Efficient VERsatile Energy Services Solution Through DC - "EVERESST DC".
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
Abstract
EVERESST DC promotes a DC Micro-Grid Platform (DCMGP) encompassing a unique product and business solution for organisations seeking to provide modern energy services into energy-poor regions of the world. The solution is not just hardware, it is a partnership approach to modern energy access that actively engages end users, operators and stakeholders. All partners are assumed to be for-profit commercial organisations. This ensures long-term effectiveness without dependency on volatile external support. The DCMGP provides high value, low cost energy services (not just electricity) that are dependable, long life, low maintenance and sustainable. The ethos is for "Dependable Services", not just electricity, "Local Ownership", not external dependency and "High Value", not high capacity.
The core of the DCMGP is a dc supply system based on renewable energy. We will utilise solar photovoltaic systems which have been proven to provide long life, highly reliable, low-skilled maintenance, no emissions, silent operation and transparent performance.
The most appropriate - highest value - energy service solutions are those with the highest efficiency of generation, transmission and consumption. These characteristics sit at the centre of our proposal. Furthermore, energy efficiency is defined by people as well as equipment and the DCMGP engages with users to encourage efficiency as a natural way of modern energy life.
The core of the DCMGP is a dc supply system based on renewable energy. We will utilise solar photovoltaic systems which have been proven to provide long life, highly reliable, low-skilled maintenance, no emissions, silent operation and transparent performance.
The most appropriate - highest value - energy service solutions are those with the highest efficiency of generation, transmission and consumption. These characteristics sit at the centre of our proposal. Furthermore, energy efficiency is defined by people as well as equipment and the DCMGP engages with users to encourage efficiency as a natural way of modern energy life.
Planned Impact
There are approximately 1.2 Billion people without access to reliable modern electricity services with the majority living in sub Saharan Africa and South Asia. This research is geared to develop technologies and processes that are appropriately designed to benefit these people in an environmentally sound and resource efficient manner.
The provision of such energy services are low carbon, affordable and reliable especially in rural settings in developing countries. The developed DC Micro Grid Platform (DCMGP) will be based on a PV system, that have over 20 year industrial proven reliability coupled with high DC efficiency devices and high degree of user engagement providing robust, reliable and affordable solution for the poor.
High reliability DC micro grids will allow LED lighting to improve social cohesion, allow longer hours for studying and equitable development of women, improve personal safety and improve safety from flammables. The provision of useful energy for such things as radio, TV, refrigeration, cell phone charging will provide essential commutation, give access to greater information; improving education, health, wellbeing and business development. In addition successful roll-out will also require training and employment of large numbers of local people.
Furthermore, the PV systems are modular, and the supporting media and human interfaces universally meaningful, allowing flexibility in design and rapid understanding by the users. This offers significant value for the provision of modern energy services for all major sectors such as education, healthcare, cold chain supply (vaccines and consumables), rural infrastructure and agriculture.
The provision of such energy services are low carbon, affordable and reliable especially in rural settings in developing countries. The developed DC Micro Grid Platform (DCMGP) will be based on a PV system, that have over 20 year industrial proven reliability coupled with high DC efficiency devices and high degree of user engagement providing robust, reliable and affordable solution for the poor.
High reliability DC micro grids will allow LED lighting to improve social cohesion, allow longer hours for studying and equitable development of women, improve personal safety and improve safety from flammables. The provision of useful energy for such things as radio, TV, refrigeration, cell phone charging will provide essential commutation, give access to greater information; improving education, health, wellbeing and business development. In addition successful roll-out will also require training and employment of large numbers of local people.
Furthermore, the PV systems are modular, and the supporting media and human interfaces universally meaningful, allowing flexibility in design and rapid understanding by the users. This offers significant value for the provision of modern energy services for all major sectors such as education, healthcare, cold chain supply (vaccines and consumables), rural infrastructure and agriculture.
