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Im focusing on Central & South America because I know some friends there that complain about the electricity

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What is preventing needed electricity from getting to people in need?

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3 Ideas that we can use to improve energy efficiency in energy stricken countries

Decentralize electricity production,

In remote or rural areas where grid extension is expensive, off-grid renewable technologies like solar panels, mini-grids, and biogas can provide sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable energy.

Implement building efficiency standards,

Creating and enforce building codes for both new and existing structures to improve insulation, incorporate passive design strategies, and reduce energy demand for heating and cooling.

Advance efficient transportation,

Promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and develop infrastructure to support them. For short-distance travel, incentivize walking, cycling, and public transport.

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Simply put, energy efficiency means using less energy to get the same job done – and cutting energy bills and reducing pollution in the process. Many products, homes, and buildings use more energy than they actually need, through inefficiencies and energy waste. Energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways to eliminate energy waste and lower energy costs. It is also one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution, help families meet their budgets, and help businesses improve their bottom lines. Millions of American consumers and businesses choose or invest in energy-efficient products.

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Programs such as RELAC and its support by the Inter-American Development Bank are helping to improve and build renewable energy sources in Latin America, with Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Honduras.

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Discover how Robeco leverages renewable energy investments to ensure sustained electricity generation based on natural conditions.

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How investing in renewable is beneficial

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How investing in renewable is beneficial

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enhanced energy security by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, economic growth through job creation and stable energy prices, improved public health from reduced air pollution, and environmental protection by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts are just some of the benefits of implementing a renewable energy system.

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At first, before researching this topic, I thought that energy access was mainly about, just building power plants and such.

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When i chose this topic, one of the first questions I had was, "why do so many countries in Central America struggle with blackouts and electricity"

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I chose SDG #7 because reliable and sustainable energy access is critical for development in Nicaragua and Central America, where energy insecurity limits growth and the well being of people.

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I want to research unreliable energy infrastructure, this must be addressed to reach SDG #7, I will focus on the country of Nicaragua and its surrounding neighbors, in this Padlet, I will research on available ways to help expand it's infrastructure and list the benefits of expansion.

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Promote Better Energy Policies, Incentives Driving Renewables

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Promote Better Energy Policies, Incentives Driving Renewables

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Law No. 532, "Law on the Promotion of Renewable Electricity Generation"

Reading about Nicaragua’s laws that include tax exemptions, duty-free imports, and mandatory utility purchase of renewable energy made me realize policy can actively attract investment. Strong incentives like these are vital for expanding energy infrastructure

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Investing in renewable energy doesn’t just provide electricity, it creates jobs.

Building solar farms, wind turbines, and microgrids requires engineers, technicians, and local labor. Maintenance and installation also provide steady employment, particularly in rural areas where opportunities are limited. This connection between clean energy and jobs helps reduce poverty while improving access to reliable power.

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The Rise of Electrification: How it’s Transforming the Job Market for Electricians - Tyndale USA

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Welcome to The Rise of Electrification, a three-part series that explores the current state of electrification in the US and studies several key impacts of the growing demand for electricity both now and in the near future. The world is currently in the midst of an electrification revolution. Electrification refers […]

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Use Technology to Our Advantage, Demand-Side Flexibility via IoT in Managua

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Use Technology to Our Advantage, Demand-Side Flexibility via IoT in Managua

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This article introduced me to ‘FlexBox’ devices in Managua, IoT sensors that gather data to help adjust household energy use. It dawned on me that such smart tech could help manage limited power supply more efficiently and reduce waste.

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How does the development of countries contribute to the accessibility of electricity?

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Technology plays a key role in solving energy challenges. Smart grids can help manage demand and prevent blackouts. Mobile apps allow families to pay for electricity in small amounts (pay as you go solar systems), which increases access for low income households. Advances in battery storage make renewable energy more reliable, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. By adopting these technologies, Central America can leapfrog over older and less efficient systems.

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As technology continues its ever-changing wave of innovations and updates, engineers must strive to stay ahead of electrical engineering trends. Why? Because the future of electronics influences several industries, such as automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications, banking and finance, retail, education, energy, aerospace, and security. Read on for a summary of five upcoming trends in electrical engineering and electronics to learn how you can both influence and prepare for the future. In short, regardless of the industry, engineers will be responsible for pioneering and building new ways of interacting with technology.
1. Wireless Power Transfer

Did you ever worry about forgetting to pack your charger when getting ready to leave on a trip? Or maybe you did forget it. This trend in electrical engineering eliminates any need for concern or inconvenience.

