Energy poverty and lack of access to electricity is a global problem which is recognised in the sustainable development goal 7. Today 1.2 billion people live without access to electricity and most of them are situated in Sub-Saharan Africa where biomass still constitutes the main source of energy. Rural areas are unproportionally affected by this throughout SSA since grid-extension has been slow and most rural dwellers are not connected to any form of electricity grid. Extending the grid to more isolated rural areas may however be economically and politically infeasible which is why off-grid solutions is an attractive solution to close the energy poverty gap. Off-grid solar energy has during recent years been increasingly promoted as viable solution to provide clean, affordable and accessible energy to rural households in SSA. While there is extensive research available on the economic feasibility and socioeconomic impacts of off-grid solar energy, there has been limited research with explicit focus on how livelihoods of rural households in SSA have been impacted from a sustainable livelihood perspective. This case study on Tanzania argues that the sustainable livelihoods perspective is crucial in getting a holistic understanding of how off-grid solar energy has impacted rural households in SSA. Through qualitative interviews with a number of households, businesses and social services in three rural villages located in the Tanga region, this study found that off-grid solar energy overall seemed to have a positive impact on the communities and the livelihoods of individual households. However, some concerns are also raised with the sustainability of off-grid solar energy. While it has great recognised potential and direct impact, some key challenges were identified as issue of energy security for the household and concerns of economic feasibility in the solar energy sector.

Recentemente, muitas mudanças vêm ocorrendo na forma como a energia elétrica é gerada e distribuída, criando com isso oportunidades de utilizar os recursos disponíveis in loco de forma mais eficiente, atuando juntamente com sistemas centralizados convencionais, para o atendimento das necessidades energéticas. Neste contexto, as minirredes de energia são consideradas pontos chaves para melhorar a confiabilidade e a qualidade da energia, aumentar a eficiência do sistema elétrico como um todo, viabilizar aos consumidores finais a possibilidade de uma certa independência da rede e uma participação mais ativa no mercado de energia elétrica. No entanto, a aplicação de tais topologias ainda não superou todas as barreiras para que todos os benefícios possam ser apreciados. Há ainda perguntas a serem respondidas sobre como lidar com as especificidades e os aspectos operacionais de minirredes, tanto em operação normal quanto em operação anômala, que são fundamentais para a sustentabilidade de longo prazo dos sistemas. Este trabalho discute aspectos relacionados à operação de minirredes, tanto em sistemas isolados quanto em sistemas conectados à rede da concessionária. No caso de sistemas isolados, a abordagem leva em consideração os riscos associados aos projetos voltados para eletrificação rural e discute questões não restritas ao projeto inicial, mas também à operação destes tipos de sistemas. No caso de sistemas conectados, são discutidas tendências relacionadas às topologias de utilização destes sistemas para operação conjunta com a rede elétrica. Um algoritmo para controle de minirredes em diferentes níveis hierárquicos é proposto. Este algoritmo serve como base para o controle da plataforma de interação de agentes distribuídos, montada no Laboratório de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos da Universidade de São Paulo para testes em equipamentos reais e para a formação de recursos humanos. / Recently, many changes are taking place in the way energy is generated and distributed, thus creating opportunities to utilize the resources available on site more efficiently, working along with conventional centralized systems, to meet energy needs. In this context, mini-grids are considered key points to improve the reliability and power quality, increase the efficiency of the electric system as a whole, enable end consumers to have a certain independence from the grid and a more active participation in the electricity market. However, the application of such topologies has not yet overcome all barriers so that all their benefits can be appreciated. There are still questions to be answered on how to deal with the specificities and operational aspects of micro-grids in both normal and anomalous operation, which are fundamental to the long-term sustainability of power systems. This