Optimize Rural Electrification Technology Choice · Tools

Version 4 (2016)
- Principal Investigator: Vijay Modi
- Project Manager: Edwin Adkins
- Econometric Analyst: Naichen Zhao
- Spatial Analyst: Shaky Sherpa
- Software Engineers: Chris Natali, Roy Hyunjin Han, Viktor Roytman
Version 3 (2013)
- Principal Investigator: Vijay Modi
- Project Manager: Edwin Adkins
- Operations Research Analyst: Ayse Selin Kocaman
- Econometric Analyst: Jonathan Carbajal
- Spatial Analyst: Shaky Sherpa
- Software Engineers: Chris Natali, Brandon Ogle
Version 2 (2010)
- Principal Investigator: Vijay Modi
- Project Managers: Edwin Adkins, Alex Hofmann
- Project Advisors: Jonah Bossewitch, Rob Garfield
- Operations Research Analysts: Alex Zvoleff, Ayse Selin Kocaman
- Econometric Analysts: Sahil Shah, Aly Sanoh
- Spatial Analyst: Susan Kum
- Graphic Designers: Andrew Doro, Zarina Mustapha
- Software Engineers: Roy Hyunjin Han, Po-Han Freeza Huang, Anders Pearson, Ethan Jucovy
Version 1 (2009)
- Principal Investigator: Vijay Modi
- Project Managers: Alex Hofmann, Matt Berg
- Operations Research Analysts: Alex Zvoleff, Ayse Selin Kocaman
- Econometric Analysts: Sahil Shah, Aly Sanoh
- Graphic Designers: Andrew Doro
- Software Engineers: Roy Hyunjin Han, Po-Han Freeza Huang
Version 0 (2008)
- Principal Investigator: Vijay Modi
- Doctoral Researchers: Lily Parshall, Aly Sanoh
- Econometric Analyst: Arnaud Algrin
- Spatial Analyst: Dana Pillai
- Software Engineer: Shashank Mohan

Each technology has initial installation costs and recurring production, maintenance and replacement costs.

Mini-grid technologies include a central production facility and a low-voltage distribution network.

selected technologies text

Finance

The amount of money needed to fund an infrastructure project includes both initial and recurring costs. The initial costs are paid upfront and the recurring costs are paid later.

The net present value or discounted cost of an infrastructure project assumes that you will invest the money that you are not using now. For example, if a $110k project will start next year and if you are confident that you will earn at least 10% through investments, then you can request a loan for $100k one year in advance.

financing year

time horizon in years

discount rate as percent of cash flow per year

Demography

Assume that population grows at a fixed rate each year. If the population is 100 and the growth rate is 10%, then the population will be 110 after the first year and 121 after the second year.

