Abstract
Energy storage systems (ESS) play a crucial role in enhancing energy access, particularly for off-grid communities that lack connection to centralized power grids. This presents a techno-economic evaluation of various energy storage technologies for off-grid applications, focusing on their technical suitability, economic viability, and operational sustainability. Off-grid communities, often located in remote or underserved regions, face significant challenges related to energy reliability, affordability, and system resilience. Integrating ESS with renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power can address these issues by mitigating supply intermittency and enabling stable, round-the-clock electricity access.The evaluation covers a range of ESS technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, flow batteries, and mechanical storage solutions such as pumped hydro and compressed air energy storage (CAES). Each technology is assessed based on key performance indicators, including energy density, cycle life, efficiency, cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh), and maintenance requirements. Additionally, this considers contextual factors such as climate conditions, local technical capacity, and ease of deployment in off-grid environments.Results reveal that lithium-ion batteries offer superior energy density and efficiency but have higher upfront costs compared to traditional options like lead-acid batteries. However, their longer cycle life and declining costs make them increasingly competitive. Flow batteries and mechanical storage solutions, while technically promising, often face scalability and cost barriers in small-scale off-grid applications.This highlights the importance of a holistic, site-specific approach that balances technical performance, lifecycle costs, and local economic factors. It calls for targeted policy support, financing mechanisms, and community engagement to enable sustainable deployment of ESS in off-grid regions. This evaluation provides a strategic framework for decision-makers, developers, and investors seeking to advance energy access and resilience through optimized energy storage solutions.
Keywords
Energy storage systems, Off-grid communities, Techno-economic evaluation
Citations
IRE Journals:
Gloria Siwe Usiagu , Sadat Itohan Ihwughwavwe , Rasheedah Fola Abioye , Joshua Seluese Okojie
"Energy Storage Systems for Off-Grid Communities: A Techno-Economic Evaluation" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 4 Issue 8 2021 Page 247-263
IEEE:
Gloria Siwe Usiagu , Sadat Itohan Ihwughwavwe , Rasheedah Fola Abioye , Joshua Seluese Okojie
"Energy Storage Systems for Off-Grid Communities: A Techno-Economic Evaluation" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 4(8)
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