Sustainable electricity generation for rural and peri-urban populations of sub-Saharan Africa: The “flexy-energy” concept

Access to energy is known as a key issue for poverty reduction. Electrification rate of sub-Saharan countries is one of the lowest among the developing countries. However, this part of the world has natural energy resources that could help raising its access to energy, then its economic development. An original “flexy-energy” concept of hybrid solar PV/diesel/biofuel power plant, without battery storage, is performed in this paper. This concept is developed in order to not only make access to energy possible for rural and peri-urban populations in Africa (by reducing the electricity generation cost) but also to make the electricity production sustainable in these areas. For landlocked countries like Burkina Faso, this concept could help them reducing their electricity bill (then their fuel consumption) and accelerate their rural and peri-urban electrification coverage.

Research highlights► Design and load management Optimization are big concerns for hybrid systems. ► Hybrid solar PV/Diesel is economically viable for remote areas and environmental friendly. ► “Flexy-energy” concept is a flexible hybrid solar PV/diesel/biomass suitable for remote areas. ► “Flexy-energy” concept is a flexible hybrid solar PV/diesel/biomass suitable for remote areas.