Electrification Technology Assessment

Sustainable electrification begins with fundamental questions: which pre-requisites are given (existing infrastructure, environment), where is energy needed, and how might demand develop over time. Beyond selecting the most suitable renewable energy resource based on local environmental conditions, shaping the overall energy grid structure is a highly demand-based and policy-driven task, which requires the best available knowledge about the situation on the ground, including consumer insights and overall living conditions, as well as potential environmental risks.

An electrification technology assessment is the structured evaluation of different technical options to provide electricity to an identified demand. It compares grid extension, mini-grids, and standalone systems to determine the most appropriate way to provide electricity in an reliable and affordable way (specifically applicable in less and non-electrified regions). The principal logic is to match the type of infrastructure to settlement density, distance from the existing grid, and expected electricity demand, while minimising long-term cost and ensuring sustainability.

Grid extension is most suitable where communities are relatively close to existing infrastructure and have sufficient population density and demand to justify high upfront investment. Its viability depends on load density and the reliability of the national grid.

Mini-grids serve clustered but remote settlements where grid extension is too costly. They aggregate community demand through localised generation and distribution, making them appropriate where demand is moderate and settlements are concentrated. Often, such installations run on solar energy and provide a sufficient solution for disconnected locations with less significant growth.

Standalone systems are typically optimal for sparsely populated areas with low electricity needs. By supplying power at the household level, they avoid the high costs of building distribution networks.

Geospatial expertise supports the process of estimation of demand and future developments. Especially in rural areas available, information on housing and existing infrastructure is limited or outdated. It requires a combination of very-high resolution site inventory (focus on building and road extraction), the research of open data sources (identification of critical and/or demanding users) and, in best cases, energy-related survey knowledge from the region itself.