• Access to electricity for the deprived population in remote regions of developing countries is discussed. • Analysis of an existing solar mini-grid system is carried out for enhanced electricity generation. • Feasibility analysis of the optimal PV/wind hybrid mini grid with energy storage for a Wildlife Sanctuary in India is carried out • The optimal system is found to have 64.1% solar and 35.9% wind contribution. • Solar/wind hybrid system is found to be reliable and efficient for access to energy for all in remote regions of developing and least developed countries worldwide. Due to the non-availability of shadow-free land in inaccessible regions, the solar resource alone is not sufficient to meet all the energy needs of the deprived population.Therefore, the available renewable energy resources must be utilised for maximum electricity generation as a policy measure. In this study, a comprehensive techno-economic feasibility analysis of a solar-wind based hybrid min-grid system is presented to meet the varying load demand of the population living in a wildlife sanctuary of India. Different solar-wind configurations with battery energy storage system are analysed to identify the most optimal and economically viable configuration consisting of a 2.79 kWp PV plant, 2 kWp wind turbine, and 12V, 100Ah Lithium battery to provide a 24-hour electricity supply. The results show that the new optimal system has 64.1% solar and 35.9% wind contributions, with total system cost as INR7,77515.50 and cost of energy (COE) INR14.64/kWh. The implementation of such solar-wind hybrid mini-grid systems in inaccessible regions will not only help achieve the SDG-7 goal targets by 2030 but also provide affordable energy access to the local population.The study results are of significance to the industry, researchers, and policymakers to implement decentralised hybrid minigrids in remote locations worldwide.
Gyani et al. (Sun,) studied this question.