Category
energy
668 entries tagged energy.
Articles — 654
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How does energy matter? Rural electrification, entrepreneurship, and community development in Kenya
Rural electrification in Kenya increases household income and entrepreneurial activity. Communities with electricity access formed more new micro-enterprises than control sites. Access to power enhances individuals' future expectations and business opportunities. Women-led households benefit more from electrification than men-led ones, though income gaps persist. The findings support resource-based entrepreneurship theory and suggest electrification should be central to development policy in areas with limited electricity access.
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Hybrid wireless-broadband over power lines: A promising broadband solution in rural areas
A hybrid wireless-broadband over power lines network deployed across 107 km of medium voltage power grid in rural Greece successfully delivers broadband access and smart grid applications to sparsely populated areas. The system exploits existing power infrastructure combined with wireless technology to overcome the low profitability and adoption barriers that typically prevent broadband projects in rural regions, demonstrating this approach as a viable alternative solution.
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Sustainability in Vietnam: Examining economic growth, energy, innovation, agriculture, and forests' impact on CO2 emissions
Vietnam's rising energy consumption and economic growth directly increase CO2 emissions, but technological innovation, improved agricultural practices, and forest expansion can reduce them. The study analyzed 30 years of data and found that renewable energy adoption, technology innovation, sustainable agriculture, and forest management policies can help Vietnam achieve environmental sustainability while balancing economic development.
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Implementing SDGs to a Sustainable Rural Village Development from Community Empowerment: Linking Energy, Education, Innovation, and Research
Rural areas worldwide suffer from depopulation and lack access to modern energy services, education, and healthcare. This paper describes the ALMIA project in Almatret, Spain, which transformed a small rural municipality through community empowerment. The project created networks connecting local residents with experts and researchers to drive energy transition, involved local administration, and promoted technological and socio-community development. The authors demonstrate how these activities align with UN Sustainable Development Goals and argue that community empowerment is key to reversing rural decline.
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Non-farm entrepreneurship, caste, and energy poverty in rural India
Non-farm entrepreneurship significantly reduces energy poverty in rural Indian households, with effects varying by caste. The study analyzed panel data from 2015 and 2018 using quasi-experimental methods. Scheduled Tribe members experienced the largest poverty reduction. The mechanism works through increased financial savings and durable asset accumulation, enabling access to cleaner energy for lighting and cooking. Governments should promote non-farm entrepreneurship to reduce rural energy poverty.
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Empowerment or employment? Uncovering the paradoxes of social entrepreneurship for women via Husk Power Systems in rural North India
Social enterprises deploying off-grid solar systems in rural India face significant challenges beyond market imperfections. The study reveals that successful deployment requires managing community engagement, stakeholder coordination, and organizational capacity building. Mini-grid sustainability depends on integrating social and technical design aspects. Multi-criteria decision tools help planners avoid unintended consequences when scaling off-grid energy solutions in low-income markets.
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Rural entrepreneurs behaviors towards green innovation: Empirical evidence from Bangladesh
Rural entrepreneurs in Bangladesh adopt green innovation when they have environmental concern and perceive the technology as easy to use. The intention to use green energy technology, particularly solar energy, mediates the relationship between environmental concern and adoption, and between attitude and adoption. However, perceived ease of use directly influences adoption without requiring intention as a mediator. The study identifies environmental concern and usability as key drivers for sustainable green SMEs in rural Bangladesh.
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Modelling and optimization of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for electrification in a rural areas
This paper designs and optimizes an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system to electrify three villages in Karnataka, India. Using genetic algorithms and HOMER Pro software, the authors compared four hybrid configurations combining biogas, biomass, solar, wind, and fuel cells with battery storage. The optimal system achieved zero unmet load at $0.163 per kilowatt-hour, reducing total system costs and emissions while outperforming conventional optimization methods.
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Evaluation of renewable energy sources in peripheral areas and renewable energy-based rural development
This paper develops an integrated methodology to evaluate renewable energy potential in peripheral rural areas by combining three energy sources: biomass, solar, and wind. Using mapping techniques, wind farm simulation software, and geographical information systems, the authors create a comprehensive assessment framework that measures total renewable energy capacity. This approach addresses the gap in existing methods and supports evidence-based renewable energy development for rural economic growth and climate protection.
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Design and environmental sustainability assessment of small-scale off-grid energy systems for remote rural communities
This study designs and evaluates 21 off-grid renewable energy systems for a rural Philippine community using life cycle assessment. Hybrid solar-wind systems with storage reduce environmental impacts 17–40% compared to stand-alone installations. Batteries create major environmental burdens, accounting for up to 88% of impacts. Community micro-grids with wind turbines and household solar panels combined with shared lithium-ion batteries emerge as the most environmentally sustainable configuration for remote rural electrification.
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Renewable energy for sustainable rural development: Synergies and mismatches
Renewable energy development in rural areas is promoted as an economic opportunity, but this potential remains largely unfulfilled because the link between energy transition and rural development has been assumed rather than actively cultivated. This review examines experiences in Denmark and Scotland, revealing policy mismatches that prevent renewable energy from effectively supporting rural development. The authors argue that rural communities and their needs must be central to energy transition planning for genuine synergies to emerge.
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Optimization and cost-benefit assessment of hybrid power systems for off-grid rural electrification in Ethiopia
A hybrid power system combining solar, wind, battery storage, and diesel generation can reliably electrify remote rural villages in Ethiopia at lower cost than standalone solar systems. Researchers modeled an optimal system for a specific village, finding it generates electricity at $0.207 per kilowatt-hour while reducing annual carbon emissions by 37.3 tons compared to diesel-only generation.
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Analyzing of a Photovoltaic/Wind/Biogas/Pumped-Hydro Off-Grid Hybrid System for Rural Electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa—Case Study of Djoundé in Northern Cameroon
This study designs and analyzes a hybrid renewable energy system combining photovoltaic, wind, biogas, and pumped-hydro storage to electrify a rural village in northern Cameroon. Using optimization software, researchers found an optimal configuration with solar panels and a biogas generator could deliver electricity at €0.256/kWh. The system is technically viable but requires substantial subsidies for widespread adoption across sub-Saharan Africa, though costs will improve as solar technology prices decline.
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Technology transfer, indigenous innovation and leapfrogging in green technology: the solar-PV industry in China and India
China and India have rapidly advanced their solar photovoltaic industries by combining technology transfer with indigenous innovation. Both countries strategically mixed different mechanisms for acquiring, adapting, and developing solar technology. Their national innovation systems proved essential for sustaining progress. The paper shows developing countries can follow this mixed approach to catch up in green industries and build competitive green economies without replicating developed nations' paths.
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Renewable energy systems based on micro-hydro and solar photovoltaic for rural areas: A case study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
This paper designs hybrid renewable energy systems combining micro-hydro and solar power for rural areas in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where many communities lack electricity access. Using particle swarm optimization, the researchers analyzed local hydropower and solar potential to determine optimal system capacities. The analysis evaluated designs based on capital costs, grid sales revenue, energy costs, and net present value to identify the most economically viable configuration.
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Economic feasibility analysis and optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Peru
Hybrid solar-wind-diesel systems provide the most economically viable option for electrifying remote Peruvian villages without grid access. Analysis of three communities in different climatic zones shows hybrid configurations achieve the lowest net present costs while generating 94-97% renewable energy and reducing CO2 emissions to 2.7-9.9% of diesel-only systems. These optimal designs serve as templates for similar rural electrification projects.
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Decentralized rural electrification in Kenya: Speeding up universal energy access
This paper maps Kenya's energy infrastructure and develops a spatial model to identify cost-effective rural electrification strategies. The model evaluates diesel generators, solar, wind, hydro mini-grids, hybrid systems, and grid extension for remote areas. Comparing the model's results with Kenya's national Rural Electrification Master Plan reveals complementarities in planning approaches. The analysis shows that decentralized renewable energy systems can deliver universal energy access to rural households competitively.
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Feasibility Study and Comparative Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Power System for off-Grid Rural Electrification in a Typical Remote Village Located in Nigeria
This study designs and evaluates a hybrid renewable energy system combining hydro, solar, wind, diesel, and battery storage to electrify a remote village in Nigeria without grid connection. Using simulation modeling, researchers compared multiple energy combinations and found that a hybrid hydro/PV/wind/diesel/battery system delivered the lowest cost and highest environmental performance, achieving 77% renewable energy with minimal emissions while meeting electricity demand affordably.
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Community-owned renewable energy (CRE): Opportunities for rural Australia
Community-owned renewable energy projects offer rural Australia opportunities to address climate change, support community development, and strengthen rural economies. A STEEP analysis of case studies reveals significant potential, but realizing these benefits at scale requires supportive government policy at both state and federal levels.
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Techno-economic analysis of off-grid PV-Diesel power generation system for rural electrification: A case study of Chilubi district in Zambia
A techno-economic analysis of hybrid power systems for rural electrification in Chilubi district, Zambia shows that standalone diesel generators are economically unsustainable due to high fuel costs and maintenance. Pure photovoltaic systems with battery storage deliver the lowest levelized cost of energy, despite higher upfront capital costs. Declining solar installation costs make PV systems increasingly attractive for off-grid rural electrification compared to diesel alternatives.
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Development of Renewable Energy Technologies in rural areas of Pakistan
Pakistan has significant renewable energy potential in solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectricity, yet few companies develop these technologies in rural areas. This study examines renewable energy technology development and policy implementation for rural Pakistan. Rural households consume less electricity than urban ones despite agriculture being the primary income source. The authors recommend governments expand renewable energy projects in rural areas to create employment, improve living standards, and boost the economy, while adopting policies similar to China and the US.
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Achieving universal electrification of rural healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa with decentralized renewable energy technologies
Rural health centers across sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity, limiting medical equipment access. Decentralized photovoltaic systems can reliably electrify over 50,000 facilities for EUR 484 million, enabling 281 million people to reduce healthcare travel time by an average of 50 minutes. Solar power offers a clean, cost-effective solution to bridge this critical gap.
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Barriers and Drivers of Renewable Energy Penetration in Rural Areas
Rural communities face significant barriers to adopting renewable energy despite government climate policies and technological advances like smart grids and microgeneration. The paper identifies obstacles and enablers for renewable energy penetration in rural areas, where energy cooperatives and citizen prosumers can drive low-carbon transitions. It offers policy recommendations to accelerate renewable energy adoption in rural communities.
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Driving rural energy access: a second-life application for electric-vehicle batteries
Retired electric vehicle batteries can power rural energy grids in developing countries more cheaply and sustainably than current lead-acid systems. The authors model how batteries from EVs sold through 2020 will generate 120–549 GWh of storage capacity by 2028, sufficient to support community-scale microgrids. Four economic scenarios across different battery chemistries show feasible deployment pathways that could significantly expand electrification in remote areas.
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Deconstructing the concept of renewable energy‐based mini‐grids for rural electrification in East Africa
Mini-grids are promoted as a solution for rural electrification in East Africa, but this study reveals most existing mini-grid projects actually serve medium-sized towns already near the grid, not rural villages. Only limited activity targets genuinely rural areas, where the real challenges lie in developing viable financing, ownership, and business models. The paper identifies research gaps and proposes directions for advancing mini-grids that actually reach rural populations.
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Optimal Design of a Hybrid Off-Grid Renewable Energy System Using Techno-Economic and Sensitivity Analysis for a Rural Remote Location
Researchers designed an optimal hybrid renewable energy system for a remote rural village in India using solar, wind, diesel, and hydrogen storage. The system minimizes costs while maximizing renewable energy use, achieving 84% renewable fraction at $0.244 per kilowatt-hour. Solar paired with battery storage proved most economical. Sensitivity analysis tested performance across varying loads, project lifespans, and equipment degradation.
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Off‐grid hybrid renewable energy system for rural healthcare centers: A case study in Nigeria
This study designs an optimal off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for rural healthcare centers across Nigeria's six regions. Researchers evaluated combinations of solar, wind, diesel, and battery systems using technical and economic analysis, including sensitivity testing for fuel subsidy removal. A solar-diesel-battery configuration proved most cost-effective across all locations, delivering 70-80% renewable energy with energy costs between $0.51-0.54 per kilowatt-hour.
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Designing and Sensitivity Analysis of an Off-Grid Hybrid Wind-Solar Power Plant with Diesel Generator and Battery Backup for the Rural Area in Iran
Researchers designed and analyzed off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for a rural Iranian village lacking grid electricity. Using HOMER software, they evaluated combinations of solar, wind, diesel generators, and batteries to meet daily energy demands of 22 kWh. Sensitivity analysis tested how variations in solar radiation, light reflection, and wind speed affected system performance. Four hybrid configurations emerged as viable options, with solar-wind-generator-battery systems offering cost-effective solutions for remote areas.
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Design of a solar energy centre for providing lighting and income-generating activities for off-grid rural communities in Kenya
Off-grid solar systems in rural Kenya often fail because users cannot afford ongoing costs. This paper designs a solar energy centre that combines basic lighting and phone charging with income-generating activities. The authors demonstrate that this integrated approach makes the system economically viable and sustainable, allowing communities to generate revenue that supports continued operation and maintenance of the power supply.
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Benefits and challenges to productive use of off-grid rural electrification: The case of mini-hydropower in Bulongwa-Tanzania
A mini-hydropower minigrid in southern Tanzania enabled productive uses including barber shops, welding, phone charging, and salons. However, the system faces sustainability challenges: poor initial planning, lack of technicians and spare parts, inadequate tariffs that don't reflect market prices, and insufficient power capacity requiring load shedding. Subsidized electricity alone cannot drive rural business growth without addressing technical resources, planning, and pricing structures.
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Economic Viability and Socio-Environmental Impacts of Solar Home Systems for Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Bangladesh
Solar home systems in rural Bangladesh prove economically viable and environmentally beneficial. Systems above 30 watts capacity generate positive returns with payback periods and internal rates of return between 16% and 131%. These systems work best for micro-enterprises and low-income households, not just lighting use. Over 20 years, they avoid 6–7 tonnes of CO2 emissions while delivering lighting, health, information, and economic benefits.
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Optimizing the performance of hybrid renewable energy systems to accelerate a sustainable energy transition in Nigeria: A case study of a rural healthcare centre in Kano
A hybrid renewable energy system combining solar panels and diesel generators was designed and tested for a rural healthcare facility in Kano, Nigeria. The solar-diesel configuration proved most cost-effective, generating $30,583 in annual savings with a 1.3-year payback period while reducing CO2 emissions by 75 tons annually. This approach addresses severe energy shortages in rural African healthcare facilities and offers a practical alternative to relying solely on diesel generators.
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Sizing of renewable energy based hybrid system for rural electrification using grey wolf optimisation approach
This paper develops an optimization method for sizing hybrid renewable energy systems in rural villages. Using grey wolf optimization, researchers designed a solar, biomass, biogas, and battery system to provide reliable electricity to households in Haryana, India. The proposed approach outperformed existing optimization methods like harmony search and particle swarm optimization.
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Bridging the rural efficiency gap: expanding access to energy efficiency upgrades in remote and high energy cost communities
Rural communities in the USA, particularly in Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, face a "rural energy efficiency gap" where residents pay 33% higher energy burdens than urban areas but struggle to access efficiency upgrades. Geographic isolation, financial constraints, and lack of awareness create barriers that prevent those most needing efficiency improvements from obtaining them. The paper identifies these barriers and documents strategies that help rural residents access home energy upgrades, reduce bills, and improve comfort.
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Exploring peer-to-peer returns in off-grid renewable energy systems in rural India: An anthropological perspective on local energy sharing and trading
Off-grid renewable energy systems in rural India enable peer-to-peer energy sharing, but returns for energy provision extend beyond money. This ethnographic study identifies three return types—cash, in-kind, and intangible—and shows that people's preferences depend on their social relationships. Configuring returns is a sociocultural process, not purely economic. Energy practitioners should support diverse return mechanisms and engage local economies.
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Design, Simulation, and Economic Optimization of an Off-Grid Photovoltaic System for Rural Electrification
This paper designs and optimizes an off-grid solar photovoltaic system for a rural house in Morocco. The system combines 1080 Wp of solar panels with battery storage and a diesel generator backup, achieving 79% solar coverage and electricity costs of $0.57/kWh. Further optimization reduces costs to $0.356/kWh by lowering solar capacity, demonstrating how renewable energy systems can provide affordable, clean power to rural African communities.
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Economic evaluation of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) using hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software—a case study of rural India
This paper designs a hybrid renewable energy system for a rural Indian village of 450 households using solar, biogas, and agricultural waste. The researchers modeled the system with HOMER software to optimize energy generation and costs. The analysis shows the system can deliver electricity at $0.032/KWh with a net present cost of $76,837, providing a practical blueprint for rural electrification through coordinated solar pumps, biogas plants, and street lighting.
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Energy Management Strategy for Rural Communities’ DC Micro Grid Power System Structure with Maximum Penetration of Renewable Energy Sources
This paper develops an energy management strategy for DC microgrids serving rural communities that integrates solar, wind, fuel cells, and batteries. The strategy balances power between renewable sources and storage systems to meet variable loads while minimizing diesel generator use. The authors tested their approach through simulation and laboratory experiments, demonstrating it effectively handles dynamic load variations and improves system reliability for rural power systems.
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Scoping exercise to determine load profile archetype reference shapes for solar co-generation models in isolated off-grid rural African villages
This paper develops realistic hourly energy consumption profiles for isolated rural villages in Southern Africa to support solar micro-CHP system design. The researchers created time-series load profiles for thermal and power demand in typical off-grid villages, accounting for current reliance on firewood, biomass, candles, and kerosene. These profiles enable accurate computer modeling and testing of hybrid solar systems as viable electrification solutions for remote communities.
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Enabling equitable access to rural electrification: Current thinking on energy, poverty, and gender
Rural electrification programs must address the interconnected challenges of energy access, poverty reduction, and gender equity. The paper identifies critical gaps in current energy projects, particularly regarding women's specific needs, health impacts from cooking fuels, access to credit for microenterprises, and lack of gender-disaggregated data. It calls for renewable energy approaches that prioritize poor rural women and emphasizes the need for documented case studies and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes.
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Evaluating the impact of industrial loads on the performance of solar PV/diesel hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Ghana
Adding agro-processing productive loads to off-grid solar PV/diesel hybrid systems improves their performance for rural electrification in Ghana. The study used HOMER software to analyze a hybrid system and found that productive loads increase the load factor and solar correlation, reducing the cost of electricity generation. However, even with improvements, the cost remains higher than Ghana's national grid tariffs for residential consumers.
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Feasibility study of hybrid energy system for off-grid rural electrification in southern Pakistan
A hybrid renewable energy system combining photovoltaic, wind, and diesel power with battery storage can reliably electrify remote villages in southern Pakistan. For a 100-household village, this configuration delivers 205 kWh daily at 0.45 $/kWh, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 69%, and achieves 84% renewable energy penetration. The system remains feasible across varying environmental and economic conditions.
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Renewable energy for rural communities in Maharashtra, India
A survey of rural communities in Maharashtra, India reveals significant interest in renewable energy technologies, but adoption depends primarily on cost, reliability, and ease of use rather than environmental benefits. The study identifies social attitudes and negative preconceptions as major barriers to sustainable energy adoption and proposes strategies to improve renewable technology uptake in rural areas.
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Feasibility and Optimal Reliable Design of Renewable Hybrid Energy System for Rural Electrification in Iran
Researchers designed a hybrid renewable energy system combining hydroelectric, wind, and solar power with hydrogen storage to electrify 12 remote villages in northwestern Iran. Using local meteorological and geographic data, they optimized the system to minimize costs while ensuring reliable power supply. A genetic algorithm outperformed HOMER software in finding configurations that achieved energy costs below $0.30 per kilowatt-hour while accounting for equipment failures.
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Techno-economic assessment of a hybrid renewable energy storage system for rural community towards achieving sustainable development goals
This paper evaluates a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, battery storage, hydrogen, and fuel cells for a rural community in Bangladesh without grid access. The optimized system costs $25,099 and produces energy at $0.34/kWh, delivering clean electricity while supporting sustainable development. The authors conclude that scaling such systems requires government support and investment in rural developing regions.
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Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy Microgrid for Rural Agricultural Area in Southern Philippines
Researchers designed and optimized a hybrid renewable energy microgrid for rural agricultural communities in Southern Philippines, combining hydropower, solar panels, diesel generation, and battery storage. Using optimization algorithms, they identified component sizes that minimize power outages, energy costs, and emissions simultaneously. The optimal system includes 100 solar panels, 100 kWh battery storage, and a 13 kW diesel generator, achieving reliable power supply with low costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
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Optimal design and sensitivity analysis of distributed biomass‐based hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification: Case study of different photovoltaic/wind/battery‐integrated options in Babadam, northern Cameroon
Researchers designed and optimized hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and battery storage with biomass technologies for a remote community in northern Cameroon. Systems integrating biogas or syngas generators reduced electricity costs by 29-40% compared to solar-wind-battery alone, with the gasifier option achieving the lowest cost at $0.319/kWh. Sensitivity analysis confirms this cost advantage applies across sub-Saharan Africa, making biomass integration effective for rural electrification.
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Renewable Energy Sources microgrid design for rural area in South Africa
A photovoltaic battery microgrid system provides cheaper and cleaner electricity access than grid extension for rural South Africa. Researchers analyzed the Umhlabuyalingana municipality, where only 20% of residents have electricity. The PV-battery microgrid costs $0.378/kWh with zero emissions and 100% renewable energy, compared to grid extension at $0.328/kWh with significant carbon emissions. The microgrid becomes economically viable within 34 km, making it ideal for dispersed rural communities far from existing power lines.
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The benefits of energy appliances in the off-grid energy sector based on seven off-grid initiatives in rural Uganda
Rural electrification projects in Uganda typically prioritize lighting and phone charging, but this study identifies broader benefits of energy appliances that project designers overlook. Through interviews with 119 users across seven off-grid initiatives, the research found that beneficiaries value appliances most for business opportunities, labor reduction, health protection, personal security, food security, and comfort. Users sometimes preferred traditional energy sources like candles over modern alternatives, revealing gaps between implementer assumptions and actual community needs.
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Techno-economic optimization and sensitivity analysis of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems: A case study for sustainable energy solutions in rural India
This study designs and evaluates a hybrid renewable energy system for off-grid rural electrification in India, combining solar, wind, and biomass with hydrogen storage and batteries. Using HOMER Pro software, researchers optimized a system achieving 100% renewable energy fraction with a net present cost of $26.8 million and levelized cost of $4.32/kWh. Sensitivity analysis shows the system remains viable across varying economic conditions, providing reliable power to meet 94% of daily demand for rural communities.
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Exploring the coupling coordination relationship between eco-environment and renewable energy development in rural areas: A case of China
China's rural areas must transition to renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality, but this development affects rural ecosystems. The study models the coupling relationship between renewable energy development and environmental quality across Chinese provinces from 2005 to 2019. Results show coordination improved over time, with projections indicating further gains by 2025. Regional variation is significant, requiring tailored approaches based on local resources and economic conditions.
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Impact of Population Aging and Renewable Energy Consumption on Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity in Rural China: Evidence from Panel VAR Approach
Using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces (2000–2019), this study finds that population aging and renewable energy consumption both positively impact agricultural green total factor productivity in the long run. Population aging contributes 2.23% and renewable energy use contributes 0.56% to productivity gains over a 15-year lag period. The authors recommend improving agricultural infrastructure, increasing technology investment, building human capital, and strengthening international cooperation.
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Operational guidance for World Bank Group staff : designing sustainable off-grid rural electrification projects - principles and practices
This operational guide helps World Bank staff design sustainable off-grid rural electrification projects. It explains why off-grid solutions complement grid expansion, then details critical design factors including technology selection, environmental safeguards, productivity applications, affordability, business models, regulation, and financing options. The guide provides practical recommendations for project designers implementing rural electrification.
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Challenges for off-grid electrification in rural areas. Assessment of the situation in Namibia using the examples of Gam and Tsumkwe
Rural electrification in Namibia faces significant barriers despite the country's exceptional solar potential. The paper examines off-grid solar systems in Gam and Tsumkwe, revealing that current approaches fail due to one-sided legislation and inadequate community education. Namibia's reliance on coal imports and inability to connect dispersed populations to the main grid make off-grid solar solutions essential for achieving sustainability goals and supporting rural development.
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Design and implementation of Hybrid Renewable energy (PV/Wind/Diesel/Battery) Microgrids for rural areas.
This study designs and tests a hybrid microgrid system combining solar panels, wind turbines, diesel generators, and batteries for rural electrification. Using simulation software, the researchers developed control strategies to manage power flow from multiple energy sources and maintain system stability. The coordinated control approach successfully optimized the microgrid's performance, demonstrating that these hybrid systems can reliably serve remote areas.
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A Novel Off-Grid Optimal Hybrid Energy System for Rural Electrification of Tanzania Using a Closed Loop Cooled Solar System
This paper designs an off-grid hybrid solar-wind energy system for rural Tanzania, where electrification rates are extremely low. The system includes a novel closed-loop cooled solar design that increases power output by 10.23% compared to conventional panels. Using optimization software and local resource data, the authors demonstrate a cost-effective configuration with energy costs of $0.26/kWh, suitable for remote areas with similar climates.
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Electrifying the Poor: Highly Economic Off-Grid PV Systems in Ethiopia - A Basis for Sustainable Rural Development
Rural Ethiopia lacks electricity access for 80% of its population. Off-grid solar photovoltaic systems are economically viable there due to excellent solar conditions and high oil prices, with payback periods of 2-4 years. The paper presents a solar electrification roadmap including demonstration projects, training programs, and local solar businesses that generate purchasing power and enable sustainable rural development.
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Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Sustainable Rural Development: Perspectives and Challenges in Energy Systems Modeling
Hybrid renewable energy systems effectively electrify rural areas while reducing costs and emissions. Computational optimization models can design these systems while accounting for social factors like health, education, and income. The paper argues that energy modeling tools must evolve to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives and address broader societal transformations beyond traditional cost optimization approaches.
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The Importance of Local Investments Co-Financed by the European Union in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources in Rural Areas of Poland
Polish rural municipalities invested heavily in renewable energy projects between 2014 and 2020 using EU co-financing. The study of 1,117 projects found that agricultural municipalities in Eastern Poland showed the highest investment activity. Less developed municipalities pursued these projects most aggressively, viewing renewable energy as a path to economic growth. Municipal income and investment capacity were key factors determining success in securing EU funds.
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Feasibility study for power generation using off- grid energy system from micro hydro-PV-diesel generator-battery for rural area of Ethiopia: The case of Melkey Hera village, Western Ethiopia
This study evaluates a hybrid off-grid power system combining micro hydro, solar PV, battery storage, and diesel generation for a rural village in western Ethiopia. The system design uses HOMER software to optimize configuration and meets local electricity demand cost-effectively at $0.133/kWh. Hydropower provides 79% of energy, PV provides 20%, and diesel provides 1%, with 99% renewable energy fraction. The hybrid system proves more reliable and cost-effective than grid extension for remote rural electrification.
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Performance and reliability analysis of an off-grid PV mini-grid system in rural tropical Africa: A case study in southern Ethiopia
A solar photovoltaic mini-grid system in rural Ethiopia generated 46.6% less electricity than estimated, delivering only 87% of produced power to users due to capture and system losses. The system performed poorly with 13% capacity factor and 8.76% overall efficiency, forcing 13 hours of daily power cuts. The study shows that accurate demand forecasting and proper system sizing accounting for local weather and future growth are essential for reliable off-grid rural electrification.
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Optimal design and techno‐economic analysis of a hybrid grid‐independent renewable energy system for a rural community
This paper designs and analyzes hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in India. Using HOMER software, researchers evaluated six configurations for a village in Andhra Pradesh and identified an optimal system combining solar panels, diesel generators, batteries, and converters. This system delivers reliable power at low cost while reducing carbon emissions by 76% and achieving 97% renewable energy fraction, making it suitable for rural electrification projects.
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Renewable energy supported microgrid in rural electrification of Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa faces severe energy poverty, with 600 million people lacking electricity access. This review examines renewable energy microgrids and off-grid systems as solutions for rural electrification across the region. The paper discusses energy poverty's economic impacts, current microgrid developments, technical and implementation challenges, and the potential of renewable technologies to transform rural electrification efforts.
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Rural Electrification Efforts Based on Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems in the Andean Region: Comparative Assessment of Their Sustainability
Off-grid solar electrification projects in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru fail to achieve sustainability across institutional, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural dimensions. Ecuador and Chile lack maintenance mechanisms, while Peru struggles with community engagement despite having funding schemes. All three countries neglect strong, decentralized institutions needed to support rural electrification, leading to project failures and abandonment.
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Renewable Energy for Rural Sustainability in Developing Countries
Renewable energy technologies offer significant benefits for rural sustainability in developing countries, but their actual performance falls short of expectations. This paper identifies technological, economic, and institutional barriers to success, but argues that previous analyses have overlooked household perspectives and stakeholder needs. Survey findings reveal gaps between installed renewable energy technology capabilities and user satisfaction in remote communities.
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Sustainable Rural Development: Solar/Biomass Hybrid Renewable Energy System
Researchers developed a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar panels, battery storage, and a biomass gasifier to provide affordable electricity and clean water to rural communities lacking reliable energy and potable water access. The system uses waste heat from the biomass generator to purify saltwater through membrane distillation. Analysis shows the combined approach produces electricity and water at costs rural populations can afford, offering a viable solution for sustainable rural development.
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Synergizing hybrid renewable energy systems and sustainable agriculture for rural development in Nigeria
Hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, biogas, and wind can reliably power Nigerian farms while reducing costs and emissions. A case study shows solar dominates energy production, with a payback period of 7.22 years and negligible carbon emissions. The research demonstrates HRES is economically viable and environmentally sound for rural agriculture, though policy inconsistencies and infrastructure gaps remain barriers to widespread adoption.
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Analysing citizens’ perceptions of renewable energies in rural areas: A case study on wind farms in Spain
Wind energy installations in rural Spain create mixed socio-economic effects that vary significantly by location and stakeholder group. A survey of residents in Campo de Belchite found heterogeneous perceptions of wind farms' impacts on employment, demographics, and local economies. The study shows that management models critically influence social acceptance, and recommends more decentralized, participatory, and transparent governance approaches to maximize rural development benefits.
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Design and Modeling of a Standalone DC-Microgrid for Off-Grid Schools in Rural Areas of Developing Countries
This paper designs a DC microgrid system to provide electricity to off-grid rural schools in Ethiopia, where 76% of primary schools lack power. The researchers modeled the system using different appliance efficiency scenarios and found that DC microgrids effectively meet school electricity demands. High-efficiency appliances reduce system costs by 51%, making this solution applicable across sub-Saharan Africa to improve educational access and quality.
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Assessments of Wind‐Energy Potential in Selected Sites from Three Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria: Implications for Renewable/Sustainable Rural Electrification
Wind energy can provide affordable rural electrification across Nigeria's three major geopolitical zones. Analysis of wind-speed data from Katsina, Warri, and Calabar shows that even low wind-speed sites can generate electricity at economically viable costs—ranging from €0.0507 to €0.0819 per kWh—making wind turbines a practical renewable solution for electrifying remote rural communities.
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Renewable energy and energy storage systems in rural electrical power systems: Issues, challenges and application guidelines
Renewable energy integration into rural electrical grids faces significant challenges because non-dispatchable sources like wind and solar don't align with traditional grid design. Distributed electrical energy storage systems solve this problem by enabling reliable incorporation of renewable resources while improving overall power system performance and resilience.
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Rural household preferences in transition from traditional to renewable energy sources: the applicability of the energy ladder hypothesis in North Gondar Zone
Rural households in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia show strong willingness to transition from traditional to renewable energy sources. Hydropower emerges as the most preferred option, followed by solar energy. Socioeconomic factors—age, family size, income, education, and access to credit—significantly influence household energy choices. The study demonstrates that rural households are willing to pay substantial amounts for cleaner energy services, suggesting viable cost-sharing models for renewable energy implementation.
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Feasibility analysis of off-grid hybrid energy system for rural electrification in Northern Ghana
A hybrid energy system combining solar panels, diesel generators, and battery storage offers the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for electrifying off-grid rural areas in northern Ghana. Simulation analysis shows the system produces energy at $0.399 per kilowatt-hour, roughly three times current Ghana rates. However, policy support through fuel cost management and capital subsidies could make this approach economically viable for rural electrification.
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Drivers and Barriers to Rural Electrification in Tanzania and Mozambique - Grid Extension, Off-Grid and Renewable Energy Sources
Rural electrification rates in Tanzania and Mozambique remain below 5%, with grid extension too slow for remote areas. Off-grid systems using diesel generators are unreliable and expensive. Renewable energy alternatives like solar, micro-hydro, wind, and biofuels exist but face significant adoption barriers. This study identifies country-specific institutional, financial, and poverty-related drivers and barriers to both grid and off-grid electrification through interviews with ten national energy sector stakeholders.
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Techno-economic investigation of an environmentally friendly small-scale solar tracker-based PV/wind/Battery hybrid system for off-grid rural electrification in the mount bamboutos, Cameroon
This study analyzes a hybrid solar-wind-battery system for off-grid rural electrification in Cameroon's Mount Bamboutos region. Researchers tested six solar tracking methods and three wind turbine heights using HOMER Pro optimization software. Dual-axis solar trackers produced 7–31% more power than fixed panels and achieved the lowest energy costs. Higher wind turbine heights significantly increased wind generation. The system successfully powered 152 households, hospitals, schools, and businesses with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
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Feasibility and Sensitivity Analysis of a Hybrid Photovoltaic/Wind/Biogas/Fuel-Cell/Diesel/Battery System for Off-Grid Rural Electrification Using homer
Researchers designed and analyzed a hybrid renewable energy system combining photovoltaic, wind, biogas, fuel cells, diesel, and battery storage for remote rural electrification. Using HOMER software, they tested seven scenarios and found that photovoltaic, wind, and biogas together delivered the lowest energy cost at $0.207/kWh, dropping to $0.12/kWh with policy support and carbon cost accounting. Sensitivity analysis showed system costs most respond to changes in energy demand and least to wind speed variations.
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Economic Analysis of Integrated Renewable Energy System for Electrification of Remote Rural Area Having Scattered Population
This study develops an integrated renewable energy system combining solar, wind, biomass, and biogas to electrify a remote village in Gujarat, India. Using optimization algorithms, researchers found that accounting for distribution losses significantly affects system design and reliability. The analysis demonstrates that renewable energy systems using locally available resources are economically more feasible than extending the electrical grid to scattered rural populations.
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A multiscale approach to optimize off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for sustainable rural electrification: Economic evaluation and design
This paper designs and optimizes an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for a remote village in Turkey, combining solar, wind, and battery storage. Using the Nelder-Mead algorithm, the researchers sized system components to minimize costs while meeting electricity demand reliably. The optimized hybrid system delivers power at €0.63/kWh and outperforms diesel generators economically and environmentally, providing 16 years of continuous supply to the village.
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Optimal Design and Operation of an Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System in Nigeria’s Rural Residential Area, Using Fuzzy Logic and Optimization Techniques
This study designs and operates an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for a rural Nigerian community using particle swarm optimization to minimize electricity costs and fuzzy logic to manage power distribution. The optimized system achieves a levelized cost of 0.48 USD/kWh with full battery storage and 1.17 USD/kWh with half storage. The results provide practical guidance for feasibility assessments of minigrids in rural areas.
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A renewable energy-centred research agenda for planning and financing Nexus development objectives in rural sub-Saharan Africa
Rural sub-Saharan Africa faces overlapping development gaps: most cropland relies on rainfall alone, smallholder farmers lack electricity for irrigation and storage, and two-thirds of rural residents have no power access. This paper proposes a research agenda integrating renewable energy, water, climate, and agriculture to develop sustainable business models that help smallholder farmers increase yields and escape poverty while accounting for population growth and climate extremes.
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Policy Pathways for Mapping Clean Energy Access for Cooking in the Global South—A Case for Rural Communities
Rural communities in the Global South lack access to modern cooking energy, affecting 1.5 billion people. This study maps clean cooking technologies and policies for three countries—Fiji, Ghana, and Nigeria—by surveying end-users, energy suppliers, and interest groups. The research proposes policy pathways that coordinate governments, NGOs, energy developers, and businesses, with a business model progressing from government-driven to incentive-driven to private-sector-driven as technology adoption increases.
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Assessment the role of renewable energy in socio-economic development of rural and Arctic regions
Renewable energy can drive socio-economic development in rural and Arctic regions by replacing depleting traditional energy sources. The study examines Russian and international renewable energy policies, assesses market growth potential in Russia's Northwestern region, and identifies applications for energy-deficient peripheral areas lacking electrical grids. Effective energy policy must balance environmental and economic goals while prioritizing renewable deployment in remote regions.
