Demand response modeling with solar PV as a panacea to the Nigerian electricity distribution conundrum: A case study of Sierra Leone

The role of solar PV in the global energy mix is becoming more significant as the cost of solar modules continues to decline. The African continent has a good degree of solar irradiation. Therefore, it is imperative that the benefits of alternative energy generation through solar PV are maximized. In this paper, we present an optimization model of a case study in Sierra Leone which can be adapted for the Nigerian distribution system. This is because both countries are located in the same region (West Africa) and power systems are similar. We consider two demand response (DR) scenarios: price-based and incentive-based. The various DR schemes are compared to a situation in which there is no DR utilization to examine the impact of DR on peak load reduction and financial benefit to participants, and impact of renewable energy dispatch during peak and off-peak periods on financial benefits to participants. Simulation results show that the time- and incentive-based DR strategies reduce peak load demand by 11% and 14% respectively.