Explore the vast range of titles available.

This book discusses relevant microgrid technologies in the context of integrating renewable energy and also addresses challenging issues. The authors summarize long term academic and research outcomes and contributions. In addition, this book is influenced by the authors' practical experiences on microgrids (MGs), electric network monitoring, and control and power electronic systems. A thorough discussion of the basic principles of the MG modeling and operating issues is provided. The MG structure, types, operating modes, modelling, dynamics, and control levels are covered. Recent advances in DC microgrids, virtual synchronousgenerators, MG planning and energy management are examined. The physical constraints and engineering aspects of the MGs are covered, and developed robust and intelligent control strategies are discussed using real time simulations and experimental studies.

Decentralised renewable energy (RE) systems such as solar PV mini-grids (MG) are considered to be a cornerstone for the strategic achievement of the UN’s energy access goals in the developing world. Many of these systems implemented however face substantial technical, financial and social sustainability challenges which are also a recurring theme in the relevant literature. MG analyses however often lack detailed technical or financial data or apply ‘silo-approaches’ as a comprehensive review of MG case study literature presented in this article reveals. Consequently, this study aims to enhance the understanding of RE MG sustainability in the developing context based on the integrated evaluation of the technical, financial and social dimensions of MG operation through empirical data from community surveys on energy use from Uganda and Zambia and two in-depth MG case studies from Zambia. By presenting detailed technical and financial data in combination with energy consumer perception, the study aims to close existing data gaps on sustainable RE MG operation and offers an approach to evaluate and optimise the operational sustainability of an MG in its individual local context. The article finds that the complex rural community ecosystem is a central, but yet undervalued determinant of MG sustainability in rural developing contexts. The mismatch between energy affordability and MG tariffs threatens MG sustainability and the scaling of energy access projects if not addressed specifically during project development and implementation. Consequently, the article calls for a strategic inclusion of community-ecosystem parameters and MG planning based on realistic energy affordability levels and an added value approach that includes dynamic MG financing mechanisms and targeted measures to generate added value through energy consumption as integral parts of RE MG projects.

<p><b>A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MICROGRID SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN TOPOLOGIES, CONTROL STRATEGIES AND INTEGRATION APPROACHES</b> <p><i>Microgrid Planning and Design</i> offers a detailed and authoritative guide to microgrid systems. The editors &#150; noted experts on the topic &#150; explore what is involved in the design of a microgrid, examine the process of mapping designs to accommodate available technologies and reveal how to determine the efficacy of the final outcome. This practical book is a compilation of collaborative research results drawn from a community of experts in 8 different universities over a 6-year period. <p><i>Microgrid Planning and Design</i> contains a review of microgrid benchmarks for the electric power system and covers the mathematical modeling that can be used during the microgrid design processes. The authors include real-world case studies, validated benchmark systems and the components needed to plan and design an effective microgrid system. This important guide: <ul> <li>Offers a practical and up-to-date book that examines leading edge technologies related to the smart grid</li> <li>Covers in detail all aspects of a microgrid from conception to completion</li> <li>Explores a modeling approach that combines power and communication systems</li> <li>Recommends modeling details that are appropriate for the type of study to be performed</li> <li>Defines typical system studies and requirements associated with the operation of the microgrid</li> </ul> <p>Written for graduate students and professionals in the electrical engineering industry, <i>Microgrid Planning and Design</i> is a guide to smart microgrids that can help with their strategic energy objectives such as increasing reliability, efficiency, autonomy and reducing greenhouse gases.

