2023-05-02 18:37:48
A report produced in 2022 by the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), demonstrated that currently 733 million people still do not have access to electricity. At the current pace of electrification, around 8% of the world’s population will remain without access to electricity in 2030, around 670 million people.
The construction of transmission lines in less populated regions is usually not economically viable. In this way, the energy produced in a given country does not reach everyone, affecting the essential services that a population needs to have.
To solve this problem, establishing energy production close to the center of consumption or in homes is a good alternative. A little explored initiative is the installation of microgrids, energy distribution networks that have one or more generation sources. This structure is capable of managing the entire production of electricity, through sophisticated software that helps coordinate sources to avoid variations in voltage and power outages.
According to Rafael Cesar, Digital Energy Business Consultant at Schneider Electric, the segment has been growing worldwide and Brazil is no different. There are several projects in the study phase and others already in progress, in addition, there are several pilots taking place in partnership with energy concessionaires and universities.
“Microgrids are good solutions because they allow vulnerable communities to restore resources more quickly, especially in critical areas such as hospitals and essential services. In places with little access, they guarantee its universalization. These areas are often isolated and far from large centers and it is not always easy to bring infrastructure to these locations and, when it exists, maintenance is complicated”, says the executive.
There are barriers that hinder the installation of these systems. Among them are the challenges of taking the infrastructure to these areas, due to access and investment difficulties, and also the issue of maintenance. For example, when there is an event, such as a tree, transmission line or pole falling, it takes a long time to identify the problem and, consequently, to move the team and material to repair it, causing these communities to remain without access for a long time. the energy.
The implementation of this tool can be quite viable, as access to technology is no longer restricted and is widespread, mainly in industries and buildings. However, to make it essential for the most vulnerable places, government initiatives are needed in partnership with private ones. Microgrids would help solve the challenges, as well as complement the existing energy supply, reducing interruption times and universalization of energy.
“Finally, the inclusion of these microgrids in the concessionaires’ networks is extremely important so that there is a modernization of the networks, mainly in the management tools, and to help the lack of energy in the most vulnerable communities. Innovation and technology must be at the service of everyone”, emphasizes Rafael.
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