Adoption of Behind-The-Meter Battery Storage Systems for residences in Kenya

Abstract

This research investigates the adoption of Behind-the-Meter Battery Energy Storage Systems (BTM BESS) in Kenyan urban households, focusing on mitigating the challenges posed by unreliable electricity supply, particularly for households engaged in work-from-home (WFH) activities. Electricity reliability challenges in Kenya's densely populated urban areas presents a significant challenge to the growing WFH workforce. While BTM BESS offer a potential solution for reliability, their affordability with grid-charging remains uncertain. The study develops a modified Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS) model that integrates the WFH Reliability Metric and the WFH Income Value of Lost Load, offering a nuanced understanding of BTM BESS affordability tailored to the needs and economic realities of WFH individuals. Analysis reveals that BTM BESS becomes increasingly affordable as a reliability solution for WFH individuals, particularly those facing frequent outages or whose income is highly dependent on constant electricity access. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable energy transitions by highlighting the economic and reliability advantages of BTM BESS for urban households in Kenya, proposing policy recommendations to enhance BTM BESS adoption and support the provision of reliable electricity as per Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).