**7.2 Results of the design of the projects with microgrids**

Next, the data and parameters considered in the generation and study of alternative designs are summarized. In particular, this experiment considers the use of the equipment installed in the real projects and more power equipment for their possible use in microgrids that feed several households.

	- Two demand scenarios: the first for a basic consumption (energy 140Wh/day, power 100W) and the second to promote the development of productive activities (energy 280Wh/day, power 200W).
	- 2 days of autonomy.
	- 4 types of turbines: Air X, Whisper 100, Whisper 200 and Whisper 500) at a cost of \$1000-\$4600 and 550W- 3300W, respectively, by South West Windpower.
	- Regulators are incorporated into each type of turbine.
	- 3 types of batteries: \$240-325 and 150-250Ah capacity discharge 60%.
	- 3 types of conductors: cost \$4.05- 4.4 per meter.
	- 220V distribution voltage and a 5% maximum voltage drop.

Experiences of Community Wind Electrification

Villacollo Sur and Huasquiri.

are uses (\$14447 vs. \$15867).

**9. Acknowledgments** 

para el Desarrollo (AECID).

**8. Conclusions** 

Projects in Bolivia: Evaluation and Improvements for Future Projects 105

In Turco, in the low demand scenario, the cost of real implemented project, that installed an individual wind turbine at each household, is \$19423. The design with microgrids reduces the cost by 8% when only one type of wind turbine is available (\$19423 vs. \$17862); the cost reduction is higher 13.2% when 4 types and more powerful wind turbines are considered (\$19423 vs. \$16862). In both solutions one microgrid of 4 households is formed in Iruni, another of 3 households is formed in Villacollo Norte and 2 microgrids are formed in

In the high demand scenario in Turco, the cost of electrification solution increases by 36% when only individual generators are considered (\$19423 vs. \$26423). This increase is significantly reduced to 17.3% when microgrids and 4 types of wind turbines are considered (\$19423 vs. \$22777); thus, twice energy and power demand only implies a cost increase of

In Challapata, in the low demand scenario, the cost of real implemented project is \$14447. The design with microgrids reduces the cost by 3.9% (\$14447 vs. \$13886); 3 microgrids of 2 users each are formed. In the high demand scenario, the cost of electrification solution in Challapata increases by 13.6% when only individual generators are considered (\$14447 vs. \$16447). This increase is reduced to 8.8% when microgrids and four type of wind turbines

This article aims to describe and evaluate two wind generation projects implemented in Bolivia, in the municipalities of Turco and Challapata, department of Oruro. This multicriteria evaluation was conducted when the systems had been running for one year by an external evaluation team. The results of the evaluation showed that the project has achieved its main objectives giving a weighted mark 89.33%, which corresponds to a qualitative assessment of "functioning under optimal conditions." This confirms that renewable energy

Among the main strengths of the project s the positive acceptance of the beneficiaries and access to electricity in remote areas must be highlighted. The main weaknesses of the project are the bureaucracy that slows down municipal governments and internal conflicts among beneficiaries. The assessment highlighted limitations in the systems that must be resolved in future projects, for instance, the training should be extensive in time. The biggest risk is long

Furthermore, alternative designs were analyzed with microgrids to improve some of the drawbacks identified in the assessment: the continuity of supply against breakdowns, supply of electricity to non-permanent residents and the possible increase in energy supply to cover more applications. The results recommend taking advantage of microgrids for projects in future, to feed groups of households, improve the quality of electric service and reduce costs.

This paper was supported by the Spanish MICINN project ENE2010-15509 and co-financed by FEDER, by the Centre for Development Cooperation of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - Barcelona Tech (UPC), by the Agència Catalana de Cooperació al Desenvolupamentand (ACCD) and by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional

17.3%. The formed microgrids are always the same in all cases.

is the best choice for access to modern energy in isolated communities.

term sustainability if the municipalities do not fulfil their commitments.


Table 5 shows the obtained results. The table is divided into two columns for each demand scenario and two rows for each municipality. The sub-columns show the obtained results considering: 1) the individual solution (one generation equipment per household); 2) the solution with microgrids with one type of wind turbines (the type used in the real projects, Air X) and 3) the solution with microgrids with 4 types of wind turbines (the type used in the real projects, Air X, and 3 more powerful ones). The sub-rows present the investment cost, the difference of the cost of individual generators in the low demand scenario, the total energy, wind turbines used, the microgrids and the number of users in each one and number of individual users.


Table 5. Analysis of the electrification solutions of Turco and Challapata with microgrids.

In Turco, in the low demand scenario, the cost of real implemented project, that installed an individual wind turbine at each household, is \$19423. The design with microgrids reduces the cost by 8% when only one type of wind turbine is available (\$19423 vs. \$17862); the cost reduction is higher 13.2% when 4 types and more powerful wind turbines are considered (\$19423 vs. \$16862). In both solutions one microgrid of 4 households is formed in Iruni, another of 3 households is formed in Villacollo Norte and 2 microgrids are formed in Villacollo Sur and Huasquiri.

In the high demand scenario in Turco, the cost of electrification solution increases by 36% when only individual generators are considered (\$19423 vs. \$26423). This increase is significantly reduced to 17.3% when microgrids and 4 types of wind turbines are considered (\$19423 vs. \$22777); thus, twice energy and power demand only implies a cost increase of 17.3%. The formed microgrids are always the same in all cases.

In Challapata, in the low demand scenario, the cost of real implemented project is \$14447. The design with microgrids reduces the cost by 3.9% (\$14447 vs. \$13886); 3 microgrids of 2 users each are formed. In the high demand scenario, the cost of electrification solution in Challapata increases by 13.6% when only individual generators are considered (\$14447 vs. \$16447). This increase is reduced to 8.8% when microgrids and four type of wind turbines are uses (\$14447 vs. \$15867).
