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Analysis of institutional authors

Mazorra, JavierAuthor

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April 1, 2026
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Techno-economic microgrid design methodology for off-grid refugee camps: Kobe camp case study

Publicated to: RENEWABLE ENERGY. 256 124103- - 2026-01-01 256(), DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124103

Authors:

Qiblawey, Yazan; Ramos, Sonia; Alassi, Abdulrahman; Sanchez, Rosario; Mazorra, Javier
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Affiliations

Iberdrola Innovat Middle East, Doha 210177, Qatar - Author
Iberdrola SA, Madrid 28033, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Ind Engn Sch, Dept Org Engn Business Adm & Stat, Madrid 28006, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Innovat & Technol Dev Ctr, itdUPM, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
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Abstract

The use of renewable energy systems in remote refugee camps can provide sustainable access to electricity for communal services (CSs), thereby supporting the services offered to refugees and ensuring clean energy access. Proper sizing of these renewable energy systems helps organizations create electrical systems that benefit the camp community while considering cost optimization. This paper demonstrates the techno-economic sizing of a renewable energy-based electrical system to serve CSs in Kobe Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, where Alianza Shire has been implementing a project since 2021. The paper presents the methodology used to size the electrical system, considering various techno-economic constraints, and shares the lessons learned, including challenges such as limited access to energy consumption data for the CSs in the camp. The work also demonstrates approaches to optimally size the electrical system through three design cases, considering different inputs linked to the capital expenditure (CAPEX) of the project and technical limitations. The results show that the proposed solutions are sensitive to capital costs. Thus, introducing a small capacity shortage significantly reduces the project's capital cost, but it only has a minor impact on energy access during limited durations annually. The presented methodology and outcomes in this paper can be extrapolated by energy practitioners and policymakers to inform the power system design for refugee camps. Moreover, this work contributes to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), promoting inclusive and sustainable energy solutions for displaced populations.
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Keywords

Alternative energyCapitalClean energyCommunal serviceCommunal servicesCost analysisCost benefit analysisDesignDesign methodElectrical systemsElectricityEnergyEnergy economicsEnergy policyEnergy systemsEnergy utilizationEthiopiaExpenditureHumanitarian aidHumanitarian energyLoad profileLoad profilesRefugee campRefugee campsRenewable energiesRenewable energyRenewable energy systemRenewable energy systemsRural electrificationSustainable developmentSustainable development goalSystemsTechnical efficiencyTechno-economics

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal RENEWABLE ENERGY due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2026, it was in position 18/103, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-07:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 3 (PlumX).
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Qatar.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: Last Author (MAZORRA AGUIAR, JAVIER).

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Awards linked to the item

This publication is supported by Iberdrola S.A. as part of its innovation department research studies. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of Iberdrola Group. In addition, activities on the field and UPM's participation on this document was funded by the Trust Fund for the Horn of Africa of the European Union, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) , under the project Shire Alliance: Access to energy for Refugee Camps and Host Communities in Ethiopia. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official opinion of the funders.r views of Iberdrola Group. In addition, activities on the field and UPM's participation on this document was funded by the Trust Fund for the Horn of Africa of the European Union, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) , under the project Shire Alliance: Access to energy for Refugee Camps and Host Communities in Ethiopia. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official opinion of the funders.
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