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Analysis of Hybrid Solar/Wind/Diesel Renewable Energy System for off-grid Rural Electrification
This paper designs a hybrid solar, wind, and diesel power system for an off-grid rural parish on Ecuador's coast. Using HOMER software and local meteorological data, the authors analyze system feasibility and components under two diesel pricing scenarios—subsidized and non-subsidized. The work addresses rural electrification gaps by demonstrating how renewable hybrid systems can meet energy demand in underserved areas.
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Energy Saving, Implementation of Solar Energy and Other Renewable Energy Sources for Energy Supply in Rural Areas of Russia
This paper presents a staged implementation plan for solar and renewable energy systems in Russian rural settlements. The research analyzes regional climate, social, economic, and technical factors to develop a comprehensive energy supply strategy. The work identifies priorities, implementation sequences, and performance targets for deploying renewable energy and energy-saving measures across sparsely populated rural territories.
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Rural Off-Grid Electricity Service in Sub-Saharan Africa [Technology Leaders]
Sub-Saharan Africa faces severe electricity access challenges, with installed generation capacity far below demand for its 860 million people. Nineteen of the world's twenty least-electrified countries are in this region, and rural electrification rates fall below 15%. Decades of underinvestment have created a critical infrastructure gap that impedes development across the region.
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Understanding the Antecedents of Entrepreneurship and Renewable Energies to Promote the Development of Community Renewable Energy in Rural Areas
Community renewable energy projects in rural areas depend on entrepreneurship and renewable energy technology adoption. This systematic review identifies five interconnected capital factors—economic, human, social, physical, and natural—that enable or constrain these projects in developed countries. Northern Europe leads in community renewable energy development while Southern Europe lags. The study maps causal relationships between these factors to guide policymakers in designing strategies that strengthen rural renewable energy initiatives.
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100% Renewable Energy Grid for Rural Electrification of Remote Areas: A Case Study in Jordan
A hybrid renewable energy system combining wind, solar, and hydropower with battery storage can reliably electrify the rural Jordanian city of Al-Tafilah while meeting 100% of demand. The optimized system achieves 99% renewable energy fraction, reduces electricity costs to match current tariffs, and avoids nearly 47,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. This decentralized approach addresses rural electrification gaps in developing countries and is replicable across Jordan's other rural areas.
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Renewable Energy Project as a Source of Innovation in Rural Communities: Lessons from the Periphery
Renewable energy projects in northwest Romania failed to boost employment or local revenue, contrary to expectations. However, community-owned projects sparked policy innovation and interest in technological change, while privately-owned projects merely prompted consideration of similar ventures. The study shows that who controls renewable energy infrastructure—not the technology itself—determines whether rural communities experience genuine innovation and development.
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Techno-economic analysis of hybrid renewable energy system for rural electrification in India
This paper analyzes a hybrid renewable energy system designed to provide reliable, year-round electricity to off-grid rural households in India. The system combines multiple renewable sources to meet seasonal demand variations while maintaining 100% renewable energy. Results show the hybrid system reduces power interruptions and unmet demand while remaining economically viable over 25 years, offering a practical framework for electrifying underserved rural communities.
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Feasibility Study of Hydrokinetic Power for Energy Access in Rural South Africa
This study evaluates hydrokinetic power generation as a viable renewable energy solution for rural South Africa. The researchers simulated hydrokinetic systems using HOMER software and compared them against photovoltaic, diesel generator, and grid extension options. They found hydrokinetic power offers reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for remote areas with adequate water resources, while requiring minimal infrastructure and environmental impact. The paper identifies key challenges to technology adoption in South Africa.
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Renewable energy sources‐based hybrid microgrid system for off‐grid electricity solution for rural communities
Pakistan faces severe electricity shortages causing frequent blackouts in rural areas. This paper proposes a hybrid microgrid system combining solar and wind energy to electrify remote communities cost-effectively. The researchers designed and simulated a PV/wind system in MATLAB that produces stable 230-volt output while minimizing voltage transients, offering a practical renewable energy solution for off-grid rural electrification.
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Applying Lithium-Ion Second Life Batteries for Off-Grid Solar Powered System—A Socio-Economic Case Study for Rural Development
A hybrid solar and second-life lithium-ion battery system successfully powered an island community in Lake Victoria, Tanzania, supplying 42 kWh daily to hospitals, schools, and fishing operations. The system paid for itself within four years and outperformed diesel generators economically and environmentally. This demonstrates how repurposed electric vehicle batteries can electrify remote African regions while addressing rural development needs.
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Renewable energy communities in rural areas: A comprehensive overview of current development, challenges, and emerging trends
This review of 86 articles examines renewable energy communities in rural areas across 2004–2024. Rural energy development, community engagement, and agricultural integration drive growth. Systems are shifting from localized solutions to integrated hybrid systems and smart grids. Key challenges include financial constraints, infrastructure gaps, regulatory barriers, and low participation rates. Environmental benefits matter most in China, Thailand, and Italy, while economic gains dominate in the U.S., Poland, and India. Success requires resilience, scalability, innovation, supportive policies, and strong community involvement.
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Decentralized renewable energies and the water-energy-food nexus in rural Morocco
A pilot project in Morocco's Youssoufia Province demonstrates how decentralized renewable energy initiatives benefit rural communities by addressing interconnected water, energy, and food challenges. The approach builds partnerships across sectors, reduces trade-offs between competing resource demands, and improves coordination for sustainable development and community well-being in the face of climate change and pandemic disruptions.
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Sustainability of rural electrification programs based on off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems in Chile
Chile's off-grid photovoltaic programs for rural electrification face significant sustainability challenges across institutional, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural dimensions. Despite Chile's solar potential and successful pilot projects, deployment lags due to poor technology choices, inadequate system reliability, and lack of maintenance standards. Indigenous communities remain underserved because the government's approach requires communities to request electrification first, disadvantaging the poorest populations. The paper calls for improved cultural justice, equity, and environmental awareness to ensure sustainable rural electrification.
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Modeling and optimization of integrated renewable energy system for a rural site
This paper designs and optimizes a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and biomass power for rural electrification. The researchers use HOMER optimization software to determine the most cost-effective configuration of system components for supplying electricity to a remote area. The analysis identifies an optimal setup that balances reliability and affordability by leveraging multiple renewable sources to overcome individual technology limitations.
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Challenges of sustaining off-grid power generation in Nigeria rural communities
Nigeria's off-grid power projects fail at high rates due to poor planning, technology gaps, and operational challenges. The paper identifies why state governments and international donors struggle to sustain remote electricity systems where grid extension is impractical. It recommends improved planning before installation and stronger government involvement to prevent project abandonment and deliver reliable power to rural communities.
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MicroFEWs: A Food–Energy–Water Systems Approach to Renewable Energy Decisions in Islanded Microgrid Communities in Rural Alaska
Remote Alaskan communities face interconnected challenges across food, energy, and water systems. This paper introduces the MicroFEWs approach, which helps these isolated communities make renewable energy decisions while protecting food security. Using Cordova, Alaska as a case study, the authors show how increased renewable energy generation affects the local fish processing industry and overall community resilience. The framework offers a replicable model for other remote regions.
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Rural Solar Cookers, an Alternative to Reduce the Timber Resource Extraction through the Use of Renewable Energy Sources: Technology Transfer and Monitoring Project
Researchers designed and distributed 70 solar cookers to an indigenous community in Michoacán, Mexico, to replace wood-burning cooking methods. The parabolic concentrator cookers use polished aluminum reflectors and manual tracking. The project aims to cut timber consumption by 30%, reduce respiratory disease from smoke inhalation, improve household economics, and promote renewable energy adoption. Monitoring is underway to measure actual consumption reductions.
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Promoting Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Development in Africa: Experiences of Zambia
Zambia has introduced renewable energy technologies to meet growing electricity demand and electrify rural households. Solar energy dominates adoption, but remains limited to employed elites. Wind energy remains largely unexploited. Key barriers include weak policy implementation, low rural awareness of renewable benefits, high technology costs, and underdeveloped renewable energy markets.
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Integration of Renewable Energies in Mobile Employment Promotion Units for Rural Populations
This paper evaluates hybrid renewable energy systems for mobile service units delivering healthcare, training, and employment services to rural populations. The researchers tested two solar photovoltaic installations on trucks, modeled energy performance across seasons, and simulated different battery-storage combinations. Results show that larger solar arrays (3.54 kWp) capture significantly more energy and reduce battery cycling, while optimized PV-battery configurations decrease reliance on diesel generators.
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Energy justice, renewable energy, and the rural-urban divide: Insights from the Southwest U.S.
This study examines energy justice in rural and urban Arizona communities near a large-scale solar-wind park. Researchers found that small-scale renewable energy projects better served low-income populations than large-scale installations. Urban areas received more government and nonprofit support for renewable initiatives than rural areas. Large-scale projects created adverse community and wildlife impacts without adequate benefit-sharing. The authors recommend expanding small-scale solar capacity, increasing funding for local energy efficiency programs, and supporting low-income housing and community facilities.
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Rural Electrification Goes Local: Recent innovations in renewable generation, energy efficiency, and grid modernization
Rural areas face infrastructure challenges due to sparse, dispersed populations. The paper examines how renewable energy generation, energy efficiency improvements, and modernized grids address rural electrification. It notes that rural definitions vary globally but consistently describe low-density settlements where farming dominates, creating barriers to infrastructure development that limit economic activity and household incomes.
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Women, equality, and energy access: Emerging lessons for last-mile rural electrification in Brazil
Rural electrification in Brazil's semi-arid Bahia region fails to benefit women equally because installed capacity is too low for household appliances and community services where women work. The study of 19 communities shows that gender inequality persists despite energy access. Solutions include higher capacity systems, affordable pricing for women, and ongoing gender-sensitive local services to ensure electrification reduces rather than reinforces gender gaps.
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Optimal Operation of an Integrated Hybrid Renewable Energy System with Demand-Side Management in a Rural Context
This study designs an optimal hybrid renewable energy system for five remote, grid-disconnected villages in Odisha, India. The researchers modeled six system configurations using different battery technologies and dispatch strategies, then tested them with and without demand-side management. A nickel-iron battery system with load-following strategy and high-efficiency appliances achieved the lowest lifecycle cost at USD 522,945. The Salp Swarm Algorithm proved most effective for optimization, and interest rate fluctuations significantly affected system performance.
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A Comprehensive Approach to the Design of a Renewable Energy Microgrid for Rural Ethiopia: The Technical and Social Perspectives
This study designs a renewable energy microgrid for rural Ethiopia combining solar and small-scale hydropower to power irrigation while providing electricity for community needs. Researchers conducted fieldwork interviews to understand local energy demands and social preferences, then modeled four scenarios with different reliability levels. The microgrid proved technically feasible and socially acceptable to the community, with costs sensitive to equipment choices. The authors recommend educational programs and clear policies before implementation.
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Investments in Renewable Energy Sources in Basic Units of Local Government in Rural Areas
Rural local governments in Poland's Świętokrzyskie region invested minimally in renewable energy between 2016–2019, with only 28% of communes participating. EU funding proved essential for these investments to occur. Budget size and property expenditures correlated with renewable energy spending only in mixed urban-rural communes. The study reveals that without external EU support, local governments lack sufficient resources to transition away from coal dependence.
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THE RURAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY. THE CASE OF ROMANIA
Romania possesses substantial renewable energy resources—solar, wind, and water—that remain underutilized in rural areas. The study finds a strong correlation between renewable energy adoption and reduced import dependency from 2004–2014. Developing rural renewable energy projects would create jobs, decrease energy imports, lower emissions, and boost rural economies. The authors argue Romania must adopt supportive policies to unlock this potential.
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Energy Management and Optimization of a Standalone Renewable Energy System in Rural Areas of the Najran Province
This paper designs and analyzes a standalone renewable energy microgrid for a rural community in Saudi Arabia using solar and wind power. The optimized system reduces electricity costs to 0.18 SAR/kWh compared to 0.38 SAR/kWh from conventional generation. Advanced control mechanisms ensure the system reliably handles fluctuating renewable supply and varying demand, demonstrating technical and economic viability for decentralized rural electrification.
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Electrification of Rural Remote Areas Using Renewable Energy Sources: Literature Review
Renewable energy sources effectively electrify remote rural settlements worldwide, with systems ranging from kilowatts to megawatts. The paper reviews global practices for designing isolated energy systems, focusing on optimizing equipment composition and structure. Key challenges include balancing multiple objectives—minimizing energy costs and fossil fuel use while maximizing reliability and living standards—and implementing support mechanisms for environmentally friendly generation in remote areas.
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Optimal planning of renewable integrated rural microgrid for sustainable energy supply
This paper develops an optimization method for designing standalone microgrids in rural areas that combine renewable energy sources with battery storage. Using a case study in rural India, the researchers apply grey wolf optimization to minimize energy costs and emissions while meeting local electricity demand. The optimal system configuration achieved a levelized cost of 0.203 $/kWh with 92% renewable energy, demonstrating technical and economic feasibility for remote rural electrification.
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Renewable Energy Options for a Rural Village in North Korea
This study designs renewable energy systems for a rural village in North Korea, where electrification rates are critically low. Using optimization modeling, the researchers compared off-grid hybrid systems (combining solar, wind, batteries, and diesel) against grid extension. The hybrid system proved most cost-effective, with grid extension becoming competitive only beyond 9.7–20.6 kilometers depending on discount rates. The findings support hybrid renewable systems as a practical solution to expand rural electrification in remote North Korean areas.
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Integration of Renewable Energy Project: A Technical Proposal for Rural Electrification to Local Communities
Pakistan faces severe electricity shortages of 8-12 hours daily. This paper evaluates wind energy potential along Pakistan's 1600 km coastal belt in Sindh and Baluchistan provinces to power rural communities. Using real-time wind data and optimal probability functions, the authors identify the best locations for wind turbines and propose a technical framework for integrating wind farms into rural electrification projects, aiming to attract energy sector investment.
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Evaluating renewable energy choices among rural communities in Nigeria. An insight for energy policy
Rural communities in North-Central Nigeria show strong demand for renewable energy, particularly solar photovoltaic systems. Awareness, income, and availability significantly influence adoption rates. High installation and maintenance costs, combined with reliability concerns and weak policy incentives, remain major barriers. The study recommends government funding partnerships and subsidies to reduce costs, increase awareness, and enable private firms to supply affordable renewable energy to rural households currently dependent on firewood.
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Methodology for strengthening energy resilience with SMART solution approach of rural areas: Local production of alternative biomass fuel within renewable energy community
This paper presents a methodology for rural energy resilience through local biomass fuel production. The approach involves cultivating short rotation coppice on degraded or erosion-prone land, then processing the woody plants into pellet biofuel within community-based energy systems. The method delivers environmental benefits, reduces energy costs, and modernizes heating infrastructure in rural areas.
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Startup process, safety and risk assessment of biomass gasification for off-grid rural electrification
Biomass gasification offers promise for off-grid rural electricity generation, but startup procedures pose serious safety risks including fire, explosion, and toxic emissions. This study analyzes hazards during the heating startup phase of downdraft gasifiers and identifies heating temperature as the critical safety factor. The authors propose safety protocols that reduce risks from fire, explosion, and harmful emissions, enabling more reliable operation of gasification systems in rural areas.
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An Overview of Energy Access Solutions for Rural Healthcare Facilities
Rural healthcare facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa lack reliable electricity access, limiting medical equipment operation and increasing mortality rates. This review identifies hybrid renewable energy systems with solar panels and batteries as effective solutions for powering rural health centers. Combining these systems with demand-side management reduces installation costs and improves efficiency. Energy access modeling tools support rural electrification planning for healthcare facilities.
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Selection of Renewable Energy in Rural Area Via Life Cycle Assessment-Analytical Hierarchy Process (LCA-AHP): A Case Study of Tatau, Sarawak
This study evaluated four renewable energy sources—solar, wind, biomass, and mini-hydro—for a rural area in Sarawak using life cycle assessment and analytical hierarchy process methods. Solar energy ranked highest when considering environmental, engineering, and economic criteria, followed by mini-hydro, biomass, and wind. The findings provide a systematic framework for selecting appropriate renewable energy technologies in rural developing regions.
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Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of an Off-Grid Hybrid Energy System for Rural Electrification in Nigeria
This study evaluates the feasibility of a hybrid solar-wind-battery-diesel system for rural electrification in Nigeria, specifically for a secondary school in Moriki. Using HOMER simulation software, researchers found that a solar-battery configuration is optimal, with a net present cost of $18,161 and energy cost of $0.233/kWh. The system eliminates greenhouse gas emissions entirely through 100% renewable energy generation, offering a cost-effective alternative to diesel generators and biomass currently used in off-grid rural areas.
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The Application of Homer Optimization Software to Investigate the Prospects of Hybrid Renewable Energy System in Rural Communities of Sokoto in Nigeria
A hybrid solar and wind energy system designed for rural Sokoto, Nigeria proves cost-effective for electrification. Using NASA meteorological data and HOMER optimization software, researchers sized an optimal system combining 35.21kW solar panels, three 25kW wind turbines, and battery storage. The system costs $249,910 upfront but recovers investment in five years, delivering 25 years of maintenance-free, pollution-free electricity to remote communities at lower long-term cost than grid extension.
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Promoting Community Renewable Energy as a tool for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas of Thailand
Thailand's Ministry of Energy promoted 26 community renewable energy projects across rural areas, primarily using biogas and solar thermal systems. These projects involved 1,638 households and generated 845 kW of thermal energy and 86 kW of electricity. Projects cost an average of 1.3 million Thai baht with 60% government co-investment, producing combined annual savings or income of 5.53 million baht while supporting environmental protection.
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Success factors for the effective implementation of renewable energy options for rural electrification in India-Potentials of the CLEAN DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM
Rural electrification in India faces persistent obstacles despite decades of renewable energy promotion. This study examines how the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol can facilitate renewable energy investment for rural areas. Analysis of CDM biomass projects across four Indian states reveals that socio-political and historical framework conditions significantly determine whether renewable energy initiatives succeed in providing affordable, stable energy supply to combat rural energy poverty.
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Performance analysis of hybrid off-grid renewable energy systems for sustainable rural electrification
This study evaluates hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Somalia. A configuration combining solar panels, wind turbines, diesel generators, and battery storage achieved the lowest costs ($96,899 net present cost, $0.090/kWh levelized cost) while meeting all electricity demand with 91.8% renewable penetration and 53% lower emissions than alternatives. The system proves technically and economically viable for powering remote communities without grid access.
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Understanding the load profiles and electricity consumption patterns of PV mini-grid customers in rural off-grid east africa: A data-driven study
This study analyzes electricity consumption patterns in two off-grid solar mini-grid communities in Ethiopia using 20 months of metered data and 238 customer surveys. Load profiles differ significantly between the two sites: one experiences daily 13-hour power cuts due to demand exceeding generation capacity, while the other meets continuous demand. Productive users consume three times more electricity than households at both sites. Electricity demand has increased over time at different rates across locations, with distinct factors driving consumption in each town. The findings inform rural electrification planning through mini-grids.
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Off grid rural electrification using integrated renewable energy system
This paper designs an off-grid renewable energy system for a rural village in India using solar, wind, and biomass resources. The authors assessed electricity demand for 101 households and available renewable resources in Khatisitara village, then used HOMER software to optimize system design. The integrated system achieves an energy cost of $0.084 per kilowatt-hour, demonstrating how locally available renewable resources can electrify remote communities and improve their socioeconomic conditions.
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Feasibility Analysis and Simulation of Integrated Renewable Energy System for Power Generation: A Hypothetical Study of Rural Health Clinic
This paper analyzes the feasibility of a hybrid solar and wind renewable energy system for a rural health clinic in Nigeria. Using meteorological data and energy consumption records, researchers designed and simulated an optimal system combining 5 kW solar panels and a 7.5 kW wind turbine with battery storage. The system generates 16,628 kWh annually, meeting the clinic's full energy needs at a total cost of $137,139. The results demonstrate that stand-alone renewable systems can reliably power rural healthcare facilities.
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Comparative study of economic viability of rural electrification using renewable energy resources versus diesel generator option in Saudi Arabia
This study compares the economic viability of renewable energy systems versus diesel generators for rural electrification in Saudi Arabia. Analyzing a real power station expansion, researchers calculated levelized costs of energy for wind, solar, hybrid, and diesel options under different ownership structures. Wind energy emerged as the most cost-effective choice, followed by diesel generators, hybrid systems, and solar. Capital costs drove the economic outcomes more than operating expenses.
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Experimental study on excitation phenomena of renewable energy source driven induction generator for isolated rural community loads
This paper investigates how induction generators can reliably supply power to isolated rural communities. The researchers conducted experiments to determine safe operating limits for reactive power and rotor speed that prevent over- and under-excitation problems. They tested different methods for calculating required reactive power and identified the most effective approach. Their findings enable induction machines to function as dependable generators for off-grid rural applications.
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Techno-economic Feasibility Analysis of an Off-grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification
This study analyzes the technical and economic feasibility of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for a rural village in Balochistan, Pakistan. Researchers designed and optimized a system combining wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage to meet local electricity demand. The optimized configuration delivers 197.74 kWh daily at a cost of $0.137 per kilowatt-hour, proving more cost-effective than grid extension for remote areas with difficult terrain.
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Research on the Optimal Operation of a Novel Renewable Multi-Energy Complementary System in Rural Areas
This paper designs a distributed multi-energy system combining wind, solar, biomass, and battery storage for rural areas. The authors develop an optimization model to maximize daily economic benefits and test it using a genetic algorithm across different weather scenarios. Results show the system operates stably and achieves economic targets, offering a practical solution for rural electrification in China and other developing countries with large rural populations.
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Probabilistic reliability evaluation of off-grid small hybrid solar PV-wind power system for the rural electrification in Nepal
This paper evaluates the reliability of hybrid solar-wind power systems designed to provide electricity to remote rural areas in Nepal. The authors analyze a real off-grid system using probabilistic methods to calculate key reliability metrics including loss of load expectation and expected energy not served. The findings demonstrate that hybrid systems combining wind turbines as primary generation with solar panels and battery backup can deliver dependable power supply to remote communities at reasonable cost.
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Researches on application of the renewable energy technologies in the development of low-carbon rural tourism
Rural tourism development causes environmental pollution and resource degradation. This paper demonstrates how renewable energy technologies—biomass, solar, and wind—can support low-carbon rural tourism. Using Changsha as a case study, the authors propose practical methods for integrating these renewable energy sources into rural tourism operations.
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Equal goods, but inequitable capabilities? A gender-differentiated study of off-grid solar energy in rural Tanzania
Off-grid solar systems in rural Tanzania provide equal access to energy goods but create unequal capabilities, particularly for women and low-income households. The poorest households cannot afford solar home systems, while wealthier households use them as backup power. Solar energy remains underutilized for income generation. The study recommends policy reforms and tracking frameworks to ensure women and low-income groups gain equitable capability benefits from off-grid solar expansion.
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Renewable Minigrid Electrification in Off-Grid Rural Ghana: Exploring Households Willingness to Pay
Rural households in Ghana's five pilot renewable minigrid communities are willing to pay an average of 30 GHC per month (about 5 USD) for reliable renewable electricity—double current tariffs. Using contingent valuation surveys, researchers found households would dedicate 9-11% of discretionary income to access clean power. These findings inform tariff regulation and business model design for scaling renewable minigrids across Ghana's 600+ off-grid communities.
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Electricity Access, Community Healthcare Service Delivery, and Rural Development Nexus: Analysis of 3 Solar Electrified CHPS in Off-Grid Communities in Ghana
Solar photovoltaic systems installed at three community health facilities in Ghana generate sufficient electricity for healthcare services and excess capacity for income-generating activities like phone charging and cold storage. Electrified health facilities improved service delivery and saved residents 15–43 hours monthly, with greater benefits for women and children. The study demonstrates that rural electricity access through solar systems strengthens healthcare delivery and creates time for productive work, driving rural development.
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Techo-Economic Analysis of Off-grid Renewable Energy Systems for Rural Electrification in North-eastern Nigeria
This study evaluates five electricity generation systems for a remote village in northeastern Nigeria using techno-economic analysis. Solar radiation and wind speed data show the area has strong renewable potential. A hybrid photovoltaic-diesel system with battery storage proved most cost-effective, reducing expenses by 38% and emissions by 36% compared to diesel-only generation, making it the best option for rural electrification.
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Study of a hybrid renewable energy system for a rural school in Tagzirt, Morocco
Researchers designed a hybrid renewable energy system for a rural school in Morocco combining solar panels, wind turbines, diesel backup, and battery storage. Using HOMER Pro software, they optimized the system to meet the school's daily energy demand of 23 kWh. The final configuration included a 5 kW solar array, 2 kW wind turbine, and 7.8 kW diesel generator, achieving an energy cost of $1.12 per kilowatt-hour.
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Off-grid photovoltaic systems as a solution for the ambient pollution avoidance and Iraq’s rural areas electrification
Off-grid photovoltaic systems can electrify rural households in Iraq's Diyala State while reducing pollution. The study analyzed a solar system for a single household and found electricity costs of $0.51 per kilowatt-hour, competitive with conventional Iraqi grid rates. The system avoids approximately 1,840 kilograms of CO2 emissions annually compared to conventional fuel-based electricity generation, making solar viable for remote rural electrification.
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Potential of MicroSources, Renewable Energy sources and Application of Microgrids in Rural areas of Maharashtra State India
This paper examines how microgrids powered by distributed renewable energy sources can address rural electrification challenges in Maharashtra, India. The authors assess the region's potential for renewable energy resources and propose that microgrids can reduce transmission losses, improve power quality, and eliminate load shedding—a persistent problem in rural Indian areas. They argue microgrids offer a decentralized alternative to centralized power systems.
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Technical, economic and environmental assessment and optimization of four hybrid renewable energy models for rural electrification
Researchers evaluated four hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Nigeria, comparing solar-wind-battery, solar-wind-battery-generator, solar-wind-fuel-cell, and solar-wind-battery-fuel-cell configurations. The solar-wind-battery system proved most cost-effective at $0.158 per kilowatt-hour while minimizing emissions. Adding fuel cells or diesel generators increased costs significantly. The study recommends a 166 kW solar, 3 wind turbine, 29 battery system as optimal for balancing affordability with environmental sustainability in rural communities.
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Long-term optimal capacity expansion planning for an operating off-grid PV mini-grid in rural Africa under different demand evolution scenarios
This study optimizes long-term capacity expansion for an overloaded solar mini-grid in rural Ethiopia using 20-year projections under three demand growth scenarios. Battery and solar capacity expansions dominate costs, while the system cannot fully meet demand even under optimal expansion. The research shows critical trade-offs between minimizing costs and maximizing reliability, and demonstrates that supporting productive user demand improves financial viability and cost-effectiveness.
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Building a Sustainable Energy Community: Design and Integrate Variable Renewable Energy Systems for Rural Communities
Researchers designed a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar and wind power for a rural community in Saudi Arabia. The system serves residential buildings and irrigation needs, optimized using HOMER software and artificial neural networks. Results show the system achieves 65% renewable energy penetration at $0.1053 per kilowatt-hour while reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by 233 tons.
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THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY USING IMPROVED COOKING STOVES FOR RURAL HOUSEHOLDS
Improved cooking stoves using solar energy and biomass reduce rural households' vulnerability to climate change in developing countries. The study shows that efficient renewable energy use decreases dependence on traditional biomass, improves health outcomes, and strengthens socio-economic status and education. Environmental benefits include reduced emissions and better adaptive capacity for agricultural communities facing climate risks.
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Renewable Energy Utilization in Rural Residential Housing: Economic and Environmental Facets
Rural Polish homeowners can dramatically reduce energy costs and carbon emissions by retrofitting houses with renewable energy systems like solar panels and heat pumps. The study compares construction costs and operating expenses across scenarios, finding that energy-neutral homes cost more upfront but cut energy bills substantially and reduce annual CO2 emissions by roughly 90 percent compared to coal-heated homes. Retrofitting existing rural houses offers greater environmental and economic benefits than new construction alone.
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The Impact of Foreign and Indigenous Innovations on the Energy Intensity of China’s Industries
Indigenous innovation drives down industrial energy intensity in China more effectively than foreign innovation. Foreign direct investment and imports reduce energy intensity, while exports increase it. The relationship between foreign innovation and energy intensity depends on a sector's technological absorptive capacity. Policymakers should maximize technology spillovers and consider sector-specific factors when targeting industrial energy efficiency.
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An integrated ecosystem incorporating renewable energy leading to pollution reduction for sustainable development of craft villages in rural area: a case study at sedge mats village in Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Researchers developed VICRAIZES, an integrated renewable energy system for sedge mat craft villages in Vietnam's Mekong Delta that combines biogas production from waste, wastewater treatment, and composting. The system reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 93%, BOD5 in wastewater by 97%, and generated compost worth 115 million VND annually while requiring low investment and simple operation. The approach proves viable for low-income craft villages across developing countries.
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Theoretical Framework of Organizational Intelligence: A Managerial Approach to Promote Renewable Energy in Rural Economies
Energy companies promoting renewable energy in rural communities need stronger organizational intelligence systems. This study proposes a framework combining economic intelligence, knowledge management, and organizational enablers to help companies innovate and adapt. Testing the framework at Romania's Transelectrica reveals that developing these intelligence elements enhances capacity to deploy renewable energy projects and maintain competitive advantage in changing markets.
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Development of low-CO 2 -emission vehicles and utilization of local renewable energy for the vitalization of rural areas in Japan
Japan's rural areas face energy dependency and aging populations. This project developed low-CO2 vehicles—a micro-electric vehicle for single drivers and a low-speed electric bus—designed for elderly residents and tourists. Researchers tested renewable energy sources to power these vehicles, partnering with regional industries, local universities, and municipal governments to create sustainable mobility solutions that revitalize rural communities.
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Renewable Energy: The Key to Achieving Sustainable Development of Rural Bangladesh
Renewable energy technologies can address rural Bangladesh's energy shortage, poverty, and environmental degradation caused by over-reliance on biomass. The country possesses sufficient renewable resources to solve its energy crisis. The paper examines Bangladesh's renewable energy policies, implementation, research, and market development, noting that modern technologies remain in demonstration phases with emerging private sector and NGO involvement.
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Addressing rural energy poverty and rural-urban energy access gap in developing countries: does international remittances matter?
International remittances significantly reduce rural energy poverty and narrow the rural-urban energy access gap in developing countries, particularly where financial development and GDP per capita are higher. The study analyzed 135 developing nations from 2000–2020 and found that remittance inflows enable households to afford energy access. Effects vary by income group, suggesting that credit availability and economic development amplify remittances' impact on rural energy inequality.
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Socio-economic impacts of energy access through off-grid systems in rural communities: a case study of southwest Nigeria
Off-grid energy systems in rural southwest Nigeria created new businesses and jobs while reducing energy costs and increasing household income. The study analyzed how factors like gender, education, business age, and operating hours influenced income generation among electrified enterprises. Results demonstrate that energy access through off-grid systems drives measurable economic development in rural communities.
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Solar-Battery-Integrated Hybrid AC/DC Off-Grid System for Rural Households Based on a Novel Multioutput Converter
This paper presents a hybrid solar-battery system designed for rural households that simultaneously powers AC and DC appliances without grid connection. The proposed two-stage converter reduces complexity and cost compared to existing off-grid systems by eliminating unnecessary converter stages, incorporating maximum power point tracking, battery protection, and voltage regulation in a single integrated design. Laboratory testing on a 400-watt prototype validates the system's performance.
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Simulation-Based Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Off-grid Rural Electrification
Researchers developed an optimization algorithm for designing hybrid renewable energy systems that serve off-grid rural communities. The algorithm minimizes energy costs and power outages while maximizing energy matching efficiency. Testing showed it reduced levelized energy costs by 6.27% compared to standard software and delivered significant carbon savings. The approach proves computationally efficient for feasibility studies in rural electrification projects.
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Use of Renewable Energy Sources for Energy Generation in Rural Areas in the Island of Crete, Greece
Crete's rural areas harness diverse renewable energy sources—solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal—which currently supply 30% of installed capacity and generate over 20% of annual electricity. The island possesses sufficient renewable resources to meet nearly all energy needs, enabling transition to a low-carbon economy. Future grid interconnection and emerging technologies will expand renewable applications, creating local jobs while reducing fossil fuel imports and meeting EU climate targets.
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Optimal Design of Standalone Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems with Biochar Production in Remote Rural Areas: A Case Study
Remote rural areas can efficiently generate power using local renewable resources instead of long-distance electricity transmission. This paper develops an optimization model for hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and biomass. A case study in the Philippines shows an optimal configuration producing $940 daily profit while sequestering 3,339 kg CO2 equivalent per day, demonstrating both economic and environmental benefits for agriculture-based rural communities.
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Alternate energy sources for lighting among rural households in the Himalayan region of Pakistan: Access and impact
Rural households in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region use five energy sources for lighting: electricity, kerosene, candles, solar energy, and batteries. Education and wealth strongly influence adoption of cleaner energy sources. Electricity access significantly increases household appliance use and extends evening work hours, demonstrating tangible benefits for rural livelihoods in this Himalayan region.
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Policy pathways for renewable and sustainable energy utilisation in rural coastline communities in the Niger Delta zone of Nigeria
Rural coastal communities in Nigeria's Niger Delta face multiple barriers to renewable energy adoption, including policy gaps, technical challenges, financial constraints, and inadequate information systems. The paper identifies policy pathways to overcome these obstacles, emphasizing the need for coordinated action among government, oil companies, and local stakeholders. Federal renewable energy policies combined with corporate support can drive widespread adoption of renewable technologies to improve energy access and affordability in the region.
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Sustainability of Renewable Off-Grid Technology for Rural Electrification: A Comparative Study Using the IAD Framework
This study examines why renewable off-grid electricity projects in rural Indonesia often fail despite technical success. Researchers compared micro-hydropower and solar projects in Bogor Regency using sustainability indicators and institutional analysis. They found that government preference for grid connections undermines off-grid projects, leaving communities with temporary electricity access while waiting for central grid expansion, regardless of how well the standalone systems perform.
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Disseminating Renewable Energy Products in Bangladesh: Implications of Solar Home System Adoption in Rural Households
Bangladesh faces severe electricity shortages and lacks rural distribution infrastructure. This study examines Solar Home System adoption in rural households, primarily financed through government and non-government microfinance schemes. While the SHS program proves commercially viable and socially acceptable, technical and managerial constraints limit its effectiveness. The research identifies barriers that policymakers and stakeholders must address to expand rural electrification through solar technology.
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Smart Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (SIRES) for rural communities
The paper proposes Smart Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (SIRES) to address energy poverty in rural areas. SIRES combines renewable energy technologies with intelligent management to provide multiple essential services—biogas for cooking, water for domestic and irrigation use, and electricity for lighting, communication, cold storage, education, and small-scale industry. This integrated approach promotes sustainable development and improves living standards in energy-deprived rural communities.
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TIAR: Renewable Energy Production, Storage and Distribution; A New Multidisciplinary Approach for the Design of Rural Facility
This paper presents TIAR, an integrated renewable energy system designed for rural facilities in Italy. The project combines solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric technologies within a retrofitted rural tower structure, adding energy and thermal storage systems plus weather monitoring to balance variable renewable production with demand. The multidisciplinary approach addresses land use concerns and grid stability issues while preserving the architectural character of traditional rural buildings.
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Renewable energy integration in to microgrid: Powering rural Maharashtra State of India
Maharashtra State in India faces severe energy shortages and relies heavily on depleting fossil fuels. This paper demonstrates that renewable energy resources exist at scale in rural Maharashtra and proposes integrating these sources through microgrids to eliminate forced power cuts. The authors argue that successful integration requires improved infrastructure, institutional reforms, capacity building, and attention to social and market factors.
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Renewable Energy For Rural Development : The
Renewable energy technologies offer viable alternatives to expensive grid extensions in rural Nigeria. The paper argues that solar, hydropower, wind, and biomass resources can deliver essential energy services—lighting, refrigeration, cooking, transportation—to remote areas where conventional power infrastructure costs prohibit deployment. Policy measures promoting renewable energy adoption are necessary to enable rural development in Nigeria and other developing nations facing energy access challenges.
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Land acquisition, renewable energy development, and livelihood transformation in rural Kenya: The case of the Kipeto wind energy project
Kenya's Kipeto wind energy project demonstrates that large-scale renewable energy development can proceed without dispossessing rural communities when developers fairly compensate affected populations with housing, jobs, and money while preserving land access for livelihoods. The project's success relied on strategic community consultation and negotiation, though some landowners remain dissatisfied with compensation mechanisms. Long-term monitoring is needed to verify whether promises are kept.
