System size and loss of power supply probability reduction through Peer-to-Peer Power Sharing in DC Microgrids

Abstract

Access to electricity improves the socioeconomic status of off-grid communities. One of the predominant strategies for electrifying remote areas of developing countries is through standalone solar home systems (SHS), but these systems are sub-optimal from an energy utilization perspective. Storage and generation resources are generally oversized to ensure availability and reduce the loss of power supply probability (LPSP), which increases the upfront costs significantly. Peer-to-peer (P2P) power-sharing, on the other hand, allows resource balancing leading to a reduction in cost and LPSP. In this work, we formulate a mechanism for P2P sharing implemented through power electronic converters and a communication interface. Results show that sharing enables better energy utilization, reduction of the overall LPSP by up to 50%, and the LCOE for subsistence level consumers by up to 65.8% compared to typical standalone SHS. This sharing element is likely to reduce the barrier to entry for many offgrid consumers with access to more viable electricity.