Optimized Network Planning of Rural Electrification Distribution Networks Using GISEle

Several tools and approaches have been developed and applied to solve rural electrification problems and they are continuously being enhanced to process geospatial information such as population distribution and road access. These data are important for the design of rural electrical networks, hence when neglected may lead to systematical capital investment miscalculations. The proposed strategy employed in this article utilizes the Geographic Information System for Electrification (GISEle) simulation tool that incorporates terrain analysis, cluster analysis and grid routing to create optimum (least-cost) electrical network topologies for the case study of rural and mountainous villages in Lesotho. The GISEle optimized electrical network topology for Makhunoane-1 Community Council consists of four population clusters of 131, 127, 161 and 105 service points, with respective average power demands of 42.348 kW, 41.109 kW, 50.954 kW and 34.86 kW to be supplied by three 50 kVA-rated and one 100 kVA-rated transformers. The projected total cost for the grid extension is €74,303 which is about 38.8% lower than the cost for electrification of the same area as estimated in the national Electrification Master Plan.