DOCSLIB.ORG

Promoting the Development of Solar Projects in Chile

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Promoting the Development of Solar Projects in Chile Promoting the Development of Solar Projects in Chile Marcelo Tokman th Friday April 24 , San Francisco, CA Minister of Energy 2009 National Energy Commission Chilean Context Energy Policy: New Guidelines Crisis Transforming the energy crisis into an opportunity Origin Measures Outcomes Towards a New Policy Challenges Strategy Non Conventional Renewables Solar Power National Energy Commission Context Final energy consumption has grown significantly in Chile Primary Energy Consumption (2007) End-Consumption of Energy 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 OIL DERIVATIVES 50,000 ELECTRICITY NATURAL GAS 259.152 TCal BIOMASS OTHERS COAL 0 Since 1990 shows a growth of 4.7% per year The evolution of energy demand has closely followed GDP GDP Total Energy Consumption Growth Indices (1979 = 100) Evolution of Primary Energy Consumption with respect to GDP, NEC 2007 & Central Bank But in recent years is beginning to display a decoupling More than 83% of final consumption is concentrated in three economic sectors 90,000 Oil Derivatives Biomass 80,000 Electricity Gas Others 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 Tera calories 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Transport Industry Mining Commerce & Residential Energy Sector Public End-consumption of Energy, by sector, NEC 2007 Consumption is concentrated in the following sectors: Transport (35%), Commercial, Public and Residential (25%) and Industrial (23%). Chile has two main electric systems Electric Installed Capacity (2008) Regulated clients SING 10% 3.573 MW 27% Non-regulated clients 90% Regulated clients 55% 9.603 MW 72% Non-regulated clients 45% SIC 33,5 MW Regulated clients 100% 0,3% 64,7 MW Regulated clients 100% 0,5% Total Capacity: 13.275 MW Projections indicate that without energy efficiency the consumption in 20 years will grow more than three times 1,000,000 800,000 Other Aviation kerosene Coke and tar 600,000 Natural Gas Gasoline Liquid gas 400,000 Firewood Coal 200,000 Electricity Oil fuels Diesel Forecasts of End-Consumption by Fuel Type , PROGEA -UCH 2008 End-consumption of energy is projected to grow by an average of 5.4% every year until 2030 We have a high and growing external dependence Importation Production Biomass Hydro electricity Coal Primary Production and Importation (1990 – 2007), NEC Natural Gas Crude Oil Primary Consumption 2007, NEC In the primary balance of Chile, the level of imports is equivalent to 68% of consumption Dependence exposesus to pricevola 73.3% ofprimaryconsumption corresponds to fossilfuels Primary Consumption 2007 & Evolution ofin &Evolution Primary Consumption 2007 Jan Apr July Oct Jan Apr July Oct Jan Apr July ternational pricesforhydrocarbons, NEC Oct Jan Apr tility, particularlyforfossilfuels July Oct Jan Apr July Oct Jan Apr July Crude oil Oct Jan Coal Gas Natural Apr July Oct This dependence exposes us to risks for all uses including the electricity sector SIC-SING Installed Capacity (Dec 2008) & Gas Restrictions from Argentina (% of normal requirements), NEC Gas represents 36% of the installed capacity and there is only one supplier In the electricity sector, the fluctuation of pluviometry is another source of risk Effective Hydroelectric Potencial Historical Series (GWh) 30.000 25.000 20.000 15.000 10.000 5.000 0 HYDROLOGICAL YEAR SIC Installed Capacity (Dec-2008) & Historical series of effective Hydroelectric Potential (GWh), NEC Hydro generation represents 52.3% of the installed capacity of the SIC, which serves 94% of the population Vulnerability increases when investments do not meet the requirements Ralco 640 MW Evolution of installed capacity (SIC+SING), historic data of CDEC updated to 2006, NEC Several years in the last decade that the projects did not reach significant levels The investments are necessary, but competing for land use Hydroelectric power plants Biomass power plants Thermal power plants Electric lines Substations Fuel storage Oil pipelines Gas pipelines Indigenous development areas Indigenous communities SNASPE Denomination of origin Benthic management Wetlands Saturated and/or latent Example of Competition for Land, OTERRA 2008 zones There are many uses for the land The investments have impacts on the environment Gg (1000 ton) Year Energy Industrial processes Agriculture FCUS Balance Waste Emissions of CO2 equivalents in Chile (1984-2003), CONAMA 2003 Chile generates 0.3% of global CO2 emissions. However, some studies project a 130% increase