work discusses aspects related to micro-grids in both isolated and grid-connected operation modes. In the case of isolated systems, the approach takes into account the risks associated with rural electrification projects and discusses issues not restricted to the design, but also to the operation of these types of systems. In the case of grid-connected systems, trends related to the topologies to be used for joint operation with the power grid are discussed. An algorithm to control micro-grids at different hierarchical levels is proposed. This algorithm serves as a basis for the control of the platform for the interaction of distributed agents assembled at the Laboratório de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos of the Universidade de São Paulo to be used for tests on real equipment and for capacity building.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Federico Bernardino Morante Trigoso / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Energia, 2014. / Neste trabalho se determinou a viabilidade do uso de sistemas de iluminação LED em sistemas fotovoltaicos domiciliários (SFD) instalados em áreas rurais, considerando parâmetros econômicos e luminotécnicos como iluminância, fluxo luminoso, consumo de energia e custos iniciais tanto dos SFD's como dos sistemas de iluminação LED. A análise da variação dos custos iniciais do sistema fotovoltaico foi realizada através de uma simulação realizada no programa Homer Energy. O uso deste programa permitiu determinar como se modificaria o dimensionamento dos SFD's e o consumo de energia com a inserção dos sistemas de iluminação LED. Deste trabalho se conclui que dependendo da perspectiva avaliada, custo inicial do sistema de iluminação LED ou custo e uso do excedente de energia gerado pela troca de tecnologia, seria viável ou não a inserção de sistemas de iluminação LED em SFD's. Já para a análise comparativo das características luminotécnicas entre os sistemas de iluminação LED e as lâmpadas CFL se utilizou o programa DIALux. Por outro lado, devido à falta de estudos que abordaram transversalmente os impactos ambientais e socioeconômicos gerados pelas lâmpadas CFL e LED se considerou importante identifica-los. Desta análise se conclui que estes impactos dependem de fatores como a localização geográfica, renda mensal e acesso à tecnologia, materiais de fabricação das lâmpadas entre outros. Além disso, deduz-se que os resultados apresentados nesta dissertação mudariam drasticamente se esta análise fosse realizada em áreas urbanas. / This work established the feasibility of using LED lighting systems for home-based photovoltaic systems (SFD) installed in rural areas, considering economic and lighting parameters as luminance, luminous flux, energy consumption and initial costs of both systems as SFD's LED lighting. The variation of the initial cost of the PV system was performed through a simulation in Homer Energy program. The use of this program has allowed to determine how to modify the design of SFD's power consumption with the inclusion of LED lighting systems. This work is concluded that depending on the perspective assessed, initial cost of LED lighting or cost and use of excess energy generated by the exchange of technology system would be viable or not the inclusion of LED lighting systems in SFD's. As for the comparative analysis of lighting characteristics of lighting systems LED and CFL lamps are used the DIALux program. Moreover, due to the lack of studies that have focused in the environmental and socioeconomic impacts generated by CFL and LED lamps was considered important to identify them. This analysis concludes that these impacts depend on factors such as geographic location, monthly income and access to technology, materials and other manufacturing lamps. Furthermore, it appears that the results presented in this thesis would change dramatically if this analysis were conducted in urban areas.

Submitted by Maria Aparecida (cidazen@gmail.com) on 2017-08-02T14:45:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Valmiene Florindo.pdf: 6566533 bytes, checksum: ae83e38f7bd992f4e50c9bb204fa8bcf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-02T14:45:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Valmiene Florindo.pdf: 6566533 bytes, checksum: ae83e38f7bd992f4e50c9bb204fa8bcf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-22 / FAPEMA / The Plpt has been created to be a vector of development and articulating public policies for this purpose. In this sense, this work sought to identify the conditions and determinants of social impacts from the implementation of the Luz para Todos Program in the living conditions of the elderly in the Baixo-Amazonas Region. The