Reliable and efficient low-voltage distribution networks are critical for scaling mini-grid deployment and advancing universal electricity access, yet prevailing design practices remain manual, heuristic, and difficult to scale. This study presents a fully automated workflow that integrates geospatial feature extraction, distribution network layout, conductor sizing, mixed-integer linear programming-based phase balancing, nonlinear AC power flow validation, and system costing to generate rapid, standard-compliant techno-economic designs for greenfield mini-grid sites. The methodology is demonstrated across 62 rural sites to confirm practicality for large-scale rural electrification planning. Designs were evaluated for single-phase, three-phase, and hybrid low-voltage configurations. When design constraints were relaxed, single-phase networks achieved the lowest median voltage drop (~0.8%) and technical losses (~0.6%); however, under realistic voltage-drop and ampacity limits, compliance relied on conductor oversizing, resulting in low utilization (median loading <20%) and substantially higher costs. Fewer than half of the sites met construction feasibility limits for parallel conductors, and single-phase designs were typically 3–4× more expensive than multi-phase alternatives. Multi-phase layouts delivered comparable technical performance at significantly lower cost. Phase-balancing optimization reduced voltage drop by 15–20% and current unbalance by ~50%, enabling loss reduction and increased load accommodation. Overall, the results demonstrate that automated low-voltage network design can replace manual drafting with scalable, data-driven workflows that reduce soft costs while improving technical performance, constructability, and investment readiness.

Universal electricity access remains elusive in Lesotho, with only a 53% connection rate. This statistic highlights a significant urban–rural gap of 60% to 18%, favouring urban areas mainly served by the main grid. The rugged terrain renders extending the grid to most rural areas impractical. To address this, the energy policy and electrification master plans aim to leverage abundant renewable energy resources and deploy mini-grids in rural regions. However, progress has been slow since the first advanced mini-grid projects began in 2018. The paper reviewed policy and framework documents from 2010 to 2025 that are pertinent to the deployment of mini-grids. It employed a hybrid qualitative-quantitative approach of SWOT-TOWS-AHP, which is rarely applied in energy policy analysis. It used the SWOT analysis tool to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats faced in implementing sustainable renewable energy mini-grids. This was followed by the TOWS-AHP (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, and Strengths-Analytical Hierarchy Process) method to develop strategies that utilize strengths and seize opportunities while tackling weaknesses and mitigating threats. These strategies were ranked based on their potential impact on mini-grid deployment. Despite supporting policies for mini-grids, the lack of political will from the government has emerged as a major obstacle. The three top strategies suggested to accelerate the deployment of sustainable mini-grids and advance efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal no. 7 by 2030 are establishing a mini-grid financing fund, reviewing the mini-grid regulatory framework, and reforming rural electrification institutions to improve coordination and collaboration. The top strategies carry weights of 8.5%, 7.8%, and 7.7%, respectively.

The lack of access to electricity of more than 1.1 billion people around the world remains a major developmental challenge and Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as well as Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) have set a target of universal electrification by 2030. Various studies have identified mini-grid-based electrification as a possible solution. There is a growing body of literature available now that has explored the feasibility, practical application and policy interventions required to support mini-grids. Through a review of available literature, this paper explores whether mini-grids can be a solution for the base of the pyramid (BoP) market and the challenges faced in deploying mini-grids in such markets. Interventions to support the mini-grid deployment are also discussed. The paper finds that the mini-grids are targeting the BoP market but the business is not attractive in profitability terms and requires financial support. Lack of regulatory clarity and non-coordinated policies affect the financial viability of projects, which requires careful support. Mini-grid electrification has hardly been embedded in rural development agenda and hence they have not contributed significantly to livelihood generation. Careful realignment of policies, regulatory frameworks and support systems can better support mini-grid deployment in developing countries.

As developing countries like Nigeria strive to reduce carbon emissions while expanding energy access, mini-grids’ role has gained recognition. However, limited analysis exists regarding the role of interconnected mini-grids (IMGs) in the transition to net-zero emissions electricity generation systems. Here, we employ a bottom-up energy system optimization modeling framework to explore the techno-economic implications of deploying IMGs in net-zero emissions electricity systems, using Nigeria as a case study. We find that IMGs can contribute to modest system-level cost reductions in net-zero emissions electricity systems. IMGs can help minimize stranded electricity generation assets and decrease the reliance on negative emissions technologies in scenarios aiming for net-zero emissions electricity systems by 2050. In scenarios where the net-zero target is delayed until 2070, the widespread deployment of comparatively affordable cleaner generators and the phaseout of fossil fuel power plants may render negative emission technologies unnecessary. The model results further indicate that IMGs can help reduce the use of captive diesel/gasoline gen-sets quickly, and nuclear power has a role in the electricity generation mix in all net-zero emissions scenarios. Moreover, in order to achieve the median per capita electricity consumption observed in high-income countries by the year 2050, Nigeria must undertake a formidable expansion of its current electricity generation capacity at a rate approximately six times greater than that dictated by a business-as-usual trajectory. The study also provides recommendations to address the policy, regulatory, and financial considerations crucial for implementing IMGs successfully.