by 2050 as a result of coal-fired power plants Environmental influences on energy development Coral reefs and mangroves seriously threatened by warmer SST. Mangroves will probably disappear from low-lying coastlines in the worst scenario of a rise in sea level. Amazon: Loss of 43% of 60 tree species by end of 21st century; eastern part will become savannah. Cerrado: 2ºC increase in temperatures will cause a loss of 24% of 138 species of trees. Reduction in land for coffee cultivation. Increase in aridity and scarcity of water resources. Marked increase in extinction of mammals, birds, butterflies, frogs and reptiles by 2050. Severe decrease in water availability and hydroelectric generation resulting from glacier reduction. Destruction of the ozone and skin cancer. Severe land degradation and desertification. Coast of Rio de la Plata threatened by the swell during storms and rising sea levels. Increase in vulnerability to extreme meteorological phenomena. Impacts of Climate Change on the Electricity Sector, AR4- IPCC (2007) Climate change will mean lower precipitation, less snow and more frequent “El Niño / La Niña” phenomena with impacts particularly in the central-south of Chile Crisis The crisis arises from a combination of risks that materialized Cuts in natural gas deliveries Drought Pluviometric anomaly, Santiago region-Concepción Period: January-December Standardized Units Increase in costs Failure of important power plants Nehuenco (11 months) Unit U-16 (2 months) Gasatacama Combined Cycle 2 (12 months, partial) Jan-00 Sep-00 May-01 Jan-02 Sep-02 May-03 Jan-04 Sep-04 May-05 Jan-06 Sep-06 May-07 Jan-08 Sep-08 May-00 Jan-01 Sep-01 May-02 Jan-03 Sep-03 May-04 Jan-05 Sep-05 May-06 Jan-07 Sep-07 May-08 To confront the crisis was needed to take a package of measures Stabilization of fuel prices through the injection of US$ 1.26 billion into Fuel Price Stabilization Fund Temporary reduction of specific tax on gasoline Electricity subsidy for the most vulnerable 40% of the population 2009 National Light Bulb Replacement Program Subsidies for poor families The month of April was included in peak hour measurement Rationing decree (reduction in voltage - hydro reserves) Energy saving campaigns Extension of daylight savings time Flexibilization of water use for power generation Installation of back-up turbines and engines Conversion of combined cycles gas turbine to permit their operation with diesel Investment in diesel logistics Financial offers from generators Law to insure supply in case of bankruptcy and Law to permit recovery of taxes on power companies The results were exceptional There were no interruptions in the electric supply. There were no interruptions in the gas supply to residential and commercial clients. Increases in domestic prices due to international fluctuations were mitigated. Low-income families received support in order to cope with higher prices. Was obtained to replace the natural gas and hydropower for diesel Small Reservoir Wind Coal Gas Other Diesel Marginal Cost (US$/MWh) hydro 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 SIC generation sources, 2006-2009. Source CDEC-SIC, Systep • 100% of the natural gas generation capacity was adapted to operate with diesel • Generation capacity was increased through the installation of backup turbines Was reduced energy sales Monthly Energy Sales SIC – Actual & Projected (GWh) 4500 0% 4000 -2% 3500 DeviationMonthly % -4% 3000 Cumulative Variation 2500 March 2008-February 2009 -6% -10% 2000 -8% 1500 -10% 1000 -12% 500 Monthly Energy Sales (GWh) Energy Monthly 0 -14% Jul-2008 Dec-2008 Dec-2007 Oct-2008 Oct-2007 Feb-2009 Jun-2008 Feb-2008 Apr-2008 Sep-2008 Nov-2008 Nov-2007 Auo-2008 Jan-2009 Jan-2008 Mar-2008 May-2008 Actual Projected Dev % Energy Policy: Just worrying about energy in New Guidelines periods of crisis, is the perfect recipe for a new crisis Transforming the energy crisis into an opportunity We require an energy policy with long-term vision, to ensure sufficient, safe, competitive, sustainable and equitable energy. National Energy Commission www.cne.cl Towards a New Energy Policy Current Challenges 1. Having sufficient energy available to meet the requirements of a growing country 2. Limiting demand to what is strictly necessary 3. Diversifying the energy mix to avoid supply and price risks 4. Maintaining competitiveness in the face of energy price increases 5. Making energy development compatible with local development and environmental conservation 6. Minimizing the risks and impacts of climate change 7. Taking advantage of international opportunities (technological advances, CDM, public