Planning of off-grid power supply systems in remote areas using multi-criteria decision analysis. (15th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jamal, Taskin; Urmee, Tania; Shafiullah, G.M.
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 201(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-15
• Subjects: Multi-criteria decision analysis -- Energy strategy planning -- Analytical hierarchy approach -- Remote community -- Standalone off-grid power supply systems -- Universal planning criteria; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117580
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Providing electricity access in remote and rural areas across the world has always been economically and technically challenging. Prioritising energy sources to electrify a remote community is the most complicated step. A combination of multiple resources is always preferable as no single alternative is absolute. The incorporation of economic, technical and environmental aspects in the strategic decision-making makes the process complicated for standalone off-grid power supply system planning. This study proposes a novel method using an Analytical Hierarchy Approach-based multi-criteria decision analysis along with system optimisation to obtain universal priority criteria and the best system configuration among a few alternatives. The novelty of the approach lies in the structured deliberation and the analysis to formulate a planning approach for the off-grid power supply system using a combination of experts' assessment and system optimisation study. The method is applied to a remote Australian community. The analysis result identifies the most preferred standalone off-grid power supply system options for a remote rural area, which in this Australian case, is the Diesel-PV-Battery system. Highlights: Integration of economic, technical and environmental aspects in the energy planning. Experts' views on primary criteria variety for remote area electrification planning. Academics and Industry Experts have coherence in their decisions. Consists of long-term time domain power flow simulation and system optimisation. Planning approach is novel and applicable for any remote community in the world.