models have been selected, considering a numbers of different cases including cost-benefit and sensitivity analysis. The mini-grid connection of several isolated MHPs is technically possible, but the financial feasibility depends upon various factors, such as the distance between the MHPs, end-use promotion, total capacity of MHPs, future load growth, promotion mechanisms, power trading with utility, etc. The findings show that sustainable operation of mini-grid requires the local capacity building, coordination, and understanding among community cooperatives.
Micro & Mini Hydro Based Mini-Grid for Rural Energy Access in Taplejung, Nepal
2016
Mini-grid is an isolated, low-voltage distribution grid, providing electricity to a community-typically a village or very small town and derives electricity from a diverse range of small local generators using either diesel or renewable energy technologies with or without its own storage. There are different mini-grid exists in the world. Renewable mini grid is the mostly in the practice and in the operation. The renewable energy sources line solar, wing, hydro, diesel, thermal or combination of these. In this paper, mainly dealing with the hydro sources off-grid mini-grid for the access of energy in rural area eastern part of Nepal. The mini-grid having interconnection of different micro & mini hydro projects (MMHPs) for sharing the excess power to the place where deficit power area. The main objective of interconnection is to improve the system load factor, plant capacity factor, maximize the generation from MMHPs, good quality of power, improve the system reliability, business opportunities to sell excess energy and to serve the local or a regional load demand mainly the Taplejung district headquarter load. Mini grids incorporating renewable energy can be a cost-effective means of supplying affordable and reliable power to rural communities. The benefit and opportunities of Mini grid seems to be more promising in the sector of rural electrification in the coming days.
In Nepal, distributed renewable energy technologies such as Micro Hydro Mini Grids 1 (MHMGs), and Solar Home Systems (SHSs) are cost effective alternatives to electrification in many remote areas and currently provide electricity to 15% of the population. Micro hydro is a particularly appropriate alternative source for rural electrification in Nepal, as it possesses suitable terrain and water resources, and human resources and institutions with appropriate experience to support such projects. Interconnection of existing MHMGs is currently of interest, as it has the potential to further enhance the reliability, quality, and availability of supplied electricity, and the utilisation of these schemes. This paper disseminates experiences from Urja Upatyaka, where an interconnected mini grid connecting six MHMGs was developed as a pilot project in western Nepal; as well as insights from a number of other such interconnected grids at different stages of development in Nepal. Development costs for the pilot project proved relatively high, and such projects will therefore only be commercially viable if the project cost can be reduced, or if significant increases in electricity consumption and hence revenue result from the development of the interconnected mini grid. Nevertheless, assessment of the pilot project, as well as feasibility studies from the other projects reveal that these have already delivered many direct benefits, as well as providing lessons which will facilitate further development of interconnected mini grids. This paper identifies some of the key benefits of Micro Hydro Interconnected Mini Grids 2 (MHIMGs), and factors that can contribute to their successful deployment and operation.
2015
In Nepal, distributed renewable energy technologies such as Micro Hydro Mini Grids 1 (MHMGs), and Solar Home Systems (SHSs) are cost effective alternatives to electrification in many remote areas and currently provide electricity to 15% of the population. Micro hydro is a particularly appropriate alternative source for rural electrification in Nepal, as it possesses suitable terrain and water resources, and human resources and institutions with appropriate experience to support such projects. Interconnection of existing MHMGs is currently of interest, as it has the potential to further enhance the reliability, quality, and availability of supplied electricity, and the utilisation of these schemes. This paper disseminates experiences from Urja Upatyaka, where an interconnected mini grid connecting six MHMGs was developed as a pilot project in western Nepal; as well as insights from a number of other such interconnected grids at different stages of development in Nepal. Development co...
Interconnected mini-grids for rural energy transition in Nepal
In the rural areas of Nepal, the use of traditional biomass for cooking and kerosene lamps for lighting is still common. In spite of the presence of renewable-based technologies such as solar home systems (SHSs) in some of the remote areas, the desired socio-economic benefits are not yet visible. In response, the focus on providing energy access in rural Nepal has gradually been shifting towards energy supply infrastructure improvements. Thus micro-hydro, solar and hybrid mini-grids are now increasingly being installed in Nepal. This paper analyses rural energy transitions from traditional and conventional resources to renewable-based, interconnected mini-grids. Two cases of interconnected mini-grids, namely micro-hydro mini-grids in the Baglung district and PV-wind hybrid mini-grids in the Nawalparasi district are used to analyze ongoing rural energy transitions.
Renewable energy-based mini-grids in South Asia - Powerpoint presentation
• Study was carried out as part of research projects -"Renewable energy based rural electrification for South Asia: the Mini Grids Experience" funded by GNESD -"Decentralized off-grid electricity generation in developing countries: business models for off-grid electricity supply" OASYS South Asia), funded by Research Councils, UK Energy Program www.oasyssouthasia.dmu.ac.in 26/03/2014 2 Electricity Access in India • Global average electrification rate is 81.9% • Average electrification rate for India is 75.3 % • Rural area are having only 66.97% electrification • Central grid is covering almost 95% of villages; • Mini-grid covers remote or poorly elect villages Content & Methodology
Renewable energy-based rural electrification: The mini-grid experience from India
Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development , 2014
This study investigates renewable energy based rural electrification in India, with a specific focus on the mini and micro-grid experiences. Specific references are made to solar PV and biomass based technologies implemented under publicly supported programmes like the Remote Village Electrification programme and the Village Energy Security programme. Additionally, the study also focuses on mini-grids deployed by private companies such as Husk Power Systems (HPS) and Mera Gao Micro Grid Power (MGP). In order to better comprehend a comparative perspective of mini-grid variants, the report has analysed the mini-grid experiences by examining technologies adopted, policies and incentives, business models, financing and tariff structures, and community participation. The study also highlights trends in the implementation of mini-grids (both technological developments as well as institutional evolutions), and the evolving policy dynamics used to promote and incentivise both private and publicly supported mini-grid developments in India.
An Economic Comparison between Grid Based and Isolated Rural Electrification in Nepal
2011 Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference, 2011
This paper presents a methodology for financial analysis that compares costs and benefits of rural electrification by grid expansion with isolated micro hydro schemes. Financial analysis of three existing isolated micro hydro schemes in different parts of Nepal are compared against the alternative option of grid expansion. Case study results are tabulated and discussed.
Socio-Economic Aspects of Nepalese Mini-Grid
Mini-Grid is a new technology for developing countries like Nepal and socioeconomic aspects of this technology have to be identified for future implementation of this concept. Typically socioeconomic aspects are measured in terms of economic indices like employment and monetary gain whereas the socio-cultural and environmental issues are often neglected. This paper thus investigates the effect of Mini-Grid from a socioeconomic dimension including not only quantitative but also qualitative factors. Thereafter, in a long run, these identified factors can be used during implementation of Mini-Grid concept in developing countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Namibia, Tunisia etc.