Comparative analysis between distributed generation and centralized electric power system to serve the inhabitants of remote areas of Brazil

Abstract

To enable electricity to remote inhabitants, geographically far from urban centers or rural neighborhoods is to contribute to the reduction of poverty, illiteracy, social inequality and to favor the permanence of people in the countryside, where he is included culturally. This study aimed to analyze the deployment of three energy sources, one being centralized, and two energy sources distributed from the perspective of the implementation cost and operating cost, as well as the social and environmental advantages and disadvantages of such energy sources such as photovoltaics, petrol generator and single-phase rural distribution network. The intention was not to make a case study with defined geographical positioning, but a more generic study in order to cover several Brazilian regions. The main results indicated that all energy sources have their benefits and their negative impacts; however, the decision to promote energy policy of access to universal energy cannot be limited only by financial nature, because in order to seek a sustainable society, it is necessary to adopt actions in a holistic way, covering social, environmental, energy security and water security. The conclusion was that the system with photovoltaic generation was more advantageous, among the systems evaluated.