Challenges, Opportunities and Profitability in Virtual Power Plant Business Models in Sub Saharan Africa - Botswana

Authors

  • Sampath Kumar Venkatachary Botho University PO Box 501564, Botho Education Park Kgale KO, Gaborone Botswana
  • Jagdish Prasad Amity University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
  • Ravi Samikannu BIUST, Botswana

Abstract

The growing awareness among the various communities on dramatic climate change in the recent years and impact of fossil fuels as a source of energy which is depleting fast, has got researcher thinking on alternate sources of energy with an aim for sustainable living for the livelihood of many countries. In this context, VPP turns out to be a promising solution as a sustainable future with renewables feeding the plant. VPP is congregation of distributed resources pooled together. Not only is this system efficient with updated digital technologies in the form of Smart solutions, but also capable of providing immense benefits to consumers/prosumers. Immense benefits in the form of sustainable renewable power as a source of income makes VPP attractive to consumers, who turn as prosumers and arguably become one of the most value creators in the energy market. The plethora of R and D in VPP grid adds value to energy business while maintaining and bringing down the ill effects of CO2 emissions. This paper focuses on various aspects and business models, value propositions and the challenges in context to Sub Saharan African region - Botswana.Keywords: Virtual Power Plant, Demand Response, Demand Side Management, Time of Use, Critical Peak PricingJEL Classifications: A12, M29

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Author Biographies

Sampath Kumar Venkatachary, Botho University PO Box 501564, Botho Education Park Kgale KO, Gaborone Botswana

Sampath Kumar is a Research Scholar and doing his PhD from Amity University, Rajasthan, under the guidance of Prof. Jagdish Prasad, Amity University, Jaipur, Rajasthan and under the supervision of Dr. Ravi Samikannu, BIUST, Botswana. He has over 20 years of experience in engineering and technology. He currently heads IT department in Botho University, Botswana

Jagdish Prasad, Amity University, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Prof Jagdish Prasad is Retired Prof and Head of Department, University of Rajasthan and is now Coordinator, Amity School of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Rajasthan. He has supervised over 14 graduate students for PhD and has an extensive experience of 38 years in Research. He has published many research papers and is author of •Statistical techniques for family planning measures. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2011

Ravi Samikannu, BIUST, Botswana

Dr.S.Ravi, obtained his Ph.D. Degree in Electrical Engineering, from Anna University, Chennai. He has a total teaching experience of 12years at UG and PG levels and more than 8 years in Research field. 4 research scholars are doing research under his supervision. Dr.S.Ravi is currently working as a Senior Lecturer, Electrical Engineering Department in Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana. He has published 25 research papers in International Journals. He has presented 29 Papers and 4 projects in International and National Conferences, and has received the Best Paper Award two times for his presentation. Many times he has produced 100% pass in the University Examinations. He is actively engaged in teaching, research and academic administration. He is a recognized guide for Ph.D programme of different universities in India. He has played a major role in setting up the various laboratories of the Department and prepared the Institution for accreditation by NBA (AICTE) and UGC for the autonomous status. He has organized Faculty Development Programme on Solar Electric Power Conversion System, Recent Trends in Nontechnology and Its Application to Energy Sector sponsored by CSIR, India. He has played an / active role in organizing the AICTE sponsored staff Development programme on Embedded Control Application on Drives and has attended 16 Workshops / Seminars etc.,  and has Chaired  3 National Technical Symposia. He is a member of IE(I),ISTE and IEEE. He has conducted a 4 National Level Symposium and a Science Exhibition.  He is the reviewer in IEEE and other reputed Journals and has delivered special guest lecturers in many International and National conferences.

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Published

2017-09-30

How to Cite

Venkatachary, S. K., Prasad, J., & Samikannu, R. (2017). Challenges, Opportunities and Profitability in Virtual Power Plant Business Models in Sub Saharan Africa - Botswana. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 7(4), 48–58. Retrieved from https://econjournals.com/index.php/ijeep/article/view/4973

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2017)

Section

Articles

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