Abstract This study investigates the extent of community participation in the implementation of the Upper Blinkwater hybrid mini-grid project in rural South Africa and examines how this participation contributed to the project’s successful implementation and long-term viability. As decentralized renewable energy systems gain prominence in addressing rural energy poverty, evidence shows that their success is closely tied to the quality of local engagement. Using a qualitative case study approach, data from 44 stakeholder interviews were analyzed across four domains of participation: governance, technical engagement, economic inclusion, and social inclusion. The findings revealed varying levels of participation, high in technical and social domains, and moderate in governance and economic inclusion. Community members played active roles in system maintenance, behavioral adaptation, and voluntary infrastructure protection, reinforcing trust and system resilience. However, decision-making influence and formal economic opportunities, particularly for women, remained limited. The study concludes that meaningful participation across multiple domains not only enhances procedural legitimacy but also strengthens local ownership, system functionality, social acceptance, and long-term viability. The findings provide practical guide for policymakers and practitioners on how to design inclusive, and socially grounded rural energy solutions that support both energy access and long-term sustainability. Graphical Abstract Graphical Abstract Lay Summary This study explores how a rural South African community participated in the planning and implementation of a hybrid mini-grid project. It shows that when communities are meaningfully involved from early consultations to technical training the energy system is more likely to succeed and be sustained over time. Community’s involvement helped maintain the system, adjusted their energy use, and protected the infrastructure. The study highlights the importance of community trust, participation, and empowerment in making rural energy solutions work long after installation.

Mini-grids need to imitate the transition path of a traditional grid to maintain their position as a sustainable energy access alternative, while aligning with the objectives of the seventh Sustainable Development Goal. One such strategy is implementing smart-metering solutions to improve business viability and remote monitoring of distributed mini-grid assets. However, selecting smart meters presents a significant challenge for mini-grid operators, primarily due to the installation costs involved and the complexities associated with operating mini-grids in rural areas. Against this backdrop, the current case study’ demonstrates the utility of multi-criteria decision aids, such as stochastic multi-criteria acceptability analysis (SMAA), to assist mini-grid operators in making informed decisions concerning smart-meter selection. In addition, practitioners’ narratives elucidate how implementing smart metering can function as part of mini-grid operations in rural areas. Furthermore, narratives highlight the importance of considering context-specific conditions to avoid the under-utilisation of smart meters.

Ninety percent of the large interior, rural part of Africa is not an abundant user of fossil fuels and is not connected to an electricity grid. This limits habitability and leads to significant migration to larger cities in attempts to improve economic and social welfare, which happens at the cost of its rich cultural diversity by inevitable adaption and mixing of societies. A direct transition from a firewood to an off‐grid renewable electricity age can mitigate this detrimental development. This perspective discusses the interdisciplinary requirements linking cultural, sociological, economic, and technical aspects for a transition to modern life without loss of valuable traditions. Photovoltaic power and wind energy can provide local affordable electricity in off‐grid locations. Intermediate storage for day–night cycles is catered for by novel types of batteries. Purifying and recycling water, refrigerating food and medicine, and benefitting from contact with the world via electronic media permit a tremendous increase in living conditions and significantly lower the pressure of migration into cities. Access to energy is a fundamental requirement for the preservation of the rich cultural diversity with family and tribal bindings, local languages, traditions, and religions, and allows for a more moderate transition to a modern society. Renewable energy can provide the missing electricity in the large off‐grid part of Sub‐Saharan Africa. This leads to tremendously improved habitability and preserves the rich cultural diversity. The main benefit relates to securing jobs, refrigeration of food and medicine, purifying and recycling water, and connecting to the world via electronic media.