Solar PV based hybrid microgrid system for rural electrification- four case studies in India for feasibility analysis
Student name: Ms Priyam Kakoti Bora
Guide: Dr Najmur Rahman
Year of completion: 2014
Host Organisation: TIFAC, New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr P R Basak
Abstract: Energy is one of the basic needs of the people in today‟s world and studies have
shown that a high correlation exists between consumption of electricity (energy) and
improvements in the Human Development Index (HDI), especially at low levels of HDI.
Thus the correlations are very high for poor nations, where there is a clear urban-rural divide
of energy access. Energy is one of the most important factors for development and only
providing clean, safe and affordable sources of energy can aid in the economic, social and
physical development of an energy-poor nation. This in turn will lead to dynamic
improvement in people‟s way of lives, thereby pushing the country forward towards a
positive economy.
Rural electrification in India has been standing on the way of its development since
pre-independence. The worst affected regions in India are the remote hilly areas, located in
between the forests, where grid extension has not been possible. This has been largely due to
the high costs involved in extending the grid to such remote locations as well as the high
losses that occurs due to the long transmission lines that has to be drawn. With the
advancement of technology, microgrid have been developed which can operate in both gridtied
and island mode. These can run on both conventional fuels as well as renewable energy
resources. But the growing awareness on climate change and harmful contribution of fossil
fuel to the environment has encouraged many nations to opt for renewable energy based
microgrid system in order to solve their energy deficit problem. India has also launched many
schemes and programmes under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (MNRE), which focusses on rural electrification- with the objective of
improving the livelihood of communities through energy access. The recent launch of
JNNSM as a part of meeting the criteria for the United Nations‟ Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) has encouraged the development of solar PV in the Indian market.
Subsequently, other renewable energy resources are also being promoted through various
policy reforms and schemes.
This report tries to carry out feasibility analysis on the use of solar PV based hybrid
microgrid system for Rural Electrification in four remote locations in India.
Keywords: Rural Electrification, Hybrid Microgrid system, Solar PV, SHP, Biomass
