Mitigating the Impact of Rapid Load Changes in Rural DC Minigrids for Extended Accessibility

Despite the growing risk of poor electromagnetic compatibility, the urgent push for universal energy access as stated in Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) has driven the rapid deployment of dc minigrids to provide electricity to areas beyond the reach of the main grids. One significant risk comes from balancing electricity supply and demand, which can be minimized through the integration of batteries. While batteries are effective for distributing energy use over time, their capability to handle rapid load changes may be insufficient. On the other hand, supercapacitors (SCs) are typically used to cover transients. This study investigates such integration in a small dc system through measurements. Their implementation for rural electrification demonstrates their ability to address unique challenges, thereby advancing progress toward SDG7. Furthermore, limited infrastructure and the necessity for long cables in remote areas exacerbate the impact of rapid load changes. Implementing SCs at cable ends can mitigate this impact, enabling longer cables to connect more households for extended accessibility.