Final Degree and Master’s Final ProjectS

Marta Seral – July 2024

Sustainable Development Goal 7 seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all. However, rural electrification faces considerable challenges due to the lack of conventional electricity infrastructure in remote areas. In this context, Solar Home Systems (SHS) emerge as a highly effective and sustainable solution to address this issue.

Furthermore, the combination of these systems with wireless data transmission technologies, such as LoRa, provides a robust and long-range communications infrastructure. This facilitates remote monitoring of SHS, improving the understanding of energy consumption, optimizing maintenance processes and streamlining payment management, thereby facilitating the sustainability of interventions.

The objective of this Final Degree Project is to design and carry out tests for a SHS power consumption monitoring device, which has been previously developed. To this end, it will start with a study of the state of the art regarding SHS and rural electrification, together with a detailed analysis of the already existing monitoring device. Following this, a methodology for testing will be developed, both at the component level and for the system as a whole. Finally, the planned tests will be carried out and the results obtained will be analyzed.

Jorge Rubio Caldas – July 2024

According to the National Strategy against Energy Poverty 2019-2024 in Spain, between 3.5 and 8.1 million people face energy poverty, a problem that disproportionately affects households with unemployed, low income, housing old rental houses and without adequate heating systems. This situation alleviates a significant socioeconomic gap, where those at risk of social exclusion are more likely to suffer from this form of poverty. In this context, the concept of collective self-consumption emerges as a promising solution, not only to address energy poverty, but also to promote the use of renewable energy and contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable energy model.

However, collective self-consumption faces various challenges that must be overcome to reach its maximum potential and generate a significant social impact. Among these challenges are the complexity in the design of efficient distribution and management systems, as well as the need to improve the operational efficiency of these systems. Furthermore, to maximize the use of the energy generated, it is essential to promote awareness, sensitization and empowerment among selfconsumption users. This involves providing tools and training for users to understand and monitor their electricity consumption from both the grid and self-consumption in real time.

In this context, the design and development of monitoring solutions is proposed as an integral part for the successful implementation of collective self-consumption. This includes a detailed study of the deployment of IoT (Internet of Things) networks and the development of applications to efficiently support and manage these systems.

Rodrigo Cristos Martínez – July 2024

In recent years, there has been a more than notable decrease in the use of cash for economic transactions. Although cash payments continue to be the most used in the world today, their use has decreased by almost 40% since digital payment methods began to be introduced. Changes in consumer trends, the increase in electronic commerce, political instabilities reflected in currency inflation and the Covid-19 Pandemic have caused an increase in the popularity of digital transactions and, additionally, with the constant emergence of technological advances in mobile banking applications, P2P and P2M payments.

Although this type of mobile payments are increasingly widespread in the world’s main economic powers, they represent a great opportunity for developing countries due to their great capacity for growth. The financial inclusion, cost reduction, ease and security that all these new payment options provide are causing a transformation in the financial industry that, although it represents a significant challenge, the potential benefits make it a promising area in this type of locations.

This Final Degree Project aims to design a methodology to implement digital payment solutions that can be expanded to various geographic locations. To achieve this, a detailed analysis of digital payments will be carried out, addressing their needs, challenges and obstacles. In addition, objectives will be established using the SMART approach and technological solutions will be identified considering aspects such as security and scalability, among others. Based on these elements, a methodology for the design and integration of digital payment solutions will be designed, which will allow companies to improve their processes and procedures. This solution will be applied in real cases in various countries, such as Peru, Panama, Chile, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa and Ethiopia.

Enrique García de Alfonso – July 2024

The universalization of access to energy is fundamental to promoting the development of disadvantaged and isolated rural areas. Although there have been advances in access in recent years, rural areas in developing countries are still far behind in meeting the growth targets set in the 2030 Agenda. To achieve this, it is necessary to implement new solutions in areas where there is still no viable energy source, which in 2023 has affected around 660 million people.
The design of innovative solutions to provide energy access in isolated areas requires systems with limited communication capacity. This involves developing services that allow simple and effective monitoring to ensure the proper provision of energy, minimizing operational problems. This is crucial to avoid interruptions in the power supply, which could prevent access to essential services.
Available services for managing information on consumption, energy generation, and the operation of end systems are very useful tools for verifying and adjusting their behaviour. Facilitating these procedures improves the maintenance and analysis process of the systems. Therefore, the use of reliable and low-power technologies for the collection and transmission of sensitive data is essential to improve the service provided and optimize the operation of the systems.
The objective of this Final Degree Project is to design and implement a control system for domestic photovoltaic systems in isolated rural areas. First, a theoretical review of electrification in developing countries, the devices used in this type of intervention, and specifically the management tools implemented in the projects will be necessary. Next, the specific systems of a rural electrification intervention will be analysed, specifically the code generation, customer and sales management systems, and the electrification systems known as Solar Home Systems (SHS). Once the project systems are understood, a system will be designed and developed to allow the control of the project’s SHS.

Diego Calle García – July 2024

A business process includes the activities carried out in a company with the purpose of achieving a specific result. Its modeling has the purpose of understanding the overall process, identifying all the tasks and people that can intervene and influence the results or decision making.

Although it is an old concept rather than a new one, with today’s globalization and a constantly evolving business environment, Business Process Management has become a key element for organizations seeking to improve their efficiency and competitiveness in the marketplace.

On the other hand, and due to the growing importance of data analysis nowadays, companies are increasingly using Machine Learning algorithms in all business areas. In this context, the popularity of process mining, a technique that uses algorithms to identify patterns in the traces left by each action performed using a computer system in a company, has arisen.

Therefore, more and more companies are using process mining to monitor and optimize their internal business processes, based on the analysis of data generated in their own IT systems. This provides companies with insight into the functioning of processes, allowing them to discover opportunities to automate tasks. A deep understanding of the business processes carried out in a company also enables more informed decision making.

In this context, the aim is to analyze the possible benefits of the use of process mining tools within companies, through a literature review. The methodology and nomenclature related to business processes will be studied and the theoretical conclusions will be applied to a real use case in a pay-as-you-go web application.

To do this, the necessary information will be obtained from the web application, i.e. the event logs. Subsequently, this information will be processed to identify the information that applies to the business process under study. Using Celonis, a business process analysis platform that allows the application of all process mining functions, an automatic process mining system will be implemented.

