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Rational and efficient energy use programs in Non-Interconnected Zones in Colombia: a system dynamics analysis

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Abstract

SDG 7, “affordable and clean energy,” is a major challenge for developing countries such as Colombia, where there has been a push to increase coverage with very high costs. This phenomenon has diminished the rational use of energy and energy efficiency, and there is a lack of energy policies for Non-Interconnected Zones (NIZ). This study analyzes the implementation of energy efficiency programs for NIZ communities and proposes investments focused on replacing old/inefficient appliances. It also proposes training the population to improve consumption habits and decrease the demand for electricity and reduce the amount of subsidies the government grants to the NIZ. The model was implemented using the system dynamics methodology with a 20-year time horizon, and the analysis includes load censuses, the amount of subsidies, operating costs, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions. Simulations show that considerable reductions in the demand for electrical energy can be achieved with a temporary increase in subsidies to implement energy efficiency programs, generating a decrease in the use of diesel fuel and less CO2 emissions. The measures also lead to improving network conditions and reducing operating costs in communities. This model can become a tool for government entities to evaluate new subsidies aimed at reducing operating costs in these areas.

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Notes

  1. GENSA is the company in charge of the generation actives of Mitú, among other locations of the Colombian NIZ

  2. Industrial users are not as representative in this analysis. The socioeconomic characteristics of the considered areas imply that the industrial sector is not present

  3. The unit cost of energy for the NIZ is made up of three components: generation charge, distribution charge, and commercialization charge. However, the generation charge represents approximately 90% of this unit cost

  4. The polarity of each feedback loop is determined by tracing the effects of each link, starting with any variable, until the loop is closed. If the net effect is to reinforce an initial change in the variable chosen at the starting point, the loop is positive. If an initial change is counteracted, the loop is negative. Lastly, a double hash mark drawn on any arrow linking two variables represents a time delay (Gary & Larsen, 2000). The arrow linking any two variables, x and y, indicates that a causal relationship exists between x and y. The sign at the head of each arrow denotes the nature of the relationship as follows:

    $${x}_{\to }^{+}y\Rightarrow\frac{\partial y}{\partial x}>0\;and\; {x}_{\to }^{-}y\Rightarrow\frac{\partial y}{\partial x}<0$$

  5. The model presented in this article highlights a directly proportional relationship between the demand for energy, use of diesel fuel, and cost of energy, so that variables defined by the Commission for Electricity and Gas Regulation (CREG) (CREG 091 de 2007—Formula Tarifaria y Costo Unitario de Prestación Del Servicio En ZNI, 2007), such as the cost of the lubricant used by diesel plants, cost of maintenance, or cost of storage, are assumed to be insignificant for the model (in addition, these variables have very small shares compared to others with a broad influence on the model—for reason, they can be omitted)

  6. Current regulations require service providers to report information regarding the operation of the electrical system to Ministry of Mines and Energy, and this is added to the SUI database managed by the Superintendence of Domiciliary Public Services (CREG 091 de 2007—Formula Tarifaria y Costo Unitario de Prestación Del Servicio En ZNI, 2007)

  7. The CNM is a mission area of the IPSE that carries out fundamental activities for monitoring the provision of electric power service in the NIZ, helping the responsible entities to ensure the provision and quality of service to the users of these areas. It also provides timely information on electrical parameters for planning, decision-making and developing structural energy solutions

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the valuable comments of anonymous reviewers incorporated in the manuscript.

Funding

The research for this work was supported by Universidad Nacional de Colombia with the project entitled “Characterization of the Demand for Electric Energy for the Development of Energy Efficiency Programs in the Municipality of Mitú,” code 40231, developed by the Environmental Energy and Education Policy research group—E3P and the company Gestión Energética SA—GENSA. We also received support given to the project “Modeling and Simulation of Incentives for Energy Efficiency in Non-Interconnected Zones,” code 47501 financed by the same institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Manizales Campus, Manizales, Colombia

    Juan F. García-Franco & Sandra X. Carvajal-Quintero

  2. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín Campus, Medellín, Colombia

    Santiago Arango-Aramburo

  3. Fulbright Visiting Professor, System Dynamics Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT, Medellín, Colombia

    Santiago Arango-Aramburo

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  1. Juan F. García-Franco
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  2. Sandra X. Carvajal-Quintero
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  3. Santiago Arango-Aramburo
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Correspondence to Santiago Arango-Aramburo.

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Appendices

Appendix 1

Table 1 Appendix I
Full size table

Appendix 2 Information founded in the fieldwork at Mitú

Durante las visitas realizadas al municipio de Mitú, se pudieron evidenciar diferentes características que los hace tener un elevado consumo de electricidad, por ejemplo, la presencia de estufas eléctricas que, se justifica en que el gas es demasiado costoso en la zona debido a la logística de transporte de este, mientras que la electricidad tiene un cobro fijo mensual independiente de su uso.

figure a

Durante los recorridos por la cabecera municipal, fue evidente el hecho de que las luminarias de alumbrado público permanecen prendidas las 24 horas del día, por lo que se tiene un gasto innecesario de energía el alumbrado público. Además, es común ver que en las casas aún se utilizan bombillas incandescentes lo que aumenta el consumo considerablemente.

figure b

Durante las visitas realizadas se realizaron jornadas de capacitación para concientizar a las personas sobre el uso adecuado de las redes, los buenos hábitos de consumo y las tecnologías más eficientes. Una de las capacitaciones estuvo enfocada en mostrar diferentes tipos de luminarias resaltando las diferencias entre consumo, durabilidad y costo.

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Table 2 Information founded in the field work at Mitú
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Appendix 3

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García-Franco, J.F., Carvajal-Quintero, S.X. & Arango-Aramburo, S. Rational and efficient energy use programs in Non-Interconnected Zones in Colombia: a system dynamics analysis. Energy Efficiency 14, 78 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-021-09989-2

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