The Role of Open Access Data in Geospatial Electrification Planning and the Achievement of SDG7. An OnSSET-Based Case Study for Malawi

Korkovelos, Alexandros; Khavari, Babak; Sahlberg, Andreas; Howells, Mark; Arderne, Christopher

doi:10.3390/en12071395

Cited by 73 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…Several technical assessments have been carried out for SSA (Korkovelos et al, 2018;Ebhota & Inambao, 2017;Kaunda et al, 2012), highlighting the significant potential (e.g., 9.9 GW in the Southern African Power Pool, and 5.7, 5.6, and 3.9 GW in the Central, Eastern, and Western African Power Pools, respectively). Leastcost techno-economic electrification models then show (Mentis et al, 2017b,a;Korkovelos et al, 2019) that these technologies can be the cheapest option to provide power to mini-grids in a number of settlements throughout SSA. Yet, little research has hitherto been performed to assess the reliability and vulnerability of such small-scale technologies to long-lived changes in the discharge or short-lived disruptions.…”

Section: Literature Review Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydropower dependency and climate change in sub-Saharan Africa: A nexus framework and evidence-based review

Falchetta

Gernaat

Hunt

et al. 2019

Journal of Cleaner Production

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In sub-Saharan Africa, 160 million grid-connected electricity consumers live in countries where hydropower accounts for over 50% of total power supply. A warmer climate with more frequent and intense extremes could result in supply reliability issues. Here, (i) a robust framework to highlight the interdependencies between hydropower, water availability, and climate change is proposed, (ii) the state-of-the art literature on the projected impacts of climate change on hydropower in sub-Saharan Africa is reviewed, and (iii) supporting evidence on past trends and current pathways of power mix diversification, drought incidence, and climate change projections is provided. We find that only few countries have pursued a diversification strategy away from hydropower over the last three decades, while others' expansion plans will reinforce the dependency. This will occur irrespective of the fact that some of the largest river basins have experienced a significant drying during the last century. Agreement is found on likely positive impacts of climate change on East Africa's hydropower potential, negative impacts in West and Southern Africa, and substantial uncertainty in Central Africa. Irrespective of the absolute change in gross technical potential, more frequent and intense extremes are projected. One possible paradigm to increase resilience and fulfil the pledges of the Paris Agreement is a synergetic planning and management of hydropower and variable renewables.

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Section: Literature Review Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydropower dependency and climate change in sub-Saharan Africa: A nexus framework and evidence-based review

Falchetta

Gernaat

Hunt

et al. 2019

Journal of Cleaner Production

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“…This study has utilised and built upon an established methodology [26,43], which follows a three stage process to assess the market for solar microgrids in Malawi, namely: learning from existing initiatives, quantifying the potential market, and mapping the microgrid ecosystem.…”

Section: Solar Microgrid Market Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Malawi [26] specifically for small scale wind power systems. A similar geospatial study, using the OnSSET tool, has been conducted for Malawi by Korkovelos et al [43] and other studies have been conducted in a number of other countries (including Ethiopia [44], Burkino Faso [45], Ghana [46] and Nigeria [47], making up a growing body of literature and research regarding geo-spatial technical assessments and planning support methodologies. The methodology presented here contributes to discussions by focusing in greater detail on the potential for deployment of microgrids of different sizes, explicitly considering the potential for hybrid generation (i.e., Solar-Diesel hybrids), and by quantifying the required investment (CAPEX and OPEX) per person by location.…”

Section: Solar Microgrid Market Assessment Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Market for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Microgrids in Malawi

