HOMER helps bring electricity to remote areas of Afghanistan

Phys.org reported recently that Mahdi Sadiqi, a graduate of Kansas State University and native of Afghanistan, used the HOMER software to model robust, reliable energy systems for remote areas of Afghanistan.

Although HOMER is increasingly used for state-of-the-art microgrid design, this example goes back to HOMER’s roots as a tool for village electrification. The benefits of electrifying rural areas can literally mean the difference between the living standards of the “dark ages” compared to that of the modern world. “By having electricity, a student can use more light to study until midnight. I remember I often studied under the moonlight if I had to,” said Sadiqi. “With more electricity, students could access technology using a computer and the internet, while community members could access news to stay informed.”

Sadiqi used HOMER to model power systems in the province of Bamiyan in the northern part of Afghanistan. He found the most ideal solution for his site was a hybrid system powered by renewable resources, including micro-hydro and solar, with a battery backup.

The problems that Sadiqi encountered in rural Afghanistan are found throughout much of the world. If there is a central power system, it is sporadic and notoriously unreliable. Bringing power from the central grid to rural areas is not economically feasible in many cases. Hybrid systems designed with HOMER can be cost effective and robust, solving both these issues simultaneously. As the Phys.org article points out, this is a great untapped opportunity.

The key to this happening, however, is HOMER. If you do not already have HOMER installed on your computer, give it a try today and learn how HOMER can bring affordable, reliable, hybrid power to your corner of the world.