In this section
@article{Beath:2021:10.1016/j.rset.2021.100003,
author = {Beath, H and Hauser, M and Sandwell, P and Gambhir, A and Few, S and Chambon, CL and Nelson, J},
doi = {10.1016/j.rset.2021.100003},
journal = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition},
pages = {1--14},
title = {The cost and emissions advantages of incorporating anchor loads into solar mini-grids in India},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rset.2021.100003},
volume = {1},
year = {2021}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Renewables-based mini-grids have the potential to improve electricity access with lower emissions and better reliability than national grids. However, these systems have a challenging cost to revenue ratio, hindering their implementation. Combining residential loads with an anchor load, a relatively large non-domestic user, can help to improve mini-grid economics. Using measured electricity demand data from India and energy modelling, we assess the cost and emissions advantages of integrating health clinics as anchor loads within domestic solar mini-grids. For comparison, we also assess the ability of the national grid to meet our demand scenarios using monitored grid data. We apply a scenario-based approach, using separate domestic and anchor load demand profiles, and both in combination; we test meeting two levels of energy demand, 95% and 100%; and compare systems using PV and batteries, diesel, and hybrid generation. We find that the national grid has poor availability, at just over 50% at the most comparable monitoring site; and that it would meet a lower fraction of energy demand for our anchor load scenarios than the domestic only ones. For the off-grid systems, we find substantial cost and emissions reductions with anchor loads relative to demand scenarios without anchor loads. At 95% of demand met, we find PV and battery systems are 14-22% cheaper than diesel-only systems, with 10 times lower carbon intensity. Our findings illustrate the role off-grid systems can play in the provision of reliable low-carbon electricity and highlight the advantages of incorporating anchor loads like health centres into such systems.
AU - Beath,H
AU - Hauser,M
AU - Sandwell,P
AU - Gambhir,A
AU - Few,S
AU - Chambon,CL
AU - Nelson,J
DO - 10.1016/j.rset.2021.100003
EP - 14
PY - 2021///
SN - 2667-095X
SP - 1
TI - The cost and emissions advantages of incorporating anchor loads into solar mini-grids in India
T2 - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rset.2021.100003
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667095X21000039?via%3Dihub
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/91515
VL - 1
ER -
Jenny Nelson
Professor of Physics
1007, Huxley Building
South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