Optimized network planning of mini-grids for the rural electrification of developing countries

Steven Nolan, Scott Strachan, Puran Rakhra, Damien Frame

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

Abstract

1.2 billion people, predominantly living in remote rural regions in countries of the Global South, currently live without access to any modern source of energy. Options for electrification of these communities include extending existing national grid infrastructure, deploying mini-grids, and installing standalone home systems (SHS). Deriving the most cost effective means of delivering energy to these consumers is a complex, multidimensional problem that normally requires determination on a case-by-case basis. However, optimization of the network planning may help to maximize the socio-economic return of the installed energy system. This paper presents an optimization process that minimizes the installation cost of a mix of generation sources for a rural mini-grid using a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) technique. Minimizing the cost of distribution layout is first formulated as a capacitated minimum spanning tree (CMST) problem and solved using the Esau-Williams method. Multiple cable sizes and source locations are then added to create a multi-level capacitated minimum spanning tree (MLCMST) problem, solved via a Genetic Algorithm (GA) employing Prim-Pred encoding. The method is applied to a case study village in India.
LanguageEnglish
Number of pages6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jul 2017
Event2017 IEEE PES PowerAfrica Conference: Harnessing Energy, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Affordable Electrification of Africa - GIMPA Conference Centre, Accra, Ghana
Duration: 27 Jun 2017 → 30 Jun 2017
http://sites.ieee.org/powerafrica/

Conference

Conference2017 IEEE PES PowerAfrica Conference
CountryGhana
CityAccra
Period27/06/17 → 30/06/17
Internet address

Fingerprint

Developing countries
Planning
Costs
Particle swarm optimization (PSO)
Cables
Genetic algorithms
Economics

Keywords

  • mini grids
  • renewable energy
  • sustainability
  • rural electrification
  • Africa
  • India

Cite this

Nolan, Steven ; Strachan, Scott ; Rakhra, Puran ; Frame, Damien. / Optimized network planning of mini-grids for the rural electrification of developing countries. Paper presented at 2017 IEEE PES PowerAfrica Conference, Accra, Ghana.6 p.
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Nolan, S, Strachan, S, Rakhra, P & Frame, D 2017, 'Optimized network planning of mini-grids for the rural electrification of developing countries' Paper presented at 2017 IEEE PES PowerAfrica Conference, Accra, Ghana, 27/06/17 - 30/06/17, . https://doi.org/10.1109/PowerAfrica.2017.7991274

Optimized network planning of mini-grids for the rural electrification of developing countries. / Nolan, Steven; Strachan, Scott; Rakhra, Puran; Frame, Damien.

2017. Paper presented at 2017 IEEE PES PowerAfrica Conference, Accra, Ghana.

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

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AU - Nolan, Steven

AU - Strachan, Scott

AU - Rakhra, Puran

AU - Frame, Damien

N1 - (c) 2017 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/ republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other works.

PY - 2017/7/27

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N2 - 1.2 billion people, predominantly living in remote rural regions in countries of the Global South, currently live without access to any modern source of energy. Options for electrification of these communities include extending existing national grid infrastructure, deploying mini-grids, and installing standalone home systems (SHS). Deriving the most cost effective means of delivering energy to these consumers is a complex, multidimensional problem that normally requires determination on a case-by-case basis. However, optimization of the network planning may help to maximize the socio-economic return of the installed energy system. This paper presents an optimization process that minimizes the installation cost of a mix of generation sources for a rural mini-grid using a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) technique. Minimizing the cost of distribution layout is first formulated as a capacitated minimum spanning tree (CMST) problem and solved using the Esau-Williams method. Multiple cable sizes and source locations are then added to create a multi-level capacitated minimum spanning tree (MLCMST) problem, solved via a Genetic Algorithm (GA) employing Prim-Pred encoding. The method is applied to a case study village in India.

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Nolan S, Strachan S, Rakhra P, Frame D. Optimized network planning of mini-grids for the rural electrification of developing countries. 2017. Paper presented at 2017 IEEE PES PowerAfrica Conference, Accra, Ghana. https://doi.org/10.1109/PowerAfrica.2017.7991274

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