Integrated Renewable Energy Sharing and Decentralized 5G Infrastructure for Sustainable Rural Development

Reliable electricity and internet access are essential for basic services (healthcare, education, emergency response) and economic opportunity, yet many rural and off-grid communities, including some Indigenous areas, still lack both. Thus, this research project investigates how rural and off-grid communities can access more affordable and reliable electricity and broadband by planning energy and connectivity together rather than separately. It proposes a peer-to-peer (P2P) energy-sharing network in which households equipped with solar PV, small wind turbines, and battery energy storage (BESS) can share electricity locally. At the same time, the same local clean energy also supports decentralized telecom service through 5G small cells. A series of analyses will be conducted to show that integrating renewables, storage, and decentralized telecom can reduce energy costs, increase self-sufficiency and resilience, cut reliance on fossil fuels, and support social and economic development (e.g., education and local businesses). The analysis will be developed to examine the roles of equipment prices and battery capacity in economic viability.

Faculty Supervisor:

Babak Mohamadpour Tosarkani

Student:

Partner:

University of Exeter

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program: