How Hybridization of Energy Storage Technologies Can Provide Additional Flexibility and Competitiveness to Microgrids in the Context of Developing Countries

Linda Barelli, Gianni Bidini, Paolo Cherubini, Andrea Micangeli, Dario Pelosi and Carlo Tacconelli
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Linda Barelli: Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, via G. Duranti 1/4A 06125-Perugia, Italy
Gianni Bidini: Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, via G. Duranti 1/4A 06125-Perugia, Italy
Paolo Cherubini: DESTEC, Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Andrea Micangeli: DIMA, University of Rome ”Sapienza”, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy
Dario Pelosi: Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, via G. Duranti 1/4A 06125-Perugia, Italy
Carlo Tacconelli: DIMA, University of Rome ”Sapienza”, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-22

Abstract: Hybrid microgrids, integrating renewable energy sources and energy storage, are key in extending energy access in the remote areas of developing countries, in a sustainably way and in providing a good quality of service. Their extensive development faces a financing gap, having a high capital expenditure (CAPEX) also due to high storage costs. In the present work, a case study of a Ugandan microgrid was used to compare various battery technologies employed on their own and in a combination with a flywheel, in terms of their durability and the overall levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the plant. Simulations show how hybrid storage configurations result in a lower LCOE for the current load profile of the microgrid and even more so for two reference residential and industrial load scenarios, suggesting this would remain the best solution even accounting for future socio-economic development. The resulting LCOE for hybrid storage configurations is lower than the average values reported for microgrid projects and represents a promising solution to speed up the development of such electrification initiatives.

Keywords: Rural Electrification; Microgrid; Energy storage; Technologies Hybridization; Renewable energy; sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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