Research Gaps and Directions on Mini-Grid Control Strategies for Isolated Communities in Developing Countries

Abstract

Mini-grids (MGs) offer a promising solution for providing reliable and sustainable electricity to remote communities in developing countries. However, effective control strategies are crucial for ensuring efficient and stable operations, particularly when integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) with fluctuating power output. While most existing MGs in developing countries lack control strategies that effectively optimise energy use and guarantee consistent performance, this review highlights some of the gaps. This paper focuses on the challenges associated with MG control in developing countries including data availability, communication infrastructure limitations, and social and technical constraints. There is need for user-friendly control solutions tailored to the specific needs of isolated communities. A systematic review approach and network analysis were conducted on recent literature from the IEEE digital library and Science@Direct databases, focusing on research from developing countries. The review identifies research gaps and highlights future directions for MG control strategies, emphasising the need for cost-effective and reliable solutions for isolated communities. The review concludes that further research is necessary, particularly in developing control strategies specifically designed for isolated MGs in developing countries.