policies, integration, etc.) 8. Ensuring an equitable supply for the entire population 9. Being prepared to deal with critical supply and price situations 10. Putting the necessary institutions and regulatory framework in place to respond to new challenges Emissions of CO2 Total CO2 Emissions Emissions per capita 12 10.3 28,003 30000 10 25000 8 20000 12,874 6 15000 4.28 3.64 tCO2/capita 4 10000 5000 59.84 2 CO2 emissions (Mt of CO2) emissions CO2 0 World OECD Chile 0 World OECD Chile What explains the low per capita emissions of Chile? Emissions of CO2 Emissions =xEmissions TPES TPES x GDP Population TPES Population GDP Population World 4.28 2.39 1.80 0.20 8.8 OECD 10.93 2.32 4.70 0.18 26.4 Chile 3.64 2.01 1.81 0.17 11.0 Clean energy More energy Less economically mix efficient developed Source: Key World Statistics 2008, International Energy Agency Emissions of CO2 Emissions =xEmissions TPES TPES x GDP Population TPES Population GDP Population World 4.28 2.39 1.80 0.20 8.8 OECD 10.93 2.32 4.70 0.18 26.4 Chile 3.64 2.01 1.81 0.17 11.0 Economic growth will lead to an increase in emissions.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Perspectives on Solar Energy, Mining and Agro-Food in Chile
    Chapter 3 Transforming industries: Perspectives on solar energy, mining and agro-food in Chile The shifting global geopolitical and technological landscape coupled with changes in consumers’ preferences is opening up a window of opportunity for Chile. The country could transform its economy, enlarge its knowledge base and increase productivity by leveraging on its natural assets in new, more innovative ways. However, the world is moving fast and opportunities will not be permanently available. To tap into them, a strategic approach and a shared vision between government, business and society is needed. Chile has started to do so through strategic initiatives that identify future opportunities and clarify gaps to be addressed. This chapter presents the Chilean experience in solar energy, mining and agro-food; in each case it presents a snapshot of key trends and future scenarios, developed through multi-stakeholder consultations, it describes the current policy approach and it identifies reforms to move forward. PRODUCTION TRANSFORMATION POLICY REVIEW OF CHILE: REAPING THE BENEFITS OF NEW FRONTIERS © OECD AND UNITED NATIONS 2018 103 3. Transforming industries: Perspectives on solar energy, mining and agrO-food in Chile Unleashing the potential of solar energy in Chile This section presents a snapshot of the rise of solar energy in the country and summarises the results of public-private consultations on the opportunities presented by solar for Chile. It describes the current policy approach and it identifies reforms to move forward. Solar energy is gaining ground in Chile Solar energy is becoming globally competitive thanks to falling prices. Investment in the development of renewable energies globally is surpassing investment in fossil fuel technologies (OECD, 2018; IEA, 2016).
    [Show full text]
  • Paying for Green Energy: the Case of the Chilean Patagonia
    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE ScienceDirect provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector Journal of Policy Modeling 38 (2016) 397–414 Paying for green energy: The case of the ଝ Chilean Patagonia a,∗ b Juan-Pedro Garces-Voisenat , Zinnia Mukherjee a Department of Economics, Siena College, USA b Department of Economics, Simmons College, USA Received 2 February 2016; received in revised form 22 February 2016; accepted 10 March 2016 Available online 26 March 2016 Abstract We survey and assess the willingness to pay (WTP) for environmentally-friendly sources of energy, in the context of the proposed construction of five hydroelectric dams in the Chilean Patagonia. We then compare the estimated WTP to the real costs of generating electricity with different currently available technologies for renewable sources of energy. Overall, we find that the WTP of Chilean citizens would be more than enough to pay for greener sources of energy. We also find that the WTP is affected by age and gender of the respondents, but surprisingly not by income. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The Society for Policy Modeling. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). JEL classification: O1; Q2; Q4 Keywords: Green economy; Sustainable development; Energy; Environment; Chilean Patagonia 1. Introduction Many emerging economies that are at a crossroads of their development processes face the critical question of choosing the energy sources needed to promote economic growth.
