AR-Mini: AI-powered renewable mini-grids for rural regions in Sri Lanka

The rapid depletion of conventional energy resources and environmental costs associated with the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation have put increasing pressure on electrical utilities to include distributed renewable energy resources into their networks, In addition, energy efficiency, demand-side management and load control are becoming integral parts of modern electricity distribution operations. Regulatory bodies and customers also demand improved power quality, reliability and operational flexibility.

In these conditions, increasing the supply capacity by investing in traditional infrastructure alone would not be sufficient. Smart grids, mini-grids and demand response schemes are some of the initiatives that distribution utilities can take to meet these future challenges.

Renewable energy sources have the capacity to ensure sustainable energy supply and fuel diversification. They increase energy security, reduce the risk of fuel pollution and reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources conserve the country's natural resources.

This is especially beneficial for countries like Sri Lanka, which have no fossil fuel reserves but are rich in renewable energy sources. Despite the benefits, the use of renewable sources increases the complexity of management and control of the electricity grid. Mini-grids are used to alleviate such complexities but there are challenges when balancing demand and supply from multiple renewable energy sources.

An intelligent mini-grid controller can deal with uncertainties in both demand and supply. It can help maximise the use of renewable resources and while minimising the use of fossil fuel (e.g. hybrid system using diesel).

This collaborative project between Sri Lanka (AVS) and the UK (RGU), aims to demonstrate the feasibility of an AI-powered Renewable Mini-grid (AR-Mini) for rural regions in Sri Lanka. The project objectives are as follows:

* Design and development of a prototypical AR-Mini, managed by an AI-powered mini-grid management system, that optimises core operations.

* Assess the feasibility of AR-Mini in terms of improving access to low-carbon, reliable and affordable energy in Sri Lanka.

Due to its geographical location, solar, hydro and wind power are considered to be cheaper sources of electricity generation in Sri Lanka compared to fossil fuels. Hence the proposed innovation (AR-Mini) will reduce costs, emissions and increase the reliability of supply to the end-users like rural households, SMEs and social institutions, ultimately addressing all three areas of the energy trilemma.

Although the primary focus is Sri Lanka, findings of the proposed innovation can be adopted in similar countries in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia.