Microgrid and Farming Activities: Strategy for Sustainable Productive Uses in Rural Areas

Paper in proceeding, 2023

In the face of the challenges of life in developing countries, electrification and mechanization of small farms is a necessity for increased food production and less labor input. Energy and agri-food systems are inextricably linked to each other in meeting SDG 2 for ending hunger and SDG 7 for access to affordable clean energy. Since irrigation is an important component of agriculture requiring significant amount of energy to pump and distribute water, its energy consumption patterns are evaluated throughout the year based on irrigation land suitability assessment, water requirement calculation and microgrid sizing in an off-grid village. Results show that its load demand varies significantly from 2487 kWh dropping down to zero mainly due to seasonal changes in irrigation water demand and crop seasonality. Hence, daily average energy surplus is estimated for further insight on excess valuation possibility.