Optimizing Networked Rural Electrification Design using Adaptive Multiplier-Accelerated A* Algorithm

Networked rural electrification can potentially improve energy resources utilization, reduce cost and enhance supply reliability. Identifying optimal connection paths is critical for proper network design. To overcome the inefficiency of applying standard A* path-finding method to complex topography, multiplier-accelerated A* (MAA*) algorithm, which utilizes a modified heuristic, has been developed in previous research. While MAA* can generally reduce computation time by ~90% at the cost of ~10% optimality, the computation burden can still be remarkable for some areas with intricate topological variations. This paper proposes an adaptive version of MAA*. By introducing intermediate nodes in MAA*, the new algorithm significantly simplifies computations in complex regions. This greatly facilitates the analysis and design of optimal network for cost-effective electricity supply to users in remote, difficult-to-reach areas.