Renewable energy empowering remote communities through microgrids: control and management strategies to provide sustainable and cost-effective electricity
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Kotsampopoulos, Panos
Hatziargyriou, Nikos
Maiti, Suman
Karanki, Srinivas Bhaskar
Sorensen, Christian Nygaard
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper describes the development of characteristic microgrids, two in India and two in Europe, for the electrification 4 remote communities in the context of the EU-Indian collaboration RE-EMPOWERED project. These installations are complementary in terms of size, primary resources and technical maturity. In all cases, sustainable and effective electricity supply has been achieved through the use of ecoTools, a suite of appropriate control and management tools of the installed renewable resources and demand. Active engagement of the residents in all phases of the project and especially in ensuring efficient operation, maintenance and long-term sustainability of the installations has been an important factor of the project’s success. Initial results from the operation of the 4 microgrids reveal cost savings, reduced RES curtailment and reduced environmental effects, as well as significant rise of the standards of living, resilience and income generation in the Indian communities.
Date Issued
2025-06-01
Date Acceptance
2025-06-01
Citation
IEEE Electrification Magazine, 2025, 13 (2), pp.37-48
ISSN
2325-5897
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Start Page
37
End Page
48
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Electrification Magazine
Volume
13
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025 IEEE. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Subjects
Collaboration
Costs
Electricity
Electrification
Engineering
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Europe
Maintenance engineering
Microgrids
Remote monitoring
Renewable energy sources
Science & Technology
Sustainable development
Technology
Wind turbines
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-06-03