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Assessment and selection of a micro-hybrid renewable energy system for sustainable energy generation in rural areas of Zambia
Researchers evaluated micro-hybrid renewable energy systems for rural Zambia using multi-criterion decision analysis across 14 scenarios. A biogas-solar photovoltaic system with battery storage emerged as optimal, outperforming diesel-solar alternatives. The system leverages local biomass and solar resources to replace wood and fossil fuel dependence, meeting rural energy needs while supporting sustainable development in resource-limited regions.
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Renewable Energy Development and Employment in Ecuador’s Rural Sector: An Economic Impact Analysis
Renewable energy development in Ecuador's rural areas reduces unemployment and strengthens rural population retention, but does not significantly boost agricultural production. The study finds that renewable energy creates jobs directly through construction and maintenance work, and indirectly by lowering energy costs and improving business efficiency. These results demonstrate that renewable energy adoption can strengthen rural economies in developing countries.
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Integrating Solar Photovoltaic Power Source and Biogas Energy-Based System for Increasing Access to Electricity in Rural Areas of Tanzania
This paper designs and analyzes a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar photovoltaic panels and biogas from livestock manure to provide electricity to a rural village in Tanzania. Using optimization software and artificial intelligence techniques, the researchers demonstrate that this integrated system can meet local energy demand cost-effectively while reducing environmental waste. The hybrid approach proves economically viable and environmentally beneficial for rural electrification.
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A Rising Role for Decentralized Solar Minigrids in Integrated Rural Electrification Planning? Large-Scale, Least-Cost, and Customer-Wise Design of Grid and Off-Grid Supply Systems in Uganda
Uganda faces severe electrification challenges, especially in rural areas. This paper develops an integrated planning model that combines grid extension, solar minigrids, and standalone systems to find the lowest-cost electrification strategy. Applied to southern Uganda, the model shows that minigrids can deliver reliable electricity at significantly lower cost than grid extension in many locations, suggesting they should become central to national electrification planning rather than temporary solutions.
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Modeling, simulation, and optimization of biogas‐diesel hybrid microgrid renewable energy system for electrification in rural area
Researchers modeled and optimized a biogas-diesel hybrid microgrid system for rural electrification using MATLAB and HOMER software. At 4 tons of biomass production, the system runs entirely on biogas, generating 452,820 kWh annually at $0.0484 per kilowatt-hour. The hybrid biogas system reduces costs by 85% compared to diesel-only operation, making it economically viable for rural areas.
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Potential of microfinanced solar water pumping systems for irrigation in rural areas of Burkina Faso
Solar water pumping systems can replace diesel pumps for irrigation in rural Burkina Faso, reducing costs and climate vulnerability. A profitability analysis in Korsimoro village shows that microfinanced solar systems work best for medium and large-scale farmers and pump service providers, particularly when paired with storage tanks for cloudy days. At typical microfinance interest rates, only larger operations achieve acceptable payback periods.
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Understanding the present and the future electricity needs: Consequences for design of future Solar Home Systems for off-grid rural electrification
Solar Home Systems can provide electricity to rural populations without grid access, but system sizing must match both current and future energy needs to justify costs. Research in rural Cambodia measured actual electricity consumption from 111 existing systems, finding average daily use of 310 Wh with significant night-time demand. Field studies revealed users expect to add more appliances with varying power requirements in coming years, creating higher peak loads and deeper battery discharges. The paper presents load profiles and solutions to design systems that accommodate this anticipated growth.
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Techno-economic feasibility of hybrid renewable energy system for rural health centre (RHC): The wayward for quality health delivery
Off-grid rural health clinics in areas without reliable electricity can be powered effectively using hybrid renewable energy systems. This study analyzed a health center in northern Nigeria and found that a combination of solar panels, diesel generators, and battery storage provides the most cost-effective and technically viable solution for delivering quality healthcare services to remote villages.
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Optimal renewable energy systems for industries in rural regions
This paper applies Process Network Synthesis to design optimal renewable energy systems for rural industries. Using a case study in Austria, the authors modeled how to supply industrial complexes and households with bio-based energy while avoiding competition with food production. Results show that anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power, and wood gasification emerge as economically viable technologies. The study demonstrates that sustainable regional energy systems are achievable at current market prices, though success depends heavily on heat demand, feed-in tariffs, and local resource availability.
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Solar PV system for off-grid electrification in rural area
Researchers developed a solar photovoltaic central control system to provide electricity to an off-grid rural farming village. The system was designed to be expandable for other renewable energy sources like mini hydro, tidal, and wind power. Testing with varying loads demonstrated the system can reliably supply sufficient power to rural homes, reducing dependence on fossil fuel-based electricity.
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Optimal Operational Strategy of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification of a Remote Algeria
This paper designs hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and diesel generation for remote rural electrification in Algeria. Using simulation software and meteorological data from five Algerian regions, the researchers determined optimal system configurations and operating strategies. Results show that solar-diesel hybrid systems deliver the best economic performance and lowest pollution, with solar and wind energy proving cheaper and cleaner than diesel alone.
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Role of Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Electrification in Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nepal
Renewable energy technologies can electrify rural areas in Nepal and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The paper examines how solar, biomass, and other renewable sources address the energy access gap in remote communities, supporting poverty reduction, improved healthcare, and education outcomes while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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Design and optimization of various hybrid renewable energy systems using advanced algorithms for powering rural areas
This paper designs off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, batteries, hydrogen storage, and diesel generators for rural communities in India. Researchers tested four optimization algorithms to size these systems and found that the Blood-Sucking Leech Optimizer performed best. A solar-wind-battery-diesel configuration proved most cost-effective across three Indian locations, with annual costs ranging from $76,000 to $114,000 and minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the design maintains reliable power supply for rural development.
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Integrated Load–Source Side Management for Techno-Economic-Environmental Performance Improvement of the Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification
This paper develops an integrated management system for hybrid renewable energy systems serving rural areas. The system optimizes technical, economic, and environmental performance by managing both electricity loads and energy sources. Using a marine predators algorithm, the researchers show that coordinating load shifting with improved energy management strategies reduces net present costs by 5% and energy costs by $0.008 per kilowatt-hour compared to source-only management.
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Sustainable energy transition and circular economy: The heterogeneity of potential investors in rural community renewable energy projects
Rural communities show diverse attitudes toward investing in local renewable energy projects. A survey of a Galician village identified four investor profiles—skeptics, financial illiterates, enthusiasts, and yield investors—each with different risk perceptions and financial concerns. Project developers and policymakers must tailor incentive strategies to these distinct groups to successfully promote community renewable energy and rural sustainable development.
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Modeling, Simulation, and Experimental Analysis of a Photovoltaic and Biogas Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Electrification of Rural Community
Researchers designed and tested a hybrid renewable energy system combining photovoltaic panels and biogas from animal manure to electrify rural communities. Simulations and 30-day experiments showed the system produced 61.06 kWh daily, exceeding the 46.9 kWh maximum demand. The photovoltaic component achieved 84.3% performance ratio with 1556.5 kWh annual specific production. The biogas digester produced methane-rich gas suitable for energy generation. The hybrid system recovers its investment in 4.47 years and costs $0.0186 per kilowatt-hour while mitigating 20.45 tons of CO2 annually.
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Digital transition and the clean renewable energy adoption in rural family: evidence from Broadband China
China's Broadband China Policy increased clean renewable energy adoption in rural households by 5.8% in central regions, but decreased adoption by 12.6–13.5% in eastern and western regions. The policy's effects operate through population size, economic scale, and income levels. Digital infrastructure expansion drives renewable energy adoption differently across regions, with implications for developing countries pursuing decarbonization through digital development.
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Optimal location selection for a distributed hybrid renewable energy system in rural Western Australia: A data mining approach
This paper uses data mining techniques to identify optimal locations for hybrid renewable energy systems in rural Western Australia. Researchers applied K-Means and K-Medoids clustering algorithms to 69 locations, then evaluated potential wind and solar output using HOMER software. K-Means performed better at clustering, while K-Medoids identified locations with higher average renewable energy generation, though both approaches had limitations in accounting for local energy requirements.
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Renewable-Energy-Powered Cellular Base-Stations in Kuwait’s Rural Areas
This paper evaluates hybrid renewable energy systems to power remote cellular base-stations in two rural areas of Kuwait. The researchers modeled wind turbine and solar panel configurations using local climate data and optimization software. Wind turbines with battery storage proved most cost-effective at the windier site, while solar panels with batteries worked best at the sunnier location. Both configurations eliminated diesel generator use, reduced costs, and achieved zero emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered stations.
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Integrated techno-economic-environmental design of off-grid microgrid model for rural power supply in India
This paper designs an off-grid microgrid system for rural Indian villages using solar, wind, methanol, and diesel generators combined with battery storage. The researchers optimized the system across technical, economic, and environmental metrics using a slime mould algorithm. The hybrid PV-wind-methanol-diesel configuration achieved the best balance of power reliability, cost, and emissions compared to other combinations.
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Acceptance and Potential of Renewable Energy Sources Based on Biomass in Rural Areas of Hungary
This study surveyed 310 residents in a rural Hungarian microregion to understand public acceptance of biomass-based renewable energy. The researchers found that trust in local authorities, knowledge about biomass technology, and education level significantly influence whether rural residents support biomass energy projects. The analysis identified distinct acceptance groups that local development strategies should consider when planning renewable energy initiatives in economically disadvantaged rural areas.
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Design and optimization of off‐grid hybrid renewable power plant with storage system for rural area in Rwanda
Researchers designed and optimized an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for a rural village in Rwanda, combining solar photovoltaic and micro-hydropower generation with battery storage. The system was modeled to meet the village's daily energy demand of 181 kWh, with a peak load of 18.56 kW. The optimized configuration costs $78,763 upfront and delivers electricity at $0.076 per kilowatt-hour, providing a technically feasible and economically viable solution for rural electrification.
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Renewable Energy Perception by Rural Residents of a Peripheral EU Region
Rural residents in eastern Poland were surveyed to understand their attitudes toward renewable energy. The study found that residents are more likely to support renewable energy if they already practice energy-saving behaviors, have specific demographic characteristics, and recognize health risks from coal pollution. These findings can guide future programs to build rural support for renewable energy installations.
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Designing and Optimization of Stand-alone Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Rural Areas of Punjab, Pakistan
Researchers designed a hybrid renewable energy system combining micro-hydro, solar, wind, and diesel generation to electrify remote areas in Punjab, Pakistan. Using HOMER optimization software, they evaluated three strategies for a canal-based site. A pure renewable approach with water management proved most cost-effective, achieving lower net present costs and energy costs with faster payback than diesel-hybrid systems, making it the most feasible option for rural electrification.
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Status and Benefits of Renewable Energy Technologies in the Rural Areas of Ethiopia: A Case Study on Improved Cooking Stoves and Biogas Technologies
Ethiopia's rural population relies heavily on biomass for energy, causing deforestation and health problems. The government has distributed 3.7 million improved cooking stoves and installed over 860 biogas digesters to replace traditional fuels. These technologies conserve forests and provide environmental benefits, but current programs fail to reach the rural households they target. Greater focus on rural distribution is needed to address fuel scarcity, environmental degradation, and health issues.
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Design of an off-grid energy kiosk in rural Zambia
Researchers designed an off-grid solar energy kiosk for rural Zambia that charges mobile phones and rents portable battery kits with LED lights to households. The 1.8 kW photovoltaic system operates on a fee-based retail model, with revenue funding sustainable operation and expansion. Community surveys and simulations informed the technical and business design, ensuring reliability and local appropriateness.
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GIS Tool for Rural Electrification with Renewable Energies in Latin America
Renewable energy offers viable alternatives for electrifying isolated rural communities in Latin America. The authors present IntiGIS, a GIS-based methodology that integrates geographical data on renewable resources with social and economic factors to support electrification planning decisions. The tool enables cost comparisons between renewable and non-renewable energy technologies, helping communities select sustainable solutions suited to their specific conditions.
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An Overview of Renewable Energy Technologies in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and the Rural Households’ Energy Poverty Coping Strategies
Rural households in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province face energy poverty despite available renewable energy technologies. This paper reviews renewable energy sources and technologies in the region, then examines how rural households cope with energy poverty. The authors identify which renewable technologies best match rural household needs and propose strategies to address energy poverty through appropriate technology selection.
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Integration of Advanced Metering Infrastructure for Mini-Grid Solar PV Systems in Off-Grid Rural Communities (SoAMIRural)
This paper presents SoAMIRural, a system integrating solar mini-grids with advanced metering infrastructure for rural electrification in Ghana. The authors designed a 24 kVA solar system using load estimation methods and deployed smart metering to monitor consumption. Testing achieved 95% accuracy in tracking energy use, enabling better conservation and system sustainability. The framework supports reliable electricity access and progress toward Ghana's sustainable development goals.
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Analysis of a Hybrid Nuclear Renewable Energy Resource in a Distributed Energy System for a Rural Area in Nigeria
This paper analyzes hybrid energy systems combining nuclear microreactors with renewable sources for rural Nigeria. Using simulation software, the authors tested distributed energy configurations and found that a photovoltaic-nuclear-battery system performed best, followed by photovoltaic-nuclear-wind-battery systems. Nuclear microreactors address renewable energy's intermittency problems while providing stable, clean electricity in decentralized rural settings.
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Assessment of crop residues for off-grid rural electrification options in Ghana
Ghana's rural areas lack electricity access for 28% of the population. This study assessed crop residues as a biomass energy source for off-grid rural electrification. Researchers found 29 million tonnes of surplus crop residues could generate 401 petajoules annually. Gasification and combustion technologies produce electricity at $0.29–$0.34 per kilowatt-hour, exceeding current residential tariffs. Despite higher costs, crop residue-based electricity generation remains viable for rural Ghana with financial support.
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Off-Grid Rural Electrification in India Using Renewable Energy Resources and Different Battery Technologies with a Dynamic Differential Annealed Optimization
Remote villages in Odisha, India lack grid electricity due to geographic isolation. This study designed off-grid electrification systems combining photovoltaic panels and biomass generators with three battery storage technologies: nickel-iron, lithium-ion, and lead-acid. Using optimization algorithms, the nickel-iron battery configuration proved most cost-effective at $367,586 lifecycle cost, with dynamic differential annealed optimization delivering superior results across all system designs.
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Development and Assessment of Renewable Energy–Integrated Multigeneration System for Rural Communities in Nigeria: Case Study
Researchers designed a renewable energy system for a rural Nigerian community using biogas from agricultural waste to generate electricity and thermal outputs. The system combines three power cycles to produce 970 kW of electricity, meeting the 944 kW demand of Emure-Ekiti community, while also providing cooling, hot water, and greenhouse heating. The system achieved 62.72% energy efficiency and 23.49% exergy efficiency, addressing Nigeria's rural electrification gap where 40% lack electricity access.
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Performance Analysis of Renewable Energy Resources in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Solar Energy
This paper analyzes solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power systems in rural Tanzania, comparing their costs and energy storage capabilities. The authors examine how ambient temperature affects solar module performance and model how cell surface temperature and module orientation influence power generation. They also evaluate solar axis tracking as a method to increase output. The study focuses on Tanzania's coastal region as a case study for harnessing solar irradiance in rural areas.
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A holistic approach to understanding the acceptance of a community‐based renewable energy project: A pathway to sustainability for Tunisia<i>'</i>s rural region
This study examines why rural communities accept or reject renewable energy projects, using a wind energy case study in Tunisia. Through interviews with multiple stakeholders, the researchers identified specific barriers and motivational factors that determine local acceptance. The findings show that project managers must understand and address these community-level concerns to successfully implement sustainable energy initiatives and achieve lasting behavior change.
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Renewable energy for rural development in Turkey
Turkey has significantly improved rural energy access over three decades, with cooking efficiency rising from 25% to 60% and nearly universal electrification achieved. The paper argues that Turkey should prioritize domestic renewable energy sources—biomass, hydropower, and others—to reduce costly fossil fuel imports and meet rural energy demand. Renewable energy offers job creation and climate benefits while providing sufficient technical potential to supply the country's electricity needs.
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PV-Hybrid Off-Grid and Mini-Grid Systems for Rural Electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant barriers to rural electrification, which limits development. This paper reviews technologies and policies adopted to expand electricity access in rural areas, emphasizing renewable energy methods. Researchers propose photovoltaic hybrid off-grid and mini-grid systems as cost-effective alternatives to diesel generation, offering viable solutions for remote electrification.
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Implementing conceptual model using renewable energies in rural area of Iran
This study assesses renewable energy potential in rural Iran by analyzing wind and solar resources in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province using meteorological data and GIS mapping. Researchers selected Kahkesh village based on solar and wind potential, surveyed local biomass resources, and evaluated residents' energy needs against available renewable sources over one year. The work demonstrates how conceptual frameworks can guide renewable energy implementation to meet rural cooking, lighting, heating, and transportation demands.
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Facilitating greater energy access in rural and remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa: Small hydropower
Small hydropower offers sub-Saharan Africa a viable path to electrify rural and remote areas using abundant untapped water resources. The study identifies major barriers: insufficient funding, weak manufacturing infrastructure, inadequate policies, poor hydrological data, and limited local capacity in design and production. The authors argue that sustainable energy access requires public-private partnerships, domestication of small hydropower technology, and reduced dependence on foreign solutions.
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Descriptive analysis of building indigenous low-carbon innovation capability in Nigeria
Nigeria faces challenges transitioning to low-carbon energy systems while pursuing economic development. The paper argues that building indigenous innovation capability, rather than importing technology from developed countries, is essential for sustainable low-carbon energy. Using survey data from academics and the public, the study recommends government policy-driven models to overcome market failures and develop Nigeria's own low-carbon energy innovation capacity.
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Systematic Assessment of Carbon Emissions from Renewable Energy Access to Improve Rural Livelihoods
Renewable energy technologies can expand electricity access in rural areas while reducing CO2 emissions. However, decision-makers often ignore the embedded energy and carbon costs of manufacturing solar panels and equipment. This study applies a multi-criteria decision-making tool to compare silicon, thin-film, and organic solar cells in a rural Cuban community. The analysis shows all three technologies meet local electricity needs and improve livelihoods, but their global environmental impacts differ significantly.
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Off-Grid Renewable Hybrid Power Generation System for a Public Health Centre in Rural Village
A hybrid solar-wind power system with battery storage provides reliable electricity to rural health centers more cost-effectively than standalone solar or wind systems. The researchers modeled and simulated different configurations using HOMER software, analyzing power supply reliability, energy storage needs, and system performance. The hybrid system delivered the lowest cost per unit of energy while meeting the health center's demand, making it the most practical solution for off-grid rural electrification.
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The DC House Project: Promoting the use of renewable energy for rural electrification
The DC House Project promotes renewable energy adoption for rural electrification. The paper describes the project's phases and components, reports its current status, identifies challenges encountered, and outlines short and long-term goals for expanding renewable energy access to rural communities.
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Else, an Eventual Return to Conventional Energy: Impacts and Fate of an Off-Grid Rural Electrification Project in an Island in the Philippines
An off-grid solar photovoltaic system installed on Pangan-an Island in the Philippines faced technical, economic, and social challenges as it approached end-of-life. The study examined performance data and investigated options for extending the system's service life, revealing barriers to sustainability including technical complexity, high costs, and social compatibility issues that rural renewable energy projects must overcome.
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Tracing the Paths to Sustainable Production and Consumption Through Indigenous Directors, Environmental Innovation, and Sustainability Committees
Indigenous directors significantly drive sustainable production and consumption in Latin American and Caribbean energy firms, with environmental innovation and sustainability committees amplifying this effect. Analysis of 378 firms from 2012–2023 shows indigenous leadership promotes sustainable practices across all performance levels, with stronger impacts at higher quantiles when environmental innovation and committees are present. Regional, policy, and industry factors create substantial variation in outcomes.
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Global urbanization and ruralization lessons of clean energy access gap
This study examines clean energy access inequality between urban and rural areas across high, low, lower-middle, and upper-middle income economies from 2010 to 2021. Economic growth and gender literacy parity worsen the urban-rural clean energy gap, while innovation significantly reduces it. The findings offer policy guidance for achieving sustainable development goals related to energy access and inequality reduction.
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Application of MOPSO to the Optimisation of an Off-Grid Photovoltaic System in a Rural Fruit Farm
Researchers optimized an off-grid solar power system for a 60-acre fruit farm in Egypt using multi-objective algorithms. The study determined the ideal number of solar panels and battery banks to minimize total costs while ensuring reliable power supply. Results show the system's net present cost, cost per kilowatt-hour, and energy surplus levels, enabling profitable renewable energy adoption for agricultural operations.
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A feasibility study and cost benefit analysis of an off-grid hybrid system for a rural area electrification
Researchers designed an off-grid hybrid solar and biogas power system for rural facilities in Uttar Pradesh, India, using HOMER optimization software. The system serves two schools and a community building. Analysis shows the hybrid configuration is technically and economically feasible, with sensitivity testing confirming viability across varying biomass availability, costs, solar conditions, and electricity demand.
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SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities
This paper presents SPEAR, a low-cost solar-powered pyrolysis reactor designed for rural Sub-Saharan Africa. The system converts agricultural waste into biochar for soil improvement and generates electricity for energy access. The design achieves 72% optical efficiency and produces at least 5 kg of biochar daily. Financial analysis shows positive returns in most scenarios, making it competitive with small-scale solar systems while delivering environmental and social benefits.
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Energy access investment, agricultural profitability, and rural development: time for an integrated approach
Rural sub-Saharan Africa faces severe electricity poverty, blocking development despite smallholder farmers driving 80% of agricultural output. High infrastructure costs and low payment security deter private investment and overwhelm governments. This paper argues that rural electrification must integrate with agricultural productivity improvements, generating local income that attracts private energy investment across residential and productive sectors. Data modelling and policy research are essential to enable this synergistic approach.
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Electric Two-Wheeler Vehicle Integration into Rural Off-Grid Photovoltaic System in Kenya
This paper models the integration of electric two-wheeler vehicles into an off-grid solar photovoltaic system serving rural Kenya. Using energy optimization modeling, researchers analyzed a Water-Energy Hub in Western Kenya and found that solar generation exceeds annual demand. They developed a load optimization method that reduces electricity deficits and enables the system to charge four additional e-bike batteries daily, demonstrating how renewable energy can support electric vehicle adoption while reducing emissions in rural areas.
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Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy in Sarawak Remote Rural Area Using HOMER Software
This paper analyzes five hybrid renewable energy systems for three remote rural areas in Sarawak, Malaysia using HOMER optimization software. The researchers compared combinations of solar, hydro, wind, and biomass generators across different locations. Hybrid hydro systems with battery storage proved cheapest and most technically effective. Hybrid renewable systems outperformed standalone diesel generators in cost-effectiveness and carbon emission reduction, offering viable solutions for rural electrification.
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The potential of performance targets (<i>imihigo</i>) as drivers of energy planning and extending access to off‐grid energy in rural Rwanda
Rwanda's imihigo performance contracts framework can drive rural electrification by increasing household awareness and participation in off-grid energy planning. Survey data from 218 Solar Home System users and focus groups show that village-level energy targets influence household prioritization of energy access. Including off-grid options in imihigo materials and using community meetings for feedback sharing enables private sector providers to target underserved areas and design business models matching local needs.
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Renewable Energy and Rural Autonomy: A Case Study with Generalizations
A Polish rural municipality currently uses no renewable energy but could meet 7.6% of electricity demand and 10.3% of thermal demand from solar, wind, water, and biogas sources. With development of thermal energy and biomass from set-aside land, the municipality could eventually supply 76.1% of resident energy needs by 2025. The study demonstrates how renewable energy can increase rural autonomy and support sustainable development.
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Micro-Scale Wind Resource Assessment for Off-Grid Electrification Projects in Rural Communities. A Case Study in Peru
This study evaluates micro-scale wind resource assessment tools for off-grid rural electrification in remote areas. Researchers tested a computer model in two Andean communities in Peru to determine if standard wind assessment tools could work despite limited data and steep terrain. The model performed well and produced accurate resource maps at the community scale, proving suitable for designing small-scale rural electrification projects in developing countries.
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Economic feasibility analysis of a renewable energy project in the rural China
This paper analyzes the economic feasibility of a wind farm project in rural China using cost-benefit analysis under three scenarios: current conditions, government subsidies, and Clean Development Mechanism credits. The findings show wind power generation reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to alternative power systems and offers attractive returns for investors. The authors recommend government subsidies and CDM programs as effective mechanisms to accelerate wind power development.
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Optimization of a Hybrid Off-Grid Solar PV—Hydro Power Systems for Rural Electrification in Cameroon
This paper designs and optimizes a hybrid solar-hydropower system for rural electrification in Cameroon. Using HOMER Pro and genetic algorithms, researchers sized a 3 kW solar array, 32.2 kW microhydro generator, and battery storage to serve a village consuming 431 kWh daily. The genetic algorithm approach achieved lower costs ($86,991 net present cost, $0.0344/kWh) than HOMER Pro, with minimal power supply failures. Results show that increasing hydropower capacity significantly reduces overall system costs.
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Optimal Decision-Making on Hybrid Off-Grid Energy Systems for Rural and Remote Areas Electrification in the Northern Cameroon
Researchers compared ten hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in northern Cameroon using optimization software. A solar-diesel-battery system proved most cost-effective at $0.36–0.39 per kilowatt-hour, while pure solar-battery systems achieved zero emissions with 100% renewable penetration. The solar-diesel option balanced economics and environment with 95–96% renewable energy. System attractiveness improved with longer project lifespans, lower fuel prices, and reduced discount rates.
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Assessing Opportunities for Solar Lanterns to Improve Educational Outcomes in Off-Grid Rural Areas: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled trial in rural Zambia tested whether solar lanterns improve children's educational outcomes. The study found no relationship between receiving a solar lantern and improved exam performance or study habits. The researchers conclude that solar lanterns are not cost-effective for improving education in developing countries, partly because flashlights already dominate rural lighting and improved energy access alone does not significantly impact learning.
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The Power of Electricity: How Effective Is It in Promoting Sustainable Development in Rural Off-Grid Islands in the Philippines?
Electrification significantly impacts rural sustainable development, but effectiveness depends on access duration. The authors tested a framework measuring economic, technical, social, and environmental dimensions across two Philippine islands. Islands with 24-hour electricity access showed improvements across most indicators, while limited-access islands continued using conventional fuels and saw minimal socioeconomic gains. The framework helps policymakers assess electrification projects in off-grid rural communities.
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Perceptions of local population on the impacts of substitution of fossil energies by renewables: A case study applied to a Spanish rural area
This study surveyed 231 people in a Spanish rural region to understand how local communities perceive the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The research measured willingness to pay for complete renewable energy replacement and identified which economic, social, and environmental impacts matter most to rural residents affected by this energy transition.
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Revisiting Renewable Energy Map in Indonesia: Seasonal Hydro and Solar Energy Potential for Rural Off-Grid Electrification (Provincial Level)
This paper updates Indonesia's renewable energy potential maps for hydropower and solar energy using revised global climate data. The maps help stakeholders design off-grid systems for rural electrification, identifying suitable hydropower scales from pico to large plants and showing seasonal solar potential with estimated photovoltaic output. The work supports Indonesia's renewable energy targets and rural electrification goals.
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Evaluation and Selection of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Healthcare Centres In Rural Areas: A Techno-economic Approach
This study develops a framework to select optimal hybrid renewable energy systems for rural healthcare centres by combining technical, economic, and environmental criteria. Using simulation software and multi-criteria analysis, researchers evaluated six communities in Nigeria to identify the most cost-effective renewable energy configurations. The analysis revealed that total net present cost was the most critical factor in system selection, enabling healthcare facilities to achieve reliable clean energy access while minimizing operational expenses.
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Explaining the Diffusion of Renewable Electricity Technologies in Canadian Remote Indigenous Communities through the Technological Innovation System Approach
Remote Indigenous communities in Canada's Northwest Territories and Ontario face electricity challenges that renewable energy technologies could address. This study applies the Technological Innovation System framework to explain how renewable energy diffused in these communities from 2000 to 2016. The research identifies systemic failures blocking deployment and finds that policy interventions strengthening local learning and networking could accelerate renewable technology adoption, benefiting remote communities.
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Renewable Energy Interventions for Sustainable Rural Development: A study on Solar Home System Dissemination in Bangladesh
Solar Home Systems have been rapidly disseminated across rural Bangladesh, where electrification rates lag far behind national averages. This study examines how off-grid solar technology delivers electricity to remote communities and generates socio-economic benefits while reducing environmental impact. The research emphasizes that sustained success requires coordinated collaboration among government, private sector, and community stakeholders to ensure long-term program viability.
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Feasibility analysis of solar DC Nano grid for off grid rural Bangladesh
Solar DC nano grids offer a practical renewable energy solution for off-grid rural areas in Bangladesh. The paper examines an installed nano grid system in Kushita district, analyzing its technical advantages and implementation challenges. The authors argue that solar DC nano grids can effectively meet growing electricity demand in rural Bangladesh while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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Modelling and Simulation of Photovoltaic-Variable Speed Diesel Generator Hybrid Power System for Off-Grid Rural Electrification
This paper develops computer models of hybrid power systems combining solar panels and diesel generators for rural areas without grid electricity. The researchers compared two generator types and found that variable-speed diesel generators outperform conventional constant-speed generators. The models, built in MATLAB/Simulink and validated against industry software, enable researchers to test different power management strategies for off-grid rural electrification.
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An Off-Grid Solar System for Rural Village in Malaysia
Malaysia implemented a stand-alone solar power system in a rural Sarawak village to provide free electricity to residents. The project installed photovoltaic equipment with an AC bus configuration and analyzed actual electricity consumption patterns and solar radiation data across four days and monthly averages. The system successfully delivered benefits to villagers, though researchers recommend monitoring future load growth to maintain long-term sustainability.
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Role of renewable energy in the development and electrification of remote and rural areas
Renewable energy resources are widely distributed globally and can effectively electrify remote rural areas despite being dilute and variable. Small amounts of renewable energy create substantial development benefits in these regions, justifying higher costs. Local renewable resource utilization generates employment and reduces rural-to-urban migration.
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Analysis and Optimum Energy Management of Renewable Integrated Rural Distribution Network
This paper develops an optimization algorithm to manage rural distribution networks that integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind. The researchers use a differential evolution algorithm to solve operational problems including voltage violations, power losses, and poor power factor. Testing on a real distribution network shows the algorithm improves voltage stability, power factor, and reduces energy losses.
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Adoption of renewable energy innovations in the Portuguese rural tourist accommodation sector
Portuguese rural tourism accommodation owners hold positive views toward renewable energy but rarely adopt it. The study identifies a significant gap between perception and action, driven by unfavorable market conditions and institutional barriers including legal and regulatory obstacles. Geographic location influenced adoption, but unit characteristics and owner demographics did not.
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Power to the people: Applying citizen science and computer vision to home mapping for rural energy access
Researchers combined citizen science, satellite imagery, and computer vision to map remote homes in Uganda, Kenya, and Sierra Leone for rural electricity planning. Thousands of volunteers annotated 578,010 homes on the Zooniverse platform, achieving 93% recall. These annotations trained a machine learning model that mapped homes at scale with 67% precision, demonstrating that citizen science and computer vision can rapidly identify where rural populations live to support energy system design.
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Multi-Objective Optimization of Complex Measures on Supplying Energy to Rural Residential Buildings in Uzbekistan Using Renewable Energy Sources
This study optimizes rural residential building designs in Uzbekistan to minimize energy costs and carbon emissions using renewable sources. Researchers modeled four-room houses with varying insulation levels and tested three scenarios: minimizing reconstruction costs, reducing primary energy consumption to zero, and achieving low-carbon communities. Results show optimal insulation thicknesses for roofs, floors, and walls, plus solar collector sizing across regions, though renewable solutions remain economically unviable at current electricity prices.
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Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy in Malaysia Remote Rural Area Using HOMER Software
Researchers evaluated hybrid renewable energy systems for three remote rural areas in Malaysia using HOMER software. Biomass energy proved most cost-effective at $0.342/kWh and feasible across all locations due to abundant empty fruit bunch resources. Solar systems showed promise, with Kerteh requiring the smallest panel size (350 kW) while meeting demand at $0.442/kWh. Wind energy was not viable due to Malaysia's low wind speeds. Biomass emerged as the optimal solution for rural electrification.
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Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of Investigation of Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification in South Algeria
This paper evaluates renewable energy system configurations for electrifying rural areas in South Algeria. The researchers compared four different technology combinations using an energy management algorithm to identify the most cost-effective and reliable design. They analyzed each configuration based on energy costs, diesel consumption, capital and maintenance expenses, and emissions. The study found an optimal configuration that supplies continuous electricity to rural homes while minimizing operational costs and environmental impact.
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Renewable energy-based hybrid model for rural electrification
Researchers developed a hybrid renewable energy system combining biomass, biogas, and solar power to electrify rural areas in India where grid electricity is unavailable. They modeled the system for a site in Haryana, optimizing costs using particle swarm optimization. The optimal configuration achieved an annual cost of $64,109 and energy cost of $0.065 per kilowatt-hour, outperforming alternative optimization methods.
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Training and integrating rural women into technology: a study of Renewable Energy Technology in Bangladesh
A USAID-funded training program in Bangladesh taught nearly 2,800 rural women to install and maintain solar home systems, but failed to integrate most into the renewable energy sector. Grameen Shakti employed fewer than 3% of trainees, relegating them to assembly work that ignored their acquired skills. Cultural barriers, weak project management, and competition from mass production undermined the initiative, though some women found income opportunities elsewhere.
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Increasing the Efficiency in Renewable Energy Challenges and Solutions for Rural India
Rural India relies heavily on renewable energy due to unreliable or unavailable grid electricity. This paper identifies multiple renewable energy sources available in rural areas and proposes a hybrid model combining them with an intelligent controller. The controller prioritizes renewable energy use and switches to traditional grid power only when renewable sources are unavailable, improving overall energy efficiency and reducing dependence on commercial supply.
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Hybrid PV/Wind/Diesel Based Distributed Generation for an Off-Grid Rural Village in Afghanistan
This paper evaluates a hybrid solar, wind, and diesel power system for an off-grid rural village in Afghanistan with average daily demand of 7.9 kWh. Using geospatial data analysis and HOMER Pro software, the authors determine optimal component capacities and costs for a reliable system. The study confirms that hybrid renewable generation is technically and economically feasible for remote Afghan communities lacking grid access.
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Smart Village Load Planning Simulations in Support of Digital Energy Management for Off-grid Rural Community Microgrids
Engineers designing renewable energy systems for isolated rural villages lack real demand data to optimize microgrid planning. This paper presents a computer simulation method that generates realistic hourly electricity load profiles for off-grid villages by modeling typical appliances and household behavior patterns. The simulated load data can be exported into energy modeling software to help engineers test smart microgrid designs, economic optimization strategies, and demand response systems before physical installation.
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Analysis of load shedding strategies for battery management in PV-based rural off-grids
Off-grid PV-diesel hybrid systems with battery backup serve rural communities but suffer from poor energy management, causing outages and excess diesel use. This paper analyzes load shedding strategies to efficiently distribute battery energy at night, prioritizing critical loads like hospitals and telecom towers to maximize energy security.
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Hybrid renewable energy with membrane distillation polygeneration for rural households in Bangladesh: Pani Para Village case study
A hybrid renewable energy system combining solar panels, biogas digesters, and membrane distillation can simultaneously provide electricity, cooking fuel, and clean drinking water to rural Bangladeshi households. The system, tested in Pani Para village serving 52 households, meets electricity demand while producing cooking gas and 2-3 liters of purified water per person daily. Cost analysis shows this integrated approach outperforms other renewable energy options.
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Dynamic Simulation and Optimization of Off-Grid Hybrid Power Systems for Sustainable Rural Development
This paper designs and models a hybrid solar-generator power system for rural Pakistan, combining renewable energy with traditional generators to reduce emissions and improve electricity access. Using simulation software, the researchers sized the system for a 137.48 kWh daily load and validated its performance under varying solar conditions. The system achieves 100% renewable energy generation at USD 0.158 per kilowatt-hour, demonstrating economic and environmental feasibility for scaling rural electrification.
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Techno-Economic and Environmental Analysis of Renewable Mix Hybrid Energy System for Sustainable Electrification of Al-Dhafrat Rural Area in Oman
This paper designs and models a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and diesel generation for a rural area in Oman. Using HOMER optimization software, researchers found that a PV-wind-diesel microgrid reduces energy costs by 55%, diesel consumption by 70%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to the current diesel-only system. The study demonstrates that Oman can achieve sustainable rural electrification through hybrid microgrids.
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Case study on demand side management‐based cost optimized battery integrated hybrid renewable energy system for remote rural electrification
This study designs a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, diesel, and battery storage to electrify remote villages in India. Using demand-side management strategies—load shifting and strategic conservation—the system reduces net present costs by 37% compared to conventional approaches. Zinc-bromide batteries with predictive dispatch control deliver the optimal configuration for village clusters, and the model can be applied to similar geographic regions.
