Demand management for isolated mini-grids supplied by renewable generation

For isolated mini-grids powered by renewable generation, balancing electricity supply and demand is a considerable challenge. This paper reviews the scope and practical methods for active demand management as part of the solution to this problem. It highlights the wide range of possible methods and their applicability and limitations for different mini-grid technologies and operating environments. The need for suitable tools to design and plan demand management schemes is identified and initial results from applying agent-based modelling to a mini-grid operational issue are presented.