The global shift towards renewable energy is crucial, particularly in rural areas such as Topi, Pakistan.Topi, with a population density of 785.9 individuals per square kilometer, faces significant challenges due to
high electricity costs and frequent power outages lasting 12-14 hours daily during the summer season. These obstacles hinder efforts to electrify the region, compelling households to restrict tasks to daylight hours and exacerbating struggles with utility expenses.
To address this issue the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology IEEE Student Branch aims to create an efficient and scalable DC-nano grid for rural areas, prioritizing community involvement and sustainability. It will utilize key components like PV panels, converters, controllers, and batteries to form individual DCNGs, which can seamlessly interconnect into a cohesive Swarm DC Grid.
Community engagement will be crucial, with residents actively participating in deployment, extension, and maintenance, supported by training sessions and manuals. Collaborations with local partners, educational institutions, and the team’s community partner Project Topi, will empower communities, ensuring long-term access to affordable electricity while promoting responsibility and accountability.
This project was made possible by $8,500.00 in funding from the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS), an EPICS in IEEE partner.