demand points

Upload

name	longitude	latitude	population
Settlement 0	30.88235340803401	3.5418209606342157	3290.0
Settlement 1	30.862971752966267	3.4979097571688134	495.0
Settlement 10	30.785182843573896	3.684206020987524	145.0
Settlement 11	30.942779809506906	3.6307970164712335	130.0
Settlement 12	31.023806108996077	3.6985081472186128	105.0
Settlement 13	30.982832044860817	3.7051851447238264	85.0
Settlement 14	30.879186703503798	3.5323546714372034	80.0
Settlement 15	30.952691038338763	3.7811752761542983	80.0
Settlement 16	30.77707009107489	3.6863574591085495	75.0
Settlement 17	30.92139989088562	3.6039123333806873	75.0
Settlement 18	30.972834952323183	3.6974301808804335	70.0
Settlement 19	30.885428266196232	3.561860327889384	60.0
Settlement 2	30.85023333674376	3.4928261551365587	455.0
Settlement 20	30.92822851080246	3.61939144093533	60.0
Settlement 21	31.061185100402607	3.739298549133459	55.0
Settlement 22	30.982713932320195	3.8964828793441186	50.0
Settlement 23	30.80715013509709	3.725433603474245	50.0
Settlement 24	30.9374208264212	3.6204399813380936	50.0
Settlement 25	30.899839030225788	3.575689041345554	45.0
Settlement 26	30.806973800012287	3.5994211941163123	40.0
Settlement 27	30.969823512438	3.6855083580517833	40.0
Settlement 28	30.80001977004527	3.7014090861215783	30.0
Settlement 29	31.060446348305966	3.728629756347912	30.0
Settlement 3	30.963983945469753	3.6756359008179813	425.0
Settlement 30	30.762008292210016	3.679625747218768	25.0
Settlement 31	30.909717174720484	3.596668845783602	25.0
Settlement 32	30.670376187832364	3.647347228307888	25.0
Settlement 33	30.79216946816671	3.6918069164737766	20.0
Settlement 34	30.87570207000326	3.5230546890766323	20.0
Settlement 35	30.656225413918968	3.64480671671678	20.0
Settlement 36	30.900484133333336	3.6009690666666665	15.0
Settlement 37	30.886767932587162	3.5740648721132966	15.0
Settlement 38	30.692490310978357	3.716692712184606	15.0
Settlement 39	30.902865938086624	3.6569154658675243	15.0
Settlement 4	30.871509976969453	3.5138239962137443	355.0
Settlement 40	30.813287869165816	3.5906467801965936	15.0
Settlement 41	30.800666855562007	3.6040117200651496	15.0
Settlement 42	30.948557081980482	3.640229516176399	15.0
Settlement 43	30.883965055635123	3.5976109453352407	10.0
Settlement 44	30.80767755	3.609816675	10.0
Settlement 45	30.819725649999995	3.615908575	10.0
Settlement 46	30.69664752742073	3.701733290402808	10.0
Settlement 47	31.052744375081144	3.717378141144247	10.0
Settlement 48	31.000045908375373	3.708600793527834	10.0
Settlement 49	30.8652016	3.51356655	5.0
Settlement 5	30.880352552403032	3.550232937914409	260.0
Settlement 50	30.85317122335288	3.7340797425819505	5.0
Settlement 51	30.76053542410383	3.6935418611156887	5.0
Settlement 52	30.829275364497963	3.628401080306424	5.0
Settlement 53	30.808269788920125	3.704027634680168	5.0
Settlement 54	30.7024401	3.7590405499999986	5.0
Settlement 55	30.661909721898603	3.716887926553429	5.0
Settlement 56	30.699561275373224	3.736321431746181	5.0
Settlement 57	30.801241153901955	3.738748126713381	5.0
Settlement 58	30.960216476493283	3.6707789074546695	5.0
Settlement 59	31.06953615	3.74317915	5.0
Settlement 6	30.952351371260324	3.663522350764047	225.0
Settlement 60	31.097663500000003	3.73678705	5.0
Settlement 7	31.012341817222914	3.705474128484011	185.0
Settlement 8	31.091660126796032	3.743514451150792	160.0
Settlement 9	31.040415188036913	3.7090012143975915	155.0

To override a computed value for specific demand points, upload a CSV with an additional column. The column name should match the name of the variable that you are overriding. Variable names are available in the glossary.csv file that is generated after running this tool.

Note that if you leave a blank entry in a local override column, then the system will not override the value for that demand point.

population year

population growth as percent of population per year

Geography

line length adjustment factor

The length of line used to connect two locations is often greater than the distance between the two locations.

average distance between buildings in meters

peak hours of sun per year

Consumption

Assume that consumption is fixed per capita. Estimate consumption based on the projected population.

connection types

Upload

Connection Type	Consumption in kWh per Year
Household	600
Market	0
School	0
Clinic	0
Street Lamp	0

To override connection count and consumption by connection type for specific demand points, please use the following column name format in the Demand Point Table above:

xyz_connection_count
xyz_consumption_in_kwh_per_year_per_xyz

For example, the following column names in the Demand Point Table will override household connection count and consumption:

household_connection_count
household_consumption_in_kwh_per_year_per_household

By default, household_connection_count is relative to the size of the population for each year. Overriding household_connection_count will result in household_connection_count being constant year over year.

The following column names in the Demand Point Table will override market count and consumption, but only if market exists as a connection type in the Connection Type Table below:

market_connection_count
market_consumption_in_kwh_per_year_per_market

number of people per household

consumption during peak hours as percent of total consumption

peak hours of consumption per year

Technology: Grid

A remote source produces electricity that is distributed to consumers.

Recurring Production Cost
- Assume that we must produce more than what we consume because of distribution losses.
- Production cost is the loss-adjusted local consumption in kWh multiplied by the electricity production cost per kWh.

grid electricity production cost per kwh

grid system loss as percent of total production

Grid Medium Voltage Line

Medium voltage lines carry electricity over large distances.