Thanks to the use of Celonis, it will be possible to study the real process in greater and lesser detail, in order to draw conclusions and make a comparison between the theoretical process and the real process. The purpose of this comparison will be to identify differences between the two processes and ways in which they could be optimized.

Álvaro Cubillo García – July 2024

The development of remote rural areas devoid of electrification is an imperative in the quest for equity, sustainability, and global progress. Lack of access to electricity in these regions impedes socioeconomic growth, limits access to basic services, hinders education and health care, and perpetuates inequality.

Technological progress and the expansion of renewable energy infrastructures offer opportunities to address this gap. A solution is proposed through the use of solar panels with batteries to power homes in remote populations in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. In addition, the implementation of digital solutions in the management of energy supply ensures efficient, sustainable and secure operation in an increasingly connected environment.

Documentation of digital solutions is essential to ensure their effectiveness, scalability and long-term sustainability. This documentation facilitates the understanding, use and maintenance of the applications, which is fundamental for their success and usefulness, thus avoiding continuity problems, favouring the education and training of future developers. The documentation process addresses different activities, from the explanation of the code to the functionality and procedures of the tool. It provides an overview of the software, the documentation of the code, the algorithms and interfaces used, APIs, databases…

The aim of this Final Degree Project is to design a SW documentation methodology using as a case study a web-based energy supply management tool. To do so, a succession of phases will be carried out: firstly, a review of the theoretical framework will be carried out, then the documentation methodology will be developed and applied to a practical case, in which the documentation process of a tool already developed will be carried out to test the effectiveness of the methodology and facilitate the sustainability of this tool.

Claudia Rodríguez Coromina – June 2024

In the 21st century, accessing to electricity has become an essential component for human wellbeing and development. Electrification plays a fundamental role in our daily lives, from lighting our homes to powering industries and services. However, despite technological advancements, millions of people, particularly in rural regions, remain without access to this essential energy source.

Having access to electricity in rural areas is a significant challenge that requires an urgent and effective action. It is not only limited to providing basic amenities but also involves driving economic, social, and environmental progress in these communities. Geographic isolation, along with economic and infrastructural limitations, are the main obstacles faced in these areas.

In this context, rural electrification closely aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. Specifically, SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for everyone. Achieving rural electrification not only contributes to aiming this goal but also strengthens other SDGs related to poverty eradication, health, well-being, and climate action.

The research to be addressed in this project focuses on evaluating sustainability management, allowing for the long-term impact assessment of these initiatives, ensuring that they not only provide access to electricity but also are capable of sustaining and adapting to environmental, economic, and social changes. This ensures that resources are used efficiently and negative impacts on the environment and local communities are minimized.

The main objective of this Final Degree Project is to design a methodology for assessing the sustainability of rural electrification projects in developing countries. To achieve this, the first chapter will address the general concepts of electrification, sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the challenges associated with rural electrification nowadays. The next step involves presenting the selected methodology for advancing the investigation development, specifically focusing on the scope review. Finally, a scope review focused on the sustainability of rural electrification interventions will be carried out to identify the main evaluation indicators.

Sergio Illescas Ribó – June 2024

The current business environment is undergoing constant change driven by advancements in information and communication technologies. Within this evolving landscape, Predictive Process Monitoring (PPM) emerges as a discipline of great interest, attracting the attention of researchers and professionals alike. PPM falls within the scope of business process management, using advanced data analysis techniques to predict the future behavior of business processes. This predictive capability allows organizations to anticipate potential deviations or identify opportunities for improvement in their operations, situated in a context where process optimization and efficiency are key to business success.

However, despite the growing interest and trend surrounding PPM, there is a notable lack of clarity regarding its practical application. The term is frequently found in generic literature that addresses the concept without depth or in specific case studies that, although useful, present little correlation with each other. This situation presents an evident problem: the need for a defined and coherent methodology that guides the effective implementation of PPM, allowing organizations to fully leverage its predictive potential.

To address this need, the present Final Degree Project aims to design a specific methodology for the application of Predictive Process Monitoring in a web tool. To achieve this goal, a systematic approach will be adopted, beginning with an exhaustive review of the state of the art, where fundamental concepts such as Business Process (BP), Data Mining, and Process Mining will be clarified, along with their contexts and origins. This review will follow the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, employing the In Ordinatio method to structure the search and analysis of relevant information. Through rigorously defined selection criteria, existing literature will be filtered, facilitating the formulation and response to specific research questions. The process will culminate in the proposal of a detailed methodology for the implementation of PPM in web tools, thus contributing to bridging the gaps in the practical application of this promising discipline.

Mónica Salmador Yagüe – June 2024

We live in a high-tech environment, where systems are constantly generating data. It is estimated that more than 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created every day and that each person with access to the network generates 1.7MB of data per second. In addition, in today’s business environment, where technology also plays a fundamental role, the constant proliferation of data has become a major challenge to be addressed. At this point, the big problem and challenge we face is the fast and efficient management of this large amount of data in order to get the most out of it. To do this, it is crucial to have an appropriate methodology for the collection and analysis of data, which helps us in making strategic decisions and serves to improve the performance and efficiency of our projects.

This TFG provides a complete perspective of data analysis, emphasizing its importance in today’s world, the different types that exist and its multiple applications in different fields. Focusing mainly on web analysis, it ranges from the basic knowledge of the concept of an event and event-based web architecture, to how through the monitoring of these it is possible to collect and record user interactions within a web page, managing to generate valuable information that allows identifying new opportunities, moving more quickly among the latest trends, and preventing or solving present problems.

The main objective of this Final Degree Project is to offer a global vision, at the same time simple, that allows you to have a basic but complete understanding of how to implement an event traceability system in an ERP tool. To do this, first, a general methodology is provided following the ETL process, which describes a sequence of procedures to collect and record relevant events while always maintaining their integrity and consistency. Subsequently, this methodology details the analysis techniques that must be implemented to identify trends, user behavior patterns and possible problems that prevent maximum use of the platform with which you work. Finally, to demonstrate the relevance of event analysis, this methodology is applied to a practical case including specific code from the process of extracting, transforming and loading the data, as well as an exhaustive analysis of the use of the tool through Amplitude that allows relevant conclusions to be obtained for the improvement of the system.

