DOPS-UPC publishes research on socially informed optimization for rural electrification in Bolivia

Researchers from DOPS-UPC have contributed to the scientific article “A socially informed optimization framework for rural electrification planning across alternative electricity demand scenarios: A case study in Bolivia”, published in the international journal Energy for Sustainable Development.

The study addresses one of the main challenges in achieving universal electricity access: designing viable energy solutions adapted to the needs of isolated rural communities, where extending the conventional electricity grid may be technically or economically unfeasible.

The research proposes an optimization framework that incorporates social criteria into rural electrification planning. Using a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model integrated into a heuristic procedure, the framework evaluates different configurations of microgrids and stand-alone systems, combining solar photovoltaic generation, battery storage and backup diesel generation. The model considers hourly electricity consumption profiles and different demand scenarios.

The methodology is applied to the community of Molle Orcko, in Raqaypampa (Bolivia). The results show that, while the configuration of electricity connections is mainly influenced by geographical and spatial factors, equipment sizing is particularly sensitive to electricity demand scenarios. Furthermore, incorporating social constraints can modify electrification solutions and their costs, allowing them to be better adapted to community priorities and management capabilities.

The article is co-authored by Marc Juanpera, Iker Martín-Saladich, Claudia Sanchez-Solis, Bruno Domenech, Sergio Balderrama, Antonin Ponsich, Sylvain Quolin and Laia Ferrer-Martí, from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and collaborating institutions.

This publication contributes to DOPS-UPC's research line on strategic energy autonomy, which develops optimization and decision-support tools to advance towards more sustainable energy systems adapted to their specific contexts.

Article reference:

Juanpera, M., Martín-Saladich, I., Sanchez-Solis, C., Domenech, B., Balderrama, S., Ponsich, A., Quolin, S. and Ferrer-Martí, L. (2027). A socially informed optimization framework for rural electrification planning across alternative electricity demand scenarios: A case study in Bolivia. Energy for Sustainable Development, 96, 102151.

Full article (open access): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2026.102151