Swarm electrification: A comprehensive literature review

Swarm Electrification (SE) is a relatively new concept, gaining considerable attention as a tool to provide last-mile electrification. A swarm grid is like a micro-grid, but rather than a planned network, it is assembled in an ad-hoc manner, connecting available equipment and growing organically as more resources become available mitigating the capital expenditure required for a community grid. SE also allows owners of small solar home systems (SHS) to sell excess energy whilst enabling others to gain an electricity connection, generating income for the prosumer and helping others to get on the electrification ladder. SE is an opportunity to reduce energy poverty, utilizing existing equipment. As the proliferation of SHSs increases, SE is set to become an important tool to maximise the benefits of this solar revolution utilizing existing equipment and delivering least cost energy connections. This review was performed to assess the state of the art and determine the next steps for SE, also what challenges must be addressed for it to flourish. The literature has been collected, presented, and organized into social and technical aspects, then examined through key sub-topics and the tools employed in the research. The results of the review and the future of swarm electrification are discussed. The benefits and motivation for SE are detailed and contrasted with the disadvantages and potential hazards. Key challenges remain such as improved modelling to better examine the swarm behaviour, scalability, and stability of swarm grids along with improved battery maintenance strategies and new business models to encourage investment.