Alejandro Muñoz de la Morena – June 2024

Internet access is an essential resource to be able to function in an increasingly digitalized world. It is estimated that one third of the population does not have access to this global network, which is limiting the development of the geographical areas affected. Most of these countries are developing countries and connectivity is a reflection of multiple gaps that must be bridged in order to meet the UN’s Global Connectivity target that all people should have secure and affordable access to the internet by 2030. This leads to a complexity in measuring connectivity and whether or not it enables effective use of digital services.

Worldwide connectivity varies greatly by the economic and development capacity of the location, but rapid advances in technology projects are creating viable and affordable opportunities for remote and less resourced locations. With this, the level of connectivity in the world, the social, technological and economic gaps and the development status of the country are important issues in determining whether a connection has access to the internet. In addition, places with low connectivity create the challenge of using a web application offline, which opens up an opportunity to optimize offline functionalities. Throughout the project, these factors are analyzed in detail and the main objective is to design a methodology to analyze how a web tool behaves when it does not have an effective internet connection.

This document includes an analysis of worldwide connectivity in order to have a globalized view of internet access. With the challenge of finding out whether a user has a sufficient internet connection to use a website, it is analyzed from the application taking into account the minimum thresholds required. The parameters for measuring connectivity within a website are also investigated. Subsequently, all the previous research is taken to the specific case of Panama, Peru, Chile, Mexico and Philippines, countries with difficult connectivity. Finally, a system for offline use of web programmes is proposed in order to analyze their behavior in an ERP, and thus propose a methodology to optimize the offline processes that are developed in the application.

Ana Isabel Sánchez García – June 2024

In a globalized world, where most developed countries have access to all kinds of technological advances, ensuring access to electricity to remote and isolated areas of the planet must be the main objective of universal basic service providers. The growing awareness of the development of renewable energy sources reflects a widespread effort, both scientific and institutional, to achieve a transition to a more sustainable energy model.

Among the renewable alternatives, solar energy stands out as a highly viable option for rural areas in developing countries, due to its ability to adapt to remote environments with small infrastructures, easy installation and simple use. However, the effective implementation of solar solutions through stand-alone devices is hindered by several factors, such as the limited technological capabilities of these regions, poor payment systems and inadequate data management, which prevents the scalability of the interventions.

As a response to these challenges, this Final Degree Project proposes the design and implementation of an inventory and fault management module within a specialized information system for Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) business models for remote rural areas of the developing world. The module will integrate functionality for inventory control, efficient equipment allocation and fault management to facilitate the operation and maintenance of energy systems in these areas.

Clara Martínez Pérez – June 2024

Human history is marked by a constant succession of natural and man-made disasters that threaten human life, the stability of communities and the integrity of infrastructure. The increasing incidence of these disasters, intensified by factors such as climate change and technological progress, highlights the urgency of developing effective adaptation and mitigation strategies to deal with these crises.
In this emergency context, energy emerges as an essential and indispensable resource, guaranteeing the satisfaction of basic needs in crisis situations. Although energy has historically received limited attention and funding in humanitarian agendas, the current trend is its inclusion as a priority objective in humanitarian action, and numerous initiatives at the international level have emerged to advocate for its recognition and effective integration. Solar photovoltaic energy, as a clean and renewable energy source, contributes directly to the provision of essential energy services in an affordable and sustainable manner.
The objective of this Final Degree Project is to design and develop a tool that allows humanitarian actors to assess their energy demand and provide renewable energy solutions to meet it. To do so, we will study the state of the art of humanitarian aid at a global level and its access to efficient and sustainable energy. Subsequently, the methodology to be followed will be defined, and the contents and technical procedures of evaluation and decision-making for energy supply will be developed. Finally, implementation and testing of the tool will be carried out, as well as a series of sensitivity analyses to assess the accuracy of the assumptions made in the calculations.

Enrique Álvarez Redondo – September 2023

The use of big data tools in the business environment makes it possible to extract relevant information from internal processes through the massive analysis of huge amounts of data. The interpretation and decision making based on this data makes it possible to optimize and restructure procedures that have a very positive impact on companies. These processes of extraction, analysis and decision making in the business environment are grouped under the term “data mining”.
are grouped under the term Data Driven Company.

Currently, many companies have started digitization processes based on this type of technology, but they have not done so in a comprehensive manner, which has led to unsatisfactory results. Digitization goes beyond the use of Big Data, digital marketing or the implementation of a CRM independently, it requires a global strategy that defines the bases from which all the developments that are implemented in the company start. A very common mistake in this type of implementation is to lose the customer’s perspective, which causes a poor use of technology and the lack of philosophies such as User-Centered Design (UCD), generating a poor user experience (UX).

The objective of this TFT is to develop a Data Driven decision making tool to optimize the user experience in an ERP platform designed for the management of rural electrification service in developing countries.

Lourdes Arróspide García – July 2023

The progressive decline of cash in favor of digital payments was already a reality before 2020. The global pandemic of COVID 19 only accelerated this process of digitization of the banking sector that had been underway for some time. It is estimated that the coronavirus caused what was planned to happen in five years to move forward in three months. It is not believed that electronic payments will return to pre-pandemic levels but that, from 2020 to 2025, the volume will increase by 80% worldwide. However, this growth has not been equitable across the population and some people still lack the means to make it their primary form of payment.

Around 2 billion people in the world, corresponding to 38% of adults, do not use formal financial services. Digital payments have great potential as a tool to foster financial inclusion and to become a catalyst for economic growth. However, there are still many and varied barriers – the digital divide, difficult access to devices, lack of financial and digital education, distrust in the security and privacy of technology, often unaffordable costs and countries’ own regulations – that hinder the adoption of these means of payment and limit the opportunities they can offer.

 The purpose of this paper is to design a conceptual framework to analyze the viability and impact of digital payments on the financial inclusion of marginalized groups. The aim is to determine the best way to overcome the aforementioned access barriers and the benefits that these groups can obtain from digital financial services regardless of their socioeconomic level, geographic location or technological capacity.

