As global energy consumption continues to rise, it is essential to adopt measures that regulate electricity use while still meeting the demands of modern society. These efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and are supported by various organizations. This study applies a methodology that combines the implementation of a Level 2 Energy Audit with the evaluation of the Electricity Consumption Index (ECI) at the Department of English of the Multidisciplinary Academic Unit of the Altiplano Region, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. The study identifies strategies to reduce electricity consumption related to lighting systems and equipment operation throughout the department. Additionally, it assesses the percentage of users who promote and practice energy-saving habits. Key recommendations include transitioning the lighting system to LED technology, expected to reduce electricity consumption by 15, and implementing power factor correction measures, projected to yield an additional 6.17% in energy and cost savings. Together, these strategies could result in an estimated annual electricity savings of 21.17%, making them attractive to institutional decision-makers. Furthermore, by comparing the department’s ECI with a reference index established for educational institutions in temperate climate regions of Mexico, the study determines whether the proposed strategies should be implemented immediately or planned for the medium to long term. This decision-making framework represents the main contribution of the case study.

This paper presents an analytical solution to the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) problem for photovoltaic (PV) applications in the form of an improved fractional method. The proposal makes use of a mathematical function that describes the relationship between power and voltage in a PV module in a neighborhood including the maximum power point (MPP). The function is generated by using only three points of the P–V curve. Next, by using geometrical relationships, an analytical value for the MPP can be obtained. The advantage of the proposed technique is that it provides an explicit mathematical expression for calculation of the voltage at the maximum power point ($v_{MPP}$) with high accuracy. Even more, complex calculations, manufacturer data, the measurements of short circuit current ($i_{SC}$) and open-circuit voltage ($v_{OC}$) are not required, making the proposal less invasive than other solutions. The proposed method is validated using the P–V curve of one PV module. Experimental work demonstrates the speed in the calculation of $v_{MPP}$ and the feasibility of the proposed solution. In addition, this MPPT proposal requires only the typical and available measurements, namely, PV voltage and current. Consequently, the proposed method could be implemented in most PV applications.

Access to microbiologically safe water in preschool educational settings constitutes a pressing public health challenge, particularly in rural areas with deficient infrastructure. Repeated exposure to enteropathogens present in contaminated water has been associated with acute gastrointestinal infections, environmental enteropathy, and disruptions in the intestinal microbiota of young children. Motivated by this concern, the present study evaluates the microbiological quality of water in 32 public preschool facilities in the municipality of Matehuala, San Luis Potosí—18 urban and 14 rural—by analyzing the presence of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB), total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), and helminth eggs. The assessment was conducted in accordance with Mexican standards NOM-092-SSA1-1994 and NOM-230-SSA1-2002 and supplemented with the World Health Organization’s guidelines for drinking-water quality. The findings revealed a marked territorial disparity: 100% of rural schools that relied on rooftop water tanks exceeded permissible limits for TC, and 35.7% tested positive for FC. In contrast, all urban schools—supplied through piped water systems—complied with current regulations. Statistical analysis (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 0.05) confirmed significant differences in microbiological contamination based on geographic location and type of water supply. In all FC-positive cases, a lack of sewage infrastructure and inadequate sanitation practices in storage containers were documented. These results demonstrate that formal access to water does not ensure its microbiological safety, particularly in settings with poor structural conditions. The study underscores the urgent need to implement point-of-use water treatment technologies, establish regular microbiological monitoring protocols, and provide training for educational staff in water hygiene practices.

Mexico's growing energy demand necessitates exploring sustainable generation options. This study performs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of various generation technologies in the Mexican context, assessing the environmental impact of photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, biogas, coal, gas, fuel oil, and diesel systems throughout their life cycle stages, from material extraction and manufacturing to operation and disposal. The LCA results are then integrated into an Optimal Unit Commitment method on the IEEE 39-bus test system in the PowerFactory software to analyze the economic and environmental viability of the generation plants. The analysis shows that the most economically and environmentally viable technologies are wind and solar, both with zero operating costs and zero polluting emissions. As a complementary alternative, hydropower stands out for its reduced operating cost, which is competitive when considering the pollution fines associated with other technologies. The results also recommend reducing the capacity of coal power plants from 1,224 MW to 157 MW, to mitigate 〖CO〗_2 emissions and avoid additional pollution costs. The findings aim to inform policymakers and stakeholders in selecting environmentally responsible generation solutions that contribute to a sustainable and diversified energy mix for Mexico.

The growing need for skilled personnel within the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has highlighted the importance of developing innovative and resource-efficient training tools. This project aimed to design and construct a prototype electric load simulator using recycled materials to address the demand for supplementary training methods. The methodology included selecting and integrating reused components, followed by rigorous testing to validate the simulator's functionality under laboratory conditions. The project's scope extended to the practical application of the simulator in a training session, which demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing staff understanding of electrical load systems. The results indicate that this approach can significantly contribute to optimizing training programs within the CFE.