Demand Side Energy Management And Customer Behavioral Response In A Rural Islanded Microgrid

Robust Extra Low COst Nanogrids (RELCON)(1) is a research initiative that aims to provide electricity to a rural African community. Participants will receive a plug-and-play bidirectional multiport 300W power converter box containing a 236Wh lithium ion battery. Each converter is linked to a central hub which has photovoltaic generation and battery storage. The RELCON project will advance the progress of microgrids by tackling several problems that have impeded previous electrification efforts, namely the financial stability of tariff structures, dependency on centralized power generation and storage, community ownership and system longevity. This paper will detail RELCON's demand side management strategy and its expected direct and indirect role in addressing each of these standing deficiencies. The approach is threefold. First, energy tariffs incentivize specific customer behaviors whilst managing battery storage resources. Second, demand response load curtailment techniques will maximize power availability. Lastly, social communication will educate users in individual energy stewardship to engage participants in a utility collective.