Rural Electrification: Optimizing Economics, Planning and Policy in an Era of Climate Change and Energy Transition

Rural Electrification poses solutions to the insuperable modern challenge of providing 24/7 electricity for populations, housing and territory located outside towns and cities. The book reviews the historical development of rural energy systems, their status quo, and the role of renewable and fossil fueled solutions in delivering electricity. It addresses core issues of energy source typologies, resource deployment, fundamental challenges and limitations, the burgeoning threat of climate change, and the role of the renewable energy transition. Chapters account for almost all forms of fuel solutions, with a focus on electrification economics, planning, and policy using the most cost-effective fuels and systems available.

Novel approaches to address the challenges of rural electrification, including distributed generation systems, new management and ownership models, off-grid systems, and future energy technologies are thoroughly explored. The work concludes with a comparative assessment of different energy supply technologies and scenarios, contrasting the pros and cons of fossil fuels versus renewable energy resources to achieve the goal of comprehensive rural electrification.

Dr. Najib Altawell is a researcher, consultant, and lecturer in renewable energy and fossil fuels, specialized in biomass commercial and technical aspects. He earned his Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of Nottingham, MRes in Nanotechnology and Nanoelectronics from Surrey University, BSc (Hon) in Computer Science from Westminster University, and PGC in Teaching from Greenwich University and PGCHEP in higher education programme from Plymouth University. Dr Altawell’s current research interests include commercial, technical and economical aspects related to renewable energy, fossil fuels, hybrid sources of energy, rural electrification, off-grid electricity supply, nanotechnology and nanoelectronic, machine olfaction devices (electronic nose) and aspects related to computer science.

James Milne brings over 40 years’ experience in the downstream oil industry, and has worked for several multi-national oil companies such as Texaco, Total and Repsol Petroleum. In addition, he has held Managing Director roles for both Texaco- and Esso-branded distributors here in the UK. After leaving a London-based importer and trader of petroleum products in 2002, James entered the consultancy sector, making use of his extensive network of contacts across the industry and has successfully built a renowned reputation, working in partnership with organisations such as Royal Dutch Vopak, the States Governments of both Jersey and Guernsey, United Nations, Reliance Petroleum of India, NATO and many others. Consultancy work has taken James to Uganda, Liberia, Dubai and Malaysia in the past 5 years. James advised the organisation that acquired the Total UK downstream assets in a deal worth £ 360 million in 2012 on all matters relating to supply and distribution logistics. As well as extensive commercial training – for the Energy Institute and other providers - James started lecturing at GSM London on Project Management on the MSc Oil & Gas program. James also lectures in Energy Economics at Coventry University and writes and delivers certificated courses for other academic and commercial training and Higher Education establishments and providers. James has been involved with the Energy Institute’s Supply & Distribution Economics training course for 10 years and has also been accredited by SGS to deliver awareness training on the EI/JIG 1530 Standard for aviation fuels handling.

Patrice Seuwou received his master’s degree in Innovative Technology from the University of East London in the United Kingdom. Patrice is a senior lecturer and programme leader for the BSc (Hons) Business Management & Information Technology and also leading the BSc (Hons) App Development for Digital Business at GSM London. Prior to that, he was a visiting lecturer at London South Bank University and also Academic Registrar & Quality Manager working for Williams College in partnership with Gloucestershire University. Patrice is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) Reviewer for the International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics (IJESDF), External Examiner for Pearson. Patrice is a Microsoft certified professional, Member of the Association of Computer Professional (ACP), a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), a member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and also Member of the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS).

Luisa Sykes is an experienced senior consultant with twenty years’ experience in energy advisory roles providing bespoke advice on project investment, valuations, project financing and market analysis. As an energy consultant Luisa acquired extensive experience in M&A transactions acting on the buy-side and sell-side of energy transactions with a value of over $1 billion as well as IPO’s and the refinancing of assets. Luisa combines extensive industry knowledge with solid economic and financial expertise in the energy sector - well versed in assessment of project economics, risk analysis, disinvestment and asset valuation. She covered a wide range of international assignments in Europe, FSU, Asia and Middle East alongside international energy companies, investment banks and government institutions. She is an experienced trainer in delivering energy training courses to oil and gas companies.