Economic, Technical and Environmental Feasibility Assessment of Microgrid Systems for Schools in Low-Income Countries

The global population has reached 8 billion, presenting significant challenges in providing universal access to electricity. These difficulties are made worse by rising global inflation, rising oil prices, and political instability, particularly as fossil fuel supplies are decreasing and environmental concerns are growing. Compared to fossil fuels, renewable energy is a sustainable substitute with lower carbon emissions. Our study focuses on low-income nations, with particular attention to Ethiopia, a country struggling with a serious electricity deficit, especially in its rural areas. Our analysis suggests a microgrid powered by renewable energy that is specifically designed for rural primary schools in Ethiopia and other low-income nations. This would help to improve electrification and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 12, and 13 of the UN. Our suggested model is a DC microgrid that can power educational infrastructure with or without an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for DC microgrids is 0.08 USD per unit, while AC microgrids have an LCOE of 0.11 USD per unit. This indicates that DC microgrids are more efficient and economical. Furthermore, our study examines the microgrid's environmental concerns. The DC microgrid's positive environmental effects are highlighted by its predicted 25-year reduction in CO2 emissions of 1.2 to 3.44 tCO2eq. Our study indicates that, out of the three microgrid options examined, the DC microgrid is the best option.