The reference electrification model : a computer model for planning rural electricity access

Despite efforts from governments and other organizations, hundreds of millions of people-primarily in Africa and South Asia-still have no electricity service. Electrification efforts have historically been focused on extension of the main electric grid, but technology developments have made off-grid power systems, such as microgrids and home systems, viable alternatives for some areas. Especially since rural electrification typically depends on limited subsidies, if universal electrification is to be achieved in a timely manner, smart planning is essential to ensure that resources are directed towards cost-efficient technical solutions. Since the areas requiring electrification are expansive, the technology choices are many, and experience with off-grid systems is limited, planners struggle to evaluate tradeoffs between technology choices and estimate project costs. This thesis demonstrates that computer models that can automatically produce cost-efficient designs to the individual customer level can provide significant value to the planning process. The development of such a model by the author and collaborators at MIT and Comillas University, called the Reference Electrification Model (REM), is described. REM uses a series of heuristics to process input data, identify areas better suited for on-grid or off-grid electrification, and produce technical designs for recommended grid-extension and off-grid projects. In addition to the current state of REM, the rationale for model design choices and recommendations for future developments are described. The process and results of a pilot application of REM to Vaishali District, in Bihar, India are also described. REM will only be useful if it is actually incorporated into planning processes. In this spirit, concepts for how models like REM can benefit the regulation of rural electrification are presented, with a focus on India.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Ellman, Douglas (Douglas Austin)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ignacio Pérez-Arriaga and Claudio Vergara.

• Engineering Systems Division.
• Technology and Policy Program.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98551

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/98551