Improvements to the IntiGIS Model Related to the Clustering of Consumers for Rural Electrification.

Abstract

Providing access to electricity in rural areas remains a challenge in many developing countries, where the lack of infrastructure, low population density, and high costs hinder the implementation of conventional electrification schemes. In this context, off grid solutions (microgrid and individual systems) have emerged as a promising solution, allowing the integration of local renewable energy resources and providing electricity to communities that are not connected to the main power grid. The IntiGIS model has been proposed as a tool to allow the evaluation and comparison of the various electrification technology options. However, some limitations and challenges have been identified in the original model, particularly related to the level of consumer aggregation and the distribution network layout. In this paper, we present improvements to the IntiGIS model related to the clustering of consumers for rural electrification, based on a modified agglomerative clustering algorithm and a set of performance metrics to form the clusters. We also present a comparison with the IntiGIS II version in a case study in Guamá, Santiago de Cuba to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed improvements. The results show that the modified IntiGIS model can generate clusters that meet the technical and economic requirements for microgrid and grid extensions systems, with better accuracy and efficiency than the original model. These improvements can contribute to the implementation of sustainable and reliable electricity access in rural areas, promoting social and economic development in these regions.