Project Team
Students
Bilal Faye
Electromechanical Engineering Technology
Penn State Altoona
Faculty Mentors
Sohail Anwar
Penn State Altoona
College of Engineering
James Freihaut
Penn State University Park
Department of Architectural Engineering
Project
https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/MC_REU_FAYE_poster-pdf.pdf
Project Video
Project Abstract
The growing concern for the basic living needs of African countries is attracting foreign investors and researchers who share a common goal of developing sustainable frameworks for the development of the continent. Acknowledging the rapid growth of African populations, it is important to prepare for a significant increase in energy consumption. In fact, numerous African governments are increasingly implementing policies in favor of renewable energy distribution and encouraging the adaptation of new methods for an expansion of the grid infrastructures. The key objective of this study is to develop a methodological framework for implementing microgrids in developing countries in Africa while considering the high-dimensional variables that could possibly affect the successful introduction of such technology. The study helps identify sustainable means of promoting microgrid implementations while considering the difference in cultural values when it comes to energy consumption. The analysis focuses on sub-Saharan Africa, which is a zone drastically affected by global warming. The scope of the study is set on Senegal which represents an appropriate example of a sub-Saharan country that promises potential in use of renewable energy. This microgrid design guide uses rural community profiles to assess the fitness of distributed energy systems. The simulation of various microgrid architectures highlights the designs that add more resiliency and reserve capacity to the actual Senegalese national grid. The result of this study can help utility companies build assessment tools that will facilitate the integration of microgrids and reduce the cost associated with producing electricity.
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