**1. Introduction**

84 Sustainable Growth and Applications in Renewable Energy Sources

Ylmaz, A.O.(2011), Evaluation of Turkish Lignite Mining, *Tunçbilek Municipality 8rd Lignite* 

Currently, early in the XXI century, an estimated 2400 million people depend on traditional biomass for heating and cooking and 1500 million people lack access to electricity (IEA, 2009). Lack of electricity particularly affects rural areas of developing countries (Kanagawa and Nakata, 2008), exacerbating the urban-rural gap. In Bolivia, 35% of the population, more than 3.5 million people do not have access to electricity.

Electrification systems based on renewable energy have proved being adequate to provide decentralized electricity to isolated rural communities around the world (Chaureya et al., 2004). These autonomous systems are often much cheaper than the interconnected grid extension and use local resources, avoiding external dependencies which, in turn, promotes long-term sustainability of projects. In particular, micro-wind systems are an alternative with great potential to generate power in rural areas (Lew, 2000), although their use has been limited to date. In South America, a significant institutional effort was made in Argentina to develop rural electrification projects using wind energy in the province of Chubut (Seitz, 2006). In Peru, there are some demonstrative projects of the use of wind power to electrify isolated communities, the first one in El Alumbre (Ferrer-Martí et al., 2010).

In Bolivia, the government's policies on rural electrification are governed by the Rural Electrification Regulation, which states that the Department of Energy is responsible for promoting sustainable development, seeking expanded coverage of electricity services throughout the country. Therefore it has the responsibility to update and develop the rural energy strategy, including the Indicative Rural Electrification Plan to facilitate the work of agents in the development of rural electrification. The basic principles that are taken into account are:

Lorenzo Perone4 and Jaime Salinas

<sup>\*</sup> Bruno Domenech1, Walter Canedo2, Carlos Reza2, Mirtha Tellez3, Milton Dominguez3,

*<sup>1</sup>Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - Barcelona Tech, Spain* 

*<sup>2</sup>CINER, Bolivia* 

*<sup>3</sup>Mosoj Causay, Bolivia* 

*<sup>4</sup>Engineering Without Borders, Spain* 

Experiences of Community Wind Electrification

Projects in Bolivia: Evaluation and Improvements for Future Projects 87

municipalities of Turco and Challapata, two communities were selected with 13 and 9 households, respectively, that were electrified with individual wind systems. The electrification with renewable energy corresponded to the priorities and needs of the beneficiary population; before running the project, beneficiaries considered the lack of electric power as one of the main problems of both communities. The system installation was completed in December 2009. A year later, an external evaluation was conducted to analyze the performance and progress of the projects and it confirmed the level of

This article aims to describe and evaluate two community projects on wind power generation, both in technical and social aspects. These two examples provide lessons on management models at the community level. Moreover, we analyze the alternative design of projects that try to solve some of the drawbacks identified for the assessment of future project designs and implementations. The experience in Bolivia has shown the interest and

The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 presents the economical analysis of the communities. Section 3 explains the wind resource assessment and section 4 describes the electrification project. Section 5 presents the evaluation methodology and section 6 presents the results and their analysis. Section 7 discusses alternative project

This section presents the socioeconomical characteristics of the two communities, highlighting the differences between them. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of communities and families: the economy, consumption and energy demand, the level of organization, and individual and group capabilities. The instruments used to collect the information include socioeconomical surveys to each family, interviews with the local authorities and the representatives of the inhabitants, and a focus group with local organizations. This study was a key first step in the design and development of the

The household energy consumption in rural areas with no conventional energy supply is dominated by the demand for cooking (89% of total energy consumption). Lighting, communication (audiovisual, mobile, etc.) and other energy uses account for 11% of energy demand. Although not large amounts, lighting (5%) and entertainment (2%) are key demands to improve the quality of rural life and the integration of people through media. Productive uses of energy in these families represent a marginal percentage of total consumption; whenever they exist they are very specific, and must be analysed in particular

The structure of economic costs of energy source in rural scattered communities is different from population centers: batteries represent the largest amount of expenditure (34.3%), followed by the consumption of diesel (20%), LPG (18.8%), kerosene (15.3%) and candles (11.6%). In the highlands, average annual spending in U.S. dollars on traditional energy sources is the lowest in the country with a total of \$ 40 U.S. for the population in extreme

willingness of rural indigenous populations to participate in electrification projects.

satisfaction of the beneficiaries of the renewable energy equipment.

designs. Finally, Section 8 summarizes the conclusions.

management model with the administration.

**2.1 Rural area in Bolivia** 

way.

poverty.

**2. Socioeconomical analysis of the communities** 


Sustainability, through the application of the principles of environmental conservation.

Despite commitments made by Bolivia at the international level to reverse the rates of coverage in basic services until 2015, the millennium goals are far from being met.

