Access to electricity is still lacking for some 760 million people in developing countries, many of them living in rural areas. With “electrification business-as-usual” as many as 1.4 billion people will still lack access to electricity in 2030, the UN target year for universal access to modern energy services, including electricity. Further, there are many thousands of off-grid power systems in the world, for example, remote mines, natural islands, and remote communities. Many generate electricity from fossil fuels, resulting in very high electricity costs together with unwanted side effects of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise, and fuel spills. The security of supply of the fuel is an issue for remote areas or in case of major events, such as extreme weather conditions. Renewable Energy solutions are needed to meet the decarbonization targets of the Paris Agreement. It is a key strategic goal of CIGRE to provide electricity for all in a sustainable way. In emerging markets, options to electrify remote communities based on renewables and to leapfrog existing technology are very attractive and supported by funding institutions. UN Sustainable Development Goal Number 7 calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030. The introduction of hybrid systems, i.e., a combination of various generators such as conventional generation plus renewable energy (RE) and energy storage in off-grid systems, is a big step in decarbonization. To a small extent, renewables can be added to the existing diesel or gas gensets systems without any additional control requirements. When the share of renewables reaches a certain limit, a control system is needed to stabilize power quality. When adding high shares of renewables, the addition of storage is needed to stabilize the power system. At the same time, in many cases it is the best business case to add storage and renewables to existing conventional generation. An advanced microgrid control system and an adequate power conversion system together are able to form the grid even if 100% renewables share is reached, and the power quality can be kept stable at all times. This chapter will share experiences on techno-economic pre-feasibility studies. Further, it will show the necessity of stability studies and share an example for hybrid systems for off-grid power supply. The study done by CIGRE working group on off-grid systems and described in this chapter shall encourage decision-makers in distribution utilities and industry to consider a hybrid system with renewable energy and energy storage as a reliable and affordable solution for their energy needs. It will show the main aspects to be considered and will give guidance and best practices to financial institutions, management as well as for engineers who will design the off-grid hybrid systems.

Hybrid Systems for Off-Grid Power Supply

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发表日期：

2026年

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Britta Buchholz

摘要

Access to electricity is still lacking for some 760 million people in developing countries, many of them living in rural areas. With “electrification business-as-usual” as many as 1.4 billion people will still lack access to electricity in 2030, the UN target year for universal access to modern energy services, including electricity. Further, there are many thousands of off-grid power systems in the world, for example, remote mines, natural islands, and remote communities. Many generate electricity from fossil fuels, resulting in very high electricity costs together with unwanted side effects of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise, and fuel spills. The security of supply of the fuel is an issue for remote areas or in case of major events, such as extreme weather conditions. Renewable Energy solutions are needed to meet the decarbonization targets of the Paris Agreement. It is a key strategic goal of CIGRE to provide electricity for all in a sustainable way. In emerging markets, options to electrify remote communities based on renewables and to leapfrog existing technology are very attractive and supported by funding institutions. UN Sustainable Development Goal Number 7 calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030. The introduction of hybrid systems, i.e., a combination of various generators such as conventional generation plus renewable energy (RE) and energy storage in off-grid systems, is a big step in decarbonization. To a small extent, renewables can be added to the existing diesel or gas gensets systems without any additional control requirements. When the share of renewables reaches a certain limit, a control system is needed to stabilize power quality. When adding high shares of renewables, the addition of storage is needed to stabilize the power system. At the same time, in many cases it is the best business case to add storage and renewables to existing conventional generation. An advanced microgrid control system and an adequate power conversion system together are able to form the grid even if 100% renewables share is reached, and the power quality can be kept stable at all times. This chapter will share experiences on techno-economic pre-feasibility studies. Further, it will show the necessity of stability studies and share an example for hybrid systems for off-grid power supply. The study done by CIGRE working group on off-grid systems and described in this chapter shall encourage decision-makers in distribution utilities and industry to consider a hybrid system with renewable energy and energy storage as a reliable and affordable solution for their energy needs. It will show the main aspects to be considered and will give guidance and best practices to financial institutions, management as well as for engineers who will design the off-grid hybrid systems.