Initial Raw Cost is proportional to the number of meters of medium voltage line in the network.
Initial Installation Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Maintenance Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Replacement Cost is the Initial Cost divided by lifetime.

grid mv network minimum point count

grid mv lines (existing)

Upload

grid mv line raw cost per meter

grid mv line installation cost as percent of raw cost

grid mv line maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

grid mv line lifetime in years

Grid Medium Voltage Transformer

Medium voltage transformers convert medium voltage to low voltage.

Initial Raw Cost
- The cost of a transformer depends on its capacity, which is how much electricity it can deliver. Transformer capacity is listed in kVA. If the power factor of the load is 0.85, then the number of kWh delivered is kVA * 0.85.
- Size transformer capacity based on estimated peak demand. Estimate the amount of loss-adjusted consumption that is happening during peak hours. Divide the loss-adjusted consumption by the number of peak hours per year to estimate peak demand.
- Find the two transformers that are closest to the desired capacity.
- Compute the raw cost per unit capacity for each of the two selected transformers.
- Interpolate the raw cost per unit capacity relative to the desired capacity.
- Multiply the raw cost per unit capacity by the desired capacity.
Initial Installation Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Maintenance Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Replacement Cost is the Initial Cost divided by lifetime.

grid mv transformer load power factor

grid mv transformers

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Capacity in kVA	Raw Cost	Maintenance Cost per Year as Percent of Raw Cost	Lifetime in Years
5	500	3	10
15	1500	3	10
25	2500	3	10
30	3000	3	10
40	4000	3	10
50	5000	3	10
60	6000	3	10
70	7000	3	10
80	8000	3	10
90	9000	3	10
100	10000	3	10
200	20000	3	10
300	30000	3	10
315	31500	3	10
400	40000	3	10
500	50000	3	10
600	60000	3	10
700	70000	3	10
800	80000	3	10
900	90000	3	10
1000	100000	3	10

Grid Low Voltage Line

Low voltage lines distribute electricity over small distances.

Initial Raw Cost
- Multiply the raw cost of low voltage line per meter by the estimated number of meters of low voltage line.
- The number of meters of LV line is the number of connections multiplied by the average distance between buildings.
Initial Installation Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Maintenance Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Replacement Cost is the Initial Cost divided by lifetime.

grid lv line raw cost per meter

grid lv line installation cost as percent of raw cost

grid lv line maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

grid lv line lifetime in years

Grid Low Voltage Connection

The low voltage connection connects a building to low voltage line.

Initial Raw Cost is proportional to the estimated number of connections.
Initial Installation Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Maintenance Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Replacement Cost is the Initial Cost divided by lifetime.

grid lv connection raw cost

grid lv connection installation cost as percent of raw cost

grid lv connection maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

grid lv connection lifetime in years

Technology: Diesel Mini Grid

A local diesel generator produces electricity that is distributed to consumers.

Recurring Production Cost is the cost of fuel consumed. Multiply the fuel cost per liter, the fuel liters consumed per kilowatt-hour, the generator's capacity in kilowatts and its effective hours of production per year. The effective hours of production per year is the larger of either the loss-adjusted consumption per year divided by the system capacity or the minimum hours of production per year.

diesel mini grid system loss as percent of total production

diesel mini grid fuel cost per liter

Diesel Mini Grid Generator

Generators consume fuel to produce electricity.

Initial Raw Cost
- Size generator capacity based on estimated peak demand. Estimate the amount of loss-adjusted consumption that is happening during peak hours. Divide the loss-adjusted consumption by the number of peak hours per year to estimate peak demand.
- Find the two generators that are closest to the desired capacity.
- Compute the raw cost per unit capacity for each of the two selected generators.
- Interpolate the raw cost per unit capacity relative to the desired capacity.
- Multiply the raw cost per unit capacity by the desired capacity.
Initial Installation Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Maintenance Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Replacement Cost is the Initial Cost divided by lifetime.

diesel mini grid generators

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Capacity in kW	Raw Cost	Installation Cost as Percent of Raw Cost	Maintenance Cost per Year as Percent of Raw Cost	Lifetime in Years
6	900	25	10	5
12	1800	25	10	5
19	2850	25	10	5
32	4800	25	10	5
70	10500	25	10	5
100	15000	25	10	5
150	22500	25	10	5
200	30000	25	10	5
400	60000	25	10	5
500	75000	25	10	5
750	112500	25	10	5
1000	150000	25	10	5
1250	187500	25	10	5

diesel mini grid generator minimum hours of production per year

diesel mini grid generator fuel liters consumed per kwh

Diesel Mini Grid Low Voltage Line

The cost model is identical to grid low voltage line.

