**3. Wind resource assessment**

Since June 2010 Bolivia has a new Wind Atlas, which identifies the potential of wind anywhere in the country, with the usable energy to generate electricity or direct use in a mechanical way. The Atlas was commissioned by TDE (Transportadora de Energía – nationalized by the Bolivian Government) and the World Bank to the consultancy 3 TIER specialist on meteorological simulation models. The model was developed ased on geological, topographic and satellite statistics over the past 30 years, and the results were validated with records from weather stations in Bolivia.

The Atlas is based on data and maps on a platform of universal and indefinite access via the Internet and through entities that have offered themselves as managers of the base (www.3tier.com/firstlook). Bolivia Wind Atlas identifies areas of high potential use of wind, as is the case of the Santa Cruz region, the provinces of North and South Lopez in Potosí, a corridor between Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz, a northern-southern corridor between the shores of Lake Titicaca, Oruro and west of the city of Potosí, where the project area is.

Although the atlas gives an indication of interesting potential areas and communities, for the study of the project it is necessary to carry out a detailed micro-scale wind resource evaluation in the community. The first identification visits to Turco and Challapata and in particular the communities of the project, confirmed that the area appears to have good wind potential. Anemometers were installed to assess the wind resource in the communities in 10 meters high towers. Given the dispersion of electrified homes, two anemometers were installed in Turco (Figure 1), one in Iruni and one in Villacollo. Another anemometer was installed in Challapata (Figure 2). Wind measurements were taken for over a year. To ensure that generates enough electricity to meet demand throughout the year, wind resource evaluation focused on the periods of the year with less wind resource. Thus, although the energy generation varies along the year, the minimum generation to fulfil demand is always met. The least windy month was March in Turco (in both anemometers) and April in Challapata, with an average speed of about 2.5 to 3.5 m/s. This is the data considered in the project design.

engaging in minor or complementary activities, such as handicrafts. Agricultural production is geared directly to consumption. Potato and quinoa are the products that are prevalent

A community workshop in each municipality of Turco and Challapata was realized to know the institutional actors in municipality that should be considered allies when designing in the management model of the electricity service. These institutions are considered depending on the area in which they operate, from the communal, municipal, provincial, departmental, national and international levels. The participants of the workshop did not identify all the institutions, but only those related to the Municipal Government and Ayllu, the indigenous and original management and decision organization at community level. Therefore, to complete the institutional landscape the PDM was used as well as observations

Since June 2010 Bolivia has a new Wind Atlas, which identifies the potential of wind anywhere in the country, with the usable energy to generate electricity or direct use in a mechanical way. The Atlas was commissioned by TDE (Transportadora de Energía – nationalized by the Bolivian Government) and the World Bank to the consultancy 3 TIER specialist on meteorological simulation models. The model was developed ased on geological, topographic and satellite statistics over the past 30 years, and the results were

The Atlas is based on data and maps on a platform of universal and indefinite access via the Internet and through entities that have offered themselves as managers of the base (www.3tier.com/firstlook). Bolivia Wind Atlas identifies areas of high potential use of wind, as is the case of the Santa Cruz region, the provinces of North and South Lopez in Potosí, a corridor between Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz, a northern-southern corridor between the shores of Lake Titicaca, Oruro and west of the city of Potosí, where the project

Although the atlas gives an indication of interesting potential areas and communities, for the study of the project it is necessary to carry out a detailed micro-scale wind resource evaluation in the community. The first identification visits to Turco and Challapata and in particular the communities of the project, confirmed that the area appears to have good wind potential. Anemometers were installed to assess the wind resource in the communities in 10 meters high towers. Given the dispersion of electrified homes, two anemometers were installed in Turco (Figure 1), one in Iruni and one in Villacollo. Another anemometer was installed in Challapata (Figure 2). Wind measurements were taken for over a year. To ensure that generates enough electricity to meet demand throughout the year, wind resource evaluation focused on the periods of the year with less wind resource. Thus, although the energy generation varies along the year, the minimum generation to fulfil demand is always met. The least windy month was March in Turco (in both anemometers) and April in Challapata, with an average speed of about 2.5 to 3.5 m/s. This is the data considered in the

among families in the municipality of Turco and barley in the case of Challapata.

**2.5 Community organization and leadership** 

and findings in the towns.

area is.

project design.

**3. Wind resource assessment** 

validated with records from weather stations in Bolivia.

To get the detailed wind map not only from specific points but also for the whole community, a specific wind simulation software WAsP, The Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program, by RISO, were used. This software extrapolates wind data collected by the anemometer located at a point and calculates the distribution of the wind resource throughout the surrounding area, considering the height map of the region. The topographic maps of the area were acquired in the Military Geographic Institute (La Paz, Bolivia). The energy generated by a wind turbine at each point of the community is also calculated by WAsP considering the power curves of wind turbines.

Next, we presented the height and maps of Turco (Figure 1) and Challapata (Figure 2) obtained with WAsP. As shown in the pictures, the highest elevation points are usually the areas with most wind potential.

Fig. 1. Wind (up) and height (down) maps of the community of Turco.

Experiences of Community Wind Electrification

connections between different equipments.

level of 220 V.

conventional devices, but having a power limit.

Fig. 3. Configuration of a wind individual electrical system.

**4.2 Management model description** 

model".

Projects in Bolivia: Evaluation and Improvements for Future Projects 93

 Conversion. Inverters are used to convert direct current (coming out of batteries) to alternating current (which work for most electric devices) to allow the use of

Distribution. The electricity is distributed within the household at a nominal voltage

Figure 3 shows a breakdown of the basic outline of individual wind electrification, with

A common challenge in isolated electrification systems is to ensure the long-term project, for instance, in terms of sufficient maintenance and access to spare parts. To reinforce this challenge, the organizers of the project focused on developing an appropriate "management

The management model is a management tool developed in consensus with all stakeholders involved in the project, which aims to develop business service structure, and skills and abilities for the collective and individual sustainability. It contains regulations and operational rules governing the role of each different actor. Specifically, there is an operatormanager of the community that is in charge of the maintenance and management of all the systems. Users pay a monthly fee that goes to a fund for the maintenance of systems and possible replacements of equipment (batteries, etc.). A committee of users is also formed to supervise the technical and financial performance. The municipalities and town halls are the

 During the design and development of the project a fluid communication was guaranteed within a board of directors composed by beneficiaries and technicians

 Once the installation finished and once the company that installed the systems and promoter institutions left the communities, the municipality and the town hall became the responsible of sustainability of the systems. The commitment is embodied in an agreement to support the management committees in which they agree to take charge

of a consideration when replacing parts of the system (whenever required).

owners of the systems and are responsible for their long term sustainability. The coordination mechanisms among stakeholders in these projects are:

responsible for implementing the planned activities.

Fig. 2. Wind (left) and height (right) maps of the community of Challapata.

From the different technological options and according to the result of the wind resource evaluation, the promoters of the project decided to use wind energy to electrify these households of the communities (in front of photovoltaic solar systems, for instance).
