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Distributed generation (DG) plays a strategic role in transitioning from a fossil to a renewable energy matrix, encouraging the reduction of energy poverty and access to green energy in traditional communities. This paper proposes a statistical model based on structural equations to analyze the influence of DG on Well-Being (CWB), and to estimate the causal relationships between the latent variables: economic (ECO), environmental (ENV), social (SOC), distributed generation system (DGS) and well-being (CWB) in a rural area in Brazil. The research is carried out in a Quilombola Community located in the south of Brazil. In the data collection process, a questionnaire was used in a Likert scale format, applied in loco to the residents of the Quilombola community. This database was imported into the SmartPLS software for analysis using a partial least squares approach. Structural equation-based modelling (SEM) results confirmed 66% of the hypotheses. The latent variables SOC and DGS directly and positively affected CWB with (β = 0.573) and (β = 0.433), respectively. The Economic variable with (β = 0.396) had a direct and positive effect on the DGS variable, and the DGS variable with (β = 0.404) had an immediate and positive impact on the CWB. The variables observed with the highest participation in the latent variables were: belonging (62%), social capital (31%), greenhouse gases (56%) and incentive policies (45%). The proposed model demonstrates that socioeconomic changes, carried out from specific public policies around the installation of DG, should contribute to the well-being of traditional communities and the reduction of energy poverty. • An analysis of the well-being development of a rural community was done. • For data collection process was used a Likert scale. • Only the social dimension had a direct effect on the well-being of the community. • The designed model demonstrated that the variables are susceptible to changes, influencing on public policies. • DG promotes well-being beyond technical issues and should encourage its installation in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation plays a vital role in sustaining agricultural production during periods of low rainfall. While ensuring increased productivity and economic profitability, irrigation is associated with high electrical energy consumption. In 2018, Brazilian Decree 9642 eliminated discounts for rural consumers, established in 2013. Leveraging renewable energy sources for irrigation can mitigate nonrenewable energy dependence and reduce the electricity costs for irrigators. This study aimed to nationally compare the economic viability of on-grid photovoltaic systems as an alternative to conventional grid energy for agricultural irrigation, both pre- and post-Brazilian Decree 9642. We conducted a comprehensive life cycle cost (LCC) analysis for both systems before and after discount termination, facilitating more informed economic decisions. The LCC of the conventional grid energy increased by over 40% after the Decree, whereas the photovoltaic system saw a modest increase of 12%. The solar system's 28% cost advantage over the conventional grid post-Decree underscores its resilience to regulatory changes. The photovoltaic system demonstrated viability when its LCC was equal to or lower than the comparator system's LCC. Notably, the economic viability of the photovoltaic system extended across all geographic regions for the grid-connected system. This study highlights the competitive pricing, versatility, and economic impact of photovoltaic systems in the context of changes in Brazilian tariff legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro- and mini-distributed generation (MMDG) has significantly increased after the normative resolution No. 482/2012 in Brazil; the installed capacity surpassed 7 GW in 2021. In the international context, a similar event was observed, whose process generated a cross-subsidy for other consumers, in addition to other problems that affect the economic balance of concessionaires. To mitigate this issue, the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) is in the process of revising current rules. Thus, this study estimates the weight of this decision, through a methodology adapted from international assessment models, based on information from the Brazilian regulatory system. In order to achieve it, this paper presents metrics to define the potential market MMDG, based on the consumption patterns of consumers. Then, through time series analysis, the MMDG demand curve is estimated under two scenarios up to 2030. Finally, the economic impact on tariff adjustments and revisions, and their effect on the electric power concessionaires are evaluated. In the distribution companies of the Enel Group alone, economic losses are estimated at USD 1.2 billion by 2030; 53% of this will be passed on to consumers' tariffs. Thus, based on international experiences, it can be concluded that the best model is the adequate grid remuneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed generation, which is mainly deployed with PV systems that benefit economically prosumers, has soared in use in Brazil. Despite this, PV capacity in excess may cause technical issues which concern planning engineers who have adopted rules of thumb to screen interconnection requests without any detailed study. Recently, the hosting capacity concept has been employed to assess how much PV capacity a distribution grid can host without deteriorating grid parameters, reliability, or power quality. A steady-state and worst-case-based scenario was used to run deterministic power flow simulations to estimate the hosting capacity of a specific radial circuit at a campus of the University of São Paulo, referred to as "USP-105". Although the result may be not completely accurate, it was found that USP-105 can accommodate 103% of its peak load or 4970.6 kW of PV power, which reduced the circuit's annual peak load by 9%. Another finding was that hosting capacity increased when PV-DG deployment was dispersed along the circuit rather than concentrated on a single location (e.g., closest, or furthest to the substation). Utilities may therefore benefit from a simple and quick assessment to obtain an overview of how specific circuits behave on PV deployment and indicate which locations are technically more beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore financial alternatives to implement PV power generation projects based on the provisions of Normative Resolution n. 482/2012 of the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (Aneel). This regulation sets forth the general conditions to the access of microand minigeneration granted to the electric energy distribution systems through the energy product offset method. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: This paper discusses the need for regulatory changes, greater government participation in the granting of financial and tax incentives so that PV solar power technology in distributed generation can be financially viable for residential consumers. Key methodological aspects: Investment analysis in PV systems used the Net Present Value (NPV) valuation method. The research assessed two scenarios for Grid-Connected PV Systems (GCPVSs), with different solar power usage levels for a residential consumer. Summary of key results: The results point to a low financial viability in the implementation of distributed microgeneration projects, suggesting the need to remove the tax burden and reduce financing costs. Key considerations/conclusions: The study shows the need of flexibilization of the Brazilian regulatory model, with changes that enable the expansion of renewable energy offers, with positive economic outcomes for tariff affordability. Tariff benefits from distributed microgeneration can positively reflect on captive customers, provided that investment risks are reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a mathematical model based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP). This model aids the decision-making process in local generation use and demand response application to power demand contract adequacy by Brazilian consumers/prosumers. Electric energy billing in Brazil has some specificities which make it difficult to consider the choice of the tariff modality, the determination of the optimal contracted demand value, and demand response actions. In order to bridge this gap, the model considers local generation connected to the grid (distributed generation) and establishes an optimized solution indicating power energy contract aspects and the potential reduction in expenses for the next billing period (12 months). Different alternative sources already available or of interest to the consumer can be considered. The proposed mathematical model configures an optimization tool for the feasibility analysis of local generation use and, concomitantly, (i) checking the tariff modality, (ii) revising the demand contract, and (iii) suggesting demand response actions. The presented result shows a significant reduction in the energy and power expenses, which confirms the usefulness of this proposal. In the end, the optimized answers promote benefits for both, the consumer/prosumer and the electric utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of the economy in urban centers is invariably accompanied by an increase in human activities and environmental interference, mainly related to waste generation. Due to the nature of these activities, large volumes of varied waste are generated daily without the establishment of compatible and adequate collection, logistics, and final disposal systems, bringing relevant impacts to society on health, the environment, and the economy itself. In Brazil, in 2019 alone, almost 30 million tons of MSW were not collected and the total collected, of approximately 44 million tons, went to landfills, with little or no energy use. There is therefore a great opportunity for energy use using this source, aiming not only to adapt to current legislation, but also to reduce GHG emissions, reduce the population's exposure to sanitary landfills and open air, and use the energy contained in these wastes. The purpose of this study is to analyze the main conditions and challenges of current technologies for harnessing the energy potential of biomass from urban solid waste (USW) to enable the insertion of mini thermal plants connected to distributed generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazilian consumers have the possibility to produce their own energy using renewable sources or qualified cogeneration and even provide the surplus for the distribution network of their locality, as determined by Normative Resolution no. 482/2012 issued by the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). In view of this, the use of photovoltaic systems for electricity generation has grown surprisingly reaching the mark of 8 gigawatts of installed power on Brazilian soil in the year 2021 [1]. In Brazil, public agencies represent 0.1% with 4.7MW installed [1], and 0.38% in the state of Mato Grosso [14]. Thus, aiming at the rise of electricity generation in public buildings due to the possibility of reducing the electric bill costs, the present work deals with the dimensioning, budget quotation and economic feasibility analysis regarding the installation of a grid-connected photovoltaic power generation system to meet the energy demands of Jorge de Abreu Regional Hospital in the city of Sinop, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. After carrying out the necessary research based on the techniques present in the economic sciences, as Minimum Attractiveness Rate (MRA), Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and