Modelling and optimization of a hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Nigeria: A review

The global shift towards eco-friendly energy solutions, propelled by the drive to mitigate climatic changes, has emphasized the need for innovative and sustainable approaches to rural/community electrification, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria with over 200 million people, faces significant energy challenges, especially in rural areas where access to electricity remains a daunting challenge. Earlier in the 2020s, only 43% of this rural population had moderate electricity access, unambiguously contrasting with 90% in urban areas. This discrepancy infringes on the economic development, educational opportunities, and quality of life of the area. Nigeria’s energy industry is principally reliant on conventional fuels such as natural gas, diesel, and coal which are finite and contribute to environmental degradation. In response to the inefficiencies and high costs of traditional grid extension, hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) have appeared as a workable alternative. HRES interconnects various renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass potentially enhancing power supply stability and sustainability in rural communities. This review explores the application and optimization of HRES in Nigeria, examining the potential for integrating various renewable sources and evaluating successful case studies. An in-depth review of academic and a few physical projects spanning 10 years (2015-present) were studied using data from published articles and reports. It was observed that the Islanded HRES configuration received more attention than the grid-tied maybe as a result of the location of such communities. The review also identifies upcoming research directions to further improve the deployment and efficacy of HRES in improving community electrification in Nigeria.