Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application
There is a growing interest in the application of microgrids around the world because of their potential for achieving a flexible, reliable, efficient and smart electrical grid system and supplying energy to off-grid communities, including their economic benefits. Several research studies have exami...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/2/432 |
| _version_ | 1811187758547337216 |
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| author | Daniel Akinyele Juri Belikov Yoash Levron |
| author_facet | Daniel Akinyele Juri Belikov Yoash Levron |
| author_sort | Daniel Akinyele |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There is a growing interest in the application of microgrids around the world because of their potential for achieving a flexible, reliable, efficient and smart electrical grid system and supplying energy to off-grid communities, including their economic benefits. Several research studies have examined the application issues of microgrids. However, a lack of in-depth considerations for the enabling planning conditions has been identified as a major reason why microgrids fail in several off-grid communities. This development requires research efforts that consider better strategies and framework for sustainable microgrids in remote communities. This paper first presents a comprehensive review of microgrid technologies and their applications. It then proposes the STEEP model to examine critically the failure factors based on the social, technical, economic, environmental and policy (STEEP) perspectives. The model details the key dimensions and actions necessary for addressing the challenge of microgrid failure in remote communities. The study uses remote communities within Nigeria, West Africa, as case studies and demonstrates the need for the STEEP approach for better understanding of microgrid planning and development. Better insights into microgrid systems are expected to address the drawbacks and improve the situation that can lead to widespread and sustainable applications in off-grid communities around the world in the future. The paper introduces the sustainable planning framework (SPF) based on the STEEP model, which can form a general basis for planning microgrids in any remote location. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:07:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-25f37b5c873d4d2a808e9933d992afdd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T14:07:45Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-25f37b5c873d4d2a808e9933d992afdd2022-12-22T04:19:49ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732018-02-0111243210.3390/en11020432en11020432Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model ApplicationDaniel Akinyele0Juri Belikov1Yoash Levron2Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, IsraelDepartment of Computer Systems, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15a, 12618 Tallinn, EstoniaAndrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, IsraelThere is a growing interest in the application of microgrids around the world because of their potential for achieving a flexible, reliable, efficient and smart electrical grid system and supplying energy to off-grid communities, including their economic benefits. Several research studies have examined the application issues of microgrids. However, a lack of in-depth considerations for the enabling planning conditions has been identified as a major reason why microgrids fail in several off-grid communities. This development requires research efforts that consider better strategies and framework for sustainable microgrids in remote communities. This paper first presents a comprehensive review of microgrid technologies and their applications. It then proposes the STEEP model to examine critically the failure factors based on the social, technical, economic, environmental and policy (STEEP) perspectives. The model details the key dimensions and actions necessary for addressing the challenge of microgrid failure in remote communities. The study uses remote communities within Nigeria, West Africa, as case studies and demonstrates the need for the STEEP approach for better understanding of microgrid planning and development. Better insights into microgrid systems are expected to address the drawbacks and improve the situation that can lead to widespread and sustainable applications in off-grid communities around the world in the future. The paper introduces the sustainable planning framework (SPF) based on the STEEP model, which can form a general basis for planning microgrids in any remote location.http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/2/432energy planningenergy demandrenewable energymicrogridsystems failuresustainability |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Akinyele Juri Belikov Yoash Levron Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application Energies energy planning energy demand renewable energy microgrid systems failure sustainability |
| title | Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application |
| title_full | Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application |
| title_fullStr | Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application |
| title_short | Challenges of Microgrids in Remote Communities: A STEEP Model Application |
| title_sort | challenges of microgrids in remote communities a steep model application |
| topic | energy planning energy demand renewable energy microgrid systems failure sustainability |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/2/432 |
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