Abstract

In this wo rk, a methodology for the design and implementation of a microgrid for supplying electricity to indigenous Mapuche communities in Chile is proposed. The challenge in designing this microgrid lies in making it compatible with a community’s socio-cultural situation, thereby allowing active community participation in all stages of project development. To achieve this, we propose a participatory model of technological innovation that fits in with the local culture. The proposal is based on taking advantage of the communication and energy infrastructure of the microgrid to build a smart farm system to improve the quality of life of Mapuche rural communities. The smart farm consists of a set of technological devices and software applications related to communitarian farm activities that attempt to reduce the gap of information technologies. To demonstrate the potential of the smart farm system, we propose solutions for livestock monitoring and rational water use at the local level since these two applications represent needs expressed by the communities themselves. To develop a harmonious project consistent with the socio-cultural situation of the Mapuche people and to obtain effective community participation in the different stages of the project, we suggest performing a participatory socio-environmental diagnosis to identify the project’s potential and existing initial barriers to its implementation in these communities. Subsequently, we will evaluate its potential impact on the social welfare and development of the communities. This design will result in a participatory project with community management for ensuring its sustainability under a concept of development shared by the community. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.