Though still in its early stages of development and production, wireless power transfer is a promising innovation for the future of electronics.

In short, wireless power transfer (WPT), also known as wireless energy transfer, is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to a receiver without the use of interconnecting wires. WPT systems use time-varying electromagnetic fields for energy transmission. These systems ride along the same fields and waves as wireless communication devices. Essentially, a receiver in a device picks up the power, which allows for contactless charging, powering, and data communication.

Innovative Uses

If you think wireless power transfer is limited to your phone or computer, think again. Electric vehicle charging docks, security software, and heart pumps have all been discussed as potential use cases for wireless power transfer. In short, wireless power transfer has transformed or will transform several aspects of our lives.

Smart Homes: Wireless power transfer can be used to power a range of smart home devices such as lighting, climate control, security systems, and more.

Automotive: WPT can enable contactless charging of electric vehicles, providing a more efficient and convenient way of powering them up.

Industrial: WPT can be used to power industrial machinery and equipment, reducing the need for wires and cables and increasing safety.

Wearables: WPT could be used to power and charge wearables such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and medical devices.

Remote Areas: WPT can be used to provide energy in remote areas where it is difficult to connect to the grid.

2. Wearable Tech

While wearable technology is nothing new, its constant innovation and new iterations require the industry to think on its feet (literally) to meet consumer demand and to stay ahead of electrical engineering trends.

Forward-Thinking Fashion

But wearable tech is far more than just a watch or an electrical engineering trend. It can become a life-saving device. Electrical engineers have been hard at work developing wearable pieces that prevent injury and workplace accidents. For example, SolePower boots are specifically designed to eliminate on-the-job injuries. The boots contain technology that monitor the wearer's real-time location, environmental conditions, and even fatigue. All in all, these boots are meant to improve situational awareness and improve safety in the workplace.

Beyond boots, smart clothing is another form of wearable technology that incorporates sensors and other electronics into fabric, tracking physiological signals (heart rate, body temperature, and respiration) and providing feedback to the user. Some brands, such as Sensoria, track user performance and activity metrics, such as heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, and distance traveled. Others, like Spire Health, are designed to send ongoing, real-time health statistics to medical professionals to monitor health conditions. Smart clothing can also be used to connect to other devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

And there are other potential applications of smart clothing as well, such as tracking location, helping wearers find help when they are lost or in danger, detecting injuries and falls, and alerting emergency contacts.

3. Electric Power Distribution and Supply

Almost gone are the days of customer reliance on power from a single, localized power company. Today's power generation industry trends dictate a better, more efficient way to generate power with smart grids and microgrids.

Microgrids

A microgrid " consists of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources" that comprise "a single controllable entity with respect to the grid." Or to put it more simply, microgrids are self-contained power sources that provide power for smaller, community-based areas.

This grid can operate in two modes, island or connected, depending on need and a community's power usage. There are five types of microgrids, which are used based on a community's location: campus environment, community, remote off-grid, military base, and commercial. Microgrids have several advantages.

Reliability: They can provide a source of power in the event of an outage. They can also help reduce the frequency and duration of outages.

Cost: Their small size and decentralized nature makes them more cost-effective than traditional grid infrastructure.

Sustainability: Renewable energy sources can be incorporated into microgrids, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Efficiency: They provide local power that is tailored to the specific needs of the area.

Scalability: They are easy to expand and adjust to changing energy needs.

Power in the Hands of the Customer
Learn About Advanced Power Engineering at Michigan Tech
Not only do microgrids and smart grids improve communication between power supply companies and technology, but they also put the power in the hands of the customer-literally. With smart grids, customers can generate their own power and sell their surplus currents. Microgrids allow communities to generate their power on-site, when they need it. This power generation trend has the potential to change the infrastructure of electricity delivery as we know it.

4. Electric Vehicles

Despite years of mass production, electric vehicles still remain a trend in electrical engineering that continues to rise in consumer popularity. Electric cars are becoming mainstream offerings. Though charging infrastructure still needs to be developed, many electric vehicle owners can find readily accessible charging stations in many locations. Consumers might even qualify for tax incentives or credits for purchasing an electric vehicle.

Global national governments worldwide are also accelerating the future of electric vehicles by setting specific benchmarks. For instance, in the U.S., the Biden administration's wants half of all vehicles sold in 2030 to be electric. Furthermore, the Inflation Reduction Act encourages companies to install EV chargers at their properties. Those who do so can receive a 30% tax credit.