purpose of the evaluation was to analyze the construction of the electrification policy in Brazil and Amazonas and verify dimensions that constitute the integrality of the living conditions of the elderly that could be impacted by the actions of rural electrification. The research followed the impact assessment methodology. A bibliographical, documentary and field research product had as its locus of study three rural communities: Santa Tereza do Matupiri, São Benedito and Maranhão Community, located in the municipalities of Barreirinha, Boa Vista do Ramos and Parintins, in the Amazonas State. The research pointed out that the Brazilian energy matrix is based on the conception of developmentalist ideology and that in the Amazon State, the expansion of the energy sector was identified with the process of modernization of cities and, later on, for productive and industrial use. As for the changes in the communities surveyed, education was a point of unanimity for the elderly, since electricity offered the opportunity of technological courses. Regarding production, there were no drastic changes to the increase. As for family and community coexistence, the rural electrification contributed to increase the nocturnal frequency activities. Regarding the level of consumption, access to electric power made it possible to purchase electrical and electronic appliances. Regarding the impacts of rural electrification on aging, we learn about that electricity: facilitates accessibility in spaces; Gives access to piped water; Brings well-being and comfort; Assists in food storage; The residential lighting favors the reduction of elderly falls (domestic accidents) and the acquisition of household appliances facilitates the daily activities. In this sense, rural electrification despite paradoxes has brought benefits to the elderly and changes in their living conditions have changed significantly. It was verified in the research that after the rural electrification in the communities surveyed, there was only the growth of the demand for electric energy and the energy supply per se, it did not only result in local development, because this depends an objective articulation with other policies. / O PLpT foi criado com o objetivo de ser vetor de desenvolvimento e articular políticas públicas para esse fim. Nesse sentido, este trabalho buscou identificar os condicionantes e determinantes dos impactos sociais a partir da implementação do Programa Luz para Todos nas condições de vida dos idosos da Região do Baixo-Amazonas. O propósito da avaliação foi analisar a construção da política de eletrificação no Brasil e Amazonas e verificar dimensões que constituem a integralidade das condições de vida dos idosos que poderiam ser impactadas pelas ações da eletrificação rural. A pesquisa foi orientada pela metodologia da avaliação de impacto. Produto de revisão bibliográfica e pesquisa de campo teve como locus de estudo três comunidades rurais: Santa Tereza do Matupiri, São Benedito e Comunidade do Maranhão, localizadas nos municípios de Barreirinha, Boa Vista do Ramos e Parintins, no estado do Amazonas. A pesquisa apontou que a matriz energética construída no país assenta-se na concepção da ideologia desenvolvimentista e que na Amazônia, a expansão do setor energético identifica-se com o processo de modernização das cidades e, posteriormente, para o uso produtivo e industrial. Quanto as mudanças nas comunidades pesquisadas, à educação foi um ponto de unanimidade para os idosos, visto que a energia elétrica oportunizou a oferta de cursos tecnológicos. No que tange a produção, não houve mudanças drásticas para o incremento desta. Quanto à convivência familiar e comunitária, a eletrificação rural, contribuiu para o aumento da frequência em atividades noturnas. Referente ao nível de consumo, o acesso à energia elétrica possibilitou a aquisição de eletroeletrônicos e eletrodomésticos. Quanto aos impactos da eletrificação rural para o envelhecimento, apreendemos que a energia elétrica: facilita a acessibilidade nos espaços; dá acesso à água encanada; traz bem-estar e conforto; auxilia na conservação de alimentos; a iluminação residencial favorece a diminuição de quedas e a aquisição de eletrodomésticos facilita as atividades cotidianas. Nesse sentido, a eletrificação rural apesar dos paradoxos, trouxe benefícios para os idosos e as mudanças em suas condições de vida foram alteradas de maneira significativa. Constatou-se na pesquisa que após a eletrificação rural nas comunidades pesquisadas, houve somente o crescimento da demanda por energia elétrica e o abastecimento energético por si, só não resultou em desenvolvimento local, pois disso depende uma articulação objetiva com outras políticas.

Recentemente, muitas mudanças vêm ocorrendo na forma como a energia elétrica é gerada e distribuída, criando com isso oportunidades de utilizar os recursos disponíveis in loco de forma mais eficiente, atuando juntamente com sistemas centralizados convencionais, para o atendimento das necessidades energéticas. Neste contexto, as minirredes de energia são consideradas pontos chaves para melhorar a confiabilidade e a qualidade da energia, aumentar a eficiência do sistema elétrico como um todo, viabilizar aos consumidores finais a possibilidade de uma certa independência da rede e uma participação mais ativa no mercado de energia elétrica. No entanto, a aplicação de tais topologias ainda não superou todas as barreiras para que todos os benefícios possam ser apreciados. Há ainda perguntas a serem respondidas sobre como lidar com as especificidades e os aspectos operacionais de minirredes, tanto em operação normal quanto em operação anômala, que são fundamentais para a sustentabilidade de longo prazo dos sistemas. Este trabalho discute aspectos relacionados à operação de minirredes, tanto em sistemas isolados quanto em sistemas conectados à rede da concessionária. No caso de sistemas isolados, a abordagem leva em consideração os riscos associados aos projetos voltados para eletrificação rural e discute questões não restritas ao projeto inicial, mas também à operação destes tipos de sistemas. No caso de sistemas conectados, são discutidas tendências relacionadas às topologias de utilização destes sistemas para operação conjunta com a rede elétrica. Um algoritmo para controle de minirredes em diferentes níveis hierárquicos é proposto. Este algoritmo serve como base para o controle da plataforma de interação de agentes distribuídos, montada no Laboratório de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos da Universidade de São Paulo para testes em equipamentos reais e para a formação de recursos humanos. / Recently, many changes are taking place in the way energy is generated and distributed, thus creating opportunities to utilize the resources available on site more efficiently, working along with conventional centralized systems, to meet energy needs. In this context, mini-grids are considered key points to improve the reliability and power quality, increase the efficiency of the electric system as a whole, enable end consumers to have a certain independence from the grid and a more active participation in the electricity market. However, the application of such topologies has not yet overcome all barriers so that all their benefits can be appreciated. There are still questions to be answered on how to deal with the specificities and operational aspects of micro-grids in both normal and anomalous operation, which are fundamental to the long-term sustainability of power systems. This work discusses aspects related to micro-grids in both isolated and grid-connected operation modes. In the case of isolated systems, the approach takes into account the risks associated with rural electrification projects and discusses issues not restricted to the design, but also to the operation of these types of systems. In the case of grid-connected systems, trends related to the topologies to be used for joint operation with the power grid are discussed. An algorithm to control micro-grids at different hierarchical levels is proposed. This algorithm serves as a basis for the control of the platform for the interaction of distributed agents assembled at the Laboratório de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos of the Universidade de São Paulo to be used for tests on real equipment and for capacity building.

Este trabalho apresenta a implantação de sistemas fotovoltaicos domiciliares (SFDs) na comunidade de São Francisco do Aiucá, localizada na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá (RDSM), no Estado do Amazonas. A instalação desses sistemas é o resultado de um projeto financiado com fundos setoriais, CT-Energ/MME/CNPq, para atendimento de comunidades isoladas na Região Norte. O projeto foi desenvolvido no contexto da Resolução Normativa ANEEL Nº 83, Sistemas Individuais de Geração de Energia Elétrica com Fontes Intermitentes (SIGFIs), de 20 de setembro de 2004. Foram instalados 19 sistemas, que estão em operação desde agosto de 2005. São mostradas as características técnicas dos sistemas e os resultados operacionais do projeto. Em particular, este trabalho detalha as ações da implantação: o planejamento, a execução das tarefas, o monitoramento do desempenho dos sistemas e as atividades de capacitação dos usuários e técnicos locais; destacando e documentando alguns problemas pontuais e as soluções encontradas para contorná-los. / This work presents the implantation of solar home systems (SHS) in the community of São Francisco do Aiucá, located in the Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá (Mamirauá Reservation Sustainable Development), in the Amazonas State, Brazil. The installation of these systems is the result of a project financed with sectorial funds, CT-Energ/MME/CNPq, to assist isolated communities in the Northern Region of Brazil. The project was developed in the context of the Normative Resolution ANEEL Nº 83, from September 2004, Electric power Generation by Individual Systems with Intermittent Sources (SIGFIs). A total of 19 systems were installed, which are in operation since August, 2005. Technical characteristics of the systems and the operational results of the project are presented. In particular, this work details the actions of the implementation: the planning, the execution of the tasks, the monitoring of the systems\' performance and the activities of qualification of the users and local technicians; emphasizing and documenting some individual problems and the solutions found to contour them.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Kungliga Tekniska högskolan, 2008. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

The aim of this thesis study is to design a hybrid energy system comprised of wind turbines, diesel generators and batteries to provide electricity for an off - grid rural community in Kenya. Wind Measurements collected over six years from 12 locations in Kenya have been studied and one site selected for this project due to its wind potential, geographical location and socio-economic potential. The energy system is designed to cater for the electricity demand of 500 households, one school, one medical clinic and an irrigation system. The system will support up to 3000 people. The Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) is the software tool that has been used to simulate the hybrid system and analyze its results. The optimization has been carried out and presented according to cost of electricity and sensitivity graphs have been used demonstrate the optimization based on diesel price and wind turbine hub height.