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Rural low‐carbon energy development in the information age: Can internet access drive the farmer to participate in personal carbon trading schemes related to bioenergy?
Internet access increases farmers' willingness to participate in personal carbon trading schemes for bioenergy in rural China. The study finds that farmers with internet access show higher participation rates and demand higher carbon prices. Male, younger, and less-educated farmers respond most strongly to internet access. Longer internet use correlates with greater participation willingness, suggesting rural broadband infrastructure can promote carbon trading adoption and reduce rural poverty.
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Design and Simulation of Off-Grid Solar/Mini-Hydro Renewable Energy System using Homer Pro Software: Case of Muyuka Rural Community
Rural electrification in Cameroon faces barriers including dispersed populations, terrain challenges, and low revenues that deter investment. This paper designs a hybrid solar and mini-hydropower system for Muyuka using HOMER Pro simulation software. The off-grid renewable energy approach replaces costly, polluting diesel generators and offers a decentralized solution to provide reliable electricity to remote communities, potentially reducing rural-to-urban migration.
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Rural Electrification through an Optimized Off-grid Microgrid based on Biogas, Solar, and Hydro Power
This paper analyzes an off-grid microgrid system combining biogas from cattle manure, solar, and hydropower to electrify rural areas in Pakistan. The researchers conducted a techno-economic analysis of the proposed system in Mandi Yazman to identify the optimal resource combination that minimizes energy costs and net present costs, leveraging agricultural and livestock resources available in rural farming communities.
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Renewable Energy Solution for Electricity Access in Rural South Africa
South Africa's rural electrification lags far behind urban areas, limiting economic and social development. This paper designs a renewable energy microgrid for Jozini municipality using solar, wind, biomass, and hydro sources. The proposed system delivers electricity at one-third the cost of the national grid while producing zero carbon emissions, compared to the grid's 0.99 kg CO2 per kilowatt-hour.
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Autonomous power supply system based on a diesel generator and renewable energy sources for remote rural areas
Remote rural areas without grid access rely on diesel generators, which consume excessive fuel. This paper proposes hybrid power systems combining diesel generators with renewable energy sources, using operational load management and staggered startup of electrical receivers to reduce fuel consumption and equipment costs while maintaining reliable power supply.
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Access to energy sources in the face of climate change: Challenges faced by women in rural communities
Rural women in Botswana's Tswapong villages rely heavily on firewood for cooking and electricity for lighting, but face severe energy access challenges. Depleting wood supplies and unaffordable electricity connection costs force continued dependence on unsustainable firewood harvesting, which accelerates climate change impacts. The research recommends economic diversification, electricity subsidies, solar energy adoption, and energy-saving technologies to enable poor rural women to access affordable, sustainable energy services.
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Standalone Integrated Power Electronics System: Applications for Off-Grid Rural Locations
Despite expectations, the number of people without electricity access continues to grow, particularly in rural Africa where nearly 600 million people lack access. This paper presents a standalone integrated power electronics system designed to provide electricity to off-grid rural locations, addressing a critical energy access challenge in developing regions.
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Comparative Analysis of Access, and Preferences of Rural and Urban Households for Cooking Energy, and the Determinants in Nigeria: A Case of Ogun State
This study compared cooking energy use between rural and urban households in Ogun State, Nigeria, surveying 300 households. Rural areas rely heavily on firewood and charcoal, while urban areas use more electricity and gas. Education, household income, distance to energy sources, and fuel prices significantly shape energy choices. The researchers recommend reducing fuel prices and supporting low-income households to adopt cleaner cooking energy sources.
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Integration and control of an off-grid hybrid wind/PV generation system for rural applications
This paper designs and tests a standalone hybrid energy system combining solar panels and wind turbines with battery and super-capacitor storage for rural homes. The system prioritizes solar power, uses wind as backup, and manages storage to keep batteries at 80% charge, extending their lifespan. Simulations using real solar and wind data from Malaysia show the system reliably meets household demand without grid connection.
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Prospects for the Uptake of Renewable Energy Technologies in Rural Tanzania
Rural communities in southern Tanzania lack familiarity with renewable energy technologies and perceive them skeptically, viewing them as failed development interventions. The study found that most villagers do not use solar home systems or other renewable technologies. Understanding community perceptions and attitudes is essential before promoting renewable energy adoption in rural African areas, requiring approaches beyond the economic and regulatory models used in developed countries.
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Combined solar heat and power with microgrid storage and layered smartgrid control toward supplying off‐grid rural villages
Researchers in South Africa designed and modeled a solar-powered combined heat and power system for off-grid rural villages. The 3 kW electrical, 12 kW thermal system stores energy in a microgrid to supply power and heat day and night. Smart controls manage distribution to households by monitoring usage patterns and balancing demand across the community.
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Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation in Rural Villages
This paper examines renewable energy and distributed generation systems for rural villages in developing nations like Sri Lanka, where conventional energy infrastructure is absent or insufficient. It presents renewable energy technologies and their applications in accessible language for policymakers and community members, connecting technical solutions to local socio-economic conditions. The paper proposes viable renewable energy approaches to reduce economic disparities in underdeveloped rural areas.
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Renewable Energy for Rural Sustainability: Lessons From China
Rural electrification in western China requires sustainable solutions. This paper examines energy needs across Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang provinces, assesses renewable resource availability, and evaluates off-grid renewable energy technologies. An eight-year collaboration between Chinese research institutes and an international center demonstrates that stand-alone renewable energy systems can reliably and sustainably meet rural electricity demands while supporting broader development goals.
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Techno-economic optimization of battery storage technologies for off-grid hybrid microgrids in multiple rural locations of Bangladesh
This study designs and optimizes off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for five rural locations in Bangladesh, comparing solar, wind, and four battery storage technologies. Simulations using real resource data show that solar-wind systems paired with zinc-bromine flow batteries deliver the lowest costs and highest renewable penetration, achieving 100% renewable energy with zero emissions. The findings demonstrate that zinc-bromine battery systems provide a cost-effective, scalable solution for rural electrification in Bangladesh and similar regions.
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Renewable Energy Adoption and Its Effect on Rural Development in United States
Renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms in rural United States communities create jobs, increase local tax revenues, and diversify economies. Landowners earn additional income by leasing land for energy production. The study recommends using diffusion of innovations theory and technology acceptance models to guide future research, and calls for stronger policy frameworks and practical interventions to expand renewable energy adoption in rural areas.
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Optimization and comparative analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems for sustainable and clean energy production in rural Cameroon considering the loss of power supply probability concept
This study optimizes hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and energy storage for a commercial building in rural Cameroon. Using three optimization algorithms, researchers compared PV/Wind systems paired with thermal or pumped-hydro storage. The Cuckoo Search Algorithm performed best. PV/Wind/thermal storage proved most cost-effective, while Wind/pumped-hydro storage delivered the highest reliability and lowest emissions, offering a viable alternative to fossil fuel power plants.
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Optimal energy scheduling of a standalone rural microgrid for reliable power generation using renewable energy resources
This paper designs an optimal energy scheduling system for a standalone rural microgrid in India using solar, wind, biogas, and diesel generators with battery storage. The researchers used differential evolution optimization to minimize costs and ensure reliable power supply. The optimized system achieves an energy cost of $0.22 per kilowatt-hour and outperforms particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm approaches, making renewable microgrids economically viable for rural electrification.
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The Energy Poverty Status of Off-Grid Rural Households: A Case of the Upper Blinkwater Community in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
This study measures energy poverty among off-grid rural households in South Africa's Eastern Cape, analyzing 53 households using expenditure-based poverty metrics. Researchers found that 15% experience severe energy poverty and 22% face moderate vulnerability, despite using diverse energy sources like firewood, paraffin, and generators. Male-headed households, larger families, and those receiving social grants showed different poverty patterns. The findings show energy poverty stems from social, economic, and cultural factors beyond simple lack of electricity access.
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Off-grid households’ preferences for electricity services: Policy implications for mini-grid deployment in rural Tanzania
Mini-grid electricity projects in rural Tanzania face revenue challenges that limit expansion. This study surveyed off-grid households to understand their preferences for electricity services. Households showed diverse preferences linked to gender, income, and energy behaviors. The researchers recommend tiered tariff structures tailored to different customer segments, competition with solar home systems, and targeted support for female-led households to improve mini-grid financial viability and deployment.
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Optimal Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy for Tanzania Rural Communities
Rural communities in Tanzania lack electricity access due to high grid extension costs. This paper designs a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and battery storage for Ngw'amkanga village in Shinyanga region. Using optimization methods, the authors determine that a solar-battery system (without wind due to insufficient local wind resources) delivers electricity at 27.18 pence per kilowatt-hour over 25 years—cheaper than Tanzania's grid-connected small power producers.
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The impact of supply structure on solar home system installations in rural off-grid areas
Market concentration in rural off-grid energy markets reduces solar home system installations in Bangladesh. Using data from 4.11 million systems installed across 503 markets over 15 years, the study shows that higher market concentration decreases both the number and capacity of installed systems. The negative effect intensifies at higher concentration levels and varies by system size and customer type. Policymakers should consider supply structure when designing rural electrification programs.
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The UK Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs ("Defra") publishes the final report of the Cave review of competition and innovation in water markets
The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published the final Cave review report examining competition and innovation in water markets. The review analyzes how competitive market structures affect innovation in England and Wales's water sector, providing policy recommendations for enhancing efficiency and technological advancement in water service delivery.
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Determinants of Social Entrepreneurship in Rural West Java: The Role of Agent of Change, Technology and Innovations, and Communication Chanel
This study identifies what drives social entrepreneurship in rural West Java's microhydro power program. Using structural equation modeling on 200 participants, the research finds that change agent characteristics and technology/innovation features significantly influence community dialogue and collective action, which in turn shape social entrepreneurship adoption. Community dialogue emerges as the strongest predictor of entrepreneurial behavior, though large-group decision-making can suppress individual initiative.
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Data-Driven Innovation through Open Government Data
Open government data creates economic and social value through innovation, but the mechanisms driving this transformation remain poorly understood. This paper uses critical realist analysis to examine how data becomes value, focusing on Opower's case. The company transformed government energy data into behavioral interventions that significantly reduced energy consumption, demonstrating how open data can drive practical innovation with measurable real-world impact.
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Community energy storage: A responsible innovation towards a sustainable energy system?
Community energy storage systems can help transition to sustainable energy by storing power locally and meeting citizen needs. However, integrating these systems into centralized energy infrastructure requires coordinating multiple actors and technologies. The authors argue that responsible research and innovation frameworks should guide the design and implementation of community energy storage to ensure the transition is sustainable, reliable, inclusive, and affordable.
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Market Formation in Technological Innovation Systems—Diffusion of Photovoltaic Applications in Germany
This paper develops a framework for analyzing how technological innovation systems create and mature end-user markets, using photovoltaic applications in Germany as a case study. The authors argue that existing innovation systems research neglects market formation structures, which become critical as technologies mature. They propose a conceptual approach to examine market-related substructures and demonstrate how different photovoltaic market segments developed in Germany.
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Multi-niche analysis of dynamics and policies in Dutch renewable energy innovation journeys (1970–2006): hype-cycles, closed networks and technology-focused learning
This study examines forty years of renewable energy innovation policy in the Netherlands across wind, biomass, fuel cells, and photovoltaics. The research identifies recurring problems: innovation efforts rely too heavily on technology-focused R&D rather than broader learning, social networks remain narrow and supply-side oriented, and expectations follow hype-disappointment cycles that undermine sustained development. These structural weaknesses explain why all four technologies experienced costly failures and setbacks despite policy support.
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Energy transitions from the cradle to the grave: A meta-theoretical framework integrating responsible innovation, social practices, and energy justice
This paper integrates three theoretical approaches—responsible innovation, social practice theory, and energy justice—to analyze energy transitions comprehensively from design through use to end-of-life impacts. The authors apply this framework to four case studies: French nuclear power, Greek wind energy, Papua New Guinean solar energy, and Estonian oil shale. The integrated approach reveals how energy transitions create injustices and inequalities across their full lifecycle.
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Simulation of Enthalpy and Capacity of CO<sub>2</sub> Absorption by Aqueous Amine Systems
This paper develops a model to predict how well amine-based solvents absorb CO2 and the energy required for absorption and release. The model works for both well-studied solvents and new experimental systems. Testing shows that by adjusting amine properties and carbamate formation, researchers can improve CO2 capture capacity and reduce the energy needed compared to standard monoethanolamine systems.
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VALUES-BASED NETWORK AND BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION
Innovation management must harness networks and shared values to solve societal problems. This paper argues that values-based network and business model innovation can address complex challenges like unsustainable energy systems. The authors present a theoretical framework and facilitation methods, tested through a workshop on regional energy networks in Germany, demonstrating that values-based networks and business models create starting points for systemic sustainability innovations.
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Technological innovation to achieve sustainable development—Renewable energy technologies diffusion in developing countries
Renewable energy technologies spread slowly in developing countries due to economic barriers and market failures. This paper examines diffusion obstacles through innovation systems theory, showing how socioeconomic factors affect renewable energy adoption. Governments can strengthen infant renewable markets by understanding these barriers and building robust innovation ecosystems that address poverty and inequality while creating competitive advantages.
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Internet of Things for Green Building Management: Disruptive Innovations Through Low-Cost Sensor Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Buildings consume 60% of global electricity, but traditional management systems are expensive and impractical for small and medium-sized buildings. This paper demonstrates how Internet of Things sensors combined with artificial intelligence can monitor building energy use affordably. Low-cost IoT devices track occupancy and human activity patterns, enabling building managers to identify energy-saving opportunities and reduce consumption without expensive infrastructure.
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On the Decay Behavior of the CO<sub>2</sub>Absorption Capacity of CaO-Based Sorbents
This paper examines how calcium oxide-based sorbents lose their ability to capture CO2 over repeated absorption and desorption cycles. The authors propose a new mathematical equation that better describes this decay behavior using a single parameter. They identify sintering as the mechanism causing capacity loss and provide a method to compare different sorbents' performance using this decay parameter.
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Implications of Frugal Innovations on Sustainable Development: Evaluating Water and Energy Innovations
This paper evaluates four frugal innovations in water and energy sectors against sustainability criteria covering ecological, social, and economic dimensions. The innovations outperformed existing low-income solutions in energy production and water purification capacity. However, social sustainability varied significantly: energy solutions emphasized capacity building and inclusion, while water solutions relied on traditional corporate responsibility. The authors identify three major challenges: integrating material efficiency into systems, promoting inclusive employment, and supporting local industrialization. They conclude that frugality and sustainability, though related, should not be treated as equivalent concepts.
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Regional innovation systems: development opportunities from the ‘green turn’
Regional innovation systems effectively drive cross-industry knowledge flows and innovation by leveraging Triple Helix interactions. The paper demonstrates this through renewable energy adoption, showing that regions with innovative development agencies benefit from horizontal knowledge spillovers across clusters. These regions create low-cost opportunities for cross-fertilization that can become international knowledge hubs.
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Kindred spirits or intergovernmental competition? The innovation and diffusion of energy policies in the American states (1990–2008)
States adopt energy and climate policies primarily through learning within peer groups sharing similar political cultures, rather than through geographic proximity. Using event history analysis of U.S. state policies from 1990–2008, the authors find that political ideology and culture drive policy adoption far more than environmental conditions or economic resources. Geographic diffusion models that ignore political culture produce biased results.
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Dynamic ARDL Simulations Effects of Fiscal Decentralization, Green Technological Innovation, Trade Openness, and Institutional Quality on Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from South Africa
This study examines how fiscal decentralization, green technological innovation, trade openness, and institutional quality affect carbon emissions in South Africa from 1960 to 2020. Fiscal decentralization, green innovation, and institutional quality reduce emissions in both short and long term. Trade openness worsens environmental quality long-term. Population and energy consumption increase emissions. The findings support an environmental Kuznets curve and suggest that clear government responsibility allocation across governance tiers is essential for achieving low-carbon objectives.
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Does patenting help or hinder open innovation? Evidence from new entrants in the solar industry
New companies entering the solar industry that build patent portfolios increase their open innovation partnerships overall. However, the effect varies by relationship type. Patents strongly boost partnerships in high-tech collaborations but weaken the effect in lower-tech relationships, actually reducing partnerships in the least technology-intensive ones.
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High Capacity Hydrogen Absorption in Transition Metal-Ethylene Complexes Observed via Nanogravimetry
Researchers used nanogravimetry to measure hydrogen absorption in transition metal-ethylene complexes created through laser ablation. Titanium-ethylene complexes absorbed 12 weight percent hydrogen at room temperature with rapid kinetics. Deuterium substitution doubled the uptake, and mass spectroscopy identified a species at 78 amu as the likely hydrogen-absorbing compound.
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Research on the evolution of China's photovoltaic technology innovation network from the perspective of patents
China holds the world's largest number of photovoltaic technology patents, but lacks core technologies limiting further innovation. This study analyzes 20 years of PV patent data using social network analysis to map China's innovation structure. Leading enterprises have formed stable collaborations, with innovation concentrated in eastern coastal provinces. Cross-regional collaboration has grown significantly, centered on three major hubs: the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
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Management Innovation and Policy Diffusion through Leadership Transfer Networks: An Agent Network Diffusion Model
Leadership transfer networks—the career paths of public managers—drive policy innovation diffusion across regions. Using data on Chinese provincial energy governance, the study shows that when managers move between locations with similar institutional environments, they carry performance innovations with them. This network-based mechanism explains how management practices spread geographically, independent of traditional learning or competition factors.
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GE's Ecomagination Challenge: An Experiment in Open Innovation
GE's ecomagination Challenge used open innovation to solicit green energy ideas from external entrepreneurs and startups, investing $140 million across 23 ventures by 2011. The case examines whether this approach delivered sufficient returns relative to GE's massive energy business, and considers how the company should measure success and structure future open innovation efforts to generate meaningful commercial outcomes.
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The impact of clean energy consumption, green innovation, and technological diffusion on environmental sustainability: New evidence from load capacity curve hypothesis for 10 European Union countries
This study analyzes how clean energy consumption, green innovation, and technological diffusion affect environmental sustainability across ten European Union countries from 1990 to 2018. Using the load capacity curve hypothesis framework, researchers found that green innovation and technological diffusion significantly support environmental sustainability, with the hypothesis validated for Denmark, France, Portugal, and Spain. The findings demonstrate that these factors are critical for promoting environmentally friendly practices.
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Smart innovation policy: How network position and project composition affect the diversity of an emerging technology
Government subsidies for collaborative innovation projects shape technological diversity in emerging technologies. This study of Dutch biogas energy innovation reveals that projects sharing many actors reduce diversity, while projects with diverse actor types increase it. Larger project consortia decrease diversity. These findings suggest policymakers can design smarter innovation programs by strategically managing network connections and project composition to foster technological diversity and avoid technological lock-in.
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Social acceptance of green hydrogen in Germany: building trust through responsible innovation
Germans show low knowledge but high openness toward green hydrogen as a renewable energy technology. Trust in science, government, institutions, and media—shaped by regional values—drives acceptance. Participatory workshops and repeated positive engagement experiences strengthen support. The study recommends treating green hydrogen adoption as responsible innovation, building trust structurally to avoid conflicts like those surrounding wind energy.
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Innovation systems for technology diffusion: An analytical framework and two case studies
This paper develops a diffusion innovation system framework that analyzes technology adoption by examining institutions, infrastructure, and supply-side dynamics together. Applied to Swedish renewable energy cases—solar photovoltaics and wind power—the framework shows how these factors co-develop over time through feedback loops that either support or hinder diffusion. The approach identifies specific barriers that policy and business strategy could address.
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Network Embeddedness and Innovation: Evidence From the Alternative Energy Field
This study examines how network embeddedness affects innovation outcomes in a large U.S. energy company. Using 16 years of patent data from 1,561 inventors, the researchers find that relational and structural embeddedness both strengthen exploitative innovation but show inverted U-shaped relationships with exploratory innovation. The overall network structure matters significantly. The findings suggest innovators should adjust their network embeddedness levels strategically depending on the type of innovation they pursue.
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ZnO/ZnS heterostructure with enhanced interfacial lithium absorption for robust and large-capacity energy storage
Researchers developed a zinc oxide and zinc sulfide heterostructure anode material that improves lithium absorption at the interface between the two materials. This design increases energy storage capacity in batteries by combining metal oxides with sulfides, offering a more robust solution for large-capacity energy storage applications.
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Virtual user communities contributing to upscaling innovations in transitions: The case of electric vehicles
Virtual communities of electric vehicle users contribute significantly to scaling up EV adoption by enabling knowledge exchange across distances. The authors studied a large online EV community using internet ethnography and identified how virtual communities foster technology upscaling through distinctive participation mechanisms. These communities play an important role in promoting electric vehicle use beyond early technology development phases.
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How firms realign to tackle the grand challenge of climate change: An innovation ecosystems perspective
This study examines how established electric utilities and clean-tech startups collaborate in innovation ecosystems to address climate change. Analyzing 10 utilities and 57 startups across pilot projects, the researchers identify three ecosystem configurations that drive climate impact: incumbent-led digital platforms, device complementors that enable customers, and new orchestrators. These configurations succeed by improving resource efficiency, enhancing infrastructure flexibility, and enabling better information sharing.
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The role of regional innovation systems in mission-oriented innovation policy: exploring the problem-solution space in electrification of maritime transport
This paper examines how regional innovation systems contribute to mission-oriented innovation policy by studying ferry electrification in Western Norway. The research finds that transformative change succeeded because it created new regional economic opportunities while leveraging existing regional resources, actors, and institutions. The mission benefited from low technological uncertainty, multi-level coordination among actors, and strategic modification of established regional structures and regulations.
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Social innovations in the German energy transition: an attempt to use the heuristics of the multi-level perspective of transitions to analyze the diffusion process of social innovations
This paper examines whether the multi-level perspective framework, commonly used to analyze technological transitions, can explain how social innovations spread in Germany's energy transition. The authors studied five social innovation projects in North Rhine-Westphalia and found that the framework works only for transformative social innovations that challenge existing systems, not for incremental improvements. The multi-level perspective proves useful for understanding diffusion barriers and drivers when social innovations compete with or reshape established regimes.
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On the geography of emerging industry technological networks: the breadth and depth of patented innovations
This study maps the global wind turbine industry's patent network to show how geographic locations contribute to technological innovation. The research reveals that locations cluster around core technologies like electricity and aerodynamics, with their patent activities determining their importance to the industry. The analysis demonstrates how existing knowledge at a location influences its position in the global network and how new entrants gain central roles in the industry's innovation ecosystem.
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The Development and Diffusion of Radical Technological Innovation: The Role of Bus Demonstration Projects in Commercializing Fuel Cell Technology
Governments in North America, Europe, and Japan have funded demonstration projects to commercialize fuel cell bus technology as part of climate change strategies. This paper examines how various stakeholders—government agencies, automotive developers, and industry players—interact through these projects. The authors find that demonstration projects play a crucial role in technology adoption, but conflicting objectives among industry participants and complex government-developer relationships significantly hinder progress toward widespread commercialization.
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The Risk of Dissolution of Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems in Times of Crisis: The Electric Vehicle during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The paper examines how the electric vehicle ecosystem evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies factors that enable ecosystem growth despite crises. The authors argue that disruptions like pandemics can create opportunities for sustainable innovations to break through by shifting established behavioral patterns. They assess whether the EV sector capitalized on pandemic-driven changes to accelerate the transition from internal combustion engines to green mobility.
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Toward Efficient CO<sub>2</sub> Capture Solvent Design by Analyzing the Effect of Chain Lengths and Amino Types to the Absorption Capacity, Bicarbonate/Carbamate, and Cyclic Capacity
This paper investigates how molecular structure of amine solvents affects CO2 capture efficiency. Researchers tested six diamines with varying chain lengths and amino groups, comparing them to standard monoamines. Results show that extending the carbon chain from C2 to C3 and adding substituents to nitrogen atoms both increase CO2 absorption capacity, bicarbonate formation, and desorption performance, offering guidance for designing more energy-efficient industrial CO2 capture solvents.
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Disruptive innovation, stranded assets and forecasting: the rise and rise of renewable energy
Renewable energy combined with battery storage exhibits the three defining features of disruptive innovation: it occupies an expanding niche, grows exponentially, and creates stranded assets in fossil fuel infrastructure. The paper forecasts that renewable energy with storage will exceed current capacity projections and could meet 100% of global energy demand by 2050 under various scenarios, fundamentally transforming energy systems over the next three decades.
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Determination of Absorption Rate and Capacity of CO<sub>2</sub> in Ionic Liquids at Atmospheric Pressure by Thermogravimetric Analysis
This paper develops a thermogravimetric analysis method to measure CO2 absorption in ionic liquids and tests 11 different ionic liquids varying in chemical composition. The researchers find that ionic liquids with acetate anions absorb CO2 most effectively, showing both high absorption capacity and fast absorption rates. Initial absorption rate within 10 minutes can reliably predict total absorption capacity, offering a practical screening tool for identifying promising CO2 capture materials.
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Multi-parameter models of innovation diffusion on complex networks
This paper develops a mathematical model to understand how innovations spread through populations via peer influence. Using household energy efficiency adoption as a case study, the model represents people as network nodes whose decision to adopt depends on personal preference, neighbors' choices, and broader social trends. The researchers test the model on different network structures and provide analytical methods to predict adoption rates, showing how network topology affects innovation diffusion patterns.
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Analysing the diffusion and adoption of renewable energy technologies in Africa: The functions of innovation systems perspective
Renewable energy technologies remain poorly adopted across Africa despite their potential to address energy poverty and environmental challenges. This paper argues that previous research focused too narrowly on user-level factors and neglected institutional context. The author proposes using the Technological Innovation System framework to understand how institutions enable or hinder renewable energy diffusion, and provides a framework for evaluating institutional performance to guide African policymakers.
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Effect of Modified Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Magnetic NPs on the Absorption Capacity of CO<sub>2</sub> in Water, Wettability Alteration of Carbonate Rock Surface, and Water–Oil Interfacial Tension for Oilfield Applications
Modified iron oxide nanoparticles coated with polymers enhance carbon dioxide absorption in water and reduce interfacial tension between oil and carbonated water. These improvements increase the effectiveness of carbonated water for enhanced oil recovery in reservoirs. The polymer-coated nanoparticles also improve water-wetting properties on carbonate rock surfaces, making them promising for oilfield applications.
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Legacy sectors: barriers to global innovation in agriculture and energy
The US innovation system contains 'legacy sectors' in agriculture and energy that resist disruptive change through subsidies, entrenched infrastructure, regulatory barriers, powerful vested interests, and established consumer habits. These structural obstacles prevent new technologies from reaching markets, even when socially beneficial. The authors argue that large-scale research investment is needed regardless of competitive costs, and that American paradigms exported globally delay innovation adoption in developing countries that need locally appropriate technologies.
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Ai-driven innovations in greenhouse agriculture: Reanalysis of sustainability and energy efficiency impacts
AI integration in greenhouse agriculture significantly reduces heating energy consumption, improving energy efficiency. However, AI shows only marginal improvements in CO2 emissions, electricity, and water usage compared to traditional methods. Crop quality and profitability gains match conventional techniques. The study reveals AI's mixed impact on sustainability, highlighting strong potential in energy efficiency but limited effectiveness in other key sustainability areas, requiring further research and investment.
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Review of climate change issues: A forcing function perspective in agricultural and energy innovation
Climate change creates urgent innovation opportunities in agriculture, energy, and food systems. Rising temperatures increase cooling demands and energy stress, while droughts threaten food production despite projected 60% global food demand increases by 2050. The paper argues that innovations in agri-food and energy sectors can simultaneously reduce emissions, build climate resilience, improve food security, and reduce poverty. These sectors hold significant potential for novel products, processes, and policies that accelerate both climate mitigation and adaptation.
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Characterization of Technological Innovations in Photovoltaic Rural Electrification, Based on the Experiences of Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina: Third Generation Solar Home Systems
Solar Home Systems have evolved through three generations since 1980, with third-generation systems now offering efficient LED lighting, lithium batteries, and microelectronic controls that require minimal maintenance. These newer systems cost less and enable users to manage their own electricity, making rural electrification more affordable and reliable for off-grid populations in Latin America. The research characterizes technological advances to support developers and policymakers in achieving universal energy access.
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Short-run effects of grid electricity access on rural non-farm entrepreneurship and employment in Ethiopia and Nigeria
Rural electrification in Ethiopia and Nigeria between 2010–2015 did not significantly increase non-farm entrepreneurship or non-farm employment within 2–4 years of grid connection, according to difference-in-differences analysis. Nigeria showed some farm employment intensification. The study demonstrates that electricity access alone is insufficient to drive non-farm economic shifts in these contexts, and highlights data limitations in measuring such effects.
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“Do you Know What's Underneath your Feet?”: Underground Landscapes & Place‐Based Risk Perceptions of Proposed Shale Gas Sites in Rural British Communities<sup>☆</sup>
Rural communities in the United Kingdom perceive risks from proposed shale gas exploration through deep, place-based knowledge rooted in generations of connection to their local landscapes, including underground features. Residents' understanding of subsurface geology shapes their concerns about how extraction threatens their communities' distinctiveness and character. The study shows that effective risk management for underground energy projects must incorporate local, place-based knowledge alongside technical expertise.
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Enabling rural broadband via TV &#x201C;white space&#x201D;
HopScotch, a rural broadband testbed in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, uses TV white space frequencies alongside 5 GHz bands to deliver high-speed internet across remote areas with fewer base stations and lower power consumption. This approach reduces infrastructure costs and energy use while maintaining strong coverage and data rates.
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Rural Entrepreneurship through Electricity
Nepal shifted rural electrification from top-down government programs to community-based management, where local groups contribute 20% of costs and operate systems themselves. Between 2003 and 2008, this approach brought electricity to nearly 190,000 rural households annually through 450 community electricity organizations. The model increased economic activity, enabled productive use of electricity, fostered rural entrepreneurship, and advanced gender equality in participating communities.
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Swarm grids - Innovation in rural electrification
Swarm grids represent a decentralized approach to rural electrification that builds on existing Solar Home Systems by enabling households to trade electricity and supply additional loads with excess power. The author develops a simulation model to test swarm grid feasibility and validates it with field data from Bangladesh. Results show that swarm grids can effectively supply unelectrified households and commercial loads like irrigation pumps by capturing previously wasted solar energy, offering a scalable alternative to traditional mini-grids.
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Investigating the Performance of Rural Off-Grid Photovoltaic System with Electric-Mobility Solutions: A Case Study Based on Kenya
This paper models an off-grid photovoltaic charging station in Kenya to provide reliable, low-emission electricity for rural applications including water purification and electric vehicle charging. The system outperforms diesel generators in cost and environmental impact. The model adapts to different regions by adjusting solar radiation, temperature, and load parameters, offering a replicable solution for rural electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Feasibility study of hybrid energy system for off-grid rural water supply and sanitation system in Odisha, India
Researchers designed a hybrid solar and biogas energy system for a rural village in Odisha, India to power water supply and sanitation facilities. Using optimization modeling software, they evaluated different system configurations and calculated capital costs, operating costs, and energy costs to identify a cost-effective solution for providing clean water and toilets to the village's poor residents.
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Hybrid Power System Options for Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Northern Kenya
This study evaluates hybrid energy systems combining wind, solar, and battery storage to replace diesel generators in six remote villages in northern Kenya. The researchers simulated five different configurations and used trade-off analysis to identify the optimal design. A wind-diesel-battery system with two 500 kW turbines proved most effective, reducing diesel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 98.8% while remaining economically viable.
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Design of an off-grid PV system for the rural community
This paper designs an off-grid photovoltaic system for rural communities located far from conventional electricity grids. The system provides portable and emergency power access using renewable energy, addressing the energy needs of remote populations in areas where grid connection is impractical or unavailable.
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Simulation of a hybrid renewable energy system in rural regions
This paper develops a MATLAB simulator for hybrid renewable energy systems in rural areas. The system combines photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and pumped water storage to supply residential and industrial loads, with a grid connection. The key innovation is an optimal control strategy that balances power generation and consumption in both grid-connected and islanded operating modes.
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Off-grid Power for Small Communities with Renewable Energy Sources in Rural Guatemalan Villages
Engineers Without Borders implemented an off-grid renewable energy system in a 50-home Guatemalan village, replacing candles with solar power. The system provides electricity for lighting, cooking, and education while eliminating indoor pollution and fire hazards. Community evaluation showed off-grid renewable energy more sustainable than extending the utility grid, with operating costs lower than previous candle expenses.
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Techno-economic and environmental assessment of grid and solar photovoltaic microgrid supply options for isolated off-grid rural communities toward sustainable and affordable electricity in Nkoranza South, Bono East, Ghana
This study compares grid extension and solar photovoltaic microgrids for delivering electricity to isolated rural communities in Ghana. A 746 kW solar microgrid proved economically superior to a 19.5 km grid extension, with positive net present value, 24% internal rate of return, and 7-year payback period versus negative returns for grid expansion. The solar option also delivers substantial environmental benefits, preventing 31 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over 25 years.
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Off-grid PV systems modelling and optimisation for rural communities - leveraging understandability and interpretability of modelling tools
This paper develops a transparent, open-source framework for designing off-grid solar photovoltaic systems in rural buildings. The authors combine particle swarm optimization with physics-informed modeling tools to size solar-plus-battery systems while accounting for climate change, user behavior changes, and evolving energy needs. Testing shows that open-source models reduce costs, increase flexibility, and improve confidence in rural electrification solutions compared to proprietary software.
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Rural electrification with hybrid renewable energy-based off-grid technology: a case study of Adem Tuleman, Ethiopia
A hybrid renewable energy system combining wind, solar, and diesel power can effectively electrify the remote rural village of Adem Tuleman in Ethiopia. The system meets the village's 204 kWh/day energy demand at a cost of $0.195/kWh, with initial capital costs of $24,817 and total net present value of $189,233. This approach provides a financially viable alternative to biomass burning, reducing health risks and environmental damage while delivering reliable electricity to off-grid communities.
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To know is to accept. Uncovering the perception of renewables as a behavioural trigger of rural energy transition
Rural communities in Poland show broad awareness of renewable energy but lack deep, balanced knowledge about specific sources and their local applications. The study finds that personal experience with small-scale renewable installations drives attitude change and motivates new energy investments. Direct community involvement in renewable projects ensures both costs and benefits are distributed fairly across rural areas, making inclusive, place-based approaches essential for sustainable energy transitions.
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An optimized off-grid hybrid system for power generation in rural areas
Researchers optimized a hybrid power system for a cow farm in Jordan combining solar panels, biogas generators, diesel generators, wind turbines, and batteries. The best configuration used solar, biogas, batteries, and diesel generation, achieving 94% renewable energy production, reducing emissions by 92%, and costing $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. This off-grid system meets the farm's daily electrical needs economically and sustainably.
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Exploring the best hybrid energy system for the off-grid rural energy scheme in Bangladesh using a comprehensive decision framework
This study develops a decision framework combining optimization modeling and multi-criteria analysis to select hybrid energy systems for off-grid rural areas in Bangladesh. The research identifies a photovoltaic-diesel-battery system as optimal, delivering energy at 0.32 USD/kWh—cheaper than the national grid and 64% cleaner than diesel-only alternatives. The framework successfully balances technical, economic, environmental, and social factors to guide rural electrification decisions in developing countries.
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Rural Areas Interoperability Framework: Intelligent Assessment of Renewable Energy Security Issues in PAKISTAN
Pakistan's rural areas suffer severe electricity shortages, with 45% lacking access and experiencing 12-14 hours of daily load shedding. This paper proposes a Rural Areas Interoperability framework that analyzes geographical, environmental, and social conditions across Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, and Punjab to recommend suitable renewable energy solutions—solar, wind, hydro, biomass, or thermal—while assessing security risks for each region's specific circumstances.
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Techno-Economic analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems for rural area energization in Pakistan
This paper designs and compares four hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Pakistan using solar, wind, and biomass resources. The researchers used HOMER Pro optimization software to evaluate each system based on net present cost, levelized cost of energy, and payback period. A hybrid system combining all three renewable sources proved most feasible, delivering the lowest energy cost at Rs 14.40 per unit with a 2.54-year payback period, while a solar-biomass system alone was least cost-effective.
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Techno-economic study of a distributed hybrid renewable energy system supplying electrical power and heat for a rural house in China
Researchers designed a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar panels, wood-syngas generators, and batteries to power a rural house in China. Using computer modeling, they tested different system configurations to find the most cost-effective setup that meets the house's energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
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Elevating education of India's rural village girls through distance learning technology supported by sustainable electricity
This paper describes a distance learning program designed to improve educational access for rural girls in Jharkhand, India. The authors identify inadequate electricity and limited schooling opportunities as major barriers and propose a sustainable electrification system paired with digital learning technology to enable continuous primary and secondary education. Village interviews showed strong community support for the initiative, which addresses infrastructure, connectivity, and personnel needs alongside reliable power supply.
