Energy supply to an isolated community by means of a hybrid system with wind and solar photovoltaic energy, and eradication of poverty

a case study of a quilombola community in Bahia

Abstract

The issue of energy encourages every society directly or indirectly to seek strategies to meet their many needs. One such strategy is featured in this article, which presents research on implementing electrification of rural areas and eradication of poverty. This paper deals with the energization of isolated communities, and uses as a  reference the Brazilian Federal Government´s Millennium Development Goals (UNDP) and Light for All Program, since the Government guarantees the supply of electricity for basic needs of the community, prioritizing on service to individual residences. This study is presented as an alternative to solar panel systems installed by the federal program, and focuses on the application of renewable energies --  photovoltaic and solar-wind -- which may serve as complements and  permit an increased generation of energy. We take as a case study a quilombo that caters to the needs of the community as a whole -- thus, we increase and enhance their socio-economic development, both in terms of residential energy supply, and in terms of the water supply needed for irrigation, crafts , and manufacture of local products. For that two scenarios are analyzed, one being a conventional energy supply system and the other an isolated one, and an evaluation of investment and rate costs is performed. It was found that through the use of  some of the already available programs as well as the implementation of specific policies and adequate rates, the hybrid system acquires economic viability, in addition to the social and environmental benefits it presents.