Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi

This master's thesis investigates the design and optimization of a solar photovoltaic (PV) Mini-Grid (MG) system for rural electrification in Malawi. The project is designed to address the significant energy access challenges in rural communities across Malawi, where electrification rates are e...

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Author: Hamzath, Zaleef Kunhamed
Format: master thesis
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/425594
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/425594
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Photovoltaic power generation--Malawi
Energia solar fotovoltaica--Malawi
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Desenvolupament sostenible::Energia i sostenibilitat
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spelling Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in MalawiHamzath, Zaleef KunhamedPhotovoltaic power generation--MalawiEnergia solar fotovoltaica--MalawiÀrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Desenvolupament sostenible::Energia i sostenibilitatThis master's thesis investigates the design and optimization of a solar photovoltaic (PV) Mini-Grid (MG) system for rural electrification in Malawi. The project is designed to address the significant energy access challenges in rural communities across Malawi, where electrification rates are extremely low. It is fully aligned with Malawi's National Energy Policy and Vision 2063, which have been developed by the Government of Malawi (GOM) to promote inclusive and sustainable growth throughout the country. A comprehensive Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) methodology was employed in this study. Simulation tools such as PV*SOL were used for the PV system design, and AutoCAD was utilized to develop the technical system layout within a 20-foot containerized technical room. The design also included an air conditioning (AC) sizing to maintain optimal temperatures for the battery energy storage system (BESS) to ensure both performance efficiency and an extended battery lifespan. Economic parameters considered in the analysis included capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenditure (OPEX), the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), net present value (NPV), and the internal rate of return (IRR). These parameters helped evaluate the financial viability and long-term sustainability of the system. Key findings demonstrate that the proposed MG system effectively meets the energy demands of households, businesses and other critical infrastructures in the community. The system incorporates battery energy storage and advanced Battery management systems to ensure a stable and continuous power supply. The study also explored optimal tariff models, emphasizing the importance of government policies, grants, and financial viability to enhance the project's long-term sustainability. A review of failed MG projects in Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) revealed issues such as inadequate tariff setting, poor maintenance, and lack of community engagement. To address these challenges, standardized tariff models were implemented to keep energy prices affordable for consumers which ensured the MG's financial viability. This approach aims to improve the success of the Mwasambe MG project and provide a replicable model for other rural electrification initiatives in Malawi and beyondUniversitat Politècnica de CatalunyaGil Sanchez, MireiaMoradi, Bahareh20242024-10-0720252025-03-04master thesishttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_bdccNAhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_be7fb7dd8ff6fe43info:eu-repo/semantics/masterThesisapplication/pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/2117/425594reponame:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPCinstname:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)Inglésengopen accesshttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/4255942026-05-27T15:37:01Z
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
title Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
spellingShingle Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
Hamzath, Zaleef Kunhamed
Photovoltaic power generation--Malawi
Energia solar fotovoltaica--Malawi
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Desenvolupament sostenible::Energia i sostenibilitat
title_short Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
title_full Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
title_fullStr Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
title_full_unstemmed Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
title_sort Techno Economic Analysis of Containerized MG Solution for Rural Electrification in Malawi
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Hamzath, Zaleef Kunhamed
author Hamzath, Zaleef Kunhamed
author_facet Hamzath, Zaleef Kunhamed
author_role author
dc.contributor.none.fl_str_mv Gil Sanchez, Mireia
Moradi, Bahareh
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Photovoltaic power generation--Malawi
Energia solar fotovoltaica--Malawi
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Desenvolupament sostenible::Energia i sostenibilitat
topic Photovoltaic power generation--Malawi
Energia solar fotovoltaica--Malawi
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Desenvolupament sostenible::Energia i sostenibilitat
description This master's thesis investigates the design and optimization of a solar photovoltaic (PV) Mini-Grid (MG) system for rural electrification in Malawi. The project is designed to address the significant energy access challenges in rural communities across Malawi, where electrification rates are extremely low. It is fully aligned with Malawi's National Energy Policy and Vision 2063, which have been developed by the Government of Malawi (GOM) to promote inclusive and sustainable growth throughout the country. A comprehensive Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) methodology was employed in this study. Simulation tools such as PV*SOL were used for the PV system design, and AutoCAD was utilized to develop the technical system layout within a 20-foot containerized technical room. The design also included an air conditioning (AC) sizing to maintain optimal temperatures for the battery energy storage system (BESS) to ensure both performance efficiency and an extended battery lifespan. Economic parameters considered in the analysis included capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenditure (OPEX), the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), net present value (NPV), and the internal rate of return (IRR). These parameters helped evaluate the financial viability and long-term sustainability of the system. Key findings demonstrate that the proposed MG system effectively meets the energy demands of households, businesses and other critical infrastructures in the community. The system incorporates battery energy storage and advanced Battery management systems to ensure a stable and continuous power supply. The study also explored optimal tariff models, emphasizing the importance of government policies, grants, and financial viability to enhance the project's long-term sustainability. A review of failed MG projects in Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) revealed issues such as inadequate tariff setting, poor maintenance, and lack of community engagement. To address these challenges, standardized tariff models were implemented to keep energy prices affordable for consumers which ensured the MG's financial viability. This approach aims to improve the success of the Mwasambe MG project and provide a replicable model for other rural electrification initiatives in Malawi and beyond
publishDate 2024
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2024
2024-10-07
2025
2025-03-04
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv master thesis
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_bdcc
NA
http://purl.org/coar/version/c_be7fb7dd8ff6fe43
dc.type.openaire.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/masterThesis
format masterThesis
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv https://hdl.handle.net/2117/425594
url https://hdl.handle.net/2117/425594
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv Inglés
eng
language_invalid_str_mv Inglés
language eng
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv open access
http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
dc.rights.openaire.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv open access
http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
instname:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
instname_str Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
reponame_str UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
collection UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
repository.name.fl_str_mv
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
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score 15,812455

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