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This paper presents a novel architecture for rural distribution grids. This architecture is designed to modernize traditional rural networks into new Smart Grid ones. The architecture tackles innovation actions on both the power plane and the management plane of the system. In the power plane, the architecture focuses on exploiting the synergies between telecommunications and innovative technologies based on power electronics managing low scale electrical storage. In the management plane, a decentralized management system is proposed based on the addition of two new agents assisting the typical Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system of distribution system operators. Altogether, the proposed architecture enables operators to use more effectively—in an automated and decentralized way—weak rural distribution systems, increasing the capability to integrate new distributed energy resources. This architecture is being implemented in a real Pilot Network located in Spain, in the frame of the European Smart Rural Grid project. The paper also includes a study case showing one of the potentialities of one of the principal technologies developed in the project and underpinning the realization of the new architecture: the so-called Intelligent Distribution Power Router.

Nowadays, 1.2 billion people still lack of access to electricity. Autonomous systems based on renewable energy sources are an appropriate alternative extend electrification, in particular for Ecuadorian Amazon Region (RAE). The objective of this work is to propose a tool to design of autonomous electrification systems for rural isolated communities of RAE, using photovoltaic technology and micro-grid or individual systems, and taking into account technical, economic and social aspects. For this purpose, a mixed integer linear programming model is developed that solves the type and number of equipment to install and where to place each of them, as well as the distribution micro-grids. The tool has been validated in the design of the electrification system of the community of Conambo.

This paper aims to detail and illustrate the experiences for the grid-connected mode during the operational phase of the Smart Rural Grid (SRG) project. The SRG project is focused on DSO's capabilities to increase the interoperability, resilience, efficiency and robustness of the existing rural distribution network by the utilization of new Smart Grid technologies. This project is founded by the European Union and it is constituted by an eight partners consortium mixing their know-how in a hybrid smart solution; therefore, power electronics, control theory, telecommunications, distribution system operator energy managing, supervisory systems and end-users coexist in a pilot network. This pilot network includes four rural secondary substations up to 200 kVA interconnected by means of medium voltage rural overhead lines in Vallfogona, Catalonia, Spain.

El trabajo presentado se enmarca en e l proyecto europeo del programa FP - 7 Smart Rural Grid que tiene como objetivo desarrollar la red rural inteligente y explorar las mejores maneras de hacer la transición de las actuales redes de distribución en zonas rurales a las nuevas redes inteligentes utilizando las nuevas tecnologías y conceptos de negocio a sociados. El proyecto reconsidera la arquitectura de la red de distribución rural actual, acomodando telecomunicaciones, tecnologías de control, almacenamiento y otros sistemas y dispositivos para renovar las estructuras existentes y - probar el nuevo conce pto desarrollado , basado en incrementar entre otros, la resiliencia de la red dando lugar a una nueva estructura de red p seudomallada.

Nowadays, 84% of the world population without access to electricity is located in rural areas of developing countries. In particular, in the Andean countries, about 10.4 million people lack of access to electricity, mainly in isolated poor regions. Considering the relevance of electricity in overcoming poverty and promoting socioeconomic development, local-regional-national governments, supported by international organizations, are making efforts to achieve full rural electrification. In this regard, renewable microgrid projects are an effective alternative where the national grid extension has limitations. The literature on the design of such projects is significant. However, when evaluating experiences, most works focus on an analysis of projects’ performance from a technical and/or economical point of view. In contrast, very few literature has been reported on the comparison of such experiences from the perspective of the design process itself and how decisions are taken by project developers. In this article, five rural electrification experiences in Andean Countries (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela) are reviewed, analyzing the decisions taken across the design process and showing the suitability of these technologies to extend access to electricity. In the target projects, first, a preliminary analysis is carried out to estimate the energy resources and demand. Next, the system is designed and implemented to meet the demand using the available resources. The five projects illustrate different options for the electrical generation (single, hybrid or combination of technologies), storage (battery or diesel backup) and distribution (microgrid or individual systems), as well as different methods for data gathering and systems design. In addition, a comparison of projects’ real behavior is carried out and their technical performance in terms of energy production and suitability of the technologies implemented is analyzed. These projects can be a good reference for the dissemination of such technologies in future projects in the Andean countries and abroad.

The aim of this study is to develop an algorithm for ensuring optimal operation of isolated microgrids. The generic microgrid considered consists of a set of distributed controllable generators integrated to a distribution network which give electrical supply in a local area. The algorithm is proposed to operate AC microgrids constituted by a photovoltaic power plant, synchronous diesel generators, energy storage capacity and loads. The optimization algorithm, based on linear programming, maximizes renewable power generation, minimizes diesel consumption and ensures an appropriate management of the batteries without compromising the frequency stability of the system. The energy management generates a day-ahead schedule and setpoints for the distributed energy resources and the energy storage system. © 2017 IEEE.