OR has traditionally focused on the optimization of commercial companies’ problems in developed countries. However, it can also be used to solve social problems and to promote human development. OR for development deals with classical routing, location, planning and scheduling problems, as well as social constraints and requirements. These OR applications are mathematically as challenging as any other and, in our opinion, can be much more inspiring and fairer. Here, we present the location and network problem of designing electrification projects for rural communities.

Peer Reviewed