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Electrification systems for off-grid rural communities in Ecuador

Abstract:

Population growth and technological advances have led to unprecedented consumption of fossil fuels, which has negative consequences due to environmental pollution. In this context, nations are trying to adopt new strategies for exploiting clean and renewable energy sources. This work analyzes the energy situation of a rural community in Ecuador where there is no electrification. In addition, the feasibility of hybrid energy systems, such as photovoltaics, diesel and batteries, is studied. The technical dimensioning is carried out using commercial software (HOMER), where several simulations are performed to obtain the optimal composition of the generation system. The results provide two relevant economic parameters; the initial capital cost (ICC) and the cost of energy (CoE). The selected hybrid system reaches an ICC of 154.281 USD and a CoE of 0,30 USD/kWh. The energy demand unsatisfied by the system is insignificant.