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Energy planning model with renewable energy using optimization multicriteria techniques for isolated rural communities: Cajamarca province, Peru
This paper develops SEPLAN, an energy planning model using multicriteria optimization to balance economic, environmental, and social objectives for isolated rural communities in Peru. Applied to Cajamarca province, the model evaluates renewable energy alternatives against six competing goals including emissions reduction, cost minimization, and universal energy access. Results show photovoltaic solar energy emerges as the priority solution when prioritizing rural electrification, offering decision-makers a practical tool for sustainable energy planning.
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Status of Rural Electrification in India, Energy Scenario and People's Perception of Renewable Energy Technologies
Rural electrification in India faces barriers of awareness and social attitudes toward renewable energy. A survey in Karnataka village reveals rural communities support sustainable energy but prioritize cost, reliability, and ease of use over environmental benefits. Government initiatives promote decentralized renewable technologies, but success requires targeted awareness campaigns to help communities understand how local renewable systems can meet energy needs while protecting the environment.
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Rural Electrification through Renewable Energy Sources- An Overview of Challenges and Prospects
Rural electrification in India faces significant socio-economic barriers despite renewable energy's potential for decentralized power generation. The paper identifies key challenges in deploying renewables to off-grid villages and proposes solutions: making renewable devices affordable, increasing local participation, encouraging private investment, and implementing supportive government policies. These measures are essential for achieving energy security and sustainable development in rural areas.
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HopScotch-a low-power renewable energy base station network for rural broadband access
Researchers deployed a wireless broadband network in the Scottish Highlands and Islands using low-power relay base stations powered by renewable energy. The system uses 5 GHz bands and white space frequencies to deliver high data rates with minimal infrastructure. This renewable-powered approach creates a scalable, cost-effective solution suitable for community ownership that addresses rural broadband access gaps.
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Rural energy security utilizing renewable energy sources: Challenges and opportunities
Nepal faces severe rural energy insecurity due to complete dependence on imported petroleum and coal, low electricity access, and widespread reliance on kerosene and firewood. Deforestation from biomass extraction threatens environmental stability. The paper examines Nepal's renewable energy development status and identifies challenges to deploying abundant domestic renewable resources, proposing solutions to improve rural energy security while halting forest depletion.
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Role of gender in determining energy poverty, clean energy access, and energy expenditure: Insights from rural China
In rural China, male-headed households experience lower energy poverty and greater access to clean energy for cooking and heating compared to female-headed households. Female-headed households, particularly smaller ones, face significant barriers to clean energy access and higher energy poverty levels. The study recommends empowering rural women through skills training, financial support, and energy subsidies to enable equal participation in household energy decisions and reduce energy poverty.
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Renewable energy resource assessment for rural electrification: a case study in Nepal
This study assesses renewable energy potential for rural electrification in Nepal's Karnali province, where 67% of the population lacks grid electricity access due to mountainous terrain. Researchers evaluated solar and wind installations in two districts, analyzing energy, economic, and environmental factors. They found that distributed solar and wind plants are feasible solutions for remote high-altitude regions, requiring 7–9 million USD in investment costs.
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Decentralized Solar Energy Access and Assessment of Performance Parameters for Rural Communities in India
Solar energy policies in rural India have created opportunities for decentralized renewable energy, but the market has stalled due to poor promotion, weak financial models, and negative perceptions among low-income households. The paper examines energy poverty in remote communities and identifies why solar technologies fail to expand despite government support. It proposes strategies to overcome market barriers and accelerate adoption of decentralized solar systems in underserved areas.
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A hybrid energy system based on renewable energy for the electrification of low-income rural communities
This paper proposes a hybrid renewable energy system to electrify low-income rural communities in Peru without grid access. Researchers surveyed Monte-Catache village in Cajamarca to assess energy demand and renewable resources. Simulations showed isolated photovoltaic systems with battery storage as the most viable solution. The approach offers a practical pathway for bringing electricity to remote, impoverished areas using cost-effective renewable technology.
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Solar-Wind Renewable Energy System for Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Ecuador
This paper analyzes and designs an off-grid solar-wind renewable energy system for rural electrification in Ecuador. The authors measured local energy consumption and solar and wind resources in a remote county, then used simulation tools to estimate the community's electrical load profile and propose a complete hybrid system. They present the technical and economic specifications of the resulting wind-solar installation.
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Mapping the least-cost option for rural electrification in Burkina Faso: Scaling-up renewable energies
Rural electrification in Burkina Faso currently reaches only 2% of the rural population, with electricity lacking at schools and hospitals. This report develops a spatial analysis methodology to identify cost-effective pathways to universal access. The analysis shows that the government's grid-extension strategy is inefficient and unsustainable. Instead, distributed renewable-powered minigrids using local resources would connect more people faster, reduce fossil fuel imports, and provide a sustainable long-term energy model.
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A novel application of machine learning techniques for activity-based load disaggregation in rural off-grid, isolated solar systems
This paper develops machine learning methods to disaggregate household electricity demand in rural off-grid solar systems in India. By analyzing power usage data from individual homes, the researchers use classification and clustering algorithms to identify which appliances are running and predict future demand. Understanding activity-based electricity patterns helps rural solar systems right-size batteries and panels, reducing costs while ensuring reliable power access.
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Hydro-based, renewable hybrid energy sytem for rural/remote electrification in Nigeria
Nigeria's remote areas lack grid electricity and conventional energy access due to cost and infrastructure barriers. The paper proposes hybrid renewable energy systems combining hydro, solar, and wind power to electrify rural and remote communities. Nigeria possesses abundant renewable resources but lacks technical expertise to harness them effectively. Hybrid systems leverage local renewable potential to provide sustainable power solutions for off-grid populations.
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Sustainability of rural energy access in developing countries
Rural energy access remains unresolved in developing countries despite policy efforts. This dissertation analyzes policies and their impacts on renewable energy markets, technological choices for electrification, and sustainability performance across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The research shows market-oriented policies expand rural electrification in Nepal, identifies cost-effective technology pathways in Afghanistan and Nepal, models cooking fuel transitions in China, and introduces sustainability indices to evaluate energy technologies and country progress. Mature technologies like biomass and micro-hydro outperform solar and wind without policy support, while credit access and subsidy delivery mechanisms require innovation.
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An Intelligent Decision Support System for Residential Energy Consumption and Renewable Energy Utilization in Rural China
Researchers surveyed over 300 rural areas across China's provinces to build a database on residential energy consumption and renewable energy use. They developed an intelligent decision support system using fuzzy evaluation and grey relational analysis to predict future energy trends and identify renewable energy alternatives. The system helps governments create sustainable rural energy plans by analyzing consumption patterns and evaluating renewable energy feasibility.
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Impacts of Electrification with Renewable Energies on Local Economies : The Case of India’s Rural Areas
Solar mini-grid electrification in rural India generates stronger local economic impacts than grid connection, particularly through small business creation and household income growth. However, solar systems' limited capacity prevents agricultural use. The study reveals that significant portions of households remain unelectrified even in electrified villages, especially in solar mini-grid areas. Despite this equity challenge, solar energy effectively powers local markets, schools, and health centers, supporting rural economic development.
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Analysis on the environmental effect of renewable energy consumption by rural residents in daily life in China-from the perspectives of carbon emissions
This paper analyzes carbon emissions from rural residents' energy consumption in China between 1998 and 2007, focusing on renewable energy use in daily life. The research finds that traditional biomass energy sources—straw, firewood, and similar materials—generate the largest share of carbon emissions in rural energy consumption. The authors provide policy recommendations based on these environmental findings.
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Genset-Solar-Wind Hybrid Power System of Off-grid Power Station for Rural Applications
This paper designs and evaluates hybrid power systems combining diesel generators, solar panels, and wind turbines for off-grid rural electricity. The researchers tested eleven different power management strategies using computer simulations to determine how each strategy affects system sizing, fuel consumption, battery life, and costs. They found that hybrid renewable systems become cost-competitive over their lifetime because diesel fuel costs eventually exceed the initial investment in renewable equipment.
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Strengthening financial innovation in energy supply projects for rural communities in developing countries
Rural communities in developing countries need sustainable energy supply to reduce poverty and improve agricultural productivity. This paper surveys expert opinion on financing agricultural electrification projects and finds that new financial mechanisms can mobilize funding for renewable energy systems. The authors argue that financing models must adapt to decentralized energy production, involve beneficiaries in project planning, and help overcome high upfront costs to create sustainable, productive solutions.
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Design and Simulation of an Inverter Drive System with a Display for a Renewable Energy System in the Rural Isolated Communities of Uganda
Researchers designed and simulated an inverter system that converts single-phase AC power to three-phase DC power for rural health facilities in Uganda. The five-level inverter uses passive and active components to reduce distortion and ripples while improving efficiency. Testing showed the system can suppress power ripples using smaller capacitors than conventional converters, enabling three-phase medical equipment to run reliably in isolated communities with limited electrical infrastructure.
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Rural renewable energy development: lessons learned from community-based renewable energy business model in East Sumba, Indonesia
Community-based renewable energy projects in East Sumba, Indonesia require four key strategies to succeed: developing village leadership, building business management capacity, establishing meaningful community roles in energy operations, and fostering stakeholder collaboration. The paper examines renewable energy initiatives in two villages and identifies these capacity-building approaches as essential for rural communities to implement and sustain renewable energy business models effectively.
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Optimisation of a Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification
This paper optimizes anaerobic digestion systems that convert cattle waste into biogas for rural electricity generation. Using Tabu Search optimization, the authors determine the ideal system size and operating method to maximize revenue for a given number of cattle. The findings show that properly sized waste-to-energy systems can effectively increase electricity access in rural Uganda.
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Awareness of the population in rural regions of Serbia about renewable energy sources
Rural Serbians lack awareness about renewable energy sources, limiting public support for sustainable energy projects. A survey of over 400 respondents across southern, eastern, and central Serbia found that rural populations are poorly informed about both general energy production and specific renewable energy benefits. The study calls for intensive public information campaigns to build support for renewable energy adoption in Serbia's energy sector.
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Renewable Energy Plants and Business Models: A New Rural Development Perspective
Renewable energy plants in Spain create opportunities for rural development through local economic activities and business model innovation. Some businesses directly connect to energy plants and generate stable jobs, while others diversify through land leasing arrangements. The study finds that renewable energy integration requires stronger governance frameworks and strategic planning to align energy transition with sustainable development goals and rural community well-being.
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Techno-economic analysis and design of hybrid renewable energy microgrid for rural electrification
This paper designs a hybrid renewable energy microgrid for rural electrification in Ethiopia using techno-economic analysis. Researchers modeled a standalone microgrid for the village of Jarre in the Somali region, comparing it economically against grid extension. Using particle swarm optimization, they identified the most cost-effective and reliable configuration of renewable energy sources to meet local electricity demand while ensuring system reliability.
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Optimal Design of Hybrid Grid-connected Microgrid with Renewable Energy and Storage in a Rural Area in Turkey by Using HOMER
Researchers designed an optimal hybrid microgrid system for a rural Turkish village using HOMER software. The system combines photovoltaic modules, wind turbines, small hydroelectric plants, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage to reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions. Analysis of local solar radiation, wind speed, water flow, and power demand determined the best combination of renewable resources for both grid-connected and off-grid operation.
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Analysis of the gap in enterprise access to renewable energy between rural and urban areas in Cameroon
Rural enterprises in Cameroon have significantly lower access to renewable energy than urban enterprises. The study of over 209,000 firms reveals that education, bank credit, microfinance, and formalization reduce this gap. Gender discrimination, sector barriers, and business environment challenges widen it. Improving rural finance access and promoting formalization are key to closing the rural-urban renewable energy divide.
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System Platform Enabling Peer-to-Peer Electricity Market Model for Off-Grid Microgrids in Rural Africa
Off-grid microgrids powered by solar and battery storage can electrify remote African villages more cost-effectively than grid extension. The authors present a peer-to-peer electricity market platform that bundles power, connectivity, and digital services. A pilot in Namibia demonstrates that this approach improves investment efficiency and strengthens community integration while expanding electricity access beyond the 22% baseline in rural Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Off-Grid Power Plant Load Management System Applied in a Rural Area of Africa
This paper develops a load management system for off-grid solar power plants in rural areas using machine learning. The system combines support vector machines and fruit fly optimization to predict energy demand and detect anomalies in real time. Applied to a 50-household solar installation in Tanzania, the approach improves energy efficiency and utilization rates, offering a practical solution for sustainable rural electrification in Africa.
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Design and Control of an Off-Grid Solar System for a Rural House in Pakistan
Researchers designed and modeled an off-grid solar photovoltaic system for a rural Pakistani household requiring 40 kWh monthly. The system uses 560 watts of solar panels, battery storage, and a 1 kW inverter to meet year-round electrical needs. Computer simulation using local solar irradiance, temperature, and humidity data validated the design. The paper also presents control methods and data-logging approaches for the system.
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Optimization Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Energy System Using Homer Software for Rural Electrification in Sarawak
Researchers designed and optimized a hybrid solar-biomass renewable energy system for rural electrification in Sarawak, Malaysia using Homer software. They collected local solar radiation and biomass resource data, assessed electricity demand, sized system components, and calculated costs. Simulation results showed optimal configurations with net present costs of $6.18 million for residential systems and $9.45 million for animal farm systems, with simulation costs within 7-9% of theoretical projections.
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Optimal modeling of an integrated renewable energy system with battery storage for off grid electrification of remote rural area
This study designs an optimal renewable energy system for remote rural electrification in India's Karnataka state. Researchers modeled an integrated system combining micro hydro, solar, wind, biomass, and biogas with battery storage. Using genetic algorithms to minimize costs while maintaining reliability, they tested different technology combinations and resource scenarios. A hybrid system combining micro hydro, biomass, biogas, and wind turbines with battery storage proved most cost-effective for the target area.
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Mas Roig mini-grid: A renewable-energy-based rural islanded microgrid
A renewable energy microgrid deployed on a Spanish farm uses intelligent load management and real-time control to maximize renewable energy use while maintaining reliable power supply. The system classifies electrical loads by priority and controls them through networked smart sockets. After five years of operation, the project demonstrates that distributed generation and active management reduce costs and ensure energy security even during extreme weather events.
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Energy Autarky of Rural Municipality Created on the Basis of Renewable Energy Resources
This study evaluates whether a rural Polish municipality can meet its energy needs using renewable sources. Researchers assessed solar, hydro, wind, and biogas potential in Rakow municipality through 2020. Currently, renewables cover only 2.2% of total energy demand and 24% of electricity demand. However, renewable heat production already exceeds local needs by 20% and could reach 256% with biomass from set-aside land, creating exportable surplus energy.
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Design and economy of renewable energy sources to supply isolated loads at rural and remote areas of Egypt
This paper develops a model to design and evaluate renewable energy systems for isolated rural loads in Egypt, focusing on solar photovoltaic and wind energy for irrigation pumping. The model incorporates meteorological data, system performance, storage capacity, and economic parameters to compare three alternative configurations. Applied to a remote Egyptian site, the model identifies the most economically viable renewable energy option for rural electrification.
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Increasing Efficiency of Power Supply System for Small Manufactures in Rural Regions using Renewable Energy Resources
Small rural manufacturers face rising electricity costs and maintenance expenses. The paper proposes using wind turbines to power these enterprises in areas with sufficient wind resources (above 5 m/s at 10m height). A voltage regulator with transformer connection stabilizes motor operation and reduces energy consumption, offering a practical renewable energy solution for rural industrial efficiency.
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Towards sustainable energy systems: integrating renewable energy sources is the key for rural area power supply
Rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia lack access to modern energy services, relying instead on biomass fuels that cause indoor pollution and deforestation. This paper argues that integrating renewable energy technologies is essential for sustainable rural power supply and poverty reduction. It identifies barriers to renewable energy adoption in South Asia and India, proposing an integrated model to demonstrate how renewable systems can deliver affordable, sustainable energy to remote rural communities.
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Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts of the Photovoltaic Battery Charging Stations for Philippine＇s Off-Grid Rural Electrification
A Philippine program installed photovoltaic battery charging systems in 255 households and community facilities across off-grid rural areas from 1999 to 2004. The systems reduced kerosene consumption by 75%, cut air pollution, and enabled households to extend economic activities into evening hours. The project demonstrates that solar charging stations provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly electrification for remote communities, though careful energy demand planning and efficient appliances remain essential for success.
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Optimizing renewable energy site selection in rural Australia: Clustering algorithms and energy potential analysis
This study uses clustering algorithms and genetic optimization to identify the best locations for renewable energy plants across rural Australia. Researchers analyzed solar irradiance and wind speed data to find optimal sites, then simulated energy outputs using HOMER Pro software. Solar panels consistently outperformed wind turbines. While genetic K-Medoids produced the highest energy output, it came with the highest costs, revealing a trade-off between energy production and financial feasibility.
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Renewable Energy Integration into Industrial and Residential Buildings: A Study Across Urban, Rural, and Coastal Areas
This study evaluates how different renewable energy sources—photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, and biomass—perform when integrated into residential, commercial, and industrial buildings across urban, rural, and coastal areas. The research finds that photovoltaic energy works best for urban residential buildings, wind energy suits coastal industrial buildings, and geothermal energy provides the most consistent baseload power across all settings. Combining multiple renewable sources reduces grid dependence and improves sustainability more effectively than relying on single sources.
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Comparative analysis of rural communities’ tradeoffs in large-scale and small-scale renewable energy projects in Kenya
Rural Kenyan communities make complex decisions about trading land for electricity access in renewable energy projects. Using institutional analysis, the study finds that trade-off outcomes depend on land tenure systems, project scale, electricity access, traditional knowledge, and local power dynamics. Communities' diverse roles and governance structures shape whether they benefit from large-scale or small-scale renewable projects.
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Feasibility study of hybrid renewable energy systems for off-grid electrification in Kuwait’s rural national park reserve
This study designs a hybrid renewable energy system for an off-grid rural national park in Kuwait. Researchers evaluated photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, diesel generators, and battery storage to power a facility requiring 832,640 kWh annually. The optimal configuration combines 500-kW solar panels, 200-kW wind turbines, and 1,424-kW batteries, generating 1.8 million kWh yearly while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 757,162 kg annually compared to diesel operation.
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Renewable Energy from Agricultural Waste: Biogas Potential for Sustainable Energy Generation in Nigeria’s Rural Agricultural Communities
Nigeria's agricultural sector generates massive quantities of animal manure and crop residues daily, offering significant potential for biogas energy production in rural communities. The country could produce 6.8 million cubic meters of biogas daily from animal waste and 15 billion cubic meters annually from crop residues. Despite two decades of research, large-scale implementation remains blocked by financial constraints, lack of awareness, insufficient technical expertise, and absent policy frameworks. Small-scale biogas plants demonstrate viability for providing sustainable, off-grid energy to rural farmers.
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Enhancing Pharmacological Access and Health Outcomes in Rural Communities through Renewable Energy Integration: Implications for chronic inflammatory Disease Management
Solar-powered cold chain systems in rural healthcare facilities improve medication storage and vaccine distribution, reducing waste and maintaining drug potency. Case studies from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East show that renewable energy integration increases immunization coverage and improves management of inflammatory diseases. The authors argue that deploying solar energy solutions strengthens rural healthcare infrastructure and promotes health equity in underserved regions.
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Are rural energy access programs pro-poor? Some are, many are not
Energy access programs in rural Sub-Saharan Africa often fail to reach the poorest populations despite claims of pro-poor benefits. The paper examines on- and off-grid electrification and improved cooking technologies, finding that poor households rarely adopt these technologies without targeted interventions. Price subsidies are essential for all technologies, and energy-efficient biomass cookstoves show the most promise for reducing poverty. Electrification programs particularly struggle because connection costs exclude the poorest and productive electricity uses remain limited.
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A hybrid solar–biogas system for post-COVID-19 rural energy access
A hybrid solar-biogas system can provide reliable electricity to rural households while managing livestock waste. The study designed a 1.2-kWp solar and 1.2-m³ biogas system to power a rural home consuming 6.6 kWh daily. With subsidies, the system costs $5,777 upfront, achieves energy at $0.21/kWh, and pays back in 14.7 years. The authors recommend energy service contracts to ensure effective operation and maintenance.
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Performance Evaluation of a Small Scale Ammonia-Water Absorption Cooling System for Off-Grid Rural Homes: A Numerical and Experimental Study
Researchers tested a small-scale ammonia-water absorption cooling system designed for rural homes without reliable electricity. They evaluated two configurations using solar energy sources and found that higher evaporator and generator temperatures improved performance. The system achieved a coefficient of performance of 0.63 under optimal conditions, with efficiency gains of 7-7.5% when adding a heat exchanger. The results demonstrate this technology's viability for off-grid cooling in electricity-challenged areas.
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Maximizing Solar Integration: Enhancing Off-grid Rural Energy Storage in Zambia
This study examines photovoltaic adoption for rural electrification in Zambia, where solar potential remains largely untapped. The research identifies major barriers to PV integration including high costs, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient training. The authors demonstrate through case studies that solar systems can effectively power irrigation and rural electrification, yet significant challenges require targeted policies, financial support, and community engagement to achieve widespread adoption.
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Tool-based renewable energy system planning using survey data: A case study in rural Vietnam
Researchers developed NESSI4D, a decision support system for planning renewable energy systems in developing countries. The tool integrates economic, environmental, technological, and social factors tailored to local stakeholder needs. Testing in rural Vietnam showed that renewable energy alone cannot provide affordable, low-emission electrification without government financial support. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that detailed, specialized planning tools are essential for successful renewable energy implementation.
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Sustainability of productive use of off-grid renewable energy: A case of a women’s collective from rural India
Off-grid renewable energy systems can power productive activities in rural areas, but their long-term sustainability remains unclear. This study develops a framework assessing sustainability across technical, economic, social, institutional, and environmental dimensions, then tests it with a women's collective in rural India. The research finds that capacity building, participatory planning, proper needs assessment, and steady cash flow are critical for sustained operations. Sustainability and socio-economic benefits reinforce each other, supporting India's renewable energy development goals.
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Optimal Planning and Deployment of Hybrid Renewable Energy to Rural Healthcare Facilities in Nigeria
Rural healthcare facilities in Nigeria suffer from unreliable electricity supply. This paper designs hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and diesel generation with the existing grid to reliably power six rural health centers. Optimized configurations achieve very low energy costs between $0.06 and $0.12 per kilowatt-hour, with solar and wind providing the majority of power at all locations.
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Feasibility Study of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System for a Remote Rural Community Using HOMER Pro
Researchers designed a hybrid renewable energy system for a remote Philippine rural community by combining solar, wind, and existing micro-hydro power using HOMER Pro modeling. The optimal configuration adds solar panels, batteries, and a converter to the existing micro-hydro plant, costing PHP 3.98 per kW and delivering 24/7 electricity. The study provides technical specifications, cost calculations, and sustainability strategies for implementation.
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Inventory of Water–Energy–Waste Resources in Rural Houses in Gran Canaria Island: Application and Potential of Renewable Resources and Mitigation of Carbon Footprint and GHG
Rural houses in Gran Canaria can substantially reduce their carbon footprint by adopting renewable energy technologies including solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, and waste methanation. The study inventoried water, energy, and waste resources across rural tourism properties and found that renewable energy generation tailored to available surface area significantly lowers environmental impact while supporting sustainable rural tourism development and EU decarbonization targets.
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Broadening energy access for poor households in rural malawi: How pico solar, mobile money, and cloud-based services are being combined to address energy exclusion
In rural Malawi, most poor households lack electricity and cannot afford solar systems upfront. A solar company called Yellow combined pay-as-you-go payments, mobile money, and cloud-based services into a platform called Ofeefee that delivers affordable solar lighting to off-grid communities. This approach provides better quality lighting at lower cost than traditional options, while avoiding exploitative microfinance. The paper argues that energy access programs should distinguish between energy and lighting to better address the specific needs of energy-poor communities.
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Design Considerations for Reducing Battery Storage in Off-Grid, Stand-Alone, Photovoltaic-Powered Cold Storage in Rural Applications
This paper examines how to design off-grid solar-powered cold storage units for rural areas while minimizing battery size. Using a case study from rural South Africa, the authors identify key design factors including photovoltaic panel orientation, container positioning, and electrical component sizing. Their mathematical models and field data show how these design choices reduce cooling demands in hot climates, making solar cold storage more feasible and sustainable for improving food security and rural livelihoods.
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Techno‐Economic Potential of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Rural Health Units in the Philippines
This study evaluated hybrid renewable energy systems for rural health clinics in the Philippines, comparing grid-connected and off-grid configurations. Solar photovoltaic panels paired with either the grid or battery-generator systems reduced energy costs by 37–42 percent and carbon emissions by 59 percent while meeting at least 70 percent of facility electricity demand. The findings support integrating these systems into rural healthcare facilities to improve energy access, resilience, and sustainability.
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Design and Control of a PV-FC-BESS-Based Hybrid Renewable Energy System Working in LabVIEW Environment for Short/Long-Duration Irrigation Support in Remote Rural Areas for Paddy Fields
This paper presents a hybrid renewable energy system combining photovoltaic panels, fuel cells, and battery storage to replace diesel pumps for irrigation in remote paddy fields. The system generates 0.4 kW of single-phase power and operates reliably under varying solar and load conditions, supporting rice production while reducing carbon emissions. Control systems were developed and tested in LabVIEW.
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Thermodynamic analysis of a hybrid wind turbine and biomass gasifier for energy supply in a rural off-grid region of Nigeria
Researchers designed and analyzed a hybrid renewable energy system combining a biomass gasifier and wind turbine to supply electricity, heating, and cooling to 2,000 rural homes in Nigeria. The system achieved 48% energy efficiency and 25% exergy efficiency, with the biomass gasifier accounting for 95% of energy losses. The analysis identifies how performance varies with changing environmental conditions and operational parameters.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY ACCESS CHALLENGE AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL FOR THE POOR IN RURAL ZIMBABWE: IS BIOGAS ENERGY A REMEDY?
This study examines renewable energy access for poor rural households in Zimbabwe, specifically investigating whether biogas energy can address energy poverty. The research finds that biogas alone cannot solve Zimbabwe's energy crisis. Key barriers include lack of knowledge about biogas technology, insufficient startup capital, high installation costs, inadequate funding, and negative community attitudes. The paper argues that sustainable energy solutions require addressing root causes of energy poverty beyond technology provision.
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Hybrid Renewable System based Pumped Energy Storage for the Electrification of Rural Areas
This paper examines hybrid solar-pumped hydro storage systems for electrifying rural areas in Sarawak. The authors modeled an off-grid micro-hybrid system combining photovoltaic panels with pumped hydro energy storage using MATLAB Simulink. Results demonstrate that pumped hydro storage significantly improves system reliability and enables continuous power supply to rural communities, even under uncertain conditions.
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Business Model Design for Rural Off-the-Grid Electrification and Digitalization Concept
Microgrids can provide electricity to remote rural areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, but lack clear business models. This paper analyzes an integrated off-grid concept delivering renewable electricity, internet connectivity, and digital services together using a business model canvas approach. The authors propose a framework for developing sustainable rural microgrids in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Integrated Renewable Energy System Based on IREOM Model and Spatial–Temporal Series for Isolated Rural Areas in the Region of Valparaiso, Chile
This study proposes a smart integrated renewable energy system for isolated rural areas in Valparaiso, Chile, using locally available resources like solar, wind, biomass, and biogas. The researchers modified an optimization model to identify which areas could benefit from this approach and designed systems that minimize energy generation costs. Results show that renewable systems cost roughly three times less than extending the electricity grid to remote locations.
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Applicability Study of Battery Charging Stations in Off-Grid for Rural Electrification – the case of Rwanda
Rwanda's rural electrification lags at 12% coverage despite government targets. This paper proposes battery charging stations that pool solar panels from multiple households, reducing individual costs and enabling low-income families to access electricity. The approach leverages existing photovoltaic infrastructure to accelerate rural electrification while maintaining local ownership and affordability.
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Place-based Inequality in “Energetic” Pain: The Price of Residence in Rural America
Rural households in America pay more for residential energy than urban households despite using less, creating what the authors call a rural tax. Analysis of two decades of data reveals persistent energy cost inequality between rural and urban places. This disparity poses serious risks to rural household well-being, especially during periods of sustained cost increases.
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Examining the Renewable Energy Investments in Hungarian Rural Settlements: The Gained Local Benefits and the Aspects of Local Community Involvement
This study examines renewable energy investments across 748 Hungarian rural settlements, analyzing 159 municipality responses. The research finds that while renewable energy projects generate some local benefits, direct benefits remain limited. Communities receive only moderate involvement and information efforts. The study identifies significant threats that could undermine the success of these investments and hinder future renewable energy development at the local level.
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Urban-rural relations in renewable electric energy supply – the case of a German energy region
This study examines how urban and rural regions can work together to supply renewable electricity. Using a German energy region as a case study, researchers analyzed cooperation between the city of Osnabrück and neighboring rural municipalities. They found that linking urban and rural areas increases self-sufficiency in cities but decreases it in rural regions. For example, rural Landkreis Osnabrück achieved 68% self-sufficiency alone but dropped to 60% when connected to the city, while the city's self-sufficiency rose from 27% to 60%.
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Empowering Women of Rural India for Renewable Energy Adoption � An Exploratory Factor Analysis
Women's empowerment significantly influences the sustainability of renewable energy projects in rural India. The study identifies key factors for successful adoption: investment readiness, learning capacity, and awareness of financing options. Policymakers should leverage existing microfinance skills and women's self-help groups to build capacity before launching rural renewable energy initiatives.
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Prospects of rural electrification of Balochistan province with renewable energy sources
Pakistan's Balochistan province faces severe rural electrification challenges due to dispersed populations and distant grid infrastructure. This paper evaluates renewable energy sources—particularly solar and wind—alongside conventional options like coal and LPG to electrify remote areas. The analysis demonstrates that Balochistan possesses abundant renewable energy potential and identifies optimal strategies for deploying these resources to address the province's power shortage and rural access gaps.
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Key Success Factors of Renewable Energy Projects Implementation in Rural Areas of Indonesia
This study identifies six key success factors for renewable energy projects in rural Indonesia: project planning and development, community participation, active communication with beneficiaries, maintenance infrastructure and technicians, project management and institutionalization, and local government support. The research, based on interviews with project owners, managers, government officials, and communities, shows that technology performance alone cannot ensure project sustainability without these complementary organizational and social factors.
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Challenges of photovoltaic based hybrid minigrid for off-grid rural electrification in Bangladesh
Photovoltaic hybrid minigrids offer an alternative to solar home systems for rural electrification in Bangladesh. The paper identifies four key challenges across technical, economic, social, and policy domains that affect hybrid minigrid projects in remote areas. A comparative analysis reveals which challenges most significantly impact system implementation and performance.
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Renewables, energy saving and welfare in Italian fragile rural areas
This study examines whether renewable energy development and energy-saving initiatives improve welfare in Italian rural areas. The research focuses on four rural regions with major energy infrastructure, analyzing how new jobs, royalties, and social cohesion from renewable energy projects affect communities facing population aging, poverty, and reduced social services. The findings combine institutional and network analysis to understand how energy transitions can address rural welfare challenges.
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Rethinking off-grid rural electrification in the Philippines
The Philippines shifted its off-grid rural electrification program toward private-sector leadership, offering subsidies to attract businesses into remote areas. This approach reduced the program from a comprehensive rural development strategy to a narrow focus on household lighting, driven by government targets. The paper argues for rethinking electricity delivery to support broader community development rather than just meeting electrification metrics.
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Remote monitoring of off-grid renewable energy Case studies in rural Malawi, Zambia, and Gambia
Remote monitoring technologies can improve how off-grid renewable energy systems perform and last longer in developing countries. The paper presents case studies from Malawi, Gambia, and Zambia showing different remote monitoring configurations and their strengths and weaknesses. These technologies help track system performance and identify problems, supporting better sustainability of renewable energy deployments in rural areas without grid access.
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“WindFi” - A renewable powered base station for rural broadband
HopScotch is a rural broadband network using low-power base stations powered by renewable energy to deliver affordable internet access to remote areas. The researchers designed energy-efficient base stations and calculated the renewable generation capacity, battery storage, and solar panel tracking systems needed to sustain continuous operation.
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An Overview of Innovation Intensity in the Indigenous Oilfield Services Firms in Nigeria
This study examined innovation types and intensity across 100 indigenous Nigerian oil and gas service firms between 2001 and 2010. Organizational innovation dominated at 46%, while product, process, and diffusion-based innovations occurred less frequently. Overall innovation intensity remained low, with minimal patents granted, limited R&D staffing, and weak organizational learning. Firms reported innovation benefits mainly through profit increases, process improvements, and new product development.
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Optimised application of hybrid renewable energy system in rural electrification
Hybrid renewable energy systems offer cost-effective electrification for remote areas where grid extension is uneconomical. This paper develops an optimization model for a hybrid energy system in rural India, minimizing costs through proper equipment sizing and load matching. Economic analysis determines capital costs, resource costs, and optimized system costs for the Jaunpur block in Uttaranchal state.
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Comprehensive Analysis and Optimal Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification in West Papua, Indonesia
Researchers designed an optimal hybrid renewable energy system for rural electrification in Anggi District, West Papua, Indonesia. Using HOMER software, they compared five configurations combining diesel generators, hydropower, solar, and batteries. A hybrid system with diesel, hydro, solar, and battery storage proved most cost-effective and environmentally sound, reducing emissions by 4,372 kg annually compared to diesel alone while achieving 67.7% renewable energy fraction and lowering energy costs to $0.311/kWh.
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Unlocking renewable energy potential: Overcoming knowledge sharing hurdles in rural EU regions on example of poland, sweden and france
A survey of 12,428 rural residents in Poland, Sweden, and France reveals that while environmental awareness is high, significant barriers block renewable energy adoption. Respondents across all three countries express concerns about security, affordability, and infrastructure. Knowledge gaps, insufficient expert guidance, and reliance on unreliable online sources limit understanding of renewable energy benefits. The study identifies targeted education, financial incentives, and infrastructure investment as essential to overcoming these barriers and accelerating the energy transition.
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Hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Assessing feasibility, efficiency, and socioeconomic impact
Hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, biomass, and hydro power offer viable alternatives to grid expansion for rural electrification in developing countries. These systems create jobs, improve health and education outcomes, and build economic resilience. However, high upfront costs, insufficient technical expertise, and weak policy frameworks hinder adoption. Successful deployment requires targeted policies, financial support, community involvement, and ongoing technical innovation.
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Potential of Biogas Utilization for Renewable Energy Mix Contribution and Rural Electrification in Sarawak
Sarawak faces rural electrification challenges due to scattered populations in remote terrain. The region's extensive oil palm plantations generate palm oil mill effluent that could produce enough biogas to power nearly 2 million households. The paper examines solid oxide fuel cell technology for converting biogas to electricity, achieving up to 60% efficiency—superior to conventional combustion engines. This approach offers a viable pathway for renewable energy generation and rural electrification across Sarawak.
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Urban-Rural Cooperation for an Economy with 100% Renewable Energy and Climate Protection towards 2030 - the Region Berlin-Brandenburg
Berlin and Brandenburg can achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030 through a system based primarily on rooftop solar panels and green hydrogen production, with electricity replacing fossil fuels across all sectors. The analysis shows this transition is technically feasible and costs less than continuing with fossil and nuclear energy. Hydrogen storage emerges as a critical cost factor, and coordinating with broader German and European energy transitions could further reduce expenses.
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Techno-economic analysis of a hybrid renewable energy system integrated with productive activities in an underdeveloped rural region of eastern Indonesia
A hybrid renewable energy system combining solar and wind power was designed for an isolated village in eastern Indonesia with minimal electricity access. The system proved economically viable only with full subsidies and specific tariff rates, but integrating it with productive activities like cold storage and crop drying made the overall scheme feasible, creating local jobs and income opportunities while meeting residential and commercial energy demands.
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Revelatory Case Study for the Emergence of Powerships: The Floating Power Plant Innovation for Rural Electrification
Powerships are floating power plants designed to provide electricity to energy-deficient countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia where building traditional land-based power plants is difficult. This case study examines how Powerships emerged as an innovation, where they operate, their operational challenges and benefits, and the company's successful market launch strategy through interviews with company officials and literature review.
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IDENTIFYING THE BEST DECENTRALIZED RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN NEPAL
This paper evaluates decentralized renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Nepal using nineteen sustainability indicators across technical, social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process model, the researchers ranked five energy options. Micro-hydropower emerged as the best choice for rural electrification, followed by solar home systems, solar mini-grids, and wind-solar hybrids, while biomass ranked lowest. The findings guide policymakers in designing sustainable energy policies and programs for Nepal.