To this end, we will examine both the defining dimensions of financial inclusion and the infrastructure required for digital payments to be functional and serve as a tool to foster financial inclusion. It will also examine the technologies currently available, the benefits they bring and the barriers to their adoption. In addition, by comparing different countries, we will provide information on the factors that promote or hinder the success of digital payments in achieving financial inclusion, so that we can conclude what impact the adoption of this form of payment has on marginalized populations.

Paula Rodríguez Sánchez – July 2023

Currently, one of the main focuses in software development is the need for quality control in order to deliver a suitable final product to the customer. This is why software testing is increasingly being implemented in application development. In order to be able to detect possible failures in time and to ensure that the product complies with the established specifications, software testing must be found in all phases of the project. The benefits of software testing include not only bug prevention but also reduced development costs and improved performance.

 Software testing is often performed manually, where testers manually execute test cases by navigating through the application or interacting with the software with the appropriate tools. However, this type of testing is very costly and prone to human error. That is why the development of automated software testing is increasingly being applied, and can vary in complexity from testing the functionality of a single method to testing a complex sequence of actions of the final application.

 The automation of software testing is intended to effectively test the correct functioning of an ERP system used for the management of rural electrification projects in developing countries. The aim of this work is to enable the project development teams to rectify possible errors in time and to ensure in the final stages of development that all the application specifications are met.

To achieve the objective, firstly, the types of software tests that can be used to check the functionality of the application will be studied. Secondly, we will analyze the specific needs of the project and choose the tools that best fit the application development environment by making decisions on which framework to use. Next, we will work on the development of software tests to solve specific problems of the project. Finally, we will check the validity of these tests. 

Guillermo Ortega – July 2023

Ensuring affordable, sustainable, modern and reliable energy is one of the main UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. On the one hand, developed countries focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, while developing countries seek to gain access to electricity throughout their territory. While the number of people without electrification was significantly reduced from 2010 to 2020 by 467 million people, by 2030 it is estimated to be reduced by 54 million people, which would be a noticeable slowdown in the process.

This is partly due to the fact that many of the areas to be electrified are rural areas isolated from urban centers that are not reached by the conventional electricity distribution network. The most viable solution in these cases is the installation of autonomous production systems based on renewable energies, since generating energy using the natural resources of the environment is much more economical and efficient than bringing the electricity grid to the site.

The Spanish company Acciona runs the Acciona.org corporate foundation, one of the organizations that promotes access to energy and drinking water for communities with no prospect of having these needs met. One of its ongoing projects is the Luz en casa Ngäbe-Buglé program, which provides a basic electrification service using renewable sources in this indigenous region of Panama, where only 4% of the population has access to electricity. They use third-generation solar home systems with plug&play architecture, providing energy through a single kit that is very efficient, compact, lightweight and made of sustainable materials. Currently there are already many families in the region benefiting from this service, the problem is that the consumption and generation that each of the photovoltaic systems is having is unknown and it is possible that for some households it is necessary to adjust the power of the systems, either increasing or decreasing it.

The objective of this Master Thesis is to design and implement an energy consumption monitoring system in rural environments. To achieve this goal requires a communication system to send the data and analyze them, but the telecommunications infrastructure in these areas is scarce, in most cases it is only possible to capture a weak signal from the mobile network in some areas of the region. That is why this project aims to design an electricity consumption monitoring system capable of communicating in rural areas without a stable mobile network. The secondary objectives of the work are to obtain the consumption data of each solar home system remotely, applying a communication system capable of operating in conditions of low connectivity and with the lowest possible consumption.

Isabel Salmerón Marazuela – July 2023

Currently, 759 million people in the world still do not have access to energy. Of these, 85% live in rural areas and represent the great challenge of universal access. Providing access to these areas entails high operating and maintenance costs, due to complex working environments, difficult access and limited resources.

In this context, digitization presents a landscape of opportunities to improve energy supply solutions and associated processes. Thanks to technological advances, most of the objects involved in energy provision have the possibility to include sensors to collect data on generation, consumption, etc. Making visible the behavior of devices and users, would allow to optimize the electrical networks that are deployed in remote rural areas, reducing costs and allowing the implementation of sustainable solutions over time.

The objective of this thesis is to design and develop a device for monitoring electricity consumption for Solar Home Systems (SHS) in rural locations with unstable connectivity. To do so, we will work on three main lines: first we will analyze the different electronic systems present in the SHS, then we will sensor the electronic system to obtain the consumption data, and finally we will implement the necessary hardware to allow the connectivity of the system through BLEMesh and mobile networks.

Aída Rodríguez – July 2023

Universal energy access is essential to promote and ensure the progress of disadvantaged and isolated rural communities. However, and despite the overall improvement in energy access in recent years, rural areas in developing countries continue to show levels of access that are far from the goals stated in the 2030 Agenda. In these cases, the main challenge remains addressing the “last mile” problem; that is, reaching the most vulnerable and isolated communities: 759 million people still do not have access to energy, 85% of whom live in rural areas.

Technology together with increased connectivity and widespread access to mobile devices in developing countries have changed the paradigm of last mile electrification. Although there are processes that have not yet been digitized and that pose significant costs to business models, hindering the sustainability of interventions.

Payments and inclusive digital ecosystems can play an important role in improving the collection process. Instead of standing in line to pay their electric bill, customers could pay over the phone with a card, online or through their mobile money wallet. Digitizing a routine expense would also increase familiarity and comfort with digital payment platforms, leading to more advanced uses of digital payments.

The objective of this thesis is to design a mobile payment system for the payment of Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) fees in a rural electrification project in Ngäbe Buglé (Panama).

Marta Gallego Fernández – June 2023

The increase in global energy demand and the climate crisis of recent years pose an unprecedented technological challenge. The energy situation affects all corners of the world, but not all start from the same resources, so this is where the problem originates, the challenges of energy access differ markedly between developed and developing areas of the planet. This research is aimed at the analysis and development of technologies that are used to overcome the energy challenges in the most remote areas. Different questions will be raised about the existing inequalities and possible
proposals to bridge the gap. To address the situation, technologies will play the main role. In particular, energy informatics will come into play, a novel field of research where information and communication technologies participate together to face the most current energy challenges caused by the use and management of energy.

