There is a way to provide networks for more people to improve society. A mini-grid is an assortment of power-producing technologies and systems that collect energy via the link to a web that stores electricity for a limited group of consumers (International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 2016). This power transfer construction is analogous to a single client system, such as a home solar system. A centralized structure might be attached in a place where no distribution network provides people with electricity. There are three systems of these technologies; the first includes production. It usually includes an inverting machine, generators, and a management device, functioning as a creation engine (IRENA, 2016). The second system type is distributive, and its service lies in the transportation of the generated energy. Its components are the existing constructions, lines for the movement, and transforming means.
Finally, the end-user system aims to end the operation by providing energy to the clients. For this purpose, there are safety mechanisms for which people pay a small amount of money (IRENA, 2016). They are also associated with energy storage systems such as batteries. Biogas methane tanks and biomass gasifiers are also promising for the mini-grid industry due to their high power factor and various sizes available to match the mini-grid load (IRENA, 2016). Thus, at least two types of this technology can suffice the needs of the poor. However, another type of construction was developed, which uses another power system. Namely, geothermal energy suits for building grids in communities where it is accessible. Hence, mini-network models exist in four types: utility model, private model, public model, and public-private model (IRENA, 2016).
All of them are based on the economic aspect of financing the mini-network, which should be considered. Mini-networks in many countries are funded primarily through grants and subsidies. This happens because larger structures are difficult to support monetarily. At the same time, financial schemes are designed so that they must be able to pay for themselves. Yet, in non-industrialized sectors, a new issue arises: communities here lack any means to provide the poor with so much-needed energy. This is due to the inability of low-income segments of the population to pay fees to the system of tariffs for the maintenance and provision of mini-networks. Thus, the grids suppose a solution for such situations, equalizing societies to a greater level.
Reference
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2016). Innovation outlook. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).