An intelligent load manager for PV powered off-grid residential houses

This paper proposes a management system based on certain rule set implemented by Modified Mild Intrusive Genetic Algorithm (MMIGA) that will optimize the load allocation to match the house owner affordable solar system inverter. The algorithm optimized load allocation in real time in both sufficient and insufficient supplies of energy. A daily load discrimination profile is first established followed by the development of priority matrix for the respective time of the day; MMIGA is then used to intelligently evolve a sequence of bits, which are then implemented by the hardware while observing certain set of rules. The result shows that about 98.88% allocation was obtained in the sufficient case scenario while 99.84% allocation was achieved in the insufficient scenario. The proposed algorithm meets the objective of being cost effective, smart, simple to use and can be severally applied to different load profiles

Response to Todd, De Groot, Mose, McCauley and Heffron's critique of "Examining energy sufficiency and energy mobility in the global south through the energy justice framework"

We thank Todd et al. (2019) for providing their thoughts on Monyei et al. (2018) and for opening a debate around the notion of "energy bullying". However, as we argue in this correspondence, Todd et al. (2019) have arguably adopted an unbalanced approach in their criticisms and offer an ambiguous solution. We reinforce our earlier position by providing empirically backed arguments that motivate for more resilient electrification systems and a paced approach to electrifying the global south. We conclude by stressing the need for more tangible contributions that seek to pursue climate protection, electrification of the global south and justice progress side-by-side

Regional cooperation for mitigating energy poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa: a context-based approach through the tripartite lenses of access, sufficiency, and mobility

Persistent low electricity access continues to plague Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and has been made more obvious due to the precarious nature of adopted energisation schemes across the region. The absence of resilient electrification schemes within most countries in SSA portends grave danger for the region. Regional cooperation (like the integrated European Union (EU) electricity market) can guarantee stable, secure, and affordable electricity supply across regions when properly regulated. However, such a template as is obtainable in Europe may be impossible to replicate within SSA owing to the peculiar problems, local controversies and very wide variation in regional electrification statistics that exist within the region. This research work pertinently examines the power pools within SSA and argues that improved regional cooperation, especially in tackling the issue of energy poverty and achieving “universal energy access (SDG 7)”, should be pursued on the platform of national energy sufficiency. This argument draws extensively from the geopolitics within the region by different actors and the impact of national interests on regional cooperation. While we do not seek to oppose regional cooperation in electricity trading, we emphasize the need for nations within the region to strive for some level of national energy security through carefully crafted policies and road maps that resonate with their local realities. Regional cooperation should strive to standardise electricity access benchmarks and facilitate technology transfer through existing or improved instruments rather than pushing for more integrated electricity networks

An income-reflective scalable energy level transition system for low/middle income households

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd In mitigating against energy poverty in Nigeria, research interest has focused mainly on electricity access and reduced electricity bills for low/medium income households. However, energy poverty in the global south is not only a problem of access but also of mobility which plays a crucial role in the economic productivity of a country. The need therefore arises for a scheme that guides low/medium income level households in increasing ownership of electrical appliances in a way that will improve their quality of life at the least-cost possible. Such a scheme is expected to address a prevailing challenge of poor satisfaction from the utilization of electrical appliances commonly observed with low/medium income households to achieve comfort, using Nigeria as a test case. This paper thus proposes a progressive system of electrical appliance ownership for low/medium income households in Nigeria for improved comfort. Furthermore, this paper advances discussions on building comfort by establishing the relationship between household comfort and economic output for Nigeria. The proposed system and the results obtained find relevance in developing countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia for improving household comfort, mitigating poverty and precipitating economic growth