Academic Press 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. Review Discusses and analyzes the connection between fossil fuels and rural electrification for scholars and students About the Author 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) Busine