Comprehensive Low Voltage Microgrid Planning Methodology for Rural Electrification

Recently, DC-powered devices such as loads (USB plugs, chargers, LED lighting) and distributed energy resources (solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage) have been increasingly used. Therefore, their connection to the grid requires AC/DC converters, which raises the question of operating part of the grid in DC in order to connect DC loads to DC producers and storage. In Cambodia, the electrification rate is only about 82% of the population in 2021 in rural areas. The objective of this work is to propose a low voltage microgrid comprehensive planning tool for electrification of developing countries. From the data collected on consumption needs, the objective is to find the optimal electrification scheme, i.e., AC or AC/DC distribution, optimal topology and distributed energy resources allocation and operation for both grid-connected and off-grid mode. A set of technical, economic, and environmental key performance indicators allows for comparison of solutions. The interest and efficiency of such a tool are illustrated on a real case study, an island area. Moreover, uncertainties on load consumption are also considered to assess the sensitivity and robustness of the proposed algorithm. The results show that, although the overall cost of the hybrid AC/DC microgrid is slightly higher than that of the AC microgrid, it allows a gradual electrification avoiding large initial investments.