In this context, the NGOs CINER (Bolivia), Mosoj Causay (Bolivia) and Engineers Without Borders (Spain) promoted the "Andean Program for Rural Electrification and Access to Renewable Energy" in Bolivia. This program was initiated by Engineers Without Borders (Spain) in different countries of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) that present a common and problematic context. The program pursued Universal Access to sustainable energy services, through capacity development and validation of appropriate technologies for Andean environment. In 2005 the program began in Peru and Ecuador; next the program was extended to the Andean region of Bolivia, which presents very similar geographical and socioeconomical characteristics to the Andean areas of Peru and Ecuador. In this framework, in 2007 CINER, Mosoj Causay and Engineers Without Borders developed actions related to access to renewable energy in rural communities, extending the program to Bolivia to implement the knowledge acquired in both countries, and to adapt it to the special characteristics of Bolivia. The overall objective in Bolivia is to develop and disseminate knowledge, as well as human and technological capabilities to initiate demonstration projects, working with different stakeholders from the perspective of utilization of renewable energy sources, and promoting and participating in the selection and management of technology solutions.

Within the overall program, the project "Improving Access to Renewable Energy in Rural Communities in Bolivia" aims to improve the quality of life of rural population by having access to energy in remote areas through renewable energy. The specific objectives of this project were:


The actions were carried out with specialists in social and technological issues to promote that users, through processes of participation and training, learn to manage, to maintain and to make sustainable their energy systems. These actions will contribute improving their level of human development, life expectancy, increasing opportunities for women, and access to education for children and adults, protecting natural environment through more friendly family economies. All the actions were performed jointly with the efforts of the beneficiaries - in coordination with the municipal government.

Specifically, this paper examines the interventions in the municipalities of Turco and Challapata led by Engineers Without Borders, CINER and Mosoj Causay, with the collaboration of both municipal governments, the financing of the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) and the Government of Navarra (Spain). Within the

Legitimacy of demand, which is to prioritize energy projects according to the law of

Accessibility, facilitating access to potential consumers to energy services in market

Adaptation of technology, using energy resources in accordance with the conditions of

In this context, the NGOs CINER (Bolivia), Mosoj Causay (Bolivia) and Engineers Without Borders (Spain) promoted the "Andean Program for Rural Electrification and Access to Renewable Energy" in Bolivia. This program was initiated by Engineers Without Borders (Spain) in different countries of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) that present a common and problematic context. The program pursued Universal Access to sustainable energy services, through capacity development and validation of appropriate technologies for Andean environment. In 2005 the program began in Peru and Ecuador; next the program was extended to the Andean region of Bolivia, which presents very similar geographical and socioeconomical characteristics to the Andean areas of Peru and Ecuador. In this framework, in 2007 CINER, Mosoj Causay and Engineers Without Borders developed actions related to access to renewable energy in rural communities, extending the program to Bolivia to implement the knowledge acquired in both countries, and to adapt it to the special characteristics of Bolivia. The overall objective in Bolivia is to develop and disseminate knowledge, as well as human and technological capabilities to initiate demonstration projects, working with different stakeholders from the perspective of utilization of renewable energy sources, and promoting and participating in the selection and

Within the overall program, the project "Improving Access to Renewable Energy in Rural Communities in Bolivia" aims to improve the quality of life of rural population by having access to energy in remote areas through renewable energy. The specific objectives of this

1. To improve technical and management capabilities of the Bolivian plateau for access to the energy in the population, local governmental bodies and other stakeholders. 2. To increase access to efficient and sustainable energy through improved use of biomass

The actions were carried out with specialists in social and technological issues to promote that users, through processes of participation and training, learn to manage, to maintain and to make sustainable their energy systems. These actions will contribute improving their level of human development, life expectancy, increasing opportunities for women, and access to education for children and adults, protecting natural environment through more friendly family economies. All the actions were performed jointly with the efforts of the

Specifically, this paper examines the interventions in the municipalities of Turco and Challapata led by Engineers Without Borders, CINER and Mosoj Causay, with the collaboration of both municipal governments, the financing of the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) and the Government of Navarra (Spain). Within the

and the production of electricity through renewable energy sources.

beneficiaries - in coordination with the municipal government.

 Co-financing, which is to encourage public and private funding for energy projects. Sustainability, through the application of the principles of environmental conservation. Despite commitments made by Bolivia at the international level to reverse the rates of

coverage in basic services until 2015, the millennium goals are far from being met.

popular participation and decentralization of administrative management.

conditions.

each region and the lowest cost alternative.

management of technology solutions.

project were:

municipalities of Turco and Challapata, two communities were selected with 13 and 9 households, respectively, that were electrified with individual wind systems. The electrification with renewable energy corresponded to the priorities and needs of the beneficiary population; before running the project, beneficiaries considered the lack of electric power as one of the main problems of both communities. The system installation was completed in December 2009. A year later, an external evaluation was conducted to analyze the performance and progress of the projects and it confirmed the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries of the renewable energy equipment.

This article aims to describe and evaluate two community projects on wind power generation, both in technical and social aspects. These two examples provide lessons on management models at the community level. Moreover, we analyze the alternative design of projects that try to solve some of the drawbacks identified for the assessment of future project designs and implementations. The experience in Bolivia has shown the interest and willingness of rural indigenous populations to participate in electrification projects.

The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 presents the economical analysis of the communities. Section 3 explains the wind resource assessment and section 4 describes the electrification project. Section 5 presents the evaluation methodology and section 6 presents the results and their analysis. Section 7 discusses alternative project designs. Finally, Section 8 summarizes the conclusions.
