KTH-dESA researchers are developing an innovative Open Source Spatial Electrification Toolkit. ONSSET is a bottom up optimization energy modelling tool, that estimates, analyzes and visualizes the most cost effective electrification option (grid, mini grid & stand-alone) for the achievement of electricity access goals. To do so, ONSSET takes into account spatially explicit characteristics related to energy. Such data include population density and distribution, proximity to transmission and road network, nighttime lights, local renewable energy potential etc.

ONSSET focuses on the assessment and deployment of conventional and renewable energy technologies aiming at ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. It is a complementary approach to existing energy planning models which do not consider geographical characteristics related to energy and aims to provide invaluable support to policy and decision makers on least-cost electrification strategies.

The tool was initially applied to Nigeria, Ethiopia and India, featuring in the World Energy Outlook 2014 and 2015 and the Global Tracking Framework 2015. ONSSET has recently been applied to 44 Sub-Saharan African countries and 10 Latin American countries. This effort forms the basis of United Nations suite of tools to promote capacity development for achieving aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), such as access to affordable supplies of modern sustainable energy for all.

Python implementation of the Open Source Spatial Electrification Toolkit (ONSSET). See the Jupyter version here: PyOnSSET-jupyter

The online interface Universal Electrification Access is part of the modelling tools for sustainable development and is based on ONSSET. This interface is not a model but it provides the user easy access to the methodology behind ONSSET, the datasets used and key results -with regards to electrification planning - obtained for a set of predefined scenarios and model runs for developing countries in SSA and Latin America.

http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/

[1. A GIS-based approach for electrification planning—A case study on Nigeria] (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0973082615000952)

A peer-reviewed article has been published in the journal Energy for Sustainable Development.

This includes input data, the complete methodology and a case study with results for Nigeria.

[2. The benefits of geospatial planning in energy access – A case study on Ethiopia] (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143622816300522)

A peer-reviewed article has been published in the journal Applied Geography.

This includes input data, the complete methodology and a case study with results for Ethiopia.

[3. A cost comparison of technology approaches for improving access to electricity services] (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036054421501631X)

This includes the complete costing methodology.