Publications
Bahaj A
(2019)
The Impact of an Electrical Mini-grid on the Development of a Rural Community in Kenya
in Energies
Bahaj A
(2020)
Pathways to Universal Electricity Access for Rural Communities in Africa
in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
Farrar L
(2022)
Floating solar PV to reduce water evaporation in water stressed regions and powering water pumping: Case study Jordan
in Energy Conversion and Management
Hamwi H
(2022)
Effects of High Ambient Temperature on Electric Vehicle Efficiency and Range: Case Study of Kuwait
in Energies
Talut M
(2022)
Solar Power Potential from Industrial Buildings and Impact on Electricity Supply in Bangladesh
in Energies
| Description | DC mini-grids with DC appliances may have some benefits over the AC mini-grids.The research here addressed two key areas: (i) techno-economic comparison of DC mini-gridwith AC counterpart, and (ii) suitable applications of DC mini-grid. Results of techno-economic analysis indicate the suitability of DC mini-grid based electrification approach can be cost competitive to AC mini-grids. To deliver equivalent level of services,a DC mini-grid is required to serve smaller load compared to AC mini-grid. Considering the low voltage (24V -48V DC) electricity distribution options from PV-battery DC mini-grids in remote rural settings, and findings of techno-economic analyses carried out across various applications for suitability of DC mini-grids, we conclude that such mini-grids are appropriate in small geographic footprints such as small rural trading centres, remote settlements that are densely populated, rural health centres, off-grid lodges, small scale food and agro processing (water pumping, milling, milk chilling) and refugee camps |
| Exploitation Route | The results of this work will be of use to mini-grid developers who are deciding whether to go for AC or DC approaches based on a site-specific techno-economic analysis. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| Description | The findings indicated a need for efficient and affordable milk chilling facilities in off-grid areas, and this formed the basis of the funded Innovate UK proposal DESIRABLE which trialled this concept in Rwanda in 2022, successfully delivering a fully monitored PV system at a milk collection centre in Kageyo. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Modernization of subsistence dairy value chain in Rwanda through PV based electrification of Milk Collection Centers |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | Heifer International (HI), who has a long track record of investing and supporting the Dairy sector in Rwanda (as well as the whole African continent) is now convinced to invest more into PV based electrification of Milk Collection Centers in Rwanda. HI has been working closely with Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to embed such approach into government's policy and regulatory environments. |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/desriable/ |
| Description | Demand Side Renewables for Agricultural Base Load Energy (DeSiRABLE) |
| Amount | £207,470 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/T00522X/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2019 |
| End | 07/2021 |
| Description | MECS Cooking Support on Mini-Grids (COSMO) challenge fund |
| Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 06/2023 |
| Description | Supporting REA Uganda to upgrade two existing mini grids in Kyenjojo |
| Organisation | Rural Electrification Agency (REA) |
| Country | Uganda |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Energy for Development (e4D) Team has been helping REA with the design and specifications for the capacity expansion of two existing mini grids to 56kWp each. These two mini grids were installed by the Energy for Development Programme at the University of Southampton in 2015. |
| Collaborator Contribution | REA, Uganda has planned to invest around USD 350,000 for the proposed upgrade. |
| Impact | With the capacities expanded to 56kWp PV, 120kWh Li-FeO4 battery and 40kW diesel generator these mini grids will support growth of local economy by supplying electricity to businesses with heavy power consuming equipment. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Upgrading 2 e4D mini grids with innovative technology solutions |
| Organisation | Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development |
| Country | Uganda |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) has allocated around $400,000 to upgrade two mini grid systems to 56kWp PV each with 120kWh LiFeO4 battery storage and standby diesel generators. Energy for Development (e4D) team of Energy and Climate Change Division at the University of Southampton provided MEMD with the mini grid system sizing, technology choice and system designs. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the agency that we used to collaborate with in Uganda for electricity access projects has recently been taken under the umbrella of MEMD. REA officials collaborated with the appropriate department of the Ministry of Energy to expand the existing mini grid projects in Kyenjojo district. |
| Impact | Through this collaborative work both the MEMD and UoS have agreed to work on new research areas including electric cooking, e-mobility, loss reductions in electrical distribution grids. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit is the most influential and effective platform for the mini grid developers, funding organisations, rural and off grid electrification authorities/ agencies, banks/ financing institutes, academics/ researchers, development partners, NGOs and other stakeholders to realize universal electricity access 2030. The two day (25-26 February 2021) summit was chaired by Professor A S Bahaj. Around 200 participants joined this summit split into 7 sessions as below: (i) Country programme platforms (ii) Researchers' forum 1 (iii) Scaling-up mini grids (iv) Developers forum (v) Researchers' forum 2 (vi) Large scale programmes (vii) Panel discussions: How to make mini grids commercially viable This summit opened up the opportunity for the stakeholders at different levels to enhance rural electrification through development of appropriate techno-economic solutions. As research outputs from the 'FORTIS UNUM: CLUSTERING MINI-GRID NETWORKS TO WIDEN ENERGY ACCESS AND ENHANCE UTILITY NETWORK RESILIENCE' project six papers were presented in this summit. These are: 1. Modelling of a Mini Grid Connected to Utility Network to Enhance Network Resilience 2. Comparison of Electricity Utilization of Mini Grid Energy in Three Rural Mini Grids in Kenya Using the Multi-Tier Framework 3. Load Growth in Existing Mini Grids and Future Challenges 4. Productive use of Electricity: PV Powered for Cooling: Milk Centres in Rwanda 5. Price Sensitivity Assessment of Mini Grid Electricity Consumers: Application of a Naïve Price Sensitivity Measurement Method 6. Appliance-Use Based Demand Modelling for Mini Grids in Kenya Using Demand Segregation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | http://www.africaminigrids.com/ |