Multiple Vehicle Options

Despite the name, electric vehicles offer more models than solely battery-operated cars.

All-electric vehicles: these models operate entirely on battery power, with no engine parts able to use gasoline.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Plug-in vehicles offer gasoline and battery-powered fueling options and can operate in an all-electric mode.

Hybrid electric vehicles: Hybrid models run entirely off gasoline but use an electric motor to lower fuel transmissions.

Innovation Potential
Read More About the Future of Electric Vehicles
Rising consumer demand will expand the need for innovative updates and production of electric vehicles. Experts predict over 125 million electric vehicles by 2030, meaning there's not only potential for investment but also plenty of room for electrical engineering trends to influence future advancements.

5. The Internet of Things

If there's one subject matter knowledge critical to the success of an electrical engineer, it's the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected devices that can communicate with each other and with other devices. These devices can be anything from phones and computers to sensors, actuators, and other electronic components. Through the IoT, data can be collected, analyzed, and used to control and automate processes.

Room for Improvement

While there are standard connections that consumers have come to expect, there's always room for improvement. Consider the upgrade from 4G to 5G. 5G networks, which are faster and more reliable than 4G networks, provided faster download and upload speeds, greater bandwidth, and lower latency. This upgrade allowed more devices to be connected to the internet at once, and for these devices to communicate more quickly and efficiently. 5G also improved more advanced applications, such as augmented and virtual reality.

Still, the IoT creates room for more innovation in electrical engineering, such as in the following:

smart homes

smart cities

industrial automation

smart meters

home energy storage systems

As the future of electronics increasingly requires an internet connection, the IoT is an electrical engineering trend that won't be going away any time soon.

Discover How Michigan Tech Can Help You Influence These Trends.

Electrical engineers have the potential to create and define our future. Whether through cars or power generation trends, smart houses or smart boots, trends in electrical engineering continue to influence the future of electronics. Who knows-you might discover something we have yet to imagine.

And Michigan Technological University is the ideal place to get started.

MTU is ranked among the Best Engineering Schools in the nation by the US News and World Report and one of the top 25 STEM colleges by Forbes. We also offer the #3 ranked program in the Best Online Master's in Electrical Engineering Programs of 2022.

Flexible and research-based, our accredited online electrical and computer engineering degree, which has a 100% graduate employment rate, offers specializations in power systems, signal processing, and communication theory. MTU also offers graduate certificates in advanced electric power and hybrid electric vehicle drive engineering.

But these programs are just a few options.
Global Campus Online Programs Author's Note about Attribution: both the lightbulb and electric car images are by unknown authors. Both have a CC by 3.0 license.
Explore other online programs at Michigan Tech's Global Campus.

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electrical engineering trends; trends in electrical engineering; power generation industry trends; power generation trends; the future of electronics

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5 Power and Electrical Engineering Trends That Will Shape the Future

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Learn about power/electric trends (wireless power transfer, EVS, smart clothing, and microgrids). Discover how Michigan Tech can prepare you for the future.

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I couldn't really think of anything else that would go into the Technology side of things, Investing would cover almost all of the other topics, so I moved onto infrastructure and policies

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In Nicaragua and its neighbors, expanding energy infrastructure means both building new transmission lines and adopting decentralized systems like solar home kits, mini grids, and wind projects.

Traditional grid extension is often too expensive in rural areas, so smaller renewable systems can provide reliable access faster. Strengthening regional interconnections between Central American countries can also balance supply and demand, reducing outages.

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Central America as a Blueprint for Regional Power Integration - Energy for Growth Hub

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Expand Energy Infrastructure (Off-grid Micro-Hydro & Solar in Nicaragua)

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Expand Energy Infrastructure (Off-grid Micro-Hydro & Solar in Nicaragua)

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This case study showed me how combining wind and solar into off-grid systems can help rural Nicaraguan communities get electricity without costly grid expansion. It inspired the idea that hybrid alternatives, like mini-grids, can be more practical than building central infrastructure.

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Expand Energy Infrastructure, World Bank-Backed Solar & Micro-Hydro (PERZA)

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Expand Energy Infrastructure, World Bank-Backed Solar & Micro-Hydro (PERZA)

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I was surprised to learn that nearly 33.7% of rural Nicaragua lacked electricity, and that the PERZA program used solar and micro-hydro installations to reach isolated communities. It made me think small-scale systems can really shift energy access.