The overall objective of this Final Degree Project is to design a platform for the management of electrification projects through isolated photovoltaic systems in isolated areas in developing countries in order to ensure universal access to energy in an affordable, safe and sustainable way, in accordance with the Seventh Sustainable Development Goal.

In this project, the first phase focuses on an analysis of the context of action, where the need for energy, the challenges, information systems, its uses and the commercialization of the different commercial tools available will be studied. Later, a specific rural electrification project will be presented, on which the following phases of the work will be based. Then, the work methodology will be described, in order to develop a design proposal for a rural electrification project management tool. Finally, a final evaluation of the project will be carried out, where the objectives set and the conclusions obtained will be reviewed.

Ignacio Elvira Cruz – June 2023

Cash transactions have been reduced to 25% of the total in countries such as China, Canada and South Korea. People no longer use cash and the main reason for this is the rise of digital payments. Most of these transactions are made through the use of cards and transfers, however, in recent years new players have appeared around the world that implement mobile payments and are achieving great success. However, there are many different technologies and services using m-payments, and it is complex to select the most suitable one for each specific situation.

Although m-payments are quite common in many countries, there are still many opportunities to exploit them in developing countries due to the fast growth of these technologies. There are many reasons why m-payments are particularly interesting in developing countries, such as the great diffusion of mobile phones, the complexity of bancarization in small communities, the increased efficiency, the lower costs involved and the socio-economic conditions. This situation in developing countries will be analyzed in depth and the main objective of this work is to develop a methodology for selecting the most appropriate technology for each environment.

This research will provide an overview of digital payments current situation, focusing on mobile payments, as they are the main agents responsible for the significant increase in the use of digital payments. In order to implement new business models in developing countries using these technologies, it is necessary to select the most appropriate one, as there is usually no clearly dominant mobile payment application today. Consequently, a methodology for selecting the optimal one is needed, therefore, this research will include a design for a general methodology so that it can be followed in any environment. Finally, this methodology will be applied directly to Panama and Peru, two developing countries in Latin America where the Acciona.org Foundation is working on a project to bring clean energy access. To do this, the current situation in these countries  will be first analyzed and then the methodology created will be followed step by step in order to select only one of the available payment methods, which will be the one to be implemented in those specific projects.

Mario del Río Carazo – January 2023

Data analysis is a procedure focused on extracting and highlighting useful information from a raw database. The constant evolution of the ICT world, and especially the continuous improvement of data extraction tools from all types of electronic devices has generated a huge amount of information, which, by itself, is complex to analyze and draw conclusions for companies and institutions that generate the data. Therefore, the development of analysis methodologies that facilitate the understanding of the data and help to obtain quantifiable conclusions is one of the most relevant research fields of the digital era.

Such tools, whose usefulness is easily appreciated in large-scale projects, are in turn very beneficial in the earliest stages of young projects, helping to monitor and understand each phase of project development from a global and accurate perspective and allowing to correct and adapt the solution to the needs of the environment.

Data processing and management plays a fundamental role when carrying out projects in developing countries, due to the need for these types of interventions to ensure their economic, social and environmental sustainability. In addition, with the same level of importance, it is necessary that these interventions have usable and sustainable technology, which can be achieved by using visual formats to display the most relevant data of the projects, facilitating their understanding and subsequent decision making.

During the realization of this Final Degree Project, we will work on a rural electrification project that takes place in the Ngäbe Buglé region in Panama, the largest indigenous region of the country where only 4% of its population has access to electricity. The main objective of this project is to design and implement a data visualization tool to optimize the management of the rural electrification project.

To achieve this objective, firstly, the project will be analyzed at the level of processes and management models used. Secondly, different visualization tools will be studied and compared in order to choose the one that best suits the project. Next, a series of indicators will be proposed to facilitate decision making in project management. Finally, the visualization tool will be designed and implemented, and documentation will be generated for user training.

Ana María del Olmo Jiménez – July 2022

The main objective is to use digitalization to facilitate and transform the processes of a business model such as energy micro-franchises in order to extend its life cycle and thus to facilitate access to energy to people who currently still do not have it available.

Claudia Novoa Sancho – June 2022

The effectiveness of development policies and projects and the fight against poverty in developing countries depends not only on the absolute resources invested, but also on the appropriate design of the interventions, the identification of the impacts to be achieved, their correct measurement, and, finally, their constant evaluation.

It is essential that such projects are aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined in 2015 as Agenda 2030 by the international community. In this context, it is important to understand the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in all areas that have an impact. This will require defining the different models for assessing the sustainability of organizations, framed in principles of sustainable development and ethical theories of social responsibility at the corporate level, taking into account the origin, characteristics, modifications, applications and opinions of these models.

It is necessary to understand the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) starting with their history and ending with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, it is important to analyze the existing methods to assess the progress of the SDGs, with special focus on SDG 7 (Ensure access to affordable, secure, sustainable and modern energy), analyzing the specific impact measurement variables and the existing correlation with the rest of the goals.

The objective of this Master’s Thesis is to analyze the impact measurement models and sustainability indicators and to design a methodology to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the impact of cooperation projects related to SDG7.

Camilo Macarrón Espinosa de los Monteros – January 2022

The limited access to technological resources and connectivity in the most rural and remote areas of the world and the low level of training of their inhabitants, makes necessary to design technology that is highly adapted to the particularities of each area.

In order to facilitate the administrative management of customers at the level of visits and consultations in a store, a tool is proposed that allows workers to continue working manually (handwritten text) but that streamlines the control processes of each store. The objective of the project is to implement a tool that allows the detection and interpretation of handwritten data to be transferred to digital format automatically.

Python language will be used to develop the tool. First, we will investigate and test different existing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) libraries and third-party APIs for handwritten text detection, in order to select those that best suit the project. At the same time, different libraries for image processing will be evaluated in order to achieve a higher quality to improve the accuracy of the tool.

Finally, after the design and implementation with the selected libraries, the results obtained will be analyzed to evaluate the degree of accuracy provided by the tool in the detection and interpretation of text.

Javier Matas Pose – January 2022

The objective of this thesis is to design a control panel of access to Universal Basic Services worldwide, with the aim of facilitating the analysis of the evolution of access over the years.

