Detailed description of the challenge

Typical user is a family with 3-5 members, living in a rural returnee community in areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina indicated in the map below. Small scale agricultural production is the main source of livelihood. The production typically includes cereals, vegetables, meat and dairy products for own consumption, while trading any eventual excess produce is frequently the only source of cash income - this being severely limited as a result of no electricity for refrigeration and hot water for processing. Their homes were connected to the grid before the war, but the infrastructure is destroyed with repairs unrealistic as a result of both large scale investments and low feasibility given the number of scattered families living in isolated locations.

A. Average user of the system

• Live in a small village or hamlet with 1 to 5 families located in an isolated, rural location
• Has a low to medium education level and belong to elderly population
• Has no experience in use of renewable energy equipment

B. Geographic area for use of the system

• Primary target area for application of the system will be the return areas in north-west, west and south parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina (pls. see the enclosed map)
• The area has favourable conditions for use of solar and wind-based solutions

It is within this context, that UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking a solution that will provide a sustainable, cost-effective solution for standalone, off grid renewable energy supply for the returnee families.

Renewable energy resources available

Map 1. Global Irridiation and solar electricity potential, Bosnia and Herzegovina

BIOMASS - on average, the families live in areas where they have access to relatively cheap locally available biomass fire wood. The energy from biomass is utilised in low efficient stoves, but it is sufficient to cover the energy needs for heating a house, producing hot water and cooking in winter months. Use of alternative renewable source of energy could largely eliminate the need to use biomass in summer months.

SOLAR POTENTIAL - average potential for utilisation of solar energy in the area is estimated to be solid. There are several publicly available sources of data which describe the potential in details (such as the Map 1. presented here).

WIND POWER - there has been some research of potential of wind in the target area and some of that data is available, but estimating real potential of wind power depends very much on specifics of micro-location and therefore could be rather complicated.

HYDRO POWER - although Bosnia and Herzegovina is in general rich in hydro potential it is not realistic to assume that any of the families/communities have access to fast stream source of water.

ANIMAL WASTE - utilised as fertiliser in agriculture

Estimated technical requirements

The solution should meet the following requirements as close as possible: 

• Designed as a standalone kit that can cover electrical and hot water consumption needs of one average family (technical details described below)
• Have autonomy of at least 3 days - include means for storage of the produced energy which is of capacity sufficient to enable provision of energy for the household for at least 3 days in case no production of energy is possible (e.g. cloudy weather, winter season, no wind or similar)
• Modular, scalable and packaged in a suitable way to install and deliver in rural areas
• Assembly does not require any special skills or training - it can be done by an average user (as close as possible to an "IKEA - do it yourself" ideal)
• Assembly instructions are clearly described in graphics and language that beneficiaries understand
• If specialised tools are required for assembly - they are part of the package
• Simple and robust enough to operate on a daily basis with minimal maintenance and running costs.
• Meets all the relevant EU technical standards/requirements
• Takes in consideration and makes be best of the geographical, weather and climate conditions of the area

Estimated minimum electric power requirements per family/household* The "Other uses" assumes possibility of powering other electrical devices in a household (with power up to 1000 W), such as manual electrical tools or a water pump.

Estimated minimum hot water requirements per family/household