diesel mini grid lv line raw cost per meter

diesel mini grid lv line installation cost as percent of raw cost

diesel mini grid lv line maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

diesel mini grid lv line lifetime in years

Diesel Mini Grid Low Voltage Connection

The cost model is identical to grid low voltage connection.

diesel mini grid lv connection raw cost

diesel mini grid lv connection installation cost as percent of raw cost

diesel mini grid lv connection maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

diesel mini grid lv connection lifetime in years

Technology: Solar Home

A photovoltaic system produces electricity from sunlight for each building.

solar home system loss as percent of total production

Solar Home Panel

The photovoltaic panel converts sunlight into electricity.

Initial Raw Cost
- Size panel capacity based on consumption. Since we have a battery, we do not need to consider peak demand and can use consumption directly.
- Adjust consumption to account for system efficiency loss. Divide the loss adjusted consumption by the number of peak hours of sun per year to get desired panel capacity.
- Find the two panels that are closest to the desired capacity.
- Compute the raw cost per unit capacity for each of the two selected panels.
- Interpolate the raw cost per unit capacity relative to the desired capacity.
- Multiply the raw cost per unit capacity by the desired capacity.
Initial Installation Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Maintenance Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Replacement Cost is the Initial Cost divided by lifetime.

solar home panels

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Capacity in kW	Raw Cost	Maintenance Cost per Year as Percent of Raw Cost	Lifetime in Years
0.05	40.0	5.0	20.0
0.075	60.0	5.0	20.0
0.15	120.0	5.0	20.0
0.4	320.0	5.0	20.0
1.0	800.0	5.0	20.0
1.5	1200.0	5.0	20.0

Solar Home Battery

Battery costs are proportional to panel costs.

solar home battery kwh per panel kw

solar home battery raw cost per battery kwh

solar home battery installation cost as percent of raw cost

solar home battery maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

solar home battery lifetime in years

Solar Home Balance

Balance costs are proportional to panel costs.

solar home balance raw cost per panel kw

solar home balance installation cost as percent of raw cost

solar home balance maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

solar home balance lifetime in years

Technology: Solar Mini Grid

A photovoltaic system produces electricity that is distributed to consumers.

solar mini grid system loss as percent of total production

Solar Mini Grid Panel

The photovoltaic panel converts sunlight into electricity.

Initial Raw Cost
- Size panel capacity based on consumption. Since we have a battery, we do not need to consider peak demand and can use consumption directly.
- Adjust consumption to account for system efficiency loss. Divide the loss adjusted consumption by the number of peak hours of sun per year to get desired panel capacity.
- Find the two panels that are closest to the desired capacity.
- Compute the raw cost per unit capacity for each of the two selected panels.
- Interpolate the raw cost per unit capacity relative to the desired capacity.
- Multiply the raw cost per unit capacity by the desired capacity.
Initial Installation Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Maintenance Cost is proportional to the Raw Cost.
Recurring Replacement Cost is the Initial Cost divided by lifetime.

solar mini grid panels

Upload

Capacity in kW	Raw Cost	Maintenance Cost per Year as Percent of Raw Cost	Lifetime in Years
0.05	40.0	5.0	20.0
0.075	60.0	5.0	20.0
0.15	120.0	5.0	20.0
0.4	320.0	5.0	20.0
1.0	800.0	5.0	20.0
1.5	1200.0	5.0	20.0

Solar Mini Grid Battery

Battery costs are proportional to panel costs.

solar mini grid battery kwh per panel kw

solar mini grid battery raw cost per battery kwh

solar mini grid battery installation cost as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid battery maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid battery lifetime in years

Solar Mini Grid Balance

Balance costs are proportional to panel costs.

solar mini grid balance raw cost per panel kw

solar mini grid balance installation cost as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid balance maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid balance lifetime in years

Solar Mini Grid Low Voltage Line

The cost model is identical to grid low voltage line.

solar mini grid lv line raw cost per meter

solar mini grid lv line installation cost as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid lv line maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid lv line lifetime in years

Solar Mini Grid Low Voltage Connection

The cost model is identical to grid low voltage connection.

solar mini grid lv connection raw cost

solar mini grid lv connection installation cost as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid lv connection maintenance cost per year as percent of raw cost

solar mini grid lv connection lifetime in years

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