Firstly, we will study the term Universal Basic Services, its current definitions, origin and predecessors whith a characterization of these. This will be followed by a study of the most relevant indicators that evaluate access to Universal Basic Services.

Subsequently, a methodology for data collection and the design of a scorecard will be designed so that, once the Universal Basic Services and their indicators have been characterized, access figures can be analyzed and decisions can be made basing on them.

Jose María Alcañiz Doussinague – January 2022

Currently, 2.2 billion people do not have safely managed drinking water services and 13% of the world’s population does not have access to energy. As a consequence, different policies are emerging to work towards a more sustainable world, spceally after the 2030 Agenda goals are defined to address this situation. Goals 6 and 7 address access to water and energy.

In order to facilitate and improve the design of actions and decision making in the context of these goals, a study of the concepts will be carried out and a system will be designed to analyze the evolution of access to energy, water and sanitation services over the years.

First, we will study the characteristics of access to these services, the limitations and challenges they present and analyze the actions that are being carried out. An analysis of indicators will be carried out and a scorecard will be designed to reflect the most relevant figures on access to energy, water and sanitation.

María Gracia Fernández Ávila – July 2021

The objective is to design a RCT in a cooperative context, to analyze the impact of resource supply projects in developing countries. Randomized Controlled Trials are a type of impact assessment whose origin goes way back in time, standing out especially in the field of medicine where it is one of the main methods to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs and treatments. However, nowadays it has expanded to a large number of study areas due to its great effectiveness, such as cooperation and economic projects, among others. Its main objective is to measure the impact of the implementation of a program, following some variables in a group of people with certain characteristics randomly divided into control and treatment groups.

María Belén Delgado Domínguez – July 2021

Analyzing the effects or consequences of a cooperation intervention makes it possible to verify the causal relationship between the intervention and its impact. This analysis will allow to design the interventions adequately and to constantly evaluate the effects they provoke. The objective of this thesis is to design a methodology for measuring the impact of cooperation projects. 

First, we will review the context of cooperation projects and their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were defined in 2015 in the 2030 Agenda by the International Community. In this area, it is necessary to deepen the concepts of sustainable development, appropriate technology and impact, reviewing the existing literature. Subsequently, the different methodologies for impact assessment in cooperation projects in developing countries will be reviewed. A review will be made of models already developed, as well as of the most commonly used indicators for impact quantification. Finally, an impact measurement methodology will be designed, as well as the indicators to be used in the evaluation, focusing on cooperation projects related to SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, safe, sustainable and modern energy.

Enrique Álvarez Redondo – July 2021

The objective of this thesis is to design a methodology to evaluate the impact of technology transfer in cooperation projects. Technology transfer is the process of transferring knowledge from one organization to another with the purpose of generating an improvement in development. Although it is not limited to companies and institutions, it is also used in the transfer of knowledge and technology from developed to developing countries.

Alejandro Ramírez Calonge – January 2019

Carmen pino Cuevas – July 2015

Santiago Baena Velasco – June 2013

This FMP deals with the design and implementation of the tool that is responsible for generating the supplier’s PAYG codes, customer management and billing. First, the extraction of the requirements that cover the particular needs of the project is carried out, and the necessary use cases and views are analyzed and defined. Once the tool requirements are defined and the decision is made to build a web application using the Django framework, which uses Python, we proceed to design the solution.

Paula Rodríguez Sánchez – July 2023

Currently, one of the main focuses in software development is the need for quality control in order to deliver a suitable final product to the customer. This is why software testing is increasingly being implemented in application development. In order to be able to detect possible failures in time and to ensure that the product complies with the established specifications, software testing must be found in all phases of the project. The benefits of software testing include not only bug prevention but also reduced development costs and improved performance.

 Software testing is often performed manually, where testers manually execute test cases by navigating through the application or interacting with the software with the appropriate tools. However, this type of testing is very costly and prone to human error. That is why the development of automated software testing is increasingly being applied, and can vary in complexity from testing the functionality of a single method to testing a complex sequence of actions of the final application.

 The automation of software testing is intended to effectively test the correct functioning of an ERP system used for the management of rural electrification projects in developing countries. The aim of this work is to enable the project development teams to rectify possible errors in time and to ensure in the final stages of development that all the application specifications are met.

To achieve the objective, firstly, the types of software tests that can be used to check the functionality of the application will be studied. Secondly, we will analyze the specific needs of the project and choose the tools that best fit the application development environment by making decisions on which framework to use. Next, we will work on the development of software tests to solve specific problems of the project. Finally, we will check the validity of these tests.

Guillermo Ortega – July 2023

Ensuring affordable, sustainable, modern and reliable energy is one of the main UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. On the one hand, developed countries focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, while developing countries seek to gain access to electricity throughout their territory. While the number of people without electrification was significantly reduced from 2010 to 2020 by 467 million people, by 2030 it is estimated to be reduced by 54 million people, which would be a noticeable slowdown in the process.

This is partly due to the fact that many of the areas to be electrified are rural areas isolated from urban centers that are not reached by the conventional electricity distribution network. The most viable solution in these cases is the installation of autonomous production systems based on renewable energies, since generating energy using the natural resources of the environment is much more economical and efficient than bringing the electricity grid to the site.

The Spanish company Acciona runs the Acciona.org corporate foundation, one of the organizations that promotes access to energy and drinking water for communities with no prospect of having these needs met. One of its ongoing projects is the Luz en casa Ngäbe-Buglé program, which provides a basic electrification service using renewable sources in this indigenous region of Panama, where only 4% of the population has access to electricity. They use third-generation solar home systems with plug&play architecture, providing energy through a single kit that is very efficient, compact, lightweight and made of sustainable materials. Currently there are already many families in the region benefiting from this service, the problem is that the consumption and generation that each of the photovoltaic systems is having is unknown and it is possible that for some households it is necessary to adjust the power of the systems, either increasing or decreasing it.

The objective of this Master Thesis is to design and implement an energy consumption monitoring system in rural environments. To achieve this goal requires a communication system to send the data and analyze them, but the telecommunications infrastructure in these areas is scarce, in most cases it is only possible to capture a weak signal from the mobile network in some areas of the region. That is why this project aims to design an electricity consumption monitoring system capable of communicating in rural areas without a stable mobile network. The secondary objectives of the work are to obtain the consumption data of each solar home system remotely, applying a communication system capable of operating in conditions of low connectivity and with the lowest possible consumption.