| Description | Addressing Carbon Emissions through Sustainable Energy Technologies at Different Scales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The presentation created interest among the participants which was ended up in many Q & As'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://climatelinkup.com/launch-event/ |
| Description | Conference Chair and Organiser - IEA Energy in Buildings and Communities symposium and expert meeting, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The IEA Energy in Buildings and Communities symposium and expert meeting, held virtually over 4 days, with over 230 delegates from 25 countries and 82 institutions, Southampton, 20- 23 April 2020. Professor Bahaj organised and Chaired the conference. The Energy and Climate Change Division (ECCD) and the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) within the School of Engineering at the University of Southampton, UK, hosted the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Energy in Buildings and Communities (EBC) Programme Symposium and Task Group meetings addressing Occupant-Centric Building Design and Operation ('Annex 79'). Leading academics, practitioners, policy-makers, manufacturers and students from the fields of engineering, architecture, psychology, sociology and marketing came together to exchange ideas and good practice. Creating and strengthening partnerships to integrate and implement occupancy and occupant behaviour into the design process of buildings and their operation, enhancing both energy performance and occupant comfort. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/serg-hosts-iea-energy-in-buildings-and-communities-symposium-and-expert-m... |
| Description | Conference Chair and Organiser of International Conference in Energy and Cities, Southampton, 10 - 12 July 2019. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ECCD host the International Conference on Energy and Cities (ICEC 2019). More than 90 delegates from 21 countries and 40 organisations attended the International Conference on Energy and Cities 2019 (ICEC2019) which took place from 10 to 12 July 2019 in Southampton, UK. With the occasion being the second in the series of academic fora promoted by the International Academic Alliance for Low Carbon Cities, Neighbourhoods and Buildings (IAA-LCCNB). Members of the IAA-LCCNB, members of parliament, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and private-sector representatives, as well as leading academics and students from the field of energy and cities came together to exchange ideas and good practice and create and strengthen partnerships to guide cities in realising sustainable futures. With the various sessions featuring presentations from leaders in academia, politics and industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/eccd-host-the-international-conference-on-energy-and-cities-icec-2019/ |
| Description | Conference Chair of International Conference of Renewable Energy, UNESCO, Paris, 24 - 26 April 2019. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | International Conference of Renewable Energy, UNESCO, Paris, 24 - 26 April 2019 was chaired by Prof A S Bahaj. Around 250 attendees from 20 countries attended the conference. Members of the Energy and Climate Change Division, University of Southampton delivered nine scientific presentations in different areas of renewable energy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://premc.org/conferences/icren2019/ |
| Description | Conference presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The presentation entitled 'Why does energy demand grow at different rates in similar mini-grids?' focused on key aspects of electricity demand growth in off-grid mini grids. Lessons from the six operational Energy for Development (e4D) mini grids in East Africa were presented to explain the socio-economic dynamics and factors for different rates of load growths in different projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energyfordevelopment.net/why-does-energy-demand-grow-at-different-rates-in-similar-mini-grid... |
| Description | Electric Vehicles a global transition: Adoption trends and barriers to implementation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The e-mobility conference organized by Kenya Power in Nairobi was attended by international professionals and researchers, and created huge interest for future works in this area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/e-mobility-conference-to-develop-roadmap-for-electric-motorisation/ |
| Description | Enhancing off-grid rural electrification through sustainable PV powered Milk Collection Centres in Rwanda |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies (SET) 2022 was attended by hundreds of international participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://set2022.org/ |
| Description | Keynote speech on the 1st International Conference on 4th Industrial Revolution (IC4IR), Bangladesh |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Keynote speech entitled 'Revolutionising Energy Supply in Cities' at the 1st International Conference on 4th Industrial Revolution (IC4IR), 5-6 December, Chittagong, Bangladesh was delivered by Prof A S Bahaj. The talk provided guidance to the developing countries in sustainably develop energy infrastructures in future cities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.ustc.ac.bd/IC4IR-2020.php |
