Energy Efficiency of Sustainable Renewable Microgrids for Off-Grid Electrification

Energy efficiency (EE) has a key role to play in the rate of electrification towards decreasing energy poverty around the world. It has benefits to electrified urban and rural areas, as well as off-grid communities. Therefore, in this paper, we explore using empirical data, the impact of EE (as a form of demand-side management) on the adoption of renewable microgrids for off-grid electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study shows that improvements in the energy efficiency of commercial and residential appliances will optimize the availability of existing power resources, creating more access to underserved areas. An EE-centric power distribution model will also lead to higher value per energy served to under-served communities through renewable microgrids.