This study links rural electrification and the transition to modern energy services with poverty reduction and rural development in Ethiopia. Benefits of rural electrification in reducing poverty and accelerating rural development in low-income developing countries have been insufficiently researched. This study analyses available empirical evidence at a local level and examines how electricity access translates into productive use beyond powering radios and lighting. A survey of 336 households was conducted in Northern Ethiopia on impacts of electrification on four rural towns with varying number of years of access to electricity. Evidence at household and community levels shows that access to electricity was followed by an increase in household connectivity rate, and slow transition to modern energy services based on level of household income and number of years of a household’s connection to electricity services. The pace of transition to modern energy services was slow, and household energy poverty and dependence on biomass fuels continued in most rural towns, having little impact on improved environmental management practices. Improvement in rural livelihood, poverty reduction, and delivery of public services was highest for those with more years of access to electricity, and higher income households. The fact that impacts of RE depend on number of years of a household’s electricity connection implies gradual improvements rather than immediate benefits after connection. In the short-term, households improved their quality of life through better lighting and reduced indoor-air pollution. In the medium and longer-term, households and communities diversified their income and received improved public services such as education, health, and potable water. Further benefits were wider off-farm and non-farm employment, increased rural markets, and improved environment for rural development. Very poor households benefited least, while those better-off utilized opportunities created through rural electrification. Though necessary for development, rural electrification alone is insufficient, and requires strong government commitment and political will to invest in public services and infrastructure, and encourage private sector participation. / Graduate

East Timor is rebuilding its stock of infrastructure after decades of underdevelopment and a wave of violent destruction in 1999. As part of this process the Government of East Timor aims to improve access to electricity from less than five percent of the population today to eighty percent by 2020. An important strategy to meeting this aim will be the use of solar home systems (SHS) in remote rural locations. To develop its policy for the deployment of SHS, the Government of East Timor must decide what size of SHS is optimal. This research investigates whether there is a relationship between SHS size and development. / The research adapts an evaluation approach developed by World Bank/UNDP Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. This approach uses a combination of participatory and quantitative tools tailored to the East Timorese context through consultations with rural households about electrification and their use of SHS. Three SHS projects in East Timor were selected for evaluation, each of which had adopted a different sized SHS for their program. The smallest systems installed were 10 Wp single-lamp systems. The largest system was rated at 80 Wp and was supplied with four or six lamps. The third type of system was 40 Wp and provided three lamps / To assess the development impact of these different sizes of SHS, a set of Participatory Evaluation exercises were conducted with seventy-seven small groups of SHS users in twenty four rural communities. These exercises were supplemented with a Socio-economic Household Survey of 195 SHS users. The combined results of these evaluation processes enabled the three sizes of SHS to be compared for two types of benefits—assistance with carrying out important household tasks (i.e. ‘lighting-derived’ benefits) and attributes of SHS which were advantageous in comparison to use of non-electric lighting sources (i.e. ‘intrinsic’ benefits). Analysis of the research results showed that the small 10 Wp SHS provided much of the development impact of the larger systems. For lighting-derived benefits, there was little difference between the development impact of small and large systems. The larger systems provided greater benefit for domestic tasks undertaken in kitchen buildings, since the small and medium sized SHS did not provide lighting in these areas. For intrinsic benefits related to health and convenience, the small systems provided much the same benefits as larger systems. For financial benefits—considered by East Timorese SHS users to be the most important of the intrinsic benefits—smaller systems were found to offer slightly positive benefits due to their lower operating costs. Larger systems, however, were found to have a negative overall financial impact. / The research suggests three significant implications for the design of SHS programs in East Timor and comparable situations elsewhere: programs should focus on providing smaller systems rather than larger ones; systems should be designed to provide a light in the kitchen wherever possible to maximise the overall development impact; and SHS operating costs should be carefully matched to the incomes of rural householders to ensure that operation of the systems can be sustained by user households.