@article{BaderBrandmayrTrinkletal.2014, author = {Bader, Tobias and Brandmayr, Sebastian and Trinkl, Christoph and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried and Hanby, Victor Ian}, title = {Climate Specific Design and Effectiveness of Solar DEC-systems}, volume = {2014}, journal = {Energy Procedia}, subtitle = {a Methodological Zoning Approach}, number = {48}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1876-6102}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.02.090}, pages = {778 -- 789}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The climate specific effectiveness of solar DEC-systems and relevant preferable adaptions of the system design have been so far predominantly analysed based on individual simulation for selected sites. In order to systematically deduce design-specific outline data for the application of the solar DEC-technology at climatically different sites a methodological zoning approach was further developed. A subsequent meteorological analysis for 17 sites mapping the world climate creates a transparent understanding on the activity of the specific system components. This results in a comprehension on the site-specific effectiveness of solar DEC-systems and provides insights on principally relevant and efficient system configurations.}, language = {en} } @article{JamesKillingerMutangaetal.2025, author = {James, Stuart Daniel and Killinger, Markus and Mutanga, Chiedza Ngonidzashe and Pirard, Romain and Einax, Mario and Huber, Matthias and Bader, Tobias}, title = {The hybrid renewable energy community approach (HyRECA): Synergising electricity access with bush encroachment mitigation in rural Southern Africa}, volume = {2026}, pages = {100136}, journal = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition}, number = {9}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2667-095X}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rset.2025.100136}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Rural electrification and bush encroachment in Southern Africa have long been studied separately. Research shows that hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) offer viable solutions for off-grid communities, and bush encroachment mitigation is widely recognised as an ecological priority. Using Jamataka, Botswana, as a case study, this study integrates both, asking under which conditions encroacher bush-based HRES are economically viable, which electricity access levels local populations can afford, and whether biomass utilisation contributes to mitigation. Findings indicate strong potential for bush-based HRES in off-grid areas, but competitiveness declines where low-cost grid electricity is available. Economic viability is examined through levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) across alternative HRES configurations. HOMER Pro® simulations indicate PV/biomass/battery systems are most cost-effective off-grid, achieving 100 \% renewable fractions, near zero CO₂ emissions, and LCOE of 0.246 \$/kWh. In grid-connected contexts without feed-in, PV/diesel/grid combinations dominate (LCOE 0.117 \$/kWh) due to low tariffs, but with higher emissions. A novel affordability analysis using household willingness to pay and the World Bank Multi-Tier Framework indicates that all households reach at least Tier 3 electricity access under grid-connected systems and >70 \% off-grid, supporting household-use of medium-power appliances. Sustainable biomass extraction clears ∼12 ha annually (∼120 t) in Jamataka, aiding bush encroachment mitigation. Upscaling indicates potential to electrify 1.35 million people in >900 bush-encroached villages across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, using <1 \% of encroached land - highlighting significant untapped potential. Future research should validate findings through geospatial modelling with high-resolution biomass data and spatially sensitive biomass cost models for region-wide planning.}, language = {en} }