    [Show full text]
  • Colbún and the Future of Chile's Power
    9-713-047 REV: APRIL 16, 2013 FOREST L. REINHARDT SHON R. HIATT Colbún and the Future of Chile’s Power In August 2012, four months after scoring a major victory in the Chilean courts, Bernardo Larraín Matte, the 46-year-old former CEO and recently appointed Chairman of Colbún S.A., gazed out of his office window, thinking about the challenges facing his firm in light of Chile’s growing energy demand, the worldwide volatility in oil and natural gas prices, and the company’s recent decision to put its largest generation project on hold. As the second-largest generator in the country, Colbún had an installed capacity of 2,970 megawatts (MW), accounting for 20% of the central electricity grid (Sistema Interconectado Central, or SIC) that served 90% of the Chilean population. With between 40% and 70% of Colbún’s electricity coming from hydropower (depending on meteorological conditions), and the rest from fossil fuels (gas, diesel and coal),1 the company faced a challenging future. Six years earlier, Chile’s primary supplier of natural gas, Argentina, had created a serious shortage by restricting gas exports and increasing taxes on them. Compounding the problem, in 2007, Chile experienced a severe drought that limited hydroelectric generation. As a result, Colbún had to boost its production from thermal power plants. Given the scarcity of gas, the company resorted to diesel. However, the global rise of oil prices caused a strain on the company’s finances. A record positive net income of $275 million in 2006 had turned into a net loss of $88 million in 2007, and earnings since had been volatile.
    [Show full text]
  • The Future of Energy in Chile
    Special bUSiness CHILE Issue THE VOICE OF THE CHILEAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE N°274, AUGUST 2011 The Future of Energy in Chile RENEWABLE ENERGY REGULATIONS ENERGY MATRIX Harnessing New Challenges for Towards a Sustainable Nature’s Power Electricity Regulation Energy Mix Hablo sin 15.990 preocuparme de la cuenta Conexión Directa (PTT) ilimitada Nacional e Internacional. 1000 minutos en llamadas entre celulares Nextel. 100 minutos de llamadas a red móvil y fija. 800 646 415 CONTENTS 6 LIFE IS ON THE WIRE The US multinational 3M has developed an innovative heat- LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE resistant wire that could help 38 Chilean companies transport electricity more efficiently. Energize Now After returning from the 8 HARNESSING NAture’S 32 SEEKING IEA peace of Mongolia to find POWER MEMBERSHIP Chile in chaos, Santiago Special Issue Chile’s geography offers huge Chile is on track to join Eneldo says Chileans The Future of Energy potential for non-conventional the International Energy need to channel their in Chile renewable energy, but additional Agency but first it needs energy constructively. Chile is rich in natural incentives are needed for more to nearly quadruple its resources that can be projects to be developed. oil stocks. harnessed to diversify energy sources, but TOWARDS A what price are 14 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY THE CHILE PARADOX Chileans willing to pay MIX 34 for cleaner, more Chile’s future growth will secure energy Chile needs low-cost, reliable depend on its ability to energy supplies to improve its supplies? balance strong government competitiveness, but opinions policies with liberalized differ on which energy markets, writes guest © 2011 AMCHAM CHILE sources should be used.
    [Show full text]
  • Latin American Power Overview Outlook, Financial Performance, Regulatory Risk and Investments September 2019 Corporates Compendium Power / Latin America
    Latin American Power Overview Outlook, Financial Performance, Regulatory Risk and Investments September 2019 Corporates Compendium Power / Latin America Table of Contents Latin American Power Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Regulatory Risk Assessment .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Generation .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Installed Capacity ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Growth and Expansion ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Power Generated ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Distribution .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Corporates .........................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Energy in Chile by Claudio A
    www.flacsoandes.edu.ec FALL 2015 HARVARD REVIEW OF LATIN AMERICA ENERGY OIL, GAS AND BEYOND ENERGY EDITOR’S LETTER BY JUNE CAROLYN ERLICK Zocalo Hed 26 pt Zocalo deck 14 point one line BY HARVARD REVIEW OF LATIN AMERICA FALL 2015 VOLUME XV NO. 1 Oil, Gas and Beyond Published by the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies I was waiting for the ship to come in. In fact, so was everyone else in Nicaragua. Gas lines VOLUME XV NO. 1 Harvard University stretched around the