Direct current nanogrid providing energy for water pumping: a comparative study in a riverside community in the Amazon

Abstract

Water pumping systems are crucial for improving the quality of life for riverside communities. In the Amazon, most of these systems still rely on fossil fuels. However, new off-grid electrification structures using Direct Current Distribution Nanogrids (DCDN) offer better energy efficiency, resilience, cost savings, and reduced environmental impact. This article presents a comparative theoretical and experimental study of various water pumps in Ilha das Onças, Pará, Brazil, where an open structure DCDN with distributed photovoltaic generation and energy storage was implemented to power eight residences and a church. The case study monitored a residential pumping system, analysing the performance before and after installing the DCDN, focusing on various energy supply types (fossil fuel, AC via inverter, and DC connected to the grid), as well as the economic and environmental impacts associated with the energy supply on the island. The results show potential savings of up to $4.5 million in gasoline costs over 25 years, and the equivalent annual CO2 emission can be reduced by 123 tons annually, considering the replicability to other nearby residences, showcasing the benefits of the solution and positive technical, economic, and environmental impacts.