Optimal Mix of Rural Energy Using Fuzzy Logic for Shops and Establishments

The energy resource allocation strategy is normally overlooked in rural energy use due to lack of information and absence of realistic planning approach. Locally available energy resources are used abundantly and the indigenous technologies have lost their values. In this study, the different types of shops and establishments like offices, health service units etc, are surveyed and information is analysed. Energy is required for lighting and cooking in the shops, hotels, hostels, health centres etc. Lighting is the major task in the offices whereas its duration of use is different from the shops. All possible sources are used in this study. Minimisation of total cost of direct energy, minimisation of non-local sources of energy and maximisation of overall efficiency are adopted as objective functions and so Multi Objective Fuzzy Linear Programming technique is used to achieve a best compromised solution of these three objective functions. The developed model is applied for testing the case of Narayangarh Block of West Medinipur District in West Bengal State of India. The result shows that kerosene is still the most economically viable source for lighting while electricity is the most preferred source for qualitative outcome. Spy system has the potential to replace diesel fueled generator sets which are commonly used for lighting purposes in the shops, establishments, market areas, festivals etc.