Local-Scale Solar Microgrids in Lebanon: Techno-Economic Viability and Replication

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  • Author
    Alycia Deburchgrave
  • Advisor
    Prof. Carlos Gonzalez
  • Level
    Beginner
  • Study time
    ~ 20 minutes
  • Videos
    3
  • Contact
    carlos.gonzalez-de.miguel@upc.edu

Module Description

This module presents a techno-economic framework for evaluating and replicating village-scale solar microgrids in Lebanon. Using the Bchaaleh project as a case study, it explains how solar PV, battery storage, diesel generation, and grid electricity can be modelled through hourly energy dispatch and a 20-year financial assessment. The module examines how different levels of grid availability influence system reliability, operator profitability, customer savings, emissions, and health benefits. It concludes by identifying the technical, financial, regulatory, and social conditions required for successful microgrid replication in weak-grid communities.

 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, participants will be able to:
  • Explain the role of village-scale solar microgrids in addressing unreliable electricity.
  • Describe the operation of a hybrid solar PV, battery, diesel, and grid-connected microgrid.
  • Evaluate microgrid performance under different grid-availability scenarios.
  • Interpret key techno-economic indicators, including renewable fraction, NPV, IRR, LCOE, and customer savings.
  • Assess how financing, energy prices, regulation, and local conditions affect microgrid viability and replication.
STUDENT

Alycia Deburchgrave

Alycia Deburchgrave is an energy engineer specializing in clean energy systems, decarbonisation, and sustainable infrastructure. She holds a dual MSc in Energy for Smart Cities from KTH and UPC through InnoEnergy. Her master’s research developed a Python-based techno-economic framework for assessing and replicating village-scale solar microgrids in Lebanon. She previously worked in sustainability, climate, and energy at Deloitte and is a co-founder of MetanoH₂, a clean-energy venture producing hydrogen and solid carbon from organic waste.

MAIN ADVISOR

Prof. Carlos Gonzalez

Carlos González is an associate professor at UPC specializing in energy markets, renewable energy integration, and innovation management. He holds an Industrial and Electrical Engineering degree from UPC and a PhD from KU Leuven. He has conducted research at KU Leuven and ESADE Business School and participated in educational projects such as SERMED and KICstartH2. He teaches electrotechnics, innovation, energy markets, and energy storage and has contributed to a patent and publications on electricity fraud, grid flexibility, and energy communities.