LAPSE:2023.31432
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.31432
Multicriteria Decision-Making Approach for Optimum Site Selection for Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic Microgrids in Mozambique
April 18, 2023
Given the constraints associated with grid expansion costs, limited access to reliable electricity, and priorities in addressing the climate agenda and Sustainable Development Goals in low-income countries, microgrids and off-grid solar projects represent a viable solution for rural electrification. This type of solution has the advantage of being less expensive than conventional technologies, is rapidly scalable, affordable, environmentally sustainable, and can play a critical role in empowering rural communities. In this context, this study proposed a spatial framework for off-grid solar energy planning based on a Geographical Information System and Boolean logic, Fuzzy logic, and Analytic Hierarchy Process Multicriteria Decision-Making methods. The results of the applied methodology show that the selection of optimal locations for off-grid solar photovoltaic microgrid projects in Mozambique is significantly influenced by the following order of criteria: climatology, orography, technical and location, social, and institutional criteria. Geographically, about 49% or 344,664.36 km2 of the total study area is initially suitable for an off-grid solar photovoltaic microgrid project; 4% is low suitable, 14% is moderately suitable, 18% is suitable, and 13% is highly suitable. However, 51% of the ranked areas fall into the not feasible and restricted areas, mainly in conservation areas, protected areas, and areas at high risk of flooding and cyclones, covering a total of 387,005.5 km2 within the study area. In general, the approach helps to reduce uncertainty and increase flexibility to identify appropriate sites and strengthen indicators of sustainable development impacts of decentralized rural electrification.
Keywords
Mozambique, multicriteria decision-making, off-grid microgrid, rural electrification, solar photovoltaics
Suggested Citation
Tafula JE, Justo CD, Moura P, Mendes J, Soares A. Multicriteria Decision-Making Approach for Optimum Site Selection for Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic Microgrids in Mozambique. (2023). LAPSE:2023.31432
Author Affiliations
Tafula JE: Energy for Sustainability Initiative, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Systems and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computers Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Engineering, Lúr [ORCID]
Justo CD: Energy for Sustainability Initiative, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Systems and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computers Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal
Moura P: Energy for Sustainability Initiative, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Systems and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computers Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal [ORCID]
Mendes J: Institute of Systems and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computers Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal [ORCID]
Soares A: Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers at Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computers Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
16
Issue
6
First Page
2894
Year
2023
Publication Date
2023-03-21
Published Version
ISSN
1996-1073
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: en16062894, Publication Type: Journal Article
Record Map
Published Article

LAPSE:2023.31432
This Record
External Link

doi:10.3390/en16062894
Publisher Version
Download
Files
[Download 1v1.pdf] (12.8 MB)
Apr 18, 2023
Main Article
License
CC BY 4.0
Meta
Record Statistics
Record Views
62
Version History
[v1] (Original Submission)
Apr 18, 2023
 
Verified by curator on
Apr 18, 2023
This Version Number
v1
Citations
Most Recent
This Version
URL Here
https://psecommunity.org/LAPSE:2023.31432
 
Original Submitter
Auto Uploader for LAPSE
Links to Related Works
Directly Related to This Work
Publisher Version