Freeware GIS tool for the techno-economic evaluation of rural electrification alternatives

Abstract

Energy access is a crucial step for the socio-economic development of isolated communities and for preventing disease and fight pandemics across many parts of the world. In this research, is presented a freeware GIS tool for the techno-economic evaluation of rural electrification alternatives, based on a plugin for the QGIS (Quantum GIS) called LECGIS. The tool carries out an implementation of the IntiGIS model to perform the calculations, a flexible model capable of adapting to the realities of different scenarios. In addition, it allows the clustering of isolated houses, for a better modelling of the cost of the centralized systems. It is described the application of this tool in the Guamá (Cuba) case study and the comparisons of the results with the obtained in Intigis 1.0. It is concluded that the LECGIS plugin allows to calculate and compare seven technological options for the electrification of communities, supporting the decision-making in the planning of rural electrification projects.