calculation of Payback, the present work considered a grid-connected solar energy generation system of 585 kW to supply the hospital's average monthly consumption of 93.829 kWh/month. The investment analysis showed that the project for the implementation of the photovoltaic system will have its NPV viable as of the 4th year of installation and the Payback (return on investment), observing the monetary corrections, of approximately four years and five months, thus configuring the system as economic financially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research is to propose an active and reactive power injection control in order to mitigate voltage sags. The proposed control strategy works in conjunction with a modified version of an automatic voltage regulator (AVR), where it will act on the active and reactive powers injected by the inverter to reduce the effects of voltage sags. In this way, the control will avoid possible shutdowns and damage to the equipment connected to the grid. The voltage improvement can be perceived for consumers connected to the power system. Modifications in AVR model and parameters are performed to speed up its performance, thus identifying the short-duration voltage variations (SDVV) and, consequently, the control acts to alter the powers, decreasing the active power injection and increasing the reactive power based on inverter capacity during the momentary voltage dip (MVD). Finally, when the fault is cleared, all values return to the pre-fault condition, so that the inverter only operates with active power. A 75 kW three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system (GCPVS) equipped with the proposed control was inserted in a distribution grid of the city of Palmas, state of Tocantins, Brazil, and all of the computer simulations were performed on the Matlab/Simulink®. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work analyzes the Income and Energy Generation Program, authorized by the Brazilian National Energy Agency and implemented by Caixa Econômica Federal and Brasil Solair in two condominiums of popular housing. The method used is qualitative, applied, descriptive and exploratory. An extensive literature review was conducted as well as 18 interviews with specialists, agents from the electricity sector and representatives of the condominiums. Questionnaires were distributed to all residents to understand the energy consumption habits in the condominiums and the situation experienced throughout the program execution. For the data analysis, the triangulation method was used. In the results, the situation of the residents and five different opportunities to adapt the renewable energy system of the condominiums to current legislation are highlighted and analyzed. These include the rental of roofs and equipment or building a cooperative with other beneficiaries of social housing programs for remote energy compensation. In conclusion, the project could be improved to better fulfill the needs of the condominiums and their inhabitants, guaranteeing better use of investment in renewable energy and improving programs to alleviate poverty in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is currently undergoing changes to regulations on distributed generation (DG), specifically for solar energy micro-generation. The changes proposed by the Brazilian Regulatory Agency suggest that only the cost of energy be compensated to investors. The service costs and other charges related to energy tariffs must be divided among consumers. Investors with existing installations and class entities have contested these proposals, calling them "sun-fees". To date, no scientific papers have been published discussing these changes. The new regulations propose an end to cross subsidies, where all consumers (even those who do not have DG) pay for the transmission and distribution systems. This study compares the economic feasibility of micro-generation before and after implementing the new standards proposed by the regulatory agency. We used data on average electrical energy demand, energy price, and solar radiation in different regions. The national averages were used as a base comparison with other scenarios. The results show that projects are viable for all analyzed scenarios, however, after implementing the proposed changes, the discounted payback time is extended. This, however, does not make projects unfeasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operation of electrical systems is becoming more difficult due to the intermittent and seasonal characteristics of wind and solar energy. Such operational challenges can be minimized by the incorporation of energy storage systems, which play an important role in improving the stability and reliability of the grid. The economic viability of hybrid power plants with energy storage systems can be improved if regulations enable the remuneration of the various ancillary services that they can provide. Thus, the aim of this study is to provide a literature review regarding the economic feasibility of hybrid wind and solar photovoltaic generation with energy storage systems and its legal and regulatory aspects. Observing the global tendency, new studies should address the technical and economic feasibility of hybrid wind and solar photovoltaic generation in conjunction with, at least, one kind of energy storage system. In addition, it is very important to take into account the regulatory barriers and propose solutions to remove them. It was observed that although regulatory aspects can influence the economic feasibility of hybrid projects, little is known about this relationship among regulatory frameworks. The findings presented in this article are important not only for Brazil, but also for other countries that do not have regulations in force to support the use of energy storage systems in hybrid systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]