CASE STUDIES

Learning from Western Australia: A geography made for microgrids

With its massive land area, thinly scattered population and resource-based economy, Western Australia has always been challenged to maintain an electric grid that covers long distances under harsh environmental conditions. Utilities are discovering that hybrid renewable microgrids can be cheaper than the upkeep on such a sprawling electrical empire, and the state’s government is listening:

Locating Pittsburgh Microgrids for Climate Resilience and Calculating their Value

A University of Pittsburgh economist who specializes in analyzing the financial risk of climate impacts is working on calculating the value of microgrids to help provide greater resilience in cities. She’s using spacial techniques to determine where microgrids should be located to provide maximum service, and she’s using HOMER Pro calculate a cost-benefit analysis:

Business Models Key to Successful Microgrids in Nepal

Currently, only 11% of Nepal’s rural population of about 23 million people has access to electricity. And many people who live in remote villages still subsist on kerosene and batteries. But, pioneering Nepalese renewable energy developer has spent almost a decade tackling the electricity challenge in Nepal. They have an impressive track record and some key lessons to pass along.

Comet ME’s Jubbet a-Dhib Microgrid — a HOMER Pro Case Study [UPDATED with Confiscation & Return, Reinstallation News]

Jubbet a-Dhib microgridThe returned solar panels are unloaded in Jubbet a-Dhib, a village in the West Bank, Palestine.

Ice Cream, Appliances, and Autonomy: Rural Electrification Project Lights West Bank Village (Read about a tragic update followed by positive outcome for Jubbet a-Dhib microgrid in updates below […]

Rocky Mountain Institute: Planning Saint Lucia’s Energy Future — A HOMER Pro Case Study

Island MicrogridsPiton mountains in Saint Lucia stock photo October 2016

HOMER Case Study: Rocky Mountain Institute Saint Lucia, like other island nations in the Caribbean, experiences high and volatile energy prices and has an economy extremely vulnerable to fluctuations […]

Philippines Microgrids Bring Sustainable Energy to Villages — A HOMER Pro Case Study

Many communities in The Philippines lack access to reliable, affordable power.

Shell Foundation, Philippines, recently hired consultant Silver Navarro to assist its Dutch consultant with an Access to Energy program promoting Philippines microgrids. The program’s purpose is designing an off-grid power system that the community can sustainably operate and maintain to meet its basic electricity requirement. HOMER Pro helped the program make rural microgrids reliable and affordable.