| Description | Presentation on 'Load Growth in Existing Mini Grids and Future Challenges' in the 6th Africa Mini Grid 2021. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The presentation on 'Load Growth in Existing Mini Grids and Future Challenges' in the 6th Africa Mini Grid 2021 which presented some research findings of the FORTIS UNUM: CLUSTERING MINI-GRID NETWORKS TO WIDEN ENERGY ACCESS AND ENHANCE UTILITY NETWORK RESILIENCE project had been the centre of the discussions by the mini grid developers, government rural electrification agencies, funders and professionals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/eccd-presents-at-the-6th-africa-mini-grids-summit-2021/ |
| Description | Productive use of Electricity: PV Powered Cooling: Milk Centres in Rwanda |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research presentation had created lot of interest among the mini grid and solar system developers, professionals and researchers about how to maximize the techno-economic sustainability of PV power generating systems in off-grid context with the example presented for Rwandan milk collection centers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/6th-africa-mini-grids-summit-2021/ |
| Description | Research outcomes presentation on multi tier energy access through mini grids (in 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit 2021) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research presentation entitled 'A Comparison of the Electricity Utilization of Three Rural Mini Grids in Kenya Using the Multi-Tier Framework' was presented in the 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit 2021. It created lot of interest among the participants. Representatives from mini grid developers, international funding organisations, rural and off grid electrification authorities/ agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders asked several questions and discussed the insights of the research outcomes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/eccd-presents-at-the-6th-africa-mini-grids-summit-2021/ |
| Description | Research paper presentation on decentralised renewable power generation for resilient industrial growth in Bangladesh |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The scientific presentation on 'Decentralised renewable energy generation for balanced urban-rural development: Toward resilient industrial revolution in Bangladesh' at the 1st International Conference on 4th Industrial Revolution (IC4IR), Bangladesh 05-06 December 2020 used Bangladesh as a case country in this context, and shows how the country can benefit from low-carbon decentralised electricity generation to fast track its industrial growth. Research considers existing energy infrastructure |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.ustc.ac.bd/IC4IR-2020.php |
| Description | Research paper presentation on connecting mini grid to the utility grid in Kenya |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A research presentation entitled 'Modeling a Mini-Grid Connected to Utility Network to Enhance Network Resilience' was delivered in the 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit 2021 (25-26 February 2021). The 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit is the most influential and effective platform for the mini grid developers, funding organisations, rural and off grid electrification authorities/ agencies, banks/ financing institutes, academics/ researchers, development partners, NGOs and other stakeholders to realize universal electricity access 2030. Around 200 participants joined this summit which opened up the opportunity for the stakeholders at different levels to enhance rural electrification through development of appropriate techno-economic solutions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/eccd-presents-at-the-6th-africa-mini-grids-summit-2021/ |
| Description | Research paper presentation on productive use of electricity in the 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The presentation on 'Productive use of Electricity: PV Powered Cooling: Milk Centres in Rwanda' was a very timely research output in enhancing off-grid electrification. The 6th Mini Grid Summit was the most appropriate platform to disseminate such research outcomes among various stakeholders for implementation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/eccd-presents-at-the-6th-africa-mini-grids-summit-2021/ |
| Description | Research presentation on Appliance-Use Based Demand Modelling for Mini Grids in 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The presentation entitled 'Appliance-Use Based Demand Modelling for Mini Grids in Kenya Using Demand ' created huge interest among the participants in the 6th Africa Mini Grid Summit 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/eccd-presents-at-the-6th-africa-mini-grids-summit-2021/ |
| Description | Research presentation on price sensitivity assessment of mini-grid consumers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Research presentation on 'Price Sensitivity Assessment of Mini-grid Electricity Consumers: Application of a Naïve Price Sensitivity Meter (PSM) Method' had created great attention among the session participants in the 6th Mini Grid Summit 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energy.soton.ac.uk/eccd-presents-at-the-6th-africa-mini-grids-summit-2021/ |
| Description | SET 2018 (17th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies) Wuhan, China |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster entitled as "DC vs AC solar PV mini-grids for rural electrification" was presented in SET 2018 (17th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies) Wuhan, China. The poster with unique research findings on DC electrification approach for remote and rural areas in 'electricity poor' developing countries had drawn attention of may academics and practitioners in this field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Training on 'grid connected mini grid' at Kitonyoni site, Dec 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Energy for Development (e4D) team conducted a day long hands-on training for the young engineers of Kenya. Attendees learned how a small solar mini grid can support the near end of the utility grid while safely connected to the grid. Also, learned the technological know how for grid interconnection, control strategies, grid export-import. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://energyfordevelopment.net/training-for-local-engineers-grid-connected-mini-grid-kitonyoni/ |