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Promote better energy policies in certain countries

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Promote better energy policies in certain countries

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Policies can either accelerate or hold back progress on sustainable energy. For example, Costa Rica has promoted renewables through strong government planning, while other countries like Honduras and Nicaragua lag behind because of inconsistent regulations and reliance on fossil fuels. Stronger policies that support investment in clean energy, provide subsidies for solar or wind, and encourage private sector participation can help close the energy gap.

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Decrease Unemployment, Solar PV Enterprise ECAMI in Rural Nicaragua

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Decrease Unemployment, Solar PV Enterprise ECAMI in Rural Nicaragua

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ECAMI’s work stood out because it combines local job creation with clean energy, by installing solar systems in rural areas, they’ve helped hospitals, schools, and businesses while also generating economic activity

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ECAMI - Empresa de Comunicaciones - Ashden

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Regional Inspiration, Costa Rica’s Near-Total Renewable Electricity

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Regional Inspiration, Costa Rica’s Near-Total Renewable Electricity

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I was amazed to discover Costa Rica generates about 95% of its electricity from renewables like hydro, geothermal, wind, and solar. It makes me curious about how it's neighbors could adapt similar strategies, and what challenges each country faces in energy transition.

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In conclusion, the most realistic and achievable path to improving energy access in Nicaragua and neighboring countries is through a blend of decentralized renewable systems, supportive government policies, smart technologies, and local job creation.

Rather than relying solely on costly grid expansion, off-grid solar kits, hybrid mini-grids, and small hydro systems can bring power to rural communities more quickly. Successful initiatives like Nicaragua’s PERZA program and companies such as ECAMI demonstrate that these approaches are both affordable and scalable within just a few years.

At the policy level, incentives such as tax breaks and requirements for utilities to purchase renewable power can attract new investment.

Meanwhile, smart grid tools like the “FlexBox” pilot in Managua show how technology can improve efficiency and reliability. Importantly, renewable energy projects also generate employment opportunities in installation and maintenance, linking sustainable energy growth directly to economic development.

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By looking at Costa Ricas success here, it seems like politics & policies play a massive role in electricity availability

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Venezuela experiences ongoing nationwide electrical blackouts including widespread disruptions in August 2024 and recurring outages since 2019

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Persistent darkness is a reality for many living in rural Nicaragua due to a significant gap in electricity access. While national electrification rates have risen, the majority of the unserved population resides in remote, difficult-to-reach areas, creating a considerable disparity between urban and rural access.

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For most of her life Dina Leiba got up in the dark, and went to bed in the dark. If she needed to get up to look after a sick child, she reached for a torch - if she had money for batteries. To charge her phone, she had to walk to a village with electricity, pay for the privilege, and walk home again.

Today she got up before dawn, turned on her solar lights and fired up her woodstove to bake bread to sell to her neighbours. It's just three months since she got her solar panel, and life has changed in more ways than she could have imagined.

In the past, rather than playing outside when they came home from school, her children had to do their homework before the light faded. Now her son could be any teenager, anywhere. While we chat over guavas from Dina's garden, he's sitting in a corner of his bedroom, glued to a tablet, playing a videogame.

"I'm already learning that I have to set limits!" Dina says, rolling her eyes. "Before, the latest they would stay up was 9pm. Now I have to nag them to switch off the screen and go to bed."

In the high mountains of Nicaragua, installing solar power and living off-grid aren't lifestyle options for those escaping the rat race, or doing their bit to fight climate change. They're a practical way of getting access to electricity in places that still aren't connected to the national grid.

While rural electrification is proceeding rapidly under Daniel Ortega's government, 10 per cent of Nicaragua's population are still cut off, mainly those living in remote, poor areas. Mini grids, small-scale hydro and individual solar panels are some of the ways to fill in the gaps.

Dina, who lives in Yale village, in the municipality of El Tuma-La Dalia, got her solar panel through a donation from Electric Aid, the staff charity of the ESB, which partnered with the aid agency Trócaire and a local co-operative for the project.

Access to water

"What's interesting is that it's a combination of credit and donation," says Martin Larrecochea, country manager for Trócaire. "The people who receive the panels pay back half the cost over 18 months, so they get the panel, the battery and the other elements for around $250 altogether." The microcredit model has taken off across Nicaragua.