2020

J Sustain Res

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Access to energy is widely acknowledged as an enabler for development, and a lack of energy is a barrier to economic empowerment. Currently just 12% of the Malawian population have access to the national electricity grid, with rural electrification at only 5.3%. Solar photovoltaic (PV) microgrids offer increased access levels over pico-solar systems and solarhome systems, and are a successful rural electrification method in many areas of Africa. This paper addresses the research question of: "what is the market potential for solar microgrids in Malawi?" through a multidisciplinary methodology and outlines necessary steps to overcome the key risks and barriers for implementation nationally. Case studies of existing initiatives in Kenya and Rwanda have been used to inform a system and business design appropriate to Malawi. The market potential of PV microgrids in Malawi has been identified and quantified through a novel approach combining microgrid optimisation software HOMERPro with Geographic Information Systems tools. The methodology also includes an energy ecosystem mapping exercise to identify and frame influencing parameters affecting microgrid implementation nationally. The findings show that solar microgrids are cost competitive with diesel microgrids in all locations in Malawi, although the addition of dispatchable diesel generation may provide economic benefits in larger, more urban systems. To implement solar microgrids would cost approximately $210 per person and average operational expenses of $17 per person per year. It was determined that 42% of Malawians may be most cost effectively served by existing infrastructure, 37% would be best served by microgrids and 21% would be best served by solar-home systems.

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“…Therefore, the availability and/or suitability of natural resources, technologies, supply chains, income, demand, and cultural aspects to energy and environmental regulation all need to be accounted for in the design phase. New computational methods (earth observation, modelling techniques [61,107]) and information technology solutions (real-time monitoring, control and payment methods [108]) allow planners and analysts today to explore quantitatively and qualitatively a broad array of possible scenarios. They can also help improving the ability to measure, monitor and manage production and purchases that have been key to developing dynamic business solutions.…”

Section: Develop Local and Adaptable Solutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under this premise, planning authorities must develop electrification master plans that clearly define the role of mini-grids in delivering universal energy access, quantify-to the extent possible-their contribution in the electrification mix and create a roadmap for their integration in the wider energy systems planning in the country/region. Notably, there is a suite of open access tools that can be used to support such activities as indicated by [61]. Public actors (government and/or regulators) must build upon this roadmap and create a clear and conductive policy framework that allows its implementation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Retrospective Analysis of Energy Access with a Focus on the Role of Mini-Grids

et al. 2020

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Achieving universal access to electricity by 2030 is a key part of the Agenda for Sustainable Development, and has its own Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 7.1. This is because electricity services are required for almost all aspects of a modern economy, from the cooling of vaccines to irrigation pumping, to manufacturing and running a business. The achievement of SDG 7.1 will require a thoughtful mix of policy, finance, and technology to be designed and implemented at scale. Yet, the pressing need for an electrification ramp-up is not unprecedented. Many countries (now considered "industrialized") faced similar challenges about a century ago. Although the existing literature covers a great deal of power systems evolution, there is a gap around the specific role and impact of small, isolated power systems in the early stages of electricity uptake. In this paper, we provide insights based on the review of the historical electrification efforts in four (now middle and high-income) countries. The drivers and context of electrification efforts in early stages are described. Those focus particularly on the role of dispersed, small-scale generation systems (mini-grids). Our analysis shows that electrification follows four loosely defined phases, namely: pilot projects, technological roll-out, economic expansion, and social scale-up. We report a selection of historical mistakes and advances that offer lessons of striking importance for today´s energy access efforts, particularly in regards to the development of mini-grids. We find that today, as historically, multi-stakeholder (e.g., planners, regulators, developers, investors, third party actors) collaboration is key and can help build locally adaptable, economically sustainable and community compatible mini-grids that can accelerate-and lower the societal costs of-universal access to electricity.

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The Role of Open Access Data in Geospatial Electrification Planning and the Achievement of SDG7. An OnSSET-Based Case Study for Malawi

Cited by 73 publications

References 40 publications

Hydropower dependency and climate change in sub-Saharan Africa: A nexus framework and evidence-based review

Hydropower dependency and climate change in sub-Saharan Africa: A nexus framework and evidence-based review

Assessing the Market for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Microgrids in Malawi

A Retrospective Analysis of Energy Access with a Focus on the Role of Mini-Grids

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