Isabel Salmerón Marazuela – July 2023

Currently, 759 million people in the world still do not have access to energy. Of these, 85% live in rural areas and represent the great challenge of universal access. Providing access to these areas entails high operating and maintenance costs, due to complex working environments, difficult access and limited resources.

In this context, digitization presents a landscape of opportunities to improve energy supply solutions and associated processes. Thanks to technological advances, most of the objects involved in energy provision have the possibility to include sensors to collect data on generation, consumption, etc. Making visible the behavior of devices and users, would allow to optimize the electrical networks that are deployed in remote rural areas, reducing costs and allowing the implementation of sustainable solutions over time.

The objective of this thesis is to design and develop a device for monitoring electricity consumption for Solar Home Systems (SHS) in rural locations with unstable connectivity. To do so, we will work on three main lines: first we will analyze the different electronic systems present in the SHS, then we will sensor the electronic system to obtain the consumption data, and finally we will implement the necessary hardware to allow the connectivity of the system through BLEMesh and mobile networks.

Aída Rodríguez – July 2023

Universal energy access is essential to promote and ensure the progress of disadvantaged and isolated rural communities. However, and despite the overall improvement in energy access in recent years, rural areas in developing countries continue to show levels of access that are far from the goals stated in the 2030 Agenda. In these cases, the main challenge remains addressing the “last mile” problem; that is, reaching the most vulnerable and isolated communities: 759 million people still do not have access to energy, 85% of whom live in rural areas.

Technology together with increased connectivity and widespread access to mobile devices in developing countries have changed the paradigm of last mile electrification. Although there are processes that have not yet been digitized and that pose significant costs to business models, hindering the sustainability of interventions.

Payments and inclusive digital ecosystems can play an important role in improving the collection process. Instead of standing in line to pay their electric bill, customers could pay over the phone with a card, online or through their mobile money wallet. Digitizing a routine expense would also increase familiarity and comfort with digital payment platforms, leading to more advanced uses of digital payments.

The objective of this thesis is to design a mobile payment system for the payment of Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) fees in a rural electrification project in Ngäbe Buglé (Panama).

Marta Gallego Fernández – June 2023

The increase in global energy demand and the climate crisis of recent years pose an unprecedented technological challenge. The energy situation affects all corners of the world, but not all start from the same resources, so this is where the problem originates, the challenges of energy access differ markedly between developed and developing areas of the planet. This research is aimed at the analysis and development of technologies that are used to overcome the energy challenges in the most remote areas. Different questions will be raised about the existing inequalities and possible
proposals to bridge the gap. To address the situation, technologies will play the main role. In particular, energy informatics will come into play, a novel field of research where information and communication technologies participate together to face the most current energy challenges caused by the use and management of energy.

The overall objective of this Final Degree Project is to design a platform for the management of electrification projects through isolated photovoltaic systems in isolated areas in developing countries in order to ensure universal access to energy in an affordable, safe and sustainable way, in accordance with the Seventh Sustainable Development Goal.

In this project, the first phase focuses on an analysis of the context of action, where the need for energy, the challenges, information systems, its uses and the commercialization of the different commercial tools available will be studied. Later, a specific rural electrification project will be presented, on which the following phases of the work will be based. Then, the work methodology will be described, in order to develop a design proposal for a rural electrification project management tool. Finally, a final evaluation of the project will be carried out, where the objectives set and the conclusions obtained will be reviewed.

Ignacio Elvira Cruz – June 2023

Cash transactions have been reduced to 25% of the total in countries such as China, Canada and South Korea. People no longer use cash and the main reason for this is the rise of digital payments. Most of these transactions are made through the use of cards and transfers, however, in recent years new players have appeared around the world that implement mobile payments and are achieving great success. However, there are many different technologies and services using m-payments, and it is complex to select the most suitable one for each specific situation.

Although m-payments are quite common in many countries, there are still many opportunities to exploit them in developing countries due to the fast growth of these technologies. There are many reasons why m-payments are particularly interesting in developing countries, such as the great diffusion of mobile phones, the complexity of bancarization in small communities, the increased efficiency, the lower costs involved and the socio-economic conditions. This situation in developing countries will be analyzed in depth and the main objective of this work is to develop a methodology for selecting the most appropriate technology for each environment.

This research will provide an overview of digital payments current situation, focusing on mobile payments, as they are the main agents responsible for the significant increase in the use of digital payments. In order to implement new business models in developing countries using these technologies, it is necessary to select the most appropriate one, as there is usually no clearly dominant mobile payment application today. Consequently, a methodology for selecting the optimal one is needed, therefore, this research will include a design for a general methodology so that it can be followed in any environment. Finally, this methodology will be applied directly to Panama and Peru, two developing countries in Latin America where the Acciona.org Foundation is working on a project to bring clean energy access. To do this, the current situation in these countries  will be first analyzed and then the methodology created will be followed step by step in order to select only one of the available payment methods, which will be the one to be implemented in those specific projects.

Mario del Río Carazo – January 2023

Data analysis is a procedure focused on extracting and highlighting useful information from a raw database. The constant evolution of the ICT world, and especially the continuous improvement of data extraction tools from all types of electronic devices has generated a huge amount of information, which, by itself, is complex to analyze and draw conclusions for companies and institutions that generate the data. Therefore, the development of analysis methodologies that facilitate the understanding of the data and help to obtain quantifiable conclusions is one of the most relevant research fields of the digital era.

Such tools, whose usefulness is easily appreciated in large-scale projects, are in turn very beneficial in the earliest stages of young projects, helping to monitor and understand each phase of project development from a global and accurate perspective and allowing to correct and adapt the solution to the needs of the environment.

Data processing and management plays a fundamental role when carrying out projects in developing countries, due to the need for these types of interventions to ensure their economic, social and environmental sustainability. In addition, with the same level of importance, it is necessary that these interventions have usable and sustainable technology, which can be achieved by using visual formats to display the most relevant data of the projects, facilitating their understanding and subsequent decision making.

