Impacts of the energy transition in small off-grid communities

Abstract

The energy transition is a priority issue that concerns everyone, from big cities and their electricity-intensive sectors to small, remote, rural communities whose electricity supply is produced through decentralized generation systems that, in many cases, are partially or entirely supplied with fossil fuels. In Colombia, more than 90% of these rural communities generate their electricity using diesel plants, which makes it relevant to study the energy transition in these communities. Thus, the aim of this research is to show the impacts of the energy transition on these communities and how, in the long term, the transition can ensure access to reliable, affordable, sustainable, and modern electricity for all. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to use a mixed methodology that includes fieldwork and computer simulations. Through the fieldwork, multiple impacts of the transition to renewables were identified, for example, social impacts in terms of better conditions for education, environmental impacts such as the reduction of CO2 emissions and economic impacts such as the possibility of developing new productive activities. The results of the simulations show that, in the long term, the transition to 100% renewable decentralized generation systems is feasible and would guarantee the inhabitants of these small communities a sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity supply; however, to achieve this, several challenges must be overcome, one of the most relevant being the design and planning of microgrids whose expansion with renewables can be perpetuated over time. Finally, the findings of this research could be applied, with adaptations on a case-by-case basis, to small off-grid communities around the world.