06 October 2015Pakistan Academy of Sciences,

G-5/2, Islamabad

Dr. Khanji HarijanProfessor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh; Pakistan

Developing an Enabling Framework for Decentralized Micro-Grids – Lessons from

Pakistan

Problems with Centralized Grid Solution by Micro Grids What is Micro Grid Importance of Micro Grid Applications of Micro Grid Pakistan’s Rural Electrification Experiences Concerns with Micro Grid Conclusion

Outline

• Low electric efficiency as a result of high transmission losses and high environmental emissions.

• Low reliability and power quality.

• High maintenance and variable costs

• Less sustainability because of sources of power generation.

Problems with Centralized Grid

• High electric efficiency as a result of small transmission network and less environmental emissions.

• Higher level of reliability and power quality.

• Low maintenance

• Sources of power generation makes it more sustainable.

Solution by Micro-Grid

Centralized Grid Micro Grids

Centralized Grid to Micro Grids

A microgrid is a small energy system capable of balancing captive supply and demand resources to maintain stable service within a defined boundary.

A community microgrid provides resilient and stable energy supplies for vital community facilities and assets.

What is Micro-Grid?

• Fossil fuel based power generation with unwanted emissions causing adverse effect with the environment and threatening to the future of the planet.

• Search for viable and deployable low carbon technologies to meet the growing power demands of global population has become imperative.

• In this situation Micro Grids can be better alternative to the centralized and environmental unfriendly electricity generation systems.

Importance of Micro-Grid

• In developing countries most people live in remote areas and not able to derive benefits of the ongoing electrification process.

• Since there is no power network available to connect the isolated villages to the central grids, more investments are needed.

• In this connection, application of Micro Grid through renewables and other locally available distributed generation resources can be beneficial option.

• On the other hand, people in semi-urban areas are not able to fully meet with their energy requirements.

• For people in urban areas, the focus is on power quality and reliability issues.

Importance of Micro-Grid

Generation Technologies Options for Micro-Grid

• Micro Grids can be run either autonomously or in parallel to central grid.

• Can serve communities, individual buildings, manufacturing centers, or military applications.

• Military and industrial sites in developed and less-developed countries alike often build Micro Grids for energy security and reliability.

• Renewable energy Micro Grids also help reduce risk from transporting fuel in war zones.

• Such highly reliable Micro Grids serving well-funded institutions or companies usually do not have the cost constraints that Micro Grids intended for developing country rural electrification efforts face.

Applications

World Bank estimate suggests that around 62% of total approx. 200 Million population of country lives in rural areas.

Majority of rural population do not have 24/7 access to on Grid Electricity and many remote villages have even no access to electricity.

Pakistan is an Agricultural County, and Providing electricity to rural areas is most important

instrument for increased productivity and income growth. It can help improving farm efficiency by improved

irrigation system and small scale industries thereby diversifying farm income.

Access to Electricity-Pakistan

• Approximately 12,000 villages were electrified during 2008 to 2014 under government’s rural electrification program.

• According to estimates at least 11815 villages are yet to be provided electricity in the province.

• In Tharparkar district 225 villages were electrified under Sindh government project.

• H.T line with 25KVA transformer (1KM line) cost 1.75 million.

Village Electrification Experience in Sindh

S/No. Name of Project Project Scope

1

Supply & Installation of 350 Solar Systems at 350 Schools in Taluka Nangarparkar, District Tharparkar.

Electrified 350 Schools at Taluka Nangarparkar, District Tharparkar

2

Supply & Installation of Solar PV Home Systems and Solar Street Lights

Electrified 140 Homes and 15 street lights at village Hashim Ali Jo Tar and at Village Umaid Ali jo Tar, Taluka Khipro, District Sanghar

Village Electrification in Sindh

AWARE (Association for applied education & Renewable Energy): NGO

First solar PV system was installed in mosque at Pandhi Chacher village of Taluka Umerkot in 2004 and one system installed at Peeluro village of Taluka Mithi. 07 systems installed in mosques of 05 villages (Tardos, Sawan Ji Dhani, Karooro, Samoo Rind, Charnore ) of Tehsil Chachro District Tharparkar 06 PV systems installed in schools (02 High Schools, 01 middle school and 03 primary schools) of above said villages of District Tharparkar. One system installed at PHC Center Tardos, Tehsil Chachro. More than 200 small systems promoted with social entrepreneurial approach in Thar  Duration: Started in Sep: 2004, second phase in 2005 and 3rd phase in 2008  Locatio: 01 village of Umerkot, 08 villages of Tehsil Chachro & one village of Thesil Mithi Funding Source: Private firms, Govt of Pakistan, philanthropists and Community

• Financial Concerns, Environmental Benefits and Cost Recovery

• Policy Making• Ownership and Regulation Issues• Tariff Structure• Government Subsidies• Fuel Requirement

Concerns with Micro Grid applications

• Financial Concerns, Environmental Benefits and Cost Recovery

• Policy Making• Ownership and Regulation Issues• Tariff Structure• Government Subsidies• Fuel Requirement• Common property resource problem

Concerns with Micro Grid applications

Microgrid systems help communities to achieve local resilience for vital services and interdependent community assets:

Lighting, street lights, traffic lightsPumping, refrigeration, HVACCity water and wastewaterCell towers, telecom, InternetGas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies

Micro-Grids for Resilient Future

• Pakistan’s Interconnected Grid at present is not able to meet the needs of its remote population and even if it tries to cater to their needs, it only will lead to huge energy wastage both on the grid and for the end users.

• In Pakistan’ s context, a Micro Grid can have several applications as per the available conditions to change the current unreliable power scenario to a reliable one. Some such cases are:

1. A Village or a cluster of Villages2. University / Institution Campus3. Hospital Complexes/Commercial Complexes/Large

Industrial Complexes4. Small Townships

Micro Grid applications for Pakistan

The Micro Grid concept using renewable energy sources is a building block towards the future energy networks for long-term viable solution of energy needs.

Conclusion

A Thanks for Attention