Model-based assessment of future Bolivian energy systems

This project aims at building capacity, knowledge and tools for energy planning in Bolivia. The country has high ambitions in the energy sector but lacks the proper capacity to perform appropriate energy planning and lacks trained engineers capable of assessing and implementing the development of non-conventional (i.e. renewable) energy sources. The proposed work builds upon two previous projects by the partners, in which some preliminary models have been proposed to assist energy planning activities in the country. These models should be improved and complemented with proper training and communication with the main stakeholders. In a first step, a suite of models will be developed an parametrized to evaluate the flexibility potential of currently installed technologies to accommodate variable renewable energy sources and cover daily variations (e.g. through dispatchable power plants) as well as seasonal variations (e.g. in the form of seasonal storage capacity). In a second step, scenarios will be established and simulated in close collaboration with the main stakeholders and dissemination of the knowledge and of the open-source models will be organized through workshops and trainings.