Comparative Analysis of Electrical Power Utilization in Nigeria: From Conventional Grid to Renewable Energy-based Mini-grid Systems

Abstract

The electrical power grid in Nigeria is limited in terms of reach and utilization, and this leaves a large section of the population without access to power supply. This paper therefore reviews literature on the current state of the conventional electrical power grid in Nigeria. The generation, transmission and distribution sectors of the grid are briefly reviewed before examining the extent, capacity and power generation technologies used by some currently deployed mini-grid systems. It is observed that a majority of deployed mini-grid systems depend on solar photovoltaic renewable energy sources and such systems are mostly isolated from the conventional grid. Therefore, to make a case for improved access to electrical power supply in the country, statistical and demographic analysis has been carried out to reveal the size of the electrical energy market available to mini-grids and the need to integrate current and future mini-grids to the conventional grid. It is noted that with substantial but targeted investments, a number of existing smart grid technologies can be employed to integrate mini-grids to the conventional grid thereby providing affordable access to electricity for communities that are hitherto unserved or underserved by the conventional grid. Some of the available smart grid technologies that have been identified to be suitable for integration purposes include advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) and high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines. A top-level schematic of how and where such technologies can be deployed is provided.