Defining a remote village typology to improve the technical standard for off-grid electrification system design

Abstract

Access to affordable and clean energy to the rural communities in the developing nations has been the pivotal aim on a global stage. Universal access to reliable and clean electricity to the ever-increasing global population has directed the governmental bodies to switch towards a decentralized energy access approach. However, the efforts of the nodal agencies around the world have not yielded the desired results. A knowledge gap in terms of a village typology that corresponds to an inappropriate electrification system selection has been identified. A suitable typology for remote villages in developing countries is subsequently defined for rural electrification system classification. Also, amendments to the technical standard IEC/TS 62257-2 for rural electrification are suggested, which is decisive in the techno-economic assessments of microgrids in such contexts.