Before we got this, we had to walk five kilometres to El Chocote to get water during the dry season

While acknowledging the real difference these projects can make to people's lives, researcher Lena Jaspersen of Leeds University suggests that the aid industry sometimes oversells the benefits.

"The idea that two lightbulbs in someone's house is going to change the rural economy just isn't correct," she says. "And you have to evaluate these projects after a few years have passed, because while it's relatively easy to set these up, it's much harder to support and maintain them over time. Not everyone can afford a replacement battery when the time comes."

Nevertheless, some villages have been even more ambitious in their adoption of solar power. El Balsamo is a bone-jarring hour's drive from the nearest paved road. Getting there involves crossing four rivers, which are sometimes impassable in the wet season. Donald González is up on the roof of a small structure which houses the half dozen solar panels that run the village pump. Now 39 homes have running water.

"Before we got this, we had to walk five kilometres to El Chocote to get water during the dry season," says his wife Eusebia. "We women did that for eight years, day in, day out, getting up at five every morning, waiting our turn, then walking back".

Village roofs are dotted with solar panels, which sometimes sit alongside a satellite dish, but Eusebia's older neighbour Reina has no electricity of any sort.

"My children are in Costa Rica, cleaning cars to feed me," she says, shaking her head.

Tiny shafts of light enter Reina's house through holes in the roof. This is also the only way the smoke from her open cooking fire can escape. Her kitchen walls are black; respiratory disease is one of the biggest killers of women in Nicaragua.

You could fry an egg on the stones here, if you had an egg, or as I'm about to discover, you could hard-boil them in your own hand-built oven

"My kids are going to build me a new house," she says, "and I'm going to have a solar panel and a new, improved oven."

Many NGOs distribute more efficient woodstoves, which use less wood, and install flues to help the smoke escape. But others have gone further, teaching women how to be self-sufficient using the power of the sun.

Hand-built ovens

In a poor barrio of the tourist city of Granada, on a sweltering Saturday morning, a half dozen women - and one man - are hammering out oven lids and covering them with foil. You could fry an egg on the stones here, if you had an egg, or as I'm about to discover, you could hard-boil them in your own hand-built oven.

Ruth Romero has spent the past week at this workshop and her oven is almost ready. It's essentially a metal box on a trolley with a glass top. The sun beats down on to the open hinged lid and reflects onto the glass, which heats the cooking drawer to about 200 degrees.

"It's going to save me money, because I won't have to buy firewood, and its better for my health," she says. "I'm going to make a cake when I get home, and the teacher, who's a vegetarian, has taught me how to make chorizo from soy."

Ruth puts a dozen loose eggs into the cooking drawer, and within 10 minutes they're done and ready to be shared around, a celebration of a hard week's work.

"People don't just learn how to build an oven here," says Mercedes Álvarez from Fuprosomunic (the Foundation of Nicaraguan Women Working on Solar Projects), who co-ordinates the project. "They talk about everything from nutrition to domestic abuse. This is how we stay together, we cook together".

Susan Kinne, a professor of engineering in Managua, who has spent decades working on sustainable development, believes that these projects work by paying close attention and recognising what people need.

"The final product is really dignity. It's about helping people to live a life that uses the human and natural resources that are around them, with the appropriate level of technology".

In Nicaragua at least, nothing is more appropriate or available than the sun.

Back in El Balsamo the national grid has finally arrived, and Eusebia has hooked up to it. She has bought a fridge and has joined the informal economy, selling a new homemade product that's bringing in school kids from miles around - a frozen chocolate-covered banana. But she would never give up her solar panel.

"First of all we get blackouts all the time here - storms, floods, you name it," she says. "Secondly once you've paid for it, there's no monthly bill." Eusebia seems far too practical to give in to hyperbole, but on the subject of solar power she is positively evangelical.

"The solar panels were like light from heaven," she says. "We were completely in the dark before we saw the light."
This article was supported by a grant from the Simon Cumbers Media Fund

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Solar energy 'like light from heaven' for rural Nicaragua

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In remote communities that are not connected to the national grid, solar panels are a practical way of getting access to electricity

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Panama's national grid has shown a susceptibility to cascading failures, where a single incident, like a private generator malfunction, can lead to a widespread collapse. I will not focus on Panama because they have a developed energy grid, just frequent blackouts

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Retire In | Move to Panama | Panama's Most Exclusive Relocation Company

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How to Handle Frequent Power Outages in Panama | Retire In | Move to Panama

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Panama’s Most Exclusive Relocation Company