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Integration and Control of Renewable Energy-Based Rural Microgrids
This paper develops a control system for rural microgrids that integrate wind, solar, and biogas energy sources. The system maintains stable frequency and voltage by automatically adjusting biogas generation to compensate for fluctuations in renewable energy supply or changes in power demand. The approach prevents excess power flow between interconnected microgrids and enables seamless switching between grid-connected and off-grid operation.
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Modelling and Dynamic Stability Study of Interconnected System of Renewable Energy Sources and Grid for Rural Electrification
This paper develops dynamic models for a renewable energy system combining wind and biogas generators with grid connection to supply power to rural villages. The system uses wind turbines with induction generators and a biogas generator for frequency and voltage regulation, plus a STATCOM device for voltage stability. Testing shows the system maintains stability under varying load and wind power disturbances.
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Economic Strategy of the Development of Renewable Energy in Rural Areas of Ukraine
This study examines how strategic orientation and market orientation affect hotel business performance in Ukraine using structural equation modeling with 183 hotel survey responses. Market orientation significantly improved hotel performance, while strategic orientation's direct effect on performance was not significant. The findings suggest market orientation mediates the relationship between strategic orientation and business outcomes in the hotel sector.
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Viability of renewable energies and industrialization of rural areas using high-performance concrete
High-performance concrete enables construction of solar thermal collectors and water retention structures that integrate renewable energy sources in tropical rural areas. The system combines solar heating with biomass-fired boilers, increases biomass production on degraded land, and generates biogas from agricultural waste. This integrated approach provides reliable electricity, thermal energy, and fuel while supporting livestock production and attracting industrial development to rural regions.
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A Critical Approach on Sustainable Renewable Energy Sources in Rural Area: Evidence from North-West Region of Romania
Rural residents in Romania's North-West region show positive attitudes toward renewable energy, particularly younger and more educated people. However, actual adoption remains low with little intention to switch to renewable sources in the future. The research identifies lack of knowledge as the primary barrier and calls for government-led public education campaigns to bridge the gap between positive perception and actual implementation of renewable energy adoption.
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Diverse interpretations enabling the continuity of community renewable energy projects: A case study of a woody biomass project in rural area of Japan
A Japanese woody biomass project sustained itself for over a decade by allowing members with different motivations to interpret project goals flexibly. Rather than enforcing strict quantitative targets, the project succeeded through diverse social interactions and collaborative practices. This flexibility enabled each member to define success according to their own values and contributions, creating multiple interpretations that ultimately strengthened the project's resilience and long-term viability.
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Enhancing Synergy Effects Between The Electrification Of Agricultural Machines And Renewable Energy Deployment With Semi-Stationary Energy Storage In Rural Grids
Electrified agricultural machines and renewable energy deployment both strain rural electrical grids, but combining them creates synergies. Solar power generation often aligns with peak demand from electric farm equipment. Semi-stationary energy storage systems can balance these flows, reduce grid extension needs, enable higher renewable penetration, and provide grid services. The analysis shows such storage becomes profitable when providing primary balancing power for at least 10 weeks annually.
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Material Implications of Rural Electrification—A Methodological Framework to Assess In-Use Stocks of Off-Grid Solar Products and EEE in Rural Households in Bangladesh
This paper develops a methodology to measure electrical equipment stocks in rural households using off-grid solar systems as a case study. Applying the framework to Bangladesh's 4.1 million solar home systems, the authors find that off-grid solar products are lighter and fewer in variety than standard electrical equipment, resulting in lower overall material stocks. The findings help predict future waste flows and inform recycling infrastructure planning in developing countries pursuing universal electricity access.
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Feasibility Study of Renewable Energy Resources and Optimization of Hybrid Energy System of Some Rural Area in Bangladesh
This paper designs and optimizes a hybrid renewable energy system for rural Bangladesh combining solar, biomass, and diesel backup power. Using HOMER software, researchers modeled a system generating 11 kW average hourly capacity with a cost of energy at $0.077/kWh, undercutting Bangladesh's rental power plants at $0.097/kWh. The analysis demonstrates that locally available renewable resources can reduce fossil fuel dependence while remaining economically competitive and environmentally viable.
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Techno-Financial Analysis of Energy Access through Hybrid System with Solar PV under the Various Rural Community Models for State of Uttarakhand, India
This study analyzes hybrid solar photovoltaic systems with battery storage for rural energy access in Uttarakhand, India. Researchers modeled five community-based energy systems serving remote hilly villages where grid extension is infeasible. Using HOMER simulations, they compared three hybrid configurations across different household densities and consumption patterns. Solar PV with battery storage emerged as the most cost-effective solution, offering reliable power for lighting, appliances, and mobile charging while reducing operational costs and enabling local community ownership and income generation.
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Renewable energy programs for rural electrification: Experience and lessons from India
India has electrified 94.5% of inhabited areas through grid connections, but off-grid renewable energy technologies have also spread widely. This paper documents India's experience with renewable energy-based off-grid electrification programs and extracts lessons to improve future program design and policy decisions for rural electrification.
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Towards the exploration of renewable energy technologies as an alternative to grid extension for rural electrification in South Africa
This paper evaluates whether standalone renewable energy systems—solar photovoltaic and wind turbines—can economically replace grid extension for rural electrification in South Africa. The analysis finds that solar PV costs are lower than gasoline generators and competitive with grid extension, particularly in areas with sparse populations. Wind energy proves even more cost-competitive in locations with adequate wind resources. The authors conclude both technologies are economically viable for rural electrification and propose policies to support their market development.
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Design and Analyzing of an Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System to Supply Electricity for Rural Areas : Case Study: Atsbi District, North Ethiopia
This paper designs and analyzes an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system to provide electricity to rural areas in Ethiopia's Atsbi District. The system combines multiple renewable sources to address the energy access gap in remote communities where grid connection is impractical or unavailable. The analysis evaluates technical feasibility and performance of the hybrid approach for rural electrification.
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Potential assessment of establishing a renewable energy plant in a rural agricultural area
Researchers assessed the feasibility of building a renewable energy plant in a rural Taiwanese township that generates substantial agricultural waste from pig farms. Using GIS mapping and energy modeling, they found that biogas from manure combined with solar panels could viably produce electricity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and treating waste. The study identifies the most suitable location and demonstrates strong economic and environmental potential under Taiwan's green energy policies.
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Development of Renewable Energy and Sustainability for Off-Grid Rural Communities of Developing Countries and Energy Efficiency
Off-grid rural communities in developing countries face severe energy shortages due to high fuel costs and lack of renewable energy infrastructure. This paper proposes an incentive-driven approach to deploy renewable energy technology while promoting energy efficiency. The strategy emphasizes community engagement, awareness-building, and government participation to overcome past project failures and ensure local ownership of renewable energy systems.
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Gender and renewable energy in rural Nigeria.
Poor women in rural Nigeria rely on traditional biomass fuels that harm their health and wellbeing. Expanding access to renewable energy sources can reduce this burden while advancing multiple development goals: poverty reduction, improved health and education, environmental protection, and women's empowerment.
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Demand Analysis and Optimization of Renewable Energy: Sustainable Rural Electrification of Mbanayili, Ghana
This case study designs a sustainable electrification system for Mbanayili, Ghana, where 90% of rural residents lack electricity. Researchers surveyed 133 villagers about electricity needs and willingness to pay, then used optimization software to design a hybrid photovoltaic and generator system for a shared community center rather than individual homes. They also explored using locally-produced biofuel and proposed a phased implementation plan using demand management to ensure both financial and environmental sustainability.
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Rural electrification through renewable energy in Nepal
Nepal possesses significant hydropower potential but lacks rural electrical grid coverage. Micro-hydro and solar photovoltaic systems offer viable alternatives for rural electrification. Currently these renewable sources reach only 7% of the rural population. Nepal's 10th Five-Year Plan targets 10 MW from micro-hydro schemes and off-grid access for 12% of the population. Government agencies, NGOs, and private institutions collaborate through organizations like the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre to expand rural renewable energy infrastructure.
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Household access to clean fuels and technologies, rural and urban electrification, renewable energy consumption, and environmental sustainability in Africa
This study analyzes how clean fuel access, electricity access, and renewable energy affect carbon emissions across African countries. The research finds that clean fuel and electricity access paradoxically worsen environmental conditions, while economic growth increases emissions. However, renewable energy consumption improves environmental quality. The authors recommend prioritizing renewable energy electrification to deliver clean electricity and reduce emissions.
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Community participation and the viability of decentralized renewable energy systems: evidence from a hybrid mini-grid in rural South Africa
Community participation strengthens decentralized renewable energy systems in rural areas. This study of a hybrid mini-grid in South Africa found that high technical and social participation improved system maintenance, trust, and resilience. However, women and community members had limited influence in decision-making and economic opportunities. Meaningful participation across governance, technical, economic, and social domains enhances legitimacy, local ownership, and long-term viability of rural energy projects.
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The Problem of Transforming the Energy System Towards Renewable Energy Sources as Perceived by Inhabitants of Rural Areas in South-Eastern Poland
Rural residents in south-eastern Poland largely support the country's transition to renewable energy and understand its necessity. However, older respondents show less clarity or preference for non-renewable sources. The study surveyed 300 people across five districts in Małopolska, finding age significantly influences energy transition attitudes. Targeted awareness campaigns for mature populations could strengthen public backing for renewable energy adoption.
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Comprehensive approaches to electrifying rural health facilities: Integrating renewable energy and financial mechanisms in Sub-Saharan Africa
Rural health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa can achieve reliable electricity access by combining renewable energy solutions with innovative financing mechanisms. The study identifies that successful electrification requires coordinated investment from governments, private sector, and development organizations, supported by enabling policy frameworks. This integrated approach makes sustainable energy access for healthcare delivery in underserved regions economically and technically feasible.
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Design and optimization of an off-grid integrated renewable energy system for remote rural electrification in India
Researchers designed and optimized an off-grid renewable energy system combining solar, micro-hydro, and biogas generation with battery storage to electrify twelve villages in Uttarakhand, India. The sodium-sulfur battery configuration proved most cost-effective, delivering energy at 16.77 INR/kWh. Sensitivity analysis showed inflation rates and discount rates significantly impact system costs, while accounting for load and resource uncertainties increased required capacity and storage substantially.
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Investments in Renewable Energy in Rural Communes: An Analysis of Regional Disparities in Poland
Rural communes in Poland drive renewable energy transformation more actively than previously recognized, despite receiving little research attention. Eastern provinces like Lublin and Podlasie secured substantial EU funding for renewable projects, particularly solar installations. Regional disparities in investment activity are significant, with rural communes demonstrating crucial roles in Poland's energy transition that larger urban centers do not capture.
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Achieving universal energy access in remote locations using HOMER energy model: a techno-economic and environmental analysis of hybrid microgrid systems for rural electrification in northeast Nigeria
Researchers designed and modeled a hybrid solar-battery-generator microgrid system for a remote Nigerian village using HOMER software. The system achieves 99% renewable energy penetration at $0.093 per kilowatt-hour, with minimal environmental impact. Sensitivity analysis shows the system adapts well to diesel price increases and scales effectively across different population sizes, offering a practical pathway for rural electrification in underserved regions.
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Enhancing energy access in rural areas: Intelligent microgrid management for universal telecommunications and electricity
A microgrid system combining solar panels, generators, and batteries was designed for a rural telecommunications site in Togo to provide reliable electricity access to both cell phone operators and the local population. Using optimization algorithms, the system achieved 98.95% solar utilization, minimal generator use, and electricity costs of $0.0185 per unit while eliminating service interruptions and reducing emissions.
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A Comparative Study of Renewable Energy Sources for Power Generation in Rural Areas
This paper develops a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis framework to compare renewable energy sources for rural power generation. The framework evaluates solar, wind, hydro, and biomass power across economic feasibility, environmental impact, and technical feasibility. The analysis provides recommendations for selecting the most suitable renewable energy source to meet rural energy needs and reduce fossil fuel dependence.
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Optimization of a hybrid renewable energy system for a rural community using PSO
The paper designs a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and hydro power for a rural Philippine community. Using HOMER Pro software and particle swarm optimization, the authors develop an energy management system that allocates power efficiently across the microgrid while minimizing operational costs. The system addresses intermittent renewable generation to reduce power interruptions and improve rural electrification.
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Solar powered vaccine refrigerator for rural off-grid areas in Nigeria
Nigerian researchers designed an affordable solar-powered vaccine refrigerator system for rural off-grid health facilities. The system uses a 100W solar panel, battery storage, and charge controller to power a 75W refrigerator holding 50 litres of vaccine, costing approximately N135,000 per health centre. This replaces unreliable diesel generators and enables reliable vaccine storage in remote areas, potentially reducing infant and maternal mortality.
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Modeling Renewable Energy Systems in Rural Areas with Flexible Operating Units
This paper develops a modeling method for designing renewable energy systems in rural areas using biomass resources like wood, grass, and manure. The approach uses flexible operating units that can tolerate varying input material ratios, enabling more accurate equipment models. Applied to a case study, the method optimizes the collection, transportation, and processing of local biomass through fermenters and combined heat and power plants, achieving 31% higher profit with reduced computational effort.
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Design of a self‐sustained hybrid renewable energy microgrid for rural electrification of dry lands
This paper designs a hybrid renewable energy microgrid for rural electrification in India's drought-prone Ramanathapuram district. The system combines solar photovoltaic and wind generation with electric vehicle battery storage to smooth power intermittency. Using real field data, the authors model a coordinated control system that manages battery state-of-charge to provide reliable, self-sustained power to dry land communities facing energy shortages.
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Feasibility study of hybrid energy system for off-grid electrification in rural areas
A hybrid energy system combining photovoltaic, wind, battery storage, and diesel generation can reliably electrify a remote rural village in eastern Iraq at lower cost than single-source systems. Optimization modeling shows a 6 kW solar array, 35 kW wind turbines, battery storage, and inverter can meet 30 kW daily demand at $0.117/kWh while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 tons CO2 annually.
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Decentralised Renewable Energy and Rural Development: Lessons from Odisha’s First Solar Village
A solar energy project transformed Barapita village in Odisha into India's first 100% solar-powered village, initially succeeding with the Ho tribal community. However, technical failures and maintenance problems caused usage to decline. The study recommends training villagers as solar engineers using Gandhian principles and Nai Talim pedagogy to enable communities to manage renewable energy systems independently and sustain rural development.
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Optimal Design and Techno-economic Analysis of Off-grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Remote Rural Electrification: A Case Study of Southwest China
Off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and biomass power generation offer a cost-effective and reliable alternative to grid extension for electrifying remote villages in Southwest China. The study modeled different system configurations to meet residential, community, and agricultural electricity demands while accounting for seasonal variations. Results demonstrate that hybrid systems deliver both economic and environmental benefits compared to traditional grid extension approaches.
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Planning the Electrification of Rural Villages in East Nusa Tenggara Using Renewable Energy Generation
This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of renewable energy systems for electrifying rural villages in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Using HOMER software to model three electrification scenarios, researchers compared diesel, solar PV, wind, and hybrid systems. Solar-powered renewable systems proved more cost-competitive than diesel across all scenarios, with levelized costs of energy ranging from $0.55 to $0.74 per kilowatt-hour, while delivering significant environmental benefits through reduced CO2 emissions.
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Can Solar Power Help Providing Broadband Cellular Coverage in Extreme-Rural Sweden?
This paper investigates whether solar power can enable broadband cellular coverage in extremely remote areas of Sweden. The authors examine the technical and practical feasibility of combining renewable energy with mobile network infrastructure to serve sparsely populated regions where traditional grid connections are unavailable or uneconomical.
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Sustainability and development impacts of off-grid electrification in developing countries : An assessment of South Africa's rural electrification program
South Africa's rural electrification program and similar initiatives across southern Africa succeed when they combine appropriate technology with strong government support, progressive tariff systems, and sufficient energy capacity for income-generating activities. Hybrid hydro mini-grids prove most cost-effective. Programs fail without adequate spare parts supply, capable management, and designs that account for existing businesses and population growth. Cross-subsidies from high-income users sustain service for low-income households.
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Prospects of Renewable Energy at Rural Areas in Bangladesh: Policy Analysis
Bangladesh faces severe energy shortages that hinder economic growth. This paper analyzes renewable energy prospects in rural areas, focusing on solar power to meet unmet demand in remote and off-grid regions. The authors examine policy frameworks and government targets to generate 5% of electricity from renewables by 2015, scaling to 10% by 2020, and identify barriers and opportunities for rural renewable energy development.
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Effectiveness of On-grid and Off-grid rural electrification approaches in India
India's rural electrification relies on on-grid and off-grid approaches to support agricultural development. Despite policy support, centralized on-grid systems perform poorly in rural areas. Decentralized off-grid electrification using renewable energy technologies proves more effective and successful. This paper evaluates both approaches across Indian villages and examines how off-grid mini and micro grids could evolve as alternatives to conventional grid distribution.
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Renewable energy from biomass cookstoves for off grid rural areas.
This paper addresses cooking challenges in off-grid rural India by proposing improved biomass cookstoves powered by thermoelectric generators. Traditional cookstoves suffer from low efficiency and toxic emissions. The authors design a system that captures waste heat from the stove to generate electricity via a thermoelectric generator, powering a fan that improves combustion efficiency. The generated power also supports lighting and mobile phone charging, making the solution practical for rural households without grid electricity access.
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Renewable energy technology means of providing sustainable electricity in Nigerian rural areas: a review.
Nigeria's rural areas lack electricity access for over 65% of the population, causing economic decline and migration. This review examines renewable energy technologies as sustainable alternatives to failed fossil fuel systems. Biomass, hydro, and solar sources are viable for rural Nigeria, but implementation remains extremely low due to absent energy policy, government neglect, and low purchasing power. The authors recommend whole-life costing analysis to optimize economic performance.
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Comprehensive Country Ranking for Renewable Energy Based Mini-Grids Providing Rural off-Grid Electrification
Renewable energy mini-grids can bring electricity to rural areas without grid connections. The authors identify key conditions needed for sustainable business models in this sector and rank countries globally by their suitability. Rwanda and Peru emerge as top candidates with favorable conditions for deploying renewable mini-grids to rural populations. The ranking helps entrepreneurs and investors identify where to launch electrification projects.
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Harnessing renewable energy technologies for ICT and e-governance services in un-electrified communities in rural Nepal
Rural Nepal lacks access to e-governance services because most communities have no electricity or internet. The government's digital initiatives remain unknown and inaccessible to the majority of the population, particularly in remote areas with difficult terrain. Renewable energy technologies could enable ICT infrastructure and e-governance services in un-electrified communities, benefiting rural populations who currently depend on unreliable energy access.
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Use of Alternative Fuels and Hybrids by Small Urban and Rural Transit
A survey of 115 small urban and rural transit agencies reveals that larger and urban providers adopt alternative fuels and hybrids more readily than smaller rural operators. Agencies pursue these technologies primarily for emissions reductions, public perception, and cost savings. Rural adoption lags due to concerns about infrastructure costs and fuel supply availability. The study documents actual experiences with biodiesel, E85, propane, natural gas, and hybrid vehicles across different community sizes.
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Renewable Energy Market for Rural Electrification in Developing Countries: Country Case Nepal
Nepal's renewable energy market for rural electrification relies on solar home systems and micro-hydro technology to overcome geographical barriers to grid extension. While awareness and willingness to pay for electricity have grown, a significant financial gap prevents poor households from accessing these technologies. Market expansion is uneven, with solar PV remaining unaffordable for the poorest. Stakeholders identify credit access and subsidy delivery mechanisms as critical barriers requiring innovation to reach more rural populations.
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The Role of Decentralized Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification. Maharashtra case study, India
Decentralized renewable energy can electrify remote villages in Maharashtra, India where grid extension is infeasible. The study finds that while DRE offers social and economic benefits, current implementation remains limited to small-scale domestic use. Success requires overcoming barriers including weak government policy support, poor community perception, and challenges around business models, maintenance systems, and raw material sustainability.
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Development status and trend of rural renewable energy in China
Rural China faces growing energy demand that commodity energy alone cannot meet. The country possesses abundant renewable resources including solar, wind, small hydropower, geothermal, and biomass energy. The paper identifies significant gaps between urban and rural energy consumption and regional disparities. It recommends improving policy frameworks, removing market barriers, increasing investment, diversifying energy sources, and establishing service systems to develop rural renewable energy.
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Rural Energy Poverty: An Investigation into Socioeconomic Drivers and Implications for Off-Grid Households in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
This study examines energy poverty among off-grid households in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, identifying key socioeconomic drivers. Female-headed households face greater vulnerability to energy poverty, while larger households experience less. Education alone does not improve energy access due to infrastructure gaps. Social grant dependency correlates strongly with energy poverty. The research calls for gender-responsive policies addressing both infrastructure and socioeconomic barriers to energy access in rural areas.
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Performance Evaluation of RF-Powered IoT in Rural Areas: The Wireless Power Digital Divide
This paper evaluates wireless power transfer for battery-less IoT devices in rural areas using ambient radio-frequency signals. The researchers model rural networks with base stations and access points as RF signal sources and analyze coverage probability based on energy harvesting and signal quality requirements. Devices at the center of rural areas achieve twice the coverage of edge devices, and deploying 100 access points in small rural areas (under 100m radius) can support over 80% of RF-powered IoT devices.
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Toward a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Pattern in Non-Interconnected Rural Monasteries: A Case Study for the Xenofontos Monastery, Mount Athos
This paper designs renewable energy systems for Xenofontos Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece, which operates independently without grid connection. The author models two alternative systems combining wind turbines or solar panels with either pumped hydro storage or battery storage. Results show that 100% electricity demand coverage is achievable using hydro power with pumped storage at 0.22 EUR/kWh, or 90% coverage with lithium-ion batteries at 0.11 EUR/kWh, enabling the monastery to transition from diesel generators to sustainable energy.
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Socioeconomic indicators and their influence on the adoption of renewable energy technologies in rural Malawi
This study examines how socioeconomic factors affect renewable energy adoption in rural Malawi. Researchers surveyed 87 households in Kasangazi and found that despite low income and education levels, communities rely entirely on non-renewable sources like firewood and batteries. However, households express strong demand for electrical appliances such as refrigerators and stoves. The study concludes that mini-grid systems offer viable solutions for remote areas and that renewable energy expansion should prioritize energy access alongside environmental goals.
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Collaborative scheduling method of active-reactive power for rural distribution systems with a high proportion of renewable energy
This paper develops an optimization method for scheduling power in rural distribution networks with high renewable energy penetration. The authors create an evaluation model to quantify active and reactive power support capabilities, then propose a collaborative scheduling approach that minimizes power losses, operational costs, and penalty costs. They build a platform to support safe grid operation and demonstrate their method reduces overload and overvoltage problems while improving security and economic efficiency.
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The role of agriculture for achieving renewable energy-centered sustainable development objectives in rural Africa
This paper models how renewable energy and agricultural development interact in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Using integrated assessment models linking water, energy, and agriculture, the authors show that expanding irrigation and agricultural productivity makes renewable energy infrastructure more economically viable and helps achieve universal energy access. They also analyze business models and policy conditions needed to make small-scale renewable energy systems feasible for rural development.
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Advances in the Design of Renewable Energy Power Supply for Rural Health Clinics, Case Studies, and Future Directions
Rural health clinics in remote areas lack reliable electricity from national grids, compromising healthcare quality and staff recruitment. This paper reviews renewable energy solutions for isolated clinics worldwide, examining modeling techniques, battery storage systems, and microgrid maintenance approaches. The authors recommend analytical standards and procedures to optimize sustainable power supply for remote healthcare facilities.
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Application of GIS in Introducing Community-Based Biogas Plants from Dairy Farm Waste: Potential of Renewable Energy for Rural Areas in Bangladesh
This study uses GIS mapping and spatial analysis to identify optimal locations for community-based biogas plants in Bangladesh that convert dairy farm waste into renewable energy. Five feasible sites were identified that could collectively generate 200.60 GWh of electricity annually while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 104.26 Gg/year CO2eq. The approach integrates geographical, social, economic, and environmental factors to create a practical framework for sustainable waste management and rural energy production.
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Assessing the Viability and Impact of Off Grid Systems for Sustainable Electrification of Rural Communities in Sub-Saharan Africa
Off-grid solar minigrids offer a viable solution for rural electrification in sub-Saharan Africa, where centralized power systems have failed to reach communities. The research identifies key barriers to adoption including high capital costs, land expenses, and long break-even periods. Techno-economic analysis reveals that economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and technical challenges—measured through levelized cost of electricity—determine whether these systems succeed in rural areas.
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Off-grid photovoltaic-powered capacitive deionization for groundwater desalination in rural Africa
Researchers developed and tested an off-grid water purification system combining solar panels with capacitive deionization technology for rural Uganda. The system successfully desalinated groundwater to meet drinking water standards while operating entirely on solar power, achieving over 60% salt removal and low energy consumption. This innovation provides a practical, modular solution for households lacking access to centralized water and electricity infrastructure.
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Economic impact of productive use of renewable energy: A case of a women-collective from rural Maharashtra (India)
A women-led renewable energy collective in rural Maharashtra, India, generated significant income increases for beneficiary households compared to non-beneficiaries, with multiplier effects across the local economy. The study demonstrates that productive use of renewable energy can simultaneously advance socio-economic development and climate goals in rural areas, supporting India's strategy to address infrastructure gaps and rural poverty through clean energy.
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Digital Twin Assisted Closed-Loops for Energy-Efficient Open RAN-Based Fixed Wireless Access Provisioning in Rural Areas
This paper proposes a digital twin system to improve 5G Fixed Wireless Access networks in rural and low-density areas. The approach uses closed-loop resource allocation and reinforcement learning to distribute radio and cloud computing resources efficiently while meeting service quality requirements and minimizing energy costs. Results demonstrate the system satisfies delay requirements while reducing energy consumption compared to baseline methods.
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On-Grid and Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System Designs with HOMER: A Case Study of Rural Electrification in Turkey
Researchers designed hybrid renewable energy systems for a rural Turkish area using solar, wind, and hydroelectric sources. On-grid systems connected to the main grid proved most economical, while off-grid systems with battery storage reduced environmental impact. Adding grid restrictions further lowered carbon emissions. Sensitivity analyses showed that increasing renewable capacity delivered both economic and environmental benefits.
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Grass Hopper Optimization Algorithm for Off-Grid Rural Electrification of an Integrated Renewable Energy System
This paper develops an optimization algorithm to size integrated renewable energy systems for off-grid rural electrification. The Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm determines optimal combinations of solar panels, wind turbines, biomass generators, and battery storage to minimize power supply failures in remote microgrids. Testing shows the algorithm outperforms existing optimization methods in finding cost-effective system configurations.
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Rural Electrification and the Uptake of Renewable Energy in Nigeria: Lessons from Kenya
Nigeria's rural electrification programs fail to achieve meaningful renewable energy adoption due to four key barriers: insufficient funding, high upfront technology costs, lack of community involvement, and no dedicated agency to drive renewable energy promotion. Without addressing these obstacles, rural electricity access will remain limited. Kenya's experience offers comparative lessons for overcoming these challenges.
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Sensitivity analysis for a hybrid off-grid PV/DG/BATT system for the electrification of rural communities
This paper evaluates a hybrid solar-diesel-battery power system for electrifying rural communities in Ecuador. Using optimization software, researchers designed a system combining 23 kW solar panels, a 27 kW diesel generator, and battery storage, achieving an energy cost of $0.359 per kilowatt-hour. Sensitivity analysis shows the system's viability depends heavily on fuel prices and component costs, with pure solar-battery systems becoming preferable when diesel exceeds $0.83 per liter.
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America or India: Identifying a Suitable Off-Grid Rural Electrification Model for Nigeria.
Nigeria's rural electrification lags because grid expansion is slow and centralized. This paper compares American and Indian approaches to rural electrification. America built a robust national grid, while India rapidly expanded rural access through decentralized, renewable energy-based off-grid systems. India's model proves faster and more effective for rural electrification in developing countries like Nigeria.
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Modelling of a renewable energy‐based AC interconnected rural microgrid system for the provision of uninterrupted power supply
This paper models interconnected rural microgrids powered by wind, solar, and biogas to provide reliable electricity in remote areas. The researchers simulated two microgrids connected by AC lines, with one also linked to the main grid. Using PI controllers to manage frequency and voltage, they tested system stability under load changes and variable renewable power. The microgrids maintained stable frequency and voltage after disturbances, demonstrating that this renewable-based approach can deliver uninterrupted rural power supply.
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Off-grid rural electrification using integrated renewable energy sources
This study evaluates hybrid renewable energy systems for off-grid rural electrification in Nsukka, Nigeria. Researchers designed an optimal system combining solar panels, wind turbines, and biodiesel generators to meet a school's annual electricity demand. The resulting hybrid system—1kW solar, biodiesel generator, and battery storage—produces electricity at $0.0898/kWh, significantly cheaper than grid extension at $0.126/kWh. The 25-year system proves economically viable, technically feasible, and environmentally sustainable.
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Renewable energy development in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh: Current status, technologies and CO2 mitigation analysis
Rural areas in Uttar Pradesh, India face severe energy deficiency affecting millions in poverty. This paper analyzes renewable energy technologies for rural electrification, examining current status, available options including hybrid systems, and CO2 mitigation potential. The authors assess power generation capacity against demand, calculate emissions reductions from different renewable sources, and evaluate cost savings to support India's 175 GW renewable energy target by 2022.
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The Concept for the Development of Biogas as Renewable Energy in Rural Indonesia
Indonesia's energy policy targets 5% renewable energy by 2025. Jimbaran Village, where 1,663 families raise dairy cattle, produces substantial animal waste currently dumped untreated into the environment. The authors propose converting this livestock waste into biogas through a communal system. Energy performance analysis shows the biogas system generates over 100% of required energy, with surplus capacity to replace grid electricity and produce compost for agricultural use.
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REVIEW ON RURAL ENERGY ACCESS POLICIES
Rural energy access remains neglected in developing countries, leaving nearly two billion people without electricity or clean cooking. This systematic review examines rural energy policies as solutions to energy poverty, analyzing challenges, barriers, and alternatives. The authors argue that comprehensive rural energy policy is essential for achieving universal energy access and sustainable development, with particular focus on Latin America and the health and environmental impacts on rural communities.
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Optimization of a Micro-grid with Solar PV, Wind Energy and Battery Storage Hybrid System for an agro-based off-grid rural landscape
This paper optimizes a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar PV, wind turbines, and battery storage for off-grid rural agricultural communities. Using HOMER Pro software, the authors determine the most cost-effective sizing of components to reliably power both residential loads and irrigation systems in remote areas, addressing the gap between variable renewable supply and agricultural demand.
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EUROPEAN UNION REGIONAL POLICY SUPPORT FOR INVESTMENTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY IN RURAL AREAS OF THE MAZOVIAN VOIVODSHIP
EU regional policy funding supported renewable energy investments in rural Poland's Mazovian Voivodship, but only wind and solar projects by local governments and enterprises received support. The study finds that eligible cost ceilings and low EU funding shares forced projects to rely heavily on non-EU sources. Insufficient funding emerged as the primary barrier to rural development, causing authorities to prioritize other initiatives over renewable energy.
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Renewable Energy (Solar) and its Impact on Rural Households’ Welfare (Case Study of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan)
Solar energy adoption in rural Afghanistan improves household welfare by reducing health issues, increasing savings, and decreasing environmental damage from wood collection. Study of 200 households in Badakhshan province found that solar systems cut hospital visits and lowered energy costs compared to generators, though studying hours remained unchanged. The research calls for greater government investment in solar household systems to meet basic rural energy needs.
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Renewable Energy for Rural Development in Bangladesh
Bangladesh faces energy poverty in rural areas where 65% of the population lacks reliable electricity. Conventional fossil fuel power plants worsen climate change, threatening Bangladesh's low-lying agricultural lands and water security. The paper examines renewable energy sources as a solution for sustainable rural development, presenting current conditions and future prospects for renewable energy adoption in Bangladesh.
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Improved RLS Algorithm for Voltage Regulation of Wind-Solar Rural Renewable Energy System
Rural renewable energy systems powered by wind and solar face voltage regulation problems when connected to weak distribution networks. This paper proposes using an improved recursive least squares algorithm to control a grid-connected converter integrated with voltage compensation equipment, enabling better voltage stability despite fluctuating renewable power and irregular load conditions. Simulations demonstrate the approach effectively regulates voltage in these systems.
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Optimum Design and Techno Economic Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Rural Electrification- A Case Study
This paper designs and analyzes a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and biomass generators to electrify a remote rural district in India. Using HOMER software, the authors optimized the system for local load patterns and compared costs against grid extension. The results show that off-grid hybrid renewable systems can provide cost-effective sustainable power for rural electrification.
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Assessing the Impact of Off-grid Solar Electrification in Rural Peru
Engineers Without Borders-USA partnered with a rural Peruvian community to install off-grid solar photovoltaic systems, addressing electricity access that limited students' study time and device charging. A monitoring visit one year after implementation revealed the project's sustainability and identified key lessons about training, communication, socioeconomic impact, and community empowerment in rural electrification work.
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Constructing A Multi-Microgrid with the Inclusion of Renewable Energy in Oman's Rural Power System
This paper examines replacing diesel generators with wind turbines in rural Oman's Al Wusta governorate by creating interconnected microgrids. The researchers modeled these linked multi-microgrids using ETAP software to analyze voltage profiles and power flow under various scenarios. The analysis demonstrates the technical feasibility of retiring diesel power plants and transitioning rural Omani communities to renewable energy systems.
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Optimal Modeling of off-grid Renewable Energy Systems for Rural Electrification in Bangladesh
This paper develops optimal models for off-grid renewable energy systems to electrify rural homes in Bangladesh, where 72% of the population lacks reliable electricity. Researchers analyzed solar, biomass, and hybrid systems for a village in Sirazganj district using HOMER optimization software. The comparative analysis evaluated net present cost and energy cost across the three models to identify the most economically viable solution for rural electrification.
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Technical-Economic Electrification Models Rural with Renewable Energies: Systematic Review of Literature
This systematic review examines technical and economic models for electrifying rural areas using renewable energy sources. The authors analyze existing literature on how renewable energy systems can be designed and deployed cost-effectively to bring electricity to rural communities, synthesizing approaches that balance technical feasibility with economic viability.
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Cost Optimization of an Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System with Battery Storage for Rural Electrification in Pakistan
This paper designs an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, micro-hydro, biomass, and battery storage for rural electrification in Pakistan. The system prioritizes battery discharge to meet demand, bringing biomass online only during peak hours. By reducing biomass operation through strategic battery use, the system cuts fuel consumption, lowers net present cost and electricity costs, making rural electrification economically viable and reliable.
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Review on Optimised Configuration of Hybrid Solar-PV Diesel System for Off-Grid Rural Electrification.
Solar-diesel hybrid systems effectively provide reliable electricity to remote rural areas without grid access. This review examines optimized configurations of hybrid solar photovoltaic-diesel systems deployed globally for off-grid rural electrification. The hybrid approach addresses solar radiation variability, ensuring stable power supply to rural settlements in locations where grid connection is impractical.
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Bringing Solar PV Technologies for Reliable Off-grid Power in Rural India
Solar photovoltaic technology can reliably provide electricity to rural areas without grid connection, addressing poverty and enabling economic development. The authors present a market-driven model called SELL that engages local communities in assembly, sales, service, and manufacturing of solar systems, demonstrating how localized implementation of off-grid solar solutions works in practice.
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Profitable small-scale renewable energy systems in agrifood industry and rural areas: demonstration in the wine sector
This EU-funded project demonstrates small-scale renewable energy systems for rural wine production, installing photovoltaic prototypes in vineyard fields and wineries. The systems reduce CO2 emissions from rural energy consumption, enable clean energy for irrigation in areas without grid access, and eliminate noise, waste, and visual impacts from traditional electrical infrastructure. The approach addresses both climate change mitigation and agricultural adaptation.
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Development of design principles of microgrid on the basis of renewable energy sources for rural settlements in Central European part of Russia
This paper develops design principles for microgrids powered by renewable energy in rural Russian settlements without access to centralized electricity networks. The authors calculate annual power consumption requirements, determine optimal combinations of solar and wind generation, and design microgrid structures that ensure reliable continuous power supply to residents.
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Design of a cost effective hybrid renewable energy system for coastal and inland rural community in Africa
Rural communities in Southern Africa lack electricity access due to distance from the grid and high connection costs. This paper designs off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for two remote areas—one coastal, one inland—using optimization modeling. Solar-wind systems with storage work best for coastal Mbandana, while solar-biomass systems with storage suit inland Dikgomo, providing cost-effective and reliable local power generation.
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Prospective modelling of the hourly response of local renewable energy sources to the residential energy demand in a mixed urban-rural territory
This paper models how local renewable energy sources can meet residential electricity demand in a mixed urban-rural French territory by 2050. The researchers calculated hourly energy consumption using building archetypes and geographic data, estimated local renewable potential, and tested scenarios showing how different energy transition approaches affect the balance between demand and production. The analysis reveals specific challenges for residential energy transition and local renewable deployment.
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Renewable Energy – Implications for Agriculture and Rural Development in Poland
Rural areas in Poland significantly contributed to renewable energy targets between 2005–2014, with renewable energy's share of primary production doubling from 5.8% to 12.1%. Biomass dominated initially, but wind and solar grew rapidly after 2010. However, Poland's subsidy system favors large hydroelectric plants and co-combustion over citizen-led renewable initiatives, limiting economic potential in small installations and community energy development.
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Renewable Energy Source based Hybrid Power Generation Scheme for Off-grid Rural Electrification
Hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, biomass, and biogas provide reliable and cost-effective electrification for off-grid rural areas. Single renewable sources prove unreliable due to intermittent generation. The authors developed and optimized an integrated multi-source renewable energy model using particle swarm optimization, demonstrating that hybrid schemes outperform individual renewable technologies for rural power supply.
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A techno economic renewable hybrid technology mini-grid simulation and costing model for off-grid rural electrification planning in Sub-Saharan Africa
This paper presents a simulation model for designing cost-optimal hybrid renewable mini-grids for rural electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa. The model uses hourly operational simulations with meteorological data, local demand profiles, and technology costs to determine the best combination of renewable energy technologies for specific locations. The tool is transparent, reproducible, and uses free software and data, enabling practical planning for the hundreds of thousands of mini-grids needed to achieve universal electricity access.
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Techno-Economic Evaluation of the Centralized Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Off-Grid Rural Electrification
This paper evaluates hybrid renewable energy systems for electrifying off-grid rural areas in Pakistan's Baluchistan region. Using Homer software, researchers compared three scenarios: solar-only, wind-only, and hybrid solar-wind systems. The analysis shows that combining solar and wind energy provides the most cost-effective and economically viable solution for rural electrification in the region.
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Rural resilience and renewable energy in North-East Groningen, the Netherlands: in search of synergies
This paper examines whether Dutch government policies recognize renewable energy's potential to strengthen rural resilience and address socio-economic decline. The authors analyze governance at multiple levels in North-East Groningen, a coastal rural region facing peripheralization while positioning itself as an energy hub. They investigate whether formal government institutions anticipate and support renewable energy's role in rural development alongside growing local renewable energy initiatives.
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Energy Sovereignty in Rural Areas: Off-Grid Paradigm for Strengthen the Use of Renewable Energy.
This paper presents the Off-Grid Box, a containerized renewable energy system designed to provide electricity, hot water, water harvesting, and purification to isolated rural communities. The system enables energy independence and sovereignty in marginal areas while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The authors demonstrate that modular off-grid systems can support sustainable livelihoods for small family farms and local communities, creating small-scale smart grids integrated into rural territories.
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FROM WATER TO BIOFUELS: KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AMONG RURAL RESIDENTS IN EASTERN POLAND
Rural residents in eastern Poland show varying knowledge of renewable energy types, with solar and wind energy most familiar and biofuels least known. Farmers, those viewing renewable energy as important, high-income households, larger families, and married individuals demonstrate significantly higher knowledge levels. The study identifies key demographic and socioeconomic factors that predict renewable energy awareness in rural communities.
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Croatia's rural areas - renewable energy based electricity generation for isolated grids
Croatia's rural areas suffer from aging electricity infrastructure and poor grid connections. This paper compares decentralized renewable energy systems for isolated grids against extending the public network to remote regions. The analysis shows isolated grids powered by renewables are often more cost-effective and faster to deploy. The authors call for better evaluation methods that account for non-monetary benefits and advocate an interdisciplinary approach to rural electrification.
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Techno-economic analysis of an off-grid micro-hydrokinetic river system for remote rural electrification
This study evaluates off-grid micro-hydrokinetic systems as a cost-effective electricity solution for remote rural communities near flowing water without grid access. The researchers develop a mathematical model to simulate system performance under various conditions and validate results using a test prototype. The analysis demonstrates the economic and environmental benefits of this emerging technology for rural electrification.
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Selection of photovoltaic modules for off-grid rural application based on Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
Rural electrification in developing countries relies on solar photovoltaic systems for off-grid applications. This paper uses the Analytical Hierarchy Process to help select appropriate PV modules and battery technology by weighing technological parameters alongside socio-economic factors and practical constraints. The method ranks technology alternatives through hierarchical comparison and sensitivity analysis, enabling better-informed decisions about which systems suit specific rural contexts.
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Generator selection for rural electrification from renewable energy
This paper addresses generator selection for rural electrification systems powered by renewable energy. The authors develop detailed models of different generator types and examine how equipment faults affect system safety and performance. They provide practical guidance on selecting appropriate generators for decentralized power generation in rural areas, accounting for personnel safety on connected feeders.
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High-frequency soft-switching current-fed inverter for off-grid micro-generation: Fuel cell application for rural electrification/development
This paper presents a high-frequency soft-switching current-fed inverter designed for fuel cell-based micro-generation systems in off-grid rural areas. The technology enables efficient power conversion for rural electrification, offering a practical solution for decentralized energy generation in remote communities lacking grid access.
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Off-grid PV system to supply a rural scholl on DC network
Researchers designed an off-grid photovoltaic system to power a rural school in northeastern Brazil. The system uses solar panels to charge lead-acid batteries, which store enough energy to supply the school for two days even during low sunlight. A microcontroller manages power extraction, battery charging, and voltage conversion to meet the school's electrical demands.
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Generators for rural electrification from renewable energy
This paper develops mathematical models for three types of generators—three-phase induction, single-phase induction, and permanent magnet generators—to power rural electrification systems using wind and biomass energy. The models account for transient responses and machine parameters to design reliable systems that handle power line imbalances and faults better than conventional approaches. Simulations in Matlab-Simulink demonstrate the generator performance.
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Utilisation of renewable energy sources in deep rural areas
The paper evaluates renewable energy sources for rural electrification by developing a computer program to match energy source characteristics with rural load profiles cost-effectively. The analysis compares unitary and hybrid systems, finding that hydroelectric sources prove most cost-effective for the studied loads, while solar and wind systems require prohibitively high capital investments.
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Evaluation and Obstacle Factors of Renewable Energy Substitution Potential in Underdeveloped Rural Areas of China
This study evaluates renewable energy substitution potential in underdeveloped rural areas of Gansu Province, China, using multi-objective analysis and obstacle factor modeling. The research finds that renewable energy substitution potential is generally low with significant spatial and temporal variation. Key obstacles include limited renewable energy resource endowment, low irrigated agricultural area, insufficient agricultural machinery, and small rural populations. The authors recommend strategic planning of renewable energy development models and coordinated regional approaches to enhance economic value.
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The Long‐term Socioeconomic Impacts of Renewable Energy Deployment: Lessons From Case Studies in European Rural Regions
Renewable energy installations in European rural regions generate long-term economic growth, employment, and population recovery. The authors built a database tracking wind and solar capacity across European regions over decades, then used synthetic control methods to measure socioeconomic impacts. Results show both within-region and between-region effects from renewable energy deployment in rural areas.
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Energy Valorization Strategies in Rural Renewable Energy Communities: A Path to Social Revitalization and Sustainable Development
Rural energy communities in Spain can help combat depopulation by adopting innovative energy valorization strategies. The study analyzed seven villages across three scenarios: self-consumption models, battery storage systems, and advanced options like hydrogen production. While no single strategy reverses depopulation alone, combining social impact principles with approaches like energy retail or unified community structures significantly mitigates rural decline and supports sustainable revitalization.
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Cost-effectiveness of rural energy access strategies
This paper evaluates cost-effectiveness of rural energy access strategies in sub-Saharan Africa by comparing on-grid electrification, off-grid solar, mini-grids, and improved cooking technologies. The authors find that on-grid electrification delivers disappointing results relative to costs, while stand-alone solar systems and energy-efficient biomass cookstoves emerge as the most cost-effective options. Mini-grids face unresolved sustainability challenges that undermine their viability.
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Designing a model for enhancing intention to accept renewable energy technologies in rural communities of Ilam province, Iran
Rural households in Iran's Ilam province show stronger intention to adopt renewable energy when they perceive it as useful, feel capable of using it, hold positive attitudes toward it, and experience social pressure to do so. The study surveyed 384 rural households and found these five factors—perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control—significantly predict willingness to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
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Economic optimization of hybrid renewable energy resources for rural electrification
Researchers used the bat algorithm to optimize hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Kalema village, comparing it against diesel-only and genetic algorithm approaches. The bat algorithm reduced energy costs by 45.6% and carbon emissions by 62.2% compared to diesel generators alone, outperforming the genetic algorithm on both metrics. This demonstrates that optimized hybrid renewable systems are more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than traditional diesel generation for rural areas.
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Demonstration of the potential use of off-grid renewable energy in agricultural production in rural Uganda
Rural Ugandan farmers have widely adopted off-grid renewable energy technologies—particularly solar—for agricultural production, with women showing higher adoption rates. Solar powers irrigation and crop drying, while biogas and charcoal briquettes support diverse farming activities. Farmers report time savings, improved health, and income gains, though high upfront costs and limited awareness remain barriers. Scaling requires coordinated support from government, NGOs, and private sectors to fund technology acquisition and build local capacity.
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Renewable Energy Powered and Open RAN-Based Architecture for 5G Fixed Wireless Access Provisioning in Rural Areas
This paper proposes a renewable energy-powered 5G Fixed Wireless Access system using Open RAN architecture to serve rural and low-density areas cost-effectively. The system uses three nested control loops to optimize radio and energy resource allocation across edge cloud infrastructure. The authors employ reinforcement learning and convex optimization to balance communication performance with energy costs, achieving 97% compliance with service delay requirements while reducing deployment expenses.
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The temporalities and externalities of ancillary infrastructure in large-scale renewable energy projects: Insights from the rural periphery
Large-scale renewable energy projects require ancillary infrastructure like roads, worker camps, and water systems that create distinct social and environmental impacts separate from the power plants themselves. In rural peripheral areas of the Global South, these infrastructures can harm communities but also provide significant benefits. The authors develop a framework analyzing how ancillary infrastructure's timing and externalities affect local acceptance, using a Kenyan geothermal project as a case study, and offer policy recommendations to maximize positive outcomes.
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Navigating emergent effects in off-grid systems: Ostrom's design principles and rural energy policy implications
This study examines how Ostrom's Design Principles work in governing rural off-grid energy systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using systems thinking and feedback analysis, the research identifies emergent problems—poor infrastructure access, weak local economies, and community disengagement—that undermine the framework's effectiveness. The author maps reinforcing feedback loops driving governance failures and proposes balancing strategies to improve sustainability, concluding that integrating Ostrom's principles with broader external support is essential for long-term viability of community-owned off-grid systems.
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Regional Planning and Optimization of Renewable Energy Sources for Improved Rural Electrification
Rural electrification in developing regions requires balancing competing interests between policymakers promoting renewable energy and power operators protecting profits. This paper develops a bi-level optimization model that accounts for investment costs, carbon emissions, efficiency, and incentives. Using Malaysian case studies, the authors show that cost minimization alone favors expanding existing plants over renewables, but strategic incentives of $1.4 million annually can shift operators toward decarbonization while meeting rural electricity demand.
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Design and Cost Analysis of a Decentralized Hybrid Renewable Energy System-based Microgrid for Insular Rural Area: Hatiya of Bangladesh as an off- grid solution
This paper designs a hybrid renewable energy microgrid combining solar and wind power with battery storage for Hatiya, a rural island in Bangladesh lacking grid electricity. The system uses a SEPIC converter to manage power fluctuations and was validated through MATLAB simulation and economic analysis using HOMER software. The design accounts for seasonal variations and weather conditions, providing a technically feasible and economically viable off-grid solution for coastal island communities.
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Design Methodology of Off-Grid PV Solar Powered Systems for Rural Areas in Ecuador
This paper presents a design methodology for off-grid solar photovoltaic systems tailored to rural Ecuador, where grid access is limited or impractical. The authors developed simulation models in Matlab/Simulink for systems combining photovoltaic modules, charge controllers, batteries, and inverters. They created a maximum power point tracking algorithm and battery control system, then built a practical sizing tool in Excel to help implement these systems in rural communities.
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Off-Grid Renewable Energy Solutions for Agro-Rural Community Development in Nigeria
Nigeria faces severe energy access deficits despite abundant renewable resources. This study identifies off-grid renewable energy solutions—solar, biomass, hydro, and wind technologies—as cost-effective alternatives that can significantly enhance rural electrification and development in Nigerian agricultural communities.
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Indian rural livelihoods and renewable energy interventions – A critical analysis for a bottom-up approach for sustainability from an energy-water-food nexus context
This study examines renewable energy interventions in Indian rural communities through an energy-water-food nexus lens. The research finds that top-down renewable energy policies have failed to measure livelihood outcomes effectively. Solar pumps emerge as the most successful intervention, delivering benefits across energy, water, and food production. The analysis shows decentralized renewable systems outperform grid extensions economically, and that interventions succeed when communities possess strong social, financial, and human assets. Bottom-up approaches tailored to local livelihoods prove more effective than standardized programs.
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Does access to credit promote the use of modern energy services? Evidence from rural Nigeria
Credit access modestly increases rural Nigerian households' adoption of modern energy services, particularly electric lighting, phone charging, and fan ventilation. Formal and cooperative loans prove more effective than informal credit. However, credit alone cannot drive energy transitions—household wealth, education, and infrastructure type significantly influence adoption patterns, indicating that financial access must combine with broader socioeconomic improvements.
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Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems: An Integrated Approach to Rural Electrification
Hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, hydro, and biomass offer transformative potential for electrifying remote rural areas in developing nations. These integrated approaches leverage diverse local resources to overcome grid isolation, reduce carbon emissions, and provide equitable energy access. Supportive policies and growing research momentum position hybrid systems as revolutionary solutions for rural electrification strategies.
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Renewable energy sources in Kyrgyzstan and energy supply to rural consumers
Kyrgyzstan possesses substantial renewable energy resources—solar radiation, small river flows, and agricultural biomass—suitable for rural electrification. The study quantifies solar potential at 0.451 kWh per square metre daily, micro-hydroelectric capacity from small rivers at up to 8.95 kW, and biogas production from farm manure at 16–19 kg per hour. These distributed renewable sources can supply autonomous power to remote rural areas while reducing environmental impact and energy costs.
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Review of Planning and Optimization of the Renewable-Energy-Based Micro-Grid for Rural Electrification
Renewable-energy microgrids offer a practical solution for rural electrification, addressing gaps in traditional power infrastructure. The review examines technical and economic aspects of microgrid design, sizing, and renewable energy integration. Microgrids enhance reliability and efficiency in areas lacking centralized grid access, reducing dependency on vulnerable centralized systems while supporting long-term energy stability and sustainability.
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Homeowners’ Motivations to Invest in Energy-Efficient and Renewable Energy Technologies in Rural Iowa
Rural Iowa homeowners adopt energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies primarily to reduce energy costs, driven by local availability of products and environmental concerns. High upfront costs, lack of information, and limited local access to appliances and contractors create barriers to adoption. Rural households face disproportionately high energy burdens, making these technologies valuable but underutilized in rural areas compared to urban regions.
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Unveiling determinants of household lighting preferences in rural Tanzania: insights for sustainable energy access
This study analyzes household lighting choices among 4,671 rural Tanzanian households using regression modeling. Older household heads and larger families are less likely to choose grid electricity. Married households prefer candles, while employed heads favor modern solutions. Higher income increases electricity and candle adoption but not solar energy uptake. The findings show that socio-economic factors—employment, income, education, and household composition—drive lighting technology choices and should guide policy efforts to expand sustainable energy access.
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Digital Twin Backed Closed-Loops for Energy-Aware and Open RAN-Based Fixed Wireless Access Serving Rural Areas
This paper proposes a digital twin system to manage energy and radio resources for Fixed Wireless Access networks serving rural areas. The system uses reinforcement learning and optimization techniques to distribute resources between edge cloud instances and households while minimizing energy costs and meeting service requirements. Testing shows the approach efficiently allocates both radio and energy resources in rural broadband deployments.
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Techno-economic and environmental analysis of an off-grid hybrid system using solar panels, wind turbine, diesel generator, and batteries for a rural health clinic considering
Researchers designed and analyzed a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar panels, wind turbines, diesel generators, and batteries to power a rural health clinic in Saudi Arabia. The optimized system achieves 84.7% renewable energy generation with annual CO2 emissions of 10,825 kg and operating costs of $2,361 per year. The findings demonstrate that hybrid systems are economically and environmentally viable for rural healthcare in arid regions, with potential applications across developing nations.
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Design Optimization and Techno-Economic Analysis of Off-Grid Hybrid Energy Systems for Sustainable Rural Electrification in Bangladesh
This paper evaluates hybrid energy systems for bringing electricity to remote rural areas in Bangladesh. Using HOMER Pro software, researchers compared three off-grid hybrid systems in Char Amanullah. A solar-biomass-battery system proved most cost-effective at $0.197 per kilowatt-hour, outperforming solar-diesel-biomass and solar-wind-biomass alternatives. The analysis examined technical performance, economic viability, and environmental emissions to identify the best sustainable electrification option for grid-disconnected locations.
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Integration of renewable resources into the electricity energy matrix. Practical case applied to a small rural municipality
This paper designs and manages renewable energy resources for a small rural municipality in Spain's Valencian Community. The researchers modeled how solar, wind, and other renewables could meet the municipality's annual electricity demand while maximizing self-consumption and reducing grid dependence. Results demonstrate that rural communities can achieve high renewable self-sufficiency, supporting Europe's energy transition away from fossil fuels.
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Village Fund for Renewable Energy Development: A Case Study of Rural Area in Indonesia
Indonesia's Village Fund program allocates government resources to rural energy development. This case study examined fund allocation from 2018–2020 and found that Kalimantan and Sulawesi invested most heavily in renewable energy, while Java lagged significantly. The research concludes that current funding levels fall short of meeting Sustainable Development Goal 7 targets and recommends increased government support for affordable clean energy access in villages, not just infrastructure projects.
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Analyzing the Progress and Disparities in Access to Clean Energy Technologies: A Comparative Study of Rural and Urban Areas of India
Between 2010 and 2020, India made progress expanding access to clean cooking fuels and electricity, but rural areas lagged significantly behind urban areas. Rural populations faced slower adoption of clean cooking technologies and lower electricity access rates. The study identifies persistent energy poverty in rural regions and calls for targeted policies to ensure equitable clean energy access across both rural and urban areas.
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Assessing the Economic Benefits of Demand Response for Rural Area Off-Grid Microgrids in Emerging Markets
Researchers tested demand response programs in a rural Namibian microgrid serving five households with renewable electricity and internet access. Using actual consumption data and economic modeling, they found that demand response reduces system costs, extends battery storage lifespan, and lowers the levelized cost of energy. These results support scaling the approach from small microgrids to larger mini-grids in emerging markets.
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Análise aplicada a sistemas fotovoltaicos off-grid em processos industriais na zona rural
Rural industrial organizations in Brazil face frequent power supply interruptions due to inadequate grid infrastructure investment, causing production losses. This paper analyzes the technical and financial viability of off-grid photovoltaic systems as an alternative energy solution. The study demonstrates that solar photovoltaic systems can effectively replace conventional diesel generators, providing a reliable, efficient, and renewable energy source for rural industrial operations.
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Analysis of Renewable Energy Deployment and Investment for Rural Health Facility Electrification: A Case Study of Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda
Poor electricity access in rural health facilities across Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda undermines healthcare delivery and increases child mortality. The study examines how renewable energy investments and financing models can electrify these facilities. Findings show investment approaches vary by country, and decision-makers should develop public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms to deploy renewable energy systems in rural health centers, supported by stronger collaboration between financial and health institutions.
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Complementarity and Substitution Effects of Investments in Renewable Energy and Global Economic Growth: Strategic Planning Opportunities for Development of Rural Areas
Renewable energy investments drive global economic growth and create jobs in rural areas where land and resources are abundant. The authors analyze how renewable energy investments complement or substitute for other economic activities and examine strategic planning approaches across countries. They find that renewable energy investment boosts economic growth and that different nations prioritize rural renewable development differently in their policy frameworks.
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Techno-economic optimization of hydrogen-based hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in sub-Saharan Africa: Case study of a photovoltaic/wind/hydrogen system in Dargalla, Cameroon
Researchers designed and optimized a hydrogen-based hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and fuel cell technology to electrify a rural village in Cameroon. The optimal configuration cost USD 138,202 with energy at USD 0.443/kWh. The system works best in areas with high wind speeds and becomes increasingly cost-competitive as fuel cell and solar prices decline, offering a viable path to rural electrification across sub-Saharan Africa.
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Research on energy storage planning methods for distributed renewable energy integrated rural power distribution networks
This paper develops an optimization method for placing and sizing energy storage systems in rural power networks that integrate renewable energy. Using clustering analysis of load and generation data, the researchers create a cost-minimization model and test it on a standard 33-bus system. The optimized energy storage placement reduces operational costs, cuts wind and solar curtailment losses, stabilizes voltage, and improves overall network efficiency.
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Optimizing off-grid PV/wind systems with battery and water storage for rural energy and water access
This paper develops an optimization framework for off-grid renewable energy systems combining solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and water storage to serve rural communities. The system uses an energy management algorithm and genetic optimization to balance electricity supply, water access, and costs. A case study in Quebec demonstrates the system can reliably power homes and pump water while reducing diesel dependence, with payback periods of 8–12 years and electricity costs of 16–23 cents per kilowatt-hour.
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Rural Communities Access to Clean Cooking Fuels, Energy and Technologies: Socioeconomic Implications and Progress Toward Sustainable Development
This study analyzes data from 43 African countries between 2000 and 2023 to examine how rural access to clean cooking fuels and technologies affects sustainable development and socioeconomic outcomes. Results show that increased rural access to clean cooking energy significantly improves both sustainable development and socioeconomic conditions, with a 1% increase in access raising socioeconomic outcomes by 1.43%. The research recommends governments reduce commercialization timelines, provide subsidies and tax incentives, and establish supportive financing policies for clean cooking energy adoption.
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Planning off-grid rural electrification with MicroGridsPy: The case of Dugub, Nigeria
Solar photovoltaic mini-grids with battery storage and backup generators offer the most cost-effective solution for rural electrification in remote areas. Using optimization modeling in Dugub, Nigeria, researchers found that a hybrid system with capacity expansion achieves 94.7% renewable energy penetration while minimizing costs and emissions. The study demonstrates that appropriately sized solar mini-grids are viable alternatives to grid extension when supported by policy and stakeholder engagement.
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AI-advanced MPPT for optimized hybrid solar-wind energy harvesting in off-grid rural electrification: Fabrication and performance modeling
Hybrid solar-wind systems can reliably power remote rural areas, but their intermittent nature reduces efficiency. This review examines AI-driven maximum power point tracking techniques—artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic control, and reinforcement learning—that optimize energy extraction in real time. Each approach has trade-offs in accuracy, computational demands, and training requirements. Practical implementation requires careful hardware selection and controller design. Simulation and testing confirm these AI methods significantly improve power extraction and system reliability for off-grid rural electrification.
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Numerical performance assessment of an innovative PV-driven air-conditioning system based on hydraulic vapour-compression concept for off-grid rural houses
This paper evaluates a photovoltaic-powered air-conditioning system using hydraulic vapor-compression technology designed for off-grid rural homes. The researchers assess the system's numerical performance, demonstrating how solar energy can provide cooling to remote rural areas without grid connection. The innovation combines renewable energy generation with efficient cooling technology to address rural electrification and climate control challenges.
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Experimental 3E analysis of a biomass gasification plant for off-grid electrification in rural Ghana
Researchers tested a biomass gasification plant using peanut shells to generate electricity and heat in rural Ghana. The system achieved 20.6% electrical efficiency and 60.2% combined heat and power efficiency. Exergy analysis showed the genset caused the largest energy losses at 35.9%, while the gas conditioning unit was highly efficient. The electricity cost of $0.05/kWh makes this technology competitive with diesel generators for off-grid rural areas, demonstrating peanut shells as a viable renewable energy feedstock.
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Has the Development of Broadband Infrastructure Improved Household Energy Consumption in Rural China?
Broadband infrastructure expansion in rural China increases household energy consumption and accelerates adoption of cleaner fuels. Higher-income and better-educated households benefit most from broadband access. The policy drives change through technological innovation, improved energy efficiency, and greater environmental awareness. These findings show broadband's role in supporting China's carbon neutrality goals and energy transition.
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Integration of renewable energy-powered cold storage solutions for reducing post-harvest food waste in rural agricultural areas
Researchers developed a renewable energy-powered cold storage system combining solar and wind power with smart sensors and AI for rural farms. Field trials in the UK and US showed the system reduced post-harvest food waste by 43.5%, extended produce shelf-life by 300%, and increased farmer income by 43%. It cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to diesel systems and achieved strong economic returns and farmer adoption rates.
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The Potential of Hydro Energy as the Renewable Energy Alternatives in the Rural Area
Micro-hydropower systems offer a viable renewable energy solution for rural electrification, particularly in remote areas with high water availability. The technology is environmentally friendly, easy to operate, and has low operating costs compared to fossil fuels. Success requires addressing technical challenges and securing government support, while considering local geography, energy production capacity, and resource sustainability.
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Advancing Renewable Energy in Rural India: An techno-economic Evaluation of the Deenbandhu Biogas Model in Rajasthan
This study evaluates the Deenbandhu biogas model in Rajasthan, India, finding it a viable renewable energy solution despite a gap between potential and actual adoption. The technology reduces women's labor, improves health, decreases fossil fuel dependence, and enhances soil fertility through biogas slurry. Addressing adoption barriers and strengthening dissemination strategies can help India transition to a low-carbon economy while leveraging the region's substantial livestock resources.
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Empowering Rural Communities: Feasibility and Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Sustainable Electricity Using HOMER Software
This case study examines a hybrid solar and wind energy system designed for Khajuri-Motihani village in Bihar, India, using HOMER software to optimize system configuration. The analysis shows that a renewable energy system is technically and economically feasible for this rural community, reducing costs while maximizing renewable generation and cutting carbon emissions. The findings demonstrate that this approach could serve as a replicable model for other rural Indian villages seeking energy independence and sustainability.
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Optimal planning of solar energy using a sensitivity factor for rural electricity needs in an off-grid system (case study: Sebesi Island, South Lampung, Indonesia)
A feasibility study of solar power for Sebesi Island, Indonesia demonstrates that an off-grid solar system with battery storage meets the island's daily electricity needs more economically and sustainably than diesel generators. Using sensitivity analysis to account for resource uncertainty, the optimal solar configuration costs $1.26 million with an energy cost of $0.346/kWh, compared to $1.29 million and $0.397/kWh for diesel. The solar system generates twice the annual energy while reducing CO2 emissions by 241,812 kg yearly.
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Modeling of an Off-Grid Stand Alone Solar PV with Battery Backup System for an Isolated Rural Area
This paper designs and tests an off-grid solar system with battery storage for remote rural areas using MATLAB simulation. The system combines a solar array, battery unit, and advanced battery management to deliver stable power across seven operating modes. It achieves over 90% efficiency and maintains steady voltage output, with real-time monitoring enabling quick mode transitions under 200 milliseconds. Maximum power point tracking methods boost efficiency by up to 25% despite changing sunlight conditions.
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Renewable energy adoption and rural livelihoods in Ethiopia
A study in Ethiopia shows that subsidizing biogas digesters by 10% shifts household energy use toward renewable sources and reallocates labor from fuelwood collection to farming. The subsidy increases net household incomes by 0.93% for wealthier households and 3.44% for poorer ones, with benefits exceeding program costs. Crop production patterns remain largely unchanged despite competition for resources.
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‘Just’ access to electricity: Energy justice in Indonesia’s rural electrification (LISDES) program
Indonesia's rural electrification program (LISDES) fails to deliver just access to electricity due to three types of injustice. Distributive injustice stems from unequal incomes, geography, and population spread. Procedural injustice arises from poor information sharing, weak participation by local actors, and inadequate legal frameworks. Recognition injustice reflects failure to understand electricity's role in welfare and to acknowledge Indonesia's diverse socioeconomic conditions. Addressing all three requires clear long-term program goals.
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Analysis of transportable off-grid solar power generation for rural electricity supply: an application study of Sanliurfa, Turkey
This paper designs and models a transportable off-grid solar power system for rural electricity supply in Sanliurfa, Turkey. The researchers developed a 60.75 kWp photovoltaic system with battery storage and diesel backup, then simulated its performance over 24-hour cycles. They evaluated the system's financial viability, technical efficiency, and battery performance, demonstrating that mobile microgrids can deliver sustainable, cost-effective electricity to remote areas without grid access.
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Design and Simulation of a Hybrid Wind/Solar/Diesel/ Battery Off-Grid System for Rural Areas: A case Study in Al-Mahmudiyah Tribal Zone of Iraq
This paper designs a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and diesel power for remote off-grid rural areas in Iraq. Using HOMER optimization software, the authors modeled different configurations and found that solar generation provides 77% of power while wind contributes 19%. The optimized system achieves a net present cost of $225,575 and electricity costs of $0.40 per kilowatt-hour, making it economically viable for rural electrification.
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Optimal capacity configuration of PV water pumping system for off-grid rural communities
This paper develops a techno-economic method to optimally size photovoltaic water pumping systems for off-grid rural communities. The approach determines the best combination of solar panel capacity and water storage tank volume while accounting for solar radiation variability and system reliability. Applied to a village in Egypt's Western Desert, the method balances lifecycle costs against water supply reliability, offering practical solutions for rural areas lacking electrical grid access.
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Process Innovation Capability and Performance of Indigenous Oil and Gas Companies in South-South, Nigeria
This study examined 33 indigenous oil and gas companies in Nigeria's South-South region and found that process innovation capability directly improves company performance, measured by sales volume, profitability, and growth. Market innovation also drives performance. The research recommends that management adopt policies supporting process innovation and invest in strategies that optimize human resources, resource mobilization, and monitoring to enhance operational efficiency.
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Determinants of solar energy access in urban and rural areas of Ethiopia: implications for equitable climate transitions
This study analyzes solar energy adoption across Ethiopia using nationally representative household data and spatial analysis. Rural adoption is driven by necessity—older male heads in areas without grid electricity—while urban adoption reflects choice among younger, wealthier residents. Peer effects play minimal roles; instead, institutional programs and market interventions shape adoption patterns. The findings show that equitable clean energy transitions require different strategies tailored to rural and urban contexts.
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The Role of Advanced Biofuels in Promoting Energy Access and Economic Growth in Rural Areas
Advanced biofuels from agricultural residues, algae, and waste can reduce energy poverty and create economic growth in rural developing countries. Case studies from India and Brazil show that decentralized biofuel plants improved energy access, generated local jobs, and strengthened agricultural value chains by converting crop residues into farmer income. Key barriers include limited infrastructure, financing, and policy support. The authors recommend scaling adoption to enhance energy security and rural development.
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Evaluation of the Solar Photovoltaic Potential for Electrification of Rural Areas off the National Grid in Mali
Mali possesses exceptional solar resources capable of electrifying rural areas disconnected from the national grid. Using GIS and analytical hierarchy methods, researchers identified 409 communes suitable for solar photovoltaic installations and calculated their solar potential. Results show Mali's available solar resources vastly exceed rural electricity needs, making solar energy a viable and cost-effective alternative to conventional power infrastructure for remote communities.
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Optimal Design of an Off-grid Hybrid Renewable Systems with Battery Storage for Rural Electrification of Academic Community in Ibogun Campus, Nigeria
Researchers designed an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and battery storage to power an engineering department at a Nigerian university. Using HOMER Pro software and local climate and energy data, they compared four hybrid configurations. The solar-wind-battery system proved most cost-effective and environmentally friendly, with the lowest total project cost, energy cost, and operating expenses, making it viable for rural electrification.
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Decarbonizing Rural Off-Grid Areas Through Hybrid Renewable Hydrogen Systems: A Case Study from Turkey
A hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, battery storage, and hydrogen was modeled for a rural off-grid settlement in Turkey. The system with all four components delivered the best balance of cost and performance, producing electricity at $0.340/kWh with carbon emissions of 36–45 gCO2-eq/kWh. Control strategies and component selection significantly affect system efficiency and hydrogen consumption, making hybrid hydrogen systems viable for decarbonizing rural areas without grid access.
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Techno-Economic Analysis of Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Ethiopian Rural Electrification
This study designs off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for 180 rural Ethiopian communities using solar, wind, and micro-hydro resources. Researchers modeled three system configurations with HOMER software, analyzing costs and feasibility. Results show energy costs ranging from $0.043 to $0.14 per kilowatt-hour depending on resource availability and diesel hybridization. The proposed systems offer competitive pricing against Ethiopia's national tariff and provide a practical pathway for sustainable rural electrification.
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Using renewable energy for rural connectivity and distance education in Latin America
Renewable energy technologies, particularly photovoltaic systems, enable rural connectivity and distance education services across Latin America, especially in isolated communities without grid electricity. Sandia National Laboratories and partners support this expansion through capacity building and technology development, focusing on Mexico and Central America with funding from USAID and the US Department of Energy.
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Trigeneration based on the pyrolysis of rural waste in India: Environmental impact, economic feasibility and business model innovation
This study evaluates trigeneration systems powered by rural waste pyrolysis in India, combining environmental and economic analysis with business model innovation. Researchers surveyed villagers to understand actual feedstock prices, then used cost-benefit analysis and life cycle assessment to design two novel business models. The proposed models achieve up to 90% economic profitability with benefit-cost ratios of 1.35–1.75, offering viable pathways for rural bioenergy production in developing countries.
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Enhancing Energy Access in Rural Indonesia: A Holistic Assessment of a 1 kW Portable Power Generator Based on Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)
Researchers designed a portable 1 kW hydrogen fuel cell system for rural Indonesian households. The device uses proton-exchange membrane fuel cell technology to convert hydrogen into electricity, producing only water vapor as emissions. The final design achieved 1132 W peak power with 48.66% efficiency and includes selected auxiliary components like converters and inverters, offering a clean, sustainable power solution for off-grid rural areas.
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Transforming Energy Access: The Role of Micro Solar Dome in Providing Clean Energy Lighting in Rural India
Micro Solar Dome technology deployed across eight Indian states provides clean lighting to marginalized rural communities, replacing kerosene use. The intervention improved household illumination, safety, children's study time, and evening economic activities. Education and awareness programs significantly influenced adoption rates. Small-scale solar off-grid solutions effectively enhance well-being and empower disadvantaged communities in rural areas.
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Inclusion of Namibian rural communities in green energy access and use: Requirements elicitation or community-based-co-design?
This paper compares two approaches—requirements elicitation and community-based co-design—for advancing green energy access in an off-grid rural Namibian community. The authors find that both methods have limitations and argue for a more elevated, provocative approach that enables innovative and unorthodox energy solutions tailored to rural African contexts, moving beyond standard energy access projects.
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An Investigation of Renewable Energy Solutions for Off-Grid Sustainable Housing in Rural Nigeria
Solar photovoltaic systems are the most widely adopted renewable energy technology in rural Nigerian off-grid housing, significantly improving health, economic activity, and education. Income, education level, and awareness strongly predict adoption, with awareness mediating the relationship between socioeconomic factors and technology uptake. The study recommends comprehensive policies, community engagement, capacity building, and financial support to scale renewable energy adoption and maximize its benefits.
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Feasibility Study on an Off-Grid Solar-Hydro Hybrid System for Rural Electrification in Ranau Sabah Malaysia using HOMER
This study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of an off-grid solar-hydro hybrid microgrid system for rural electrification in Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. Using HOMER Pro software, researchers assessed site conditions, load requirements, and system design incorporating solar panels, hydropower, batteries, and inverters. The analysis demonstrates that a self-sustaining hybrid system can reliably meet community energy needs in remote areas with limited grid access.
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Hybrid power system options for off-grid rural electrification in northwestern region of Nigeria
This study evaluates off-grid hybrid power systems for rural electrification in northwestern Nigeria. Researchers modeled and compared solar-wind-diesel hybrid systems and standalone diesel generators for two locations using optimization software. Results show that a PV-wind-diesel hybrid system meets electricity demand most cost-effectively, with lower energy costs than Nigeria's grid tariff. The authors recommend adopting this hybrid approach to support rural education, healthcare, and economic development.
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IoT-Based Smart Management of Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems in Rural and Remote Settings
This paper presents an IoT-based system for managing off-grid solar photovoltaic installations in rural and remote areas. The system enables remote monitoring and control of solar systems to prevent faults and improve energy efficiency. Researchers designed and tested a proof-of-concept demonstration system with both field-distributed and cloud-based components, developed through a European capacity-building project involving four Rwandan universities.
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Willingness to pay for solar off-grid lighting in rural India
Rural Indian households increase their willingness to pay for solar off-grid lighting products after using solar study lamps. The study surveyed 663 households and found that exposure to solar technology boosts confidence and adoption intent. Key factors driving willingness to pay include current kerosene spending, electricity reliability, household assets, awareness of kerosene health risks, and solar product specifications.
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Techno-economic feasibility of photovoltaic, BESS, diesel and hybrid electrification for off-grid rural systems in Algeria
This paper evaluates hybrid energy systems combining photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and diesel generators for three off-grid rural communities in Algeria. The authors optimize system sizing to minimize fossil fuel consumption and costs, then model hourly performance across seasons and calculate investment payback periods. Sensitivity analysis shows how diesel price fluctuations affect economic viability of the hybrid approach.
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Integrated Management Framework for Performance Challenges in Rural Off-Grid Microgrids: Addressing Deterioration in Electrification Systems
Rural off-grid microgrids in developing countries face early failure due to interconnected financial, community, and technical challenges. This study develops a management framework identifying how funding gaps and poor stakeholder communication cascade into component deterioration and power system degradation. The framework helps operators and managers systematically address these deterioration risks during microgrid operation.
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Assessing the feasibility of off-grid photovoltaic systems for rural electrification
Researchers modeled an off-grid photovoltaic system for a rural residence in Konya, Turkey, designed to meet daily energy consumption of 39,974 Wh. A 9.45 kWp system with optimized angles fulfilled 90.8% of annual energy requirements. Summer production exceeded demand and fully charged batteries, while winter production fell short. The system demonstrates technical feasibility for rural electrification in areas without grid access, though seasonal variations significantly affect performance.
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A mixed-methods study on the determinants of solar home systems utilization in rural, off-grid Nigeria
This study examines what drives rural Nigerian households to adopt solar home systems in off-grid areas. Using surveys of 400 households and interviews, researchers found that higher income and education increase adoption, while gender creates disparities. Surprisingly, satisfaction with current energy sources reduces interest in solar systems. Households farther from the electrical grid show stronger willingness to pay for solar. The findings suggest policymakers need tailored strategies addressing household differences to boost solar adoption.
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Techno-Economic Modeling and Analysis of Off-Grid Microgrids for Rural Electrification in China
This paper develops a techno-economic model for off-grid microgrids using renewable energy to electrify remote rural areas in China. The authors model microgrid system structures, generation units, economic costs, and rural electricity consumption patterns including household and agricultural use. They apply the model to three Chinese villages, using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to simulate renewable energy output, and recommend suitable generation technologies and capacities based on village characteristics and local policies.
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Life cycle cost of mobility electrification with renewable energy in an off-grid rural area: The Karya Jadi village case in Indonesia
In an off-grid Indonesian village, solar photovoltaic systems installed by government programs failed after three years due to battery deterioration, leaving functional panels underutilized during daylight hours. This study demonstrates that electric motorbikes charged by existing PV systems can generate significant financial savings compared to gasoline motorbikes, which are expensive in remote areas due to transportation costs. The analysis uses life cycle cost methodology to show how electrifying rural transportation can extend the economic viability of renewable energy infrastructure.
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Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability of Renewable Energy Microgrids in Rural Africa from an Interdisciplinary Design Perspective: Driven by Community Engagement and Technological Innovation
This study develops an interdisciplinary framework combining social science, engineering, and environmental methods to design resilient renewable energy microgrids for rural Africa. Testing the approach in Tanzania, researchers found that strong community engagement significantly improves social acceptance and operational efficiency, while modular energy storage solutions enhance system resilience during extreme conditions. The framework provides practical guidance for sustainable microgrid implementation across rural African regions.
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Linking energy service access and human capabilities to assess energy justice in the rural Sahel
Energy infrastructure in rural Senegal reaches some communities but leaves others behind, including semi-nomadic and low-income populations. The authors show that expanding energy access alone doesn't guarantee equitable benefits—local energy service access and end-use equipment matter equally. New energy services sometimes create social tensions over resource management. Energy policies must account for population diversity and unintended consequences across sectors.
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Harmonizing Solar Energy Access and Affordability in Nigeria: The Role of Policy and Energy Management in Rural Electrification
This study examines how policy and energy management can improve solar energy access and affordability in rural Nigeria. Using case studies in Abuja, Kaduna, and the University of Abuja, the researchers assess current strategies for deploying decentralized solar systems, optimizing energy efficiency, and financing renewable energy. They compare approaches from India, Egypt, China, and Germany to identify deployment solutions and propose policy reforms that expand rural electrification while reducing emissions.
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The Impact of Mini-Grids on Rural Energy-Access Indicators in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review
Mini-grids expand rural electrification in developing countries, but service quality varies widely. This systematic review of 22 studies (2005–2025) finds that electrification rates improve frequently, but availability ranges from 5 to 24 hours daily with demand-capacity mismatches common. Affordability is well-documented but varies by location. Reliability and power quality remain poorly measured. Mini-grids deliver real benefits, but inconsistent metrics and short monitoring periods limit evidence quality.
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Reframing Electricity Access in Rural Latin America: An Energy Justice Analysis
This paper analyzes electricity access in rural Latin America through an energy justice lens. The author examines how power systems are distributed and who benefits from energy infrastructure, revealing inequities in rural electrification. The work reframes electricity access beyond simple availability metrics to address fairness, participation, and control over energy resources in rural communities.
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Design of an Off-Grid Biogas/PV Hybrid Energy System to Meet the Electricity Needs of Rural Areas
Researchers designed an off-grid hybrid energy system combining solar panels, biogas, and battery storage for a rural Turkish village. Using HOMER software, they compared lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries for storing energy. Both battery types met the village's electricity needs, but lithium-ion systems proved more economical long-term despite higher upfront costs, due to lower maintenance expenses and longer lifespan.
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Modeling and Simulation of an Off-Grid Hybrid Microgrid System: A Case Study of a Kavalur Rural Social Community
Researchers designed a hybrid microgrid system for Kavalur, a rural community in Tamil Nadu, India, combining solar, wind, diesel, and battery storage. Using HOMER Pro software, they optimized the system for cost and reliability, finding that a configuration with 80% PV derating and 50-meter hub height achieved the lowest net present cost of $340,287 and energy cost of $0.247 per unit, meeting the area's electricity needs sustainably.
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Optimizing Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Rural Communities: A Case Study of Ketane Village, Lesotho
This paper designs and optimizes an off-grid solar photovoltaic system for Ketane village in Lesotho, a remote community without grid access. Using HOMER Pro software, researchers sized an 84.15 kW solar array with 28.8 kWh battery storage to meet local energy demand. Financial analysis shows the system is technically feasible and economically viable, with sensitivity testing confirming robustness. The optimized design provides a replicable model for rural electrification across Southern Africa.
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SunVolt: A Sustainable Solar-Powered Battery Charger In Rural Off-Grid Communities
Researchers designed and tested SunVolt, a solar-powered battery charging system for rural off-grid communities. The system uses Arduino microcontroller technology to manage solar panels, batteries, and sensors that monitor energy conversion in real time. Testing showed SunVolt effectively stores solar energy, prevents overcharging, and reliably supports household and agricultural activities while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and expensive grid electricity.
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Modeling the Performance of Glass-Cover-Free Parabolic Trough Collector Prototypes for Solar Water Disinfection in Rural Off-Grid Communities
Researchers developed a numerical model to optimize glass-free parabolic trough collectors for solar water disinfection in rural off-grid communities. Testing the design in Colombia's Caribbean region, they found that compact collectors can reach temperatures above 70°C and effectively kill pathogens quickly. The model identifies which design features—rim angle, focal length, optical properties—matter most for performance, providing a practical tool for communities to build and adapt low-cost water treatment systems locally.
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Design and optimization of an energy storage system for off-grid rural communities
This paper designs and optimizes an off-grid microgrid system for rural Pakistan using solar energy combined with three energy storage technologies: lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and hydrogen storage. Using HOMER Pro simulation, the researchers find that sodium-ion batteries deliver the best economic performance, achieving the lowest net present cost and levelized cost of energy while maintaining 100% renewable energy fraction. Sensitivity analysis confirms the system's robustness against uncertain parameters.
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Scenario-Based Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy Mixes for Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Laguna, Philippines
This paper optimizes hybrid renewable energy systems combining biomass, solar, and wind power for off-grid rural electrification in Laguna Province, Philippines. The analysis shows that adding biomass generators to hybrid systems reduces carbon emissions by 17% and cuts operation costs by 9.4% over seven years. Battery backup systems further improve economic and environmental performance. The findings support decentralized, community-based renewable energy solutions for rural electrification.
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Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) for Off-Grid Rural Electrification: A Comprehensive Review of Components, Optimisation, and Real-World Applications
Hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and biomass with storage technologies improve rural electrification in off-grid areas. Recent systems achieve 30-40% higher reliability, 10-25% lower costs, and 40-60% emission reductions compared to diesel alternatives. Key barriers include high upfront capital costs, battery degradation, and financing challenges. AI-based controls, hybrid battery-hydrogen storage, and digital twin technology enable better system optimization and predictive maintenance for scalable rural energy access.
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Techno-Economic Assessment of an Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System with Green Hydrogen Storage System for a Rural Primary Healthcare Centre in Abuja
This study designs an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system combining wind, solar, and green hydrogen storage to power a rural primary healthcare centre in Abuja, Nigeria, where 40% of centres lack electricity access. The system meets all electrical demands over 25 years with a levelized cost of $2.53 per kilowatt-hour and minimal unmet load, using excess renewable energy to produce hydrogen for backup power during low resource periods.
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Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Off-Grid Solar Systems: Implications for Energy Equity in Rural Communities
Off-grid solar systems in rural communities contain cybersecurity vulnerabilities that threaten energy equity by undermining accessibility, affordability, and reliability. The paper identifies specific vulnerable components and attack types, then argues that effective security solutions must be tailored to each community's unique context rather than applied universally. Context-appropriate approaches are essential to protect energy justice in rural electrification programs.
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Digital finance development enhances the expenditures for household energy products in rural China
Digital finance development in rural China significantly increases household spending on traditional energy products and electricity. The study analyzes 30 provinces from 2011 to 2020 and finds that digital finance boosts energy expenditures primarily by raising family income levels. These findings support sustainable energy transitions and rural development.
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“Do you know what's underneath your feet?”: Underground landscapes & place‐based risk perceptions of proposed shale gas sites in rural British communities
Rural communities in the United Kingdom perceive risks from proposed shale gas exploration through deep, place-based knowledge rooted in generations of connection to their local landscapes, including underground features. Residents' understanding of subsurface geology shapes their concerns about how extraction threatens the distinctiveness of their places. The study shows that effective risk management for underground energy projects must incorporate local, place-based knowledge alongside technical assessments.
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A multi-objective optimization method based on internal search algorithm for wind energy access to rural microgrid power supply grid architecture
This paper develops a multi-objective optimization method using an internal search algorithm to improve rural microgrid power supply architecture that integrates wind energy. The approach outperforms conventional methods by better handling dynamic power fluctuations and delivers superior optimization across economic and operational metrics. The method enhances power supply quality and reduces operational risk in rural microgrids.
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Assessing the Economic Effects of Energy Access Inequalities between Rural and Urban Areas in Egypt Based on the Random Forest Algorithm
Rural electricity access drives industrial growth in Egypt far more than urban access, according to machine learning analysis. The study found that rural electrification increases industrial sector growth by 85%, compared to 15% from urban electrification. Both rural and urban electricity access show positive relationships with industrial expansion, but rural access proves critical for supporting small-scale manufacturing projects and broader economic development across Egypt.
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Off-Grid Energy Access Solution for Rural and Underserved Regions
Researchers designed and evaluated a photovoltaic off-grid power system for a rural Nigerian village of 100 households. Using HOMER PRO optimization and MATLAB simulations, they calculated the levelized cost of electricity at $0.3305/kWh over 20 years. The PV-battery microgrid costs slightly more than conventional alternatives but delivers environmental benefits and technical feasibility for remote electrification in high-irradiance regions.
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Rural Energy Access and Agricultural Productivity in South Africa
South Africa expanded electricity access from 34% in 1991 to 85% in 2018, but rural areas lagged behind urban areas. Using a Cobb-Douglas production function, this study examined how rural energy access affects agricultural productivity. The findings show that rural energy access surprisingly had a negative influence on agricultural productivity, while urban energy access promoted it. Labor participation, capital investment, and rainfall emerged as stronger drivers of agricultural productivity.
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Evaluating The Influence Of Solar Energy Access On Household Income And Employment Opportunities In Rural Khandwa
Solar energy access in rural Khandwa, India significantly increases household income and creates employment opportunities. A study of 300 households found that adopting decentralized solar systems boosts entrepreneurship and diversifies livelihoods. However, maintenance costs, financing barriers, and low awareness limit adoption. The researchers recommend stronger policy support and local solar business programs to expand sustainable energy access.
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Leveraging Microfinance for Solar Energy Access: Policy and Practice in Rural Areas for Sustainable Development of Marginalized Rural Communities
Rural communities in South Asia lack reliable electricity access, hindering development. Microfinance institutions can bridge this gap by funding household solar systems, which provide clean energy while reducing poverty and emissions. The paper argues that combining microfinance with solar technology empowers marginalized populations—particularly women—through affordable financing, enabling sustainable rural electrification and progress toward UN sustainable development goals.
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Novel Dynamic Inverter Control Mechanism for Reliable Solar-PV Energy Access in Weak Rural Grids
Researchers developed a decentralized solar photovoltaic system for low-income rural communities with weak electrical grids. The 5 kW system uses novel control mechanisms to track maximum power output under changing sunlight and stabilize voltage during grid disturbances. It meets power quality standards and achieves over 96% efficiency, reducing dependence on diesel generators and centralized grids while providing reliable electricity for households and agriculture.
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ENHANCING RURAL ENERGY ACCESS IN NIGERIA THROUGH SOLAR MICROGRID: A CASE OF MGBERE-CLAN IBAA RIVERS STATE
A hybrid solar-diesel microgrid system in rural Nigeria outperforms diesel-only power generation for a 380 kWh daily load. The hybrid configuration with 250 kW solar panels and battery storage meets 67% of demand through solar, reduces diesel consumption by 75%, cuts CO₂ emissions by 67%, and lowers electricity costs from $0.159 to $0.152 per kWh while maintaining reliable power supply.
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Energy-Efficient 5G Integrated Access and Backhaul Open RAN-Based Fixed Wireless Access Provisioning in Rural Areas
This paper proposes an energy-efficient 5G wireless access system for rural areas using Open RAN technology and renewable energy sources. The authors develop an optimization model that combines communication and energy systems to minimize energy consumption while maximizing network performance. Results demonstrate that integrating renewable energy with Open RAN-based fixed wireless access significantly improves both network and energy efficiency in rural broadband deployment.
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The hybrid renewable energy community approach (HyRECA): Synergising electricity access with bush encroachment mitigation in rural Southern Africa
Hybrid renewable energy systems using encroacher bush biomass can provide affordable electricity to rural off-grid communities in Southern Africa while simultaneously addressing bush encroachment. Off-grid PV/biomass/battery systems achieve the lowest costs and zero emissions, though grid-connected systems dominate where cheap electricity exists. Over 70% of households can afford medium-power appliances. Sustainable biomass harvesting could electrify 1.35 million people across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa using less than 1% of encroached land.
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Access to electricity and development in rural Senegal : the case of solar energy in the Kolda-Vélingara-Médina Yoro Foulah (KVM) concession
Rural Senegal faces severe electricity access challenges, with over 4 million people lacking power despite strong solar potential. This study examines solar electrification efforts in the Kolda-Vélingara-Médina Yoro Foulah region through national and local analysis. Findings reveal that the Senegalese rural electrification agency (ASER) struggles with coordination among multiple actors, creating governance fragmentation that undermines project success. While households adopt solar solutions, they lack sustained, equitable implementation. The research argues for territorial, inclusive approaches that prioritize social appropriation over market logic to achieve universal electricity access by 2030.
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Sistema fotovoltaico off-grid com baterias em zona rural – estudo de caso
Rural producers in Goiás, Brazil face significant losses from power outages that spoil stored food and kill livestock. This case study compares three energy systems for a rural property: grid electricity with backup generator, grid with off-grid solar, and grid with off-grid solar plus batteries. Financial analysis using NPV, IRR, and levelized cost of electricity shows that solar with battery storage delivers the best long-term viability despite requiring nine times higher initial investment than traditional grid-plus-generator systems.
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Feasibility Study of Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Iraq: A Case Study of the AL-Teeb Area
This study evaluates off-grid electrification options for the Al-Teeb area in eastern Iraq, which lacks grid connection despite economic importance. Researchers modeled three hybrid energy scenarios combining photovoltaics, wind turbines, diesel generators, batteries, and converters. A hybrid system using all five components proved most cost-effective, with a levelized cost of energy of $0.155/kWh and net present cost of $14.2 million. The optimal configuration requires 1,215 solar panels, 59 wind turbines, 13 generators, and 3,138 batteries.
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Techno-Economics Analysis of an Off-Grid Hybrid Power System for Rural Areas in Nigeria
This study evaluates off-grid hybrid power systems for rural Nigeria, comparing thermal generation alone against solar-hybrid alternatives in Delta State. The hybrid system reduced costs from ₦54.9 billion to ₦30.9 billion while cutting emissions by 30%, though at higher per-unit energy costs than thermal alone due to gas subsidies. The authors recommend government-industry collaboration and funding mechanisms to deploy hybrid systems in underserved rural communities.
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Performance Optimization of Biomass-Fuelled Thermoelectric Cookstoves for Off-Grid Rural Electrification
Researchers designed and optimized a portable biomass-fueled cookstove that generates electricity through thermoelectric technology. Testing various heat sink designs and adding phase-change material insulation, the stove produced 3-7 volts of direct current sufficient to power LED lights and communication devices. The system offers reliable off-grid electricity for remote and disaster-prone rural areas lacking grid infrastructure.
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Scenario Analysis of Electricity Demand Growth with Rural Electrification for the Evaluation of the Reliability and Sustainability of an off‐Grid Microgrid System: A Case Study in Lao <scp>PDR</scp> †
This study identifies factors driving electricity demand growth in rural Laos to design reliable off-grid microgrids. Researchers surveyed communities and found that age and income level directly influence appliance ownership and energy consumption. The team developed three demand scenarios—low, medium, and high—and determined optimal microgrid component combinations for each. The low-growth scenario provides a practical baseline for rural electrification, helping policymakers prevent system failures after implementation.
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TECHNO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY AND OPTIMIZATION OF OFF-GRID HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN ETHIOPIA
This study evaluates hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind, and battery storage for powering remote rural areas in Ethiopia. Using computer modeling, researchers tested different system configurations and found that optimized solar-wind-battery combinations significantly reduce electricity costs, emissions, and fossil fuel dependence. The findings support Ethiopia's rural electrification goals and offer a practical framework for deploying clean energy in underserved regions.
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Development of a solar photovoltaic-biogas hybrid microgrid for off-grid rural communities in Uganda
Rural Uganda lacks electricity access for over 80% of inhabitants, forcing reliance on biomass and primitive stoves while generating substantial agricultural waste. This study designed and piloted a solar photovoltaic-biogas hybrid microgrid combining abundant solar resources with animal waste. Financial analysis proved the hybrid system viable with positive returns, while solar alone was not. A pilot serving seven users launched successfully in April 2024 with enthusiastic community response, demonstrating the system's potential to simultaneously address energy poverty and waste management across off-grid Ugandan communities.
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PV + Battery Storage System Design for Off-Grid Rural Homesteads in Navajo-Based Indigenous Communities
This paper describes the design of an off-grid solar and battery storage system for Navajo Nation homesteads in the southwestern United States. The system—1.6 kW photovoltaic array with 10.2 kWh battery storage—was developed through direct community input to ensure cultural alignment. Implementation delivers energy sovereignty, resilience, cost savings from improved water and food access, and workforce development opportunities for indigenous families.
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Simulation, Optimization, and Techno-Economic Assessment of 100% Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Rural Electrification in Eastern Morocco
Researchers designed and optimized 15 hybrid renewable energy systems for a rural village in eastern Morocco using solar, wind, and concentrated solar power technologies. A photovoltaic system with battery storage proved most cost-effective, delivering electricity at 0.184 USD/kWh while reducing CO2 emissions by 81.7 tons annually. The study demonstrates that hybrid renewable systems can reliably and economically provide 100% of electricity demand for remote Moroccan communities.
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Off-Grid Lighting System for Rural Communities Using Renewable Energy, IoT, and Recyclable Materials
Researchers developed an off-grid lighting system for rural Nigerian homes using recycled plastic bottles, solar panels, and LED bulbs powered by lithium-ion batteries. The system provides natural daytime lighting through water-filled bottles and electric lighting at night for up to 10 hours, reducing energy consumption by 80% compared to traditional bulbs. Pilot testing demonstrates the solution can serve over 600,000 households in South-West Nigeria, offering a scalable, affordable alternative to fossil fuel-dependent lighting.
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Viable System Model for Off-Grid Solar-Powered Electricity Operation in Indonesian Rural Communities
This study applies the Viable System Model to improve off-grid solar electricity systems in rural Indonesia through the 'Berbagi Listrik' program. Training residents, forming management committees, and using decentralized governance significantly enhanced system functionality and durability. The research demonstrates that VSM principles—decentralization, adaptability, and community engagement—effectively address operational and maintenance challenges in remote electrification projects.
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Development of a Water Impulse Turbine for Pico-Hydro Energy Generation in Off-Grid Rural Areas
Researchers designed and tested a water impulse turbine for pico-hydro power generation in off-grid rural areas. The Pelton turbine operates under ultra-low head conditions using flowing streams and rivers. Testing with varying pipe sizes, bucket configurations, and flow rates showed the system achieved maximum efficiency of 88.14% at 89.8 RPM. Pico-hydro offers a low-cost, clean alternative to expensive grid extension in remote forested regions.
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INTEGRAÇÃO DE UM SISTEMA FOTOVOLTAICO OFF-GRID NA ESCOLA MUNICIPAL SANTO ANTÔNIO NA ZONA RURAL DE MANAUS
This study designs and tests an off-grid photovoltaic system for a rural school near Manaus, Brazil, powered by diesel generators. The researchers surveyed the school's electrical load, designed a solar system with batteries and controls, built a prototype, and modeled performance. Results show the solar system can reduce diesel emissions and operating costs while improving daytime power reliability, providing evidence for implementing renewable energy in isolated Amazonian schools.
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Evaluating an Off-Grid PV-Battery Hybrid System with Starlink Monitoring in Rural Malaysia
Researchers implemented and evaluated a 5.5 kW solar-battery hybrid system in rural Malaysia, using Starlink satellite internet for remote monitoring. HOMER Pro simulations predicted higher energy output than actual measurements achieved, revealing gaps between idealized models and real-world performance caused by factors like localized solar radiation variations. The system proved technically feasible with a 25-year net present cost of 80,066 MYR, demonstrating that IoT-enhanced monitoring improves renewable energy optimization in remote communities.
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Techno-Economics Analysis of Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems in Remote Areas in Indonesia for Rural Village Electrification: Case Study of Pantar Island
This study evaluates off-grid solar photovoltaic systems for electrifying remote villages in Indonesia, comparing diesel generators against various solar configurations using cost and emissions analysis. Solar PV with battery storage proved most economical at $0.35/kWh, roughly one-quarter the cost of diesel-only systems at $1.20/kWh, while also reducing carbon emissions significantly. The findings demonstrate that renewable energy offers a viable, cost-effective alternative to diesel power in Indonesia's isolated areas.
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Energy survey and MATLAB/Simulink Simulation of 24VDC lighting systems for off-grid rural houses in Papua New Guinea
This paper designs and simulates a 24V DC lighting system for off-grid rural households in Papua New Guinea using solar PV and battery storage with a DC-DC boost converter. Testing shows the system maintains stable 24V output with 92% peak efficiency and successfully handles varying battery voltage and load changes. Lighting dominates evening demand (78%, 6pm-11pm). The authors provide a practical reference design and component-sizing guidance for deploying solar-based electrification in PNG's rural areas.
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Powering tomorrow’s farms: A roadmap for hydrogen energy systems in off-grid rural agricultural decarbonization
This paper develops a practical roadmap for implementing hydrogen energy systems on off-grid farms to reduce agricultural emissions. It compares hydrogen systems against renewable energy and diesel alternatives, examines costs and logistics of hydrogen transport, analyzes power electronics integration, explores hydrogen use in farm vehicles, and proposes a simplified system design to help farmers adopt the technology. The work targets researchers, engineers, and policymakers working on sustainable agriculture.
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Integrated Off-Grid Resource Sharing and Energy Network Optimisation for Several Co-Located Rural Communities in Namibia
This paper develops an optimization model for off-grid hybrid power systems serving multiple rural communities in Namibia. The system combines solar, batteries, diesel generators, and biomass resources (animal dung, crop residue, fuel wood) to generate reliable electricity. When seven communities share resources and excess energy, the integrated network reduces costs by 61.6% and carbon emissions by 73.6% compared to individual community systems.
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Off the Grid: Rural Identity, Environmentalism, and Renewable Energy Policy in Rural New England
Rural New England residents with strong environmental values still oppose renewable energy development and land-use regulation at higher rates than urban counterparts. The study of 1,400 residents reveals that rural identity itself predicts lower policy support, even among environmentalists. Place attachment combined with resentment toward cultural displacement drives opposition. Opposition stems not from economic concerns alone, but from symbolic factors: identity, belonging, and desire for local autonomy.
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Grid extension vs. off-grid systems in rural Areas: Methodologies, tools, and criteria for decision-making
This scoping review of 136 studies examines how decision-makers choose between grid extension and off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries. The authors find that current methodologies treat these options separately despite their coexistence in real planning scenarios. Existing frameworks fail to integrate technical, economic, social, environmental, and institutional dimensions comprehensively, and lack unified indicators for meaningful comparison. The review calls for more integrated decision-making tools that address the complexity of electrification choices in grid-adjacent rural areas.
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Enabling Sustainable Rural Power: Off-Grid Solar PV as a Diesel Alternative in Tumbang Manjul
This study evaluates a 1,000 kWp standalone solar PV system for the isolated Indonesian region of Tumbang Manjul as a replacement for diesel power generation. The system is technically feasible given strong local solar resources and financially viable, with an electricity cost of IDR 2,014/kWh—far below the current diesel cost of IDR 5,714/kWh. Risk management and project scheduling frameworks ensure structured implementation, while the project reduces annual CO2 emissions by 2,253 tons and advances multiple sustainable development goals.
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Cost–Benefit and Performance Outlook for Off-Grid Solar Solutions in Rural South Cianjur
Off-grid solar power systems offer a viable solution for rural electrification in South Cianjur, Indonesia. Using HOMER Pro modeling, researchers analyzed technical configurations and economic metrics including net present cost, levelized electricity cost, payback period, and return on investment. The analysis confirms that off-grid solar is both sustainable and affordable for remote communities, despite interest rate impacts, and demonstrates potential for scaling to other underserved regions.
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The Value of Off-Grid Renewable Electricity’s Non-Market Benefits in Rural Sumba, Indonesia
Off-grid renewable energy systems in remote areas face sustainability challenges due to limited local technical and financial capacity. This study of a community-managed micro-hydro plant in Indonesia identifies and values non-market social benefits—such as improved health, education, and quality of life—that households receive from electricity access. Using interviews and willingness-to-pay surveys, researchers found these social benefits justify investment even when direct economic returns are weak, arguing that project evaluations should include social value alongside financial metrics.
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Lcoe Reduction in African Off-Grid Rural Microgrids: a Systematic Approach Using Dsm and Innovative Bchp Integration
This paper presents a framework for designing cost-effective off-grid microgrids in rural Africa by combining demand-side management, consumer clustering, and biomass-based combined heat and power systems. The approach reduces electricity costs while enabling microgrid expansion to serve more customers. By strategically applying energy management to productive uses while protecting household consumption, the method maintains affordability and reliability as systems grow, offering practical guidance for rural electrification projects.
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Optimal Sizing of PV Water Pumping System for Off-grid Rural Communities
This paper develops an optimization method for sizing photovoltaic water pumping systems in off-grid rural communities. Using a particle swarm optimization algorithm, researchers determined the optimal configuration of solar panels and water storage tanks for a village in Egypt's Western Desert. The results show that adding a storage tank dramatically reduces water supply failures while keeping costs reasonable, making the system practical for rural areas lacking electricity infrastructure.
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Financial, Infrastructural, and Institutional Barriers to Renewable Energy Adoption in Nigeria’s Off-Grid Rural Communities: Policy Implications and Strategic Solutions
Financial constraints and poor infrastructure significantly block renewable energy adoption in Nigeria's off-grid rural communities, while policy clarity and community participation drive it forward. The study finds that targeted financing, infrastructure investment, capacity building, and coherent regulatory frameworks are essential to accelerate rural energy transitions and achieve energy equity across Nigeria.
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Optimal Design of Rural Off-Grid Power Systems in Japan with Green hydrogen Production and Sales
This paper develops an optimization model for designing 100% renewable off-grid power systems in rural Japan that produce and sell green hydrogen. Using a case study in Hokkaido, the authors show that selling surplus hydrogen—even at zero price—reduces energy costs compared to self-consumption-only designs by lowering required storage capacity. The findings demonstrate that infrequent sales via vehicle transport remain economically viable, offering practical guidance for rural communities pursuing energy independence.
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Village-Scale Off-Grid Solar Microgrids: Advancing Rural Electrification Through Distributed Generation and Storage
This paper designs and evaluates village-scale solar microgrids using distributed generation and storage to provide reliable electricity to rural communities. The system achieves 96.7% efficiency with minimal voltage loss and produces competitive electricity costs. The technology delivers measurable socio-economic benefits including improved healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities, offering a practical solution for rural electrification.
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Methodological Framework for Panel-Data Estimation of Off-Grid System Adoption in Rwandan Rural Communities, 2021–2026
This paper presents a methodological framework for analyzing off-grid energy system adoption in rural Rwanda using panel data from 2021–2026. The authors develop a random-effects probit model to estimate adoption determinants across agricultural households surveyed biennially. Simulation exercises suggest seasonal agricultural income significantly increases adoption likelihood. The framework addresses limitations of cross-sectional studies by capturing temporal dynamics and household-level heterogeneity in technology adoption decisions.
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Comparative Methodologies for Off-Grid Energy System Diagnostics: A Quasi-Experimental Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Rural Ghana
Remote monitoring diagnostics for off-grid solar systems in rural Ghana detected 34% more critical failures per pound spent than technician-led checks, while community-led reporting produced unreliable data despite lower costs. The study compared three diagnostic approaches across 45 communities using quasi-experimental methods. Remote monitoring proved most cost-effective for identifying major faults, though policymakers should combine it with simplified community feedback for comprehensive system assessment.
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Methodological Evaluation of Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems in South Africa: A Panel-Data Estimation of Efficiency Gains in Rural Agriculture
Off-grid solar photovoltaic systems significantly boost technical efficiency in South African smallholder farming by 18.2 percentage points. Using panel-data econometric methods with stochastic frontier analysis, the study isolates the causal effect of PV adoption on farm productivity, finding the largest gains in irrigation and post-harvest processing. The research demonstrates that off-grid solar functions as a capital-enhancing input and recommends integrating targeted PV subsidies into agricultural support programs.
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Dynamic Capability a Strategic Management Perspective for Creating Rural Off-Grid Base of Pyramid Energy Market in India
This paper applies dynamic capability theory to develop off-grid energy solutions for low-income rural markets in India. The authors examine how strategic management approaches enable companies to create and deliver energy innovations to underserved populations in remote areas, addressing both market opportunity and energy access challenges in rural India.
Media stories — 11
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Alaska's energy challenges demand microgrid, storage and national commitment
Alaska's isolated communities face unique energy challenges that differ fundamentally from the interconnected grid serving most of the United States. Over 200 communities operate disconnected microgrids with electricity costs several times the national average due to remote terrain, extreme weather, and small customer bases. The state's largest region depends on declining natural gas supplies and faces transmission constraints. Federal investment at scale is needed to support local generation, fuel supply, and grid modernization.
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Powered Remotely: Microgrids Connect Rural Communities with Sustainable Energy Security
Microgrids are bringing energy independence to rural and remote communities by integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind with battery storage and smart control systems. These localized power networks reduce dependence on aging national grid infrastructure, lower energy costs, and create local economic opportunities through construction and maintenance jobs while enabling communities to sell surplus power back to utilities.
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Empowering Rural Areas: Microgrid Initiatives in Developing Countries
Microgrids—local electricity networks powered by renewable resources—enable rural communities in developing countries to generate and distribute their own energy independently. Examples from Cambodia, Japan, and Yemen demonstrate how microgrids provide reliable power for healthcare, water treatment, and lighting. Success requires community engagement, maintenance planning, and strategic investment in priority needs like healthcare infrastructure.
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Connected countryside: smart tech is recharging rural Europe
The EU-funded AURORAL project deployed a shared digital platform across seven rural regions to help communities build smart services tailored to local needs. From school transport apps in Finnish Lapland to dairy farm monitoring in Italy and biomass energy coordination in Catalonia, the open-source infrastructure lets rural areas innovate without building systems from scratch, improving efficiency and sustainability.
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Central and Eastern Europe join forces to advance sustainable bioeconomies through the BIOEAST initiative
Eleven Central and Eastern European countries launched BIOEAST to build sustainable, knowledge-based bioeconomies in rural areas. The initiative develops national bioeconomy strategies, strengthens research capacity, and creates value-added chains across agriculture, forestry, energy and food systems. Working groups and digital platforms connect governments, researchers and local actors to drive rural innovation and job creation.
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Uganda: African Development Bank approves €93.9 million to expand last-mile power connections under UREAP Phases I & II
The African Development Bank approved €7.33 million in additional financing to complete compensation payments for people affected by Uganda's Rural Electricity Access Project Phase I, which has connected 137,770 households to the grid. The bank simultaneously approved Phase II with €104.39 million in total funding to construct distribution networks and deliver 259,723 new connections, bringing electricity access to nearly 1.18 million people across rural and peri-urban areas.
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Tech Trends in Kenya in 2026
Kenya is adopting six major technology trends in 2026: generative AI (with 42% of internet users using ChatGPT), digital finance embedded in everyday apps achieving 93% mobile money penetration, AI-powered agritech tools advising farmers via SMS and WhatsApp, emerging robotics in education and service sectors, green technology powering data centers with renewable energy, and personalized data recaps on social platforms. These innovations reshape how Kenyans work, farm, and access financial services.
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Nigeria Steps Up Rural Electrification
Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency announced major progress in expanding electricity access to unserved communities. The government is deploying 1,350 mini-grids through a $750 million renewable energy project to reach 17.5 million people. Over 900 mini-grids are already rolling out nationwide. Nigeria completed a national electrification mapping exercise identifying 150,000 communities and their power status, enabling tailored solutions for each area.
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Brazil's ag sector responds to very tough moment with innovation
Brazil's agriculture sector faces severe economic pressures including high interest rates and low commodity prices, with 8.3% of farmers delinquent on payments. Rather than retreat, the sector diversified export markets and expanded into new regions, growing beef exports 39.9% in 2025. Brazilian agriculture also drives innovation in biofuels and bio-methane production, converting agricultural residues into sustainable energy and animal feed.
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German State Pledges €1.6M to Expand Hydrogen Output for Mobility Supply
A German state government committed €1.6 million to expand hydrogen production for transportation applications. The funding supports infrastructure development to increase hydrogen supply for mobility solutions, advancing the region's clean energy transition and reducing dependence on fossil fuels for transport.
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Fossil-fuel subsidies and high costs stall energy transition across rural Indonesia
A new report reveals that household solar energy adoption across Indonesia's 84,000 villages declined 26% between 2021 and 2024, despite cheaper technology. High installation costs, fossil fuel subsidies, and maintenance challenges in remote areas—particularly eastern Indonesia—are blocking the energy transition. Street lighting adoption increased, but household renewable energy use fell significantly.
Organizations — 3
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International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
IRENA is a global intergovernmental agency that supports countries in transitioning to renewable energy systems. The agency provides data, analyses, and policy guidance on renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, bioenergy, and ocean energy. IRENA works to advance energy access and security in rural and remote areas through the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions that support sustainable development and economic resilience.
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African Development Bank Group
Multilateral development finance institution serving Africa, owned by 81 member countries. The Bank's Feed Africa strategy and rural infrastructure programs invest in agricultural transformation, rural electrification, and digital connectivity across the continent, with particular focus on smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain development.
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Ryan Institute, University of Galway
Research institute at the University of Galway focused on the intersection of environment, marine sciences, and energy. Affiliated with the Whitaker Institute and other Galway centres, the Ryan Institute hosts research on rural development, peripheral economies, and sustainable communities — particularly in the Atlantic margin and rural Ireland.