1. U.S. Support for Village Power
Research for renewable energy technologies
Resource assessment
Development of technologies
System implementation and projects
Renewable energy applications: productive uses, telecom, micro-enterprise
Hybrid systems (PV/wind/diesel)

2. Village Power Support Activities
R&D
Resource assessment
Deployment
Training
System design
Outreach

3. Research and Development
Research to develop technologies: technology is necessary, but not sufficient
- PV - wind - hybrid - battery - biomass

4. Resource Assessment
Resource assessment and GIS analysis tools to develop projects: knowledge of renewable energy resources is critical to project success
-solar -wind -hydro -biomass

5. System Analysis
Computer modeling and system analysis: performance, resource availability, loads, and cost effectiveness can aid project design
HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables) - model that helps design electric power systems
Hybrid2 - tool to conduct long-term performance and economic analysis on hybrid power systems
ViPOR (Village Power Optimization Model for Renewables) - optimization model for designing village electrification systems

6. Sustainability Issues
Village power sustainability issues: RE provides a service to users and has potential to improve quality of life
- O&M - productive uses - health clinics - schools - micro-enterprise (access to markets)
- community centers - telecom, access to information

7. Outreach
Outreach: networking and training opportunities support village power projects
Village Power conferences (1994, 1997, )
Village Power database and newsletter
WEATS
GVEP

8. Domestic Applications
Tribal Energy Program
Financial and technical assistance for feasibility studies
Shares cost of implementing sustainable energy installations on tribal lands.
Wales, Alaska - high penetration wind-diesel hybrid demonstration project in rural Alaska. 130 kW wind/365 kW diesel. Prototype to validate the technical feasibility and economic viability of wind-diesel hybrid electric generation systems for widespread applicability to rural villages

9. International Applications
Asia
Africa
South America

10. Example: Integrated Strategies to Support VP in China
Analyses
Inner Mongolia case studies - technical and economic performance of household and village power systems
Rural household energy surveys in Xinjiang, Qinghai and Inner Mongolia and analysis of least-cost systems options
Resource Assessment
- Biomass assessments and resource database, conversion technologies, technical and economic assessment, and market strategies and policies
Training – at NREL, in China
SDPC Brightness Program/Township program
- SDPC grant for 17 MW PV and wind village power systems
- Training certification program, hybrids systems training, productive uses and micro-enterprise training