During the realization of this Final Degree Project, we will work on a rural electrification project that takes place in the Ngäbe Buglé region in Panama, the largest indigenous region of the country where only 4% of its population has access to electricity. The main objective of this project is to design and implement a data visualization tool to optimize the management of the rural electrification project.

To achieve this objective, firstly, the project will be analyzed at the level of processes and management models used. Secondly, different visualization tools will be studied and compared in order to choose the one that best suits the project. Next, a series of indicators will be proposed to facilitate decision making in project management. Finally, the visualization tool will be designed and implemented, and documentation will be generated for user training.

Ana María del Olmo Jiménez – July 2022

The main objective is to use digitalization to facilitate and transform the processes of a business model such as energy micro-franchises in order to extend its life cycle and thus to facilitate access to energy to people who currently still do not have it available.

Claudia Novoa Sancho – June 2022

The effectiveness of development policies and projects and the fight against poverty in developing countries depends not only on the absolute resources invested, but also on the appropriate design of the interventions, the identification of the impacts to be achieved, their correct measurement, and, finally, their constant evaluation.

It is essential that such projects are aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined in 2015 as Agenda 2030 by the international community. In this context, it is important to understand the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in all areas that have an impact. This will require defining the different models for assessing the sustainability of organizations, framed in principles of sustainable development and ethical theories of social responsibility at the corporate level, taking into account the origin, characteristics, modifications, applications and opinions of these models.

It is necessary to understand the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) starting with their history and ending with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, it is important to analyze the existing methods to assess the progress of the SDGs, with special focus on SDG 7 (Ensure access to affordable, secure, sustainable and modern energy), analyzing the specific impact measurement variables and the existing correlation with the rest of the goals.

The objective of this Master’s Thesis is to analyze the impact measurement models and sustainability indicators and to design a methodology to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the impact of cooperation projects related to SDG7.

Camilo Macarrón Espinosa de los Monteros – January 2022

The limited access to technological resources and connectivity in the most rural and remote areas of the world and the low level of training of their inhabitants, makes necessary to design technology that is highly adapted to the particularities of each area.

In order to facilitate the administrative management of customers at the level of visits and consultations in a store, a tool is proposed that allows workers to continue working manually (handwritten text) but that streamlines the control processes of each store. The objective of the project is to implement a tool that allows the detection and interpretation of handwritten data to be transferred to digital format automatically.

Python language will be used to develop the tool. First, we will investigate and test different existing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) libraries and third-party APIs for handwritten text detection, in order to select those that best suit the project. At the same time, different libraries for image processing will be evaluated in order to achieve a higher quality to improve the accuracy of the tool.

Finally, after the design and implementation with the selected libraries, the results obtained will be analyzed to evaluate the degree of accuracy provided by the tool in the detection and interpretation of text.

Javier Matas Pose – January 2022

The objective of this thesis is to design a control panel of access to Universal Basic Services worldwide, with the aim of facilitating the analysis of the evolution of access over the years.

Firstly, we will study the term Universal Basic Services, its current definitions, origin and predecessors whith a characterization of these. This will be followed by a study of the most relevant indicators that evaluate access to Universal Basic Services.

Subsequently, a methodology for data collection and the design of a scorecard will be designed so that, once the Universal Basic Services and their indicators have been characterized, access figures can be analyzed and decisions can be made basing on them.

Jose María Alcañiz Doussinague – January 2022

Currently, 2.2 billion people do not have safely managed drinking water services and 13% of the world’s population does not have access to energy. As a consequence, different policies are emerging to work towards a more sustainable world, spceally after the 2030 Agenda goals are defined to address this situation. Goals 6 and 7 address access to water and energy.

In order to facilitate and improve the design of actions and decision making in the context of these goals, a study of the concepts will be carried out and a system will be designed to analyze the evolution of access to energy, water and sanitation services over the years.

First, we will study the characteristics of access to these services, the limitations and challenges they present and analyze the actions that are being carried out. An analysis of indicators will be carried out and a scorecard will be designed to reflect the most relevant figures on access to energy, water and sanitation.

María Gracia Fernández Ávila – July 2021

The objective is to design a RCT in a cooperative context, to analyze the impact of resource supply projects in developing countries. Randomized Controlled Trials are a type of impact assessment whose origin goes way back in time, standing out especially in the field of medicine where it is one of the main methods to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs and treatments. However, nowadays it has expanded to a large number of study areas due to its great effectiveness, such as cooperation and economic projects, among others. Its main objective is to measure the impact of the implementation of a program, following some variables in a group of people with certain characteristics randomly divided into control and treatment groups.

María Belén Delgado Domínguez – July 2021

Analyzing the effects or consequences of a cooperation intervention makes it possible to verify the causal relationship between the intervention and its impact. This analysis will allow to design the interventions adequately and to constantly evaluate the effects they provoke. The objective of this thesis is to design a methodology for measuring the impact of cooperation projects. 

First, we will review the context of cooperation projects and their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were defined in 2015 in the 2030 Agenda by the International Community. In this area, it is necessary to deepen the concepts of sustainable development, appropriate technology and impact, reviewing the existing literature. Subsequently, the different methodologies for impact assessment in cooperation projects in developing countries will be reviewed. A review will be made of models already developed, as well as of the most commonly used indicators for impact quantification. Finally, an impact measurement methodology will be designed, as well as the indicators to be used in the evaluation, focusing on cooperation projects related to SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, safe, sustainable and modern energy.

Enrique Álvarez Redondo – July 2021

The objective of this thesis is to design a methodology to evaluate the impact of technology transfer in cooperation projects. Technology transfer is the process of transferring knowledge from one organization to another with the purpose of generating an improvement in development. Although it is not limited to companies and institutions, it is also used in the transfer of knowledge and technology from developed to developing countries.

Alejandro Ramírez Calonge – January 2019

Carmen pino Cuevas – July 2015

Santiago Baena Velasco – June 2013

This FMP deals with the design and implementation of the tool that is responsible for generating the supplier’s PAYG codes, customer management and billing. First, the extraction of the requirements that cover the particular needs of the project is carried out, and the necessary use cases and views are analyzed and defined. Once the tool requirements are defined and the decision is made to build a web application using the Django framework, which uses Python, we proceed to design the solution.