by John Michael DeLappe
In the first installment of this blog (head over there now to learn more!) we assessed barriers that refugee camps are facing, explored regional energy disparities, and analyzed the possible benefits of microgrids. In the second and last installment, we are diving into successful microgrid implementation and future solutions.
Successful Microgrid Implementation Cases: Rwanda
Refugee camps can benefit from cost-effective microgrid solutions that satisfy electricity and clean water needs. Well-planned microgrids for humanitarian aid can provide clean water, community health, education, resilience, and environmental protection. While providing electricity to underserved communities is challenging, there have been major milestones achieved in Rwanda. The challenge is to generate power that meets the needs of both business customers and low-income households. In the Nyabiheke Refugee Camp, a diesel microgrid powers their community hall, health center, and other services which are labeled ‘Other Loads’ in Figure 1 (pictured below). The diesel generator is a good short-term fix when faced with a crisis, but is not the best fix in terms of long-sustained economic growth or emissions reduction.
Figure 1: Electricity Demand in diesel system in Nyabiheke refugee camp
Part (a) represents the cumulative load connected to the system. Part (b) shows the smaller institutional loads
Alonso, Javier. “The potential for solar-diesel hybrid mini-grids in refugee camps: A case study of Nyabiheke camp” Imperial College London Journal (January 2021).
Powering communal buildings is a good start in granting people access to electricity. However, it does not allow individual households to run small appliances and lights, nor does it supply electricity to businesses to facilitate further economic growth. The current system at Nyabiheke could be improved by installing technologies like solar panels and batteries, which are cleaner than polluting diesel and offer more options for individual households and businesses. Figure 2 (pictured below) shows the present lower lifetime costs and emissions of the hybrid system as compared to the diesel system.
Figure 2: PV-battery and hybrid systems compared to incumbent diesel system for existing energy demand in Nyabiheke.
Alonso, Javier. “The potential for solar-diesel hybrid mini-grids in refugee camps: A case study of Nyabiheke camp” Imperial College London Journal (January 2021).
Clean energy microgrid deployment in rural communities in Rwanda can serve as a model for energy resilience in refugee camps. Certain companies in Rwanda are beginning to use sustainable energy generation and storage technology to electrify communities that are not connected to the country’s national grid. MeshPower’s solar-powered microgrids are poised to advance economic development in Rwanda, improve health, and reduce emissions. MeshPower is a renewable energy company that provides electricity as a service for rural households and has developed a way to serve a vast range of community needs through the use of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) energy systems. Hybrid AC/DC grids are able to serve both household and business needs. MeshPower’s model uses DC power for needs such as light bulbs and power outlets, while businesses can be served with AC connections. AC has long been the standard for national grids around the world and is useful for powering motors like those in a refrigerator, sewing machine, and grain mills, but is expensive to generate and distribute to households.
MeshPower has a pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) business model for off-grid solar that allows for more equitable access to energy. This system is great for customers who cannot afford to purchase solar panels upfront. With PAYGO, customers buy electricity as they need it and as they can afford it. This strategy relieves costs while growing the local economy. Business models for PAYGO mobile payments were originally created as a strategy for commercial players to sell solar lanterns to the low-income communities. Off-grid solar companies began using the system and were able to develop larger home systems composed of solar panels, charge controllers with batteries, and ports for appliances that make productive use of their time and grow their business.
Connecting Refugee Camps to Reliable and Sustainable Energy: What are the Benefits?
Residents in Rwanda gather for the evening market under a light-powered AC/DC hybrid system by MeshPower Rwanda. Photo by Shelby Condit
MeshPower believes that renewable energy is the foundation of sustainable economic development. The use of renewable energy in refugee camps can also provide a viable alternative to biomass (like wood and charcoal) used for cooking, which can cause environmental and community health issues. Women and children are often disproportionately affected by respiratory illnesses due to being inside around the harmful fumes. Connecting homes and businesses in refugee camps can also increase productivity and alleviate the impacts of poverty traps.
Having access to sustainable and reliable energy can provide light after sunset, affording people more time to read or learn new skills. Connecting businesses to reliable energy allows for greater independence in refugee camps and provides local economic growth. As we explored in part one of this series, some refugees call these camps home for 20+ years so it is important for community members to learn and work as they grow. Climate change has also made traditional farming unviable in some areas which makes investing in longer-term displacement settlement solutions- such as microgrids- even more important.
As we acknowledge with every community microgrid project we work on, the most important part is giving a community the autonomy and resources to make their own decisions about their energy–how it's generated, where it's located, and what it powers. As the manager for Practical Action Denyse Umubyeyi said, “One refugee told me: ‘What is done for me without me is done against me’.” Building microgrids in a sustainable way (ideally with clean energy generation like solar panels) provides power to light homes and build resilience. It also provides communities with the power to make decisions and build the best life possible in a time of transition–whether that is one year or 20 years. Clean energy is a human right.
What do you think? Should refugee agencies and governments focus more on energy as a humanitarian response? Let us know in the comments and as always, reach out to info@climable.org with any ideas, comments, or questions.
Banner image by Ahmed Akacha from Pexels