Mini-grids

Benefits

There are many potential benefits of mini-grids ranging from technical and environmental to social and financial advantages. Mini-grids can be used in rural areas and are often more efficient and cost effective than other types of power systems. They can also strengthen the community while having less impact on the environment.^[1]

Technical Benefits

The technology used in mini-grids provides various benefits. Mini-grids are relatively quick and easy to implement in areas without electricity. They can also be used to improve existing electrical grids that are ineffective or unreliable by providing additional power or by replacing them completely.^[1] Most hybrid electrical systems contain at least some redundancy, but mini-grids are organized to prevent this and enhance productive. Mini-grids are also more efficient because they can provide a low load at night when less electricity is needed.^[2] Unlike conventional energy generation, mini-grids reduce the energy lost at night time when less energy is required by the community. Larger electrical systems such as diesel generators cannot offer this because they are inefficient at low loads and most often continue operating at higher loads regardless of the amount of electricity needed. The use of mini-grids also decreases the amount of time the generators are run at low loads thereby increasing efficiency of the entire system.^[1]

An additional benefit mini-grids provide is that they do no require a traditional fuel source as many larger scale electric grids do. This means they can be easily implemented in areas without access to diesel or other fossil fuels.^[2] This reduces operating costs and reliance on often fluctuating fuel prices.^[1] Mini-grids also require less maintenance than larger electrical grids. Since they reduce the hours that diesel generators are used at low loads, generators last longer and do not need to be replaced as often. Because of the rural areas where mini-grids are typically used, there is often little access to supplies or technicians if system maintenance is needed.^[1]

Financial Benefits

Other than the reduced cost of fuel, mini-grids offer other financial advantages. Mini-grids can be run by a combination of energy sources, which means they have a lower levelized cost of electricity.^[1] Mini-grids are also able to spread electrical storage across many users which reduces the cost when compared to off-grid or solar home systems where electrical storage is concentrated in one area.^[1] Mini-grids are also more profitable than other types of electric grids. Due to their improved electrical services and decreased malfunctions such as blackouts, customers are more satisfied overall, and thus willing to pay for the services mini-grids provide, leading to an increase in revenue.^[1]

Environmental Benefits

Mini-grids are much more environmentally friendly than other types of grids. Since they reduce the need for diesel generators, greenhouse gas emissions are greatly reduced. This also improves air and noise pollution in the areas mini-grids are used.^[1]

Social Benefits

In addition to their technical and economic advantages, mini-grids also benefit the people and communities they serve. In order for many businesses and organizations to function, they must have working and efficient electricity. Mini-grids provide the necessary services for businesses to succeed in developing areas.^[1] This leads to the creation of more jobs and an increase in income for the community. Improved electricity can also benefit healthcare technology and institutions in the areas and lead to a higher standard of living.^[1] The electricity mini-grids provide also allows for more opportunities for social gatherings and events which strengthen the community. Improved electricity also creates the opportunity to construct more buildings and expand the community.^[1]

Risks

Although mini-grids have many benefits, there are also some drawbacks. There are some risks associated with their technology and organization as well as risks to the community they are implemented in.

Technical Risks

One of the main technical risks associated with mini-grids is the load uncertainty. It is often difficult to estimate the load size, growth, and schedule which can lead to the system running with lower efficiency and higher cost. It is also difficult to support loads that are constantly changing over time, as they typically are when using mini-grids.^[1] There is also a risk to power quality when using mini-grids. Integrating photovoltaic devices and batteries can be disruptive to the existing grid and can cause it to become unstable.^[1] Another technical drawback of using mini-grids is that failure of hardware in one part of the grid could effect the entire system. If one section if the grid is damaged, the rest of the grid could fail as well. This is a risk that exists with any type of grid, however the regions where mini-grids are typically used are poor rural areas with less access to maintenance services so the effects are exacerbated.^[1] While helpful for energy storage, the batteries used in mini-grids also have risks of their own. They are usually expensive and as they age they have a large influence on the energy that is supplied to the grid. If the batteries are not replaced at the correct time, the energy provided by the whole grid could be decreased.^[1]

Organizational Risks

Because of their complex nature, there are a few organizational risks associated with using mini-grids. In order to be effective, mini-grids must have effective business models to support their operations. There needs to be a steady flow of revenue to keep the business up and running and in order to keep providing customers with electricity.^[1] Due to the remote and underdeveloped locations where mini-grids are typically implemented, it is difficult to transport supplies and skilled personnel to the areas they are needed. It is especially difficult when installing the system and when repairs are needed.^[1]

Social Risks

Implementing a mini-grid into a community takes meticulous planning and cooperation between the people living in the area as well as the technicians installing the devices. There also needs to be communication among the community with regards to allotted energy quotas. Each user is typically assigned an energy quota to be used over a certain amount of time.^[1] If some users over-consume the electricity, this leaves a deficit for the other users and could disrupt the entire system. The community must work in cooperation in order for the mini-grid to work successfully.^[1]

Economics

Mini-grids provide communities with a reliable source of energy as well as many benefits to their economy. It is often too expensive for government electrical companies to attempt to bring electricity to undeveloped areas, and there is less potential for profit in these areas with poor economies.^[3] Since mini-grids can operate separately from the larger national grids, private companies can implement them and provide rural communities with electricity more quickly than state-owned companies.^[3]

Case Study

A case study performed in the Leh District of India demonstrates the effects of mini-grids on the economy. Since the operational costs of mini-grids are less than those of diesel and hydro generators, the companies that run them are able to bring in more revenue.^[4] This increase in revenue means the companies can increase the salaries of their workers. In turn, the workers are able to spend more in the local businesses and the economy is allowed to grow.^[4] Furthermore, mini-grids provide opportunities for the local economy to grow and improve. Businesses can provide more and better services with improved electricity and expand their organizations.^[4]

Evaluating an Article

"Zodiac" article

The "Name" section seems disconnected from the rest of the article. I would suggest adding more information connecting the origins of the word to the overall topic or possibly removing this section. It could also be condensed into a sentence and added to the introduction. Angelina1209 (talk) 20:27, 22 October 2018 (UTC)Angelina1209

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t Hazelton, James; Bruce, Anna; MacGill, Iain (July 2014). "A review of the potential benefits and risks of photovoltaic hybrid mini-grid systems". Renewable Energy. 67: 222–229. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2013.11.026. ISSN 0960-1481.
^ ^a ^b Karki, Nava Raj; Karki, Rajesh; Verma, Ajit Kumar; Choi, Jaeseok, eds. (2017). "Sustainable Power Systems". Reliable and Sustainable Electric Power and Energy Systems Management. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-2230-2. ISSN 2510-2524.
^ ^a ^b "Mini-grids may be the best way to illuminate the "bottom billion"". The Economist. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
^ ^a ^b ^c Thirumurthy, N.; Harrington, L.; Martin, D.; Thomas, L.; Takpa, J.; Gergan, R. (2012-09-01). "Opportunities and Challenges for Solar Minigrid Development in Rural India". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[:0-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t Hazelton, James; Bruce, Anna; MacGill, Iain (July 2014). "A review of the potential benefits and risks of photovoltaic hybrid mini-grid systems". Renewable Energy. 67: 222–229. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2013.11.026. ISSN 0960-1481.

[:2-2] Karki, Nava Raj; Karki, Rajesh; Verma, Ajit Kumar; Choi, Jaeseok, eds. (2017). "Sustainable Power Systems". Reliable and Sustainable Electric Power and Energy Systems Management. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-2230-2. ISSN 2510-2524.

[:3-3] "Mini-grids may be the best way to illuminate the "bottom billion"". The Economist. Retrieved 2018-10-26.

[:1-4] Thirumurthy, N.; Harrington, L.; Martin, D.; Thomas, L.; Takpa, J.; Gergan, R. (2012-09-01). "Opportunities and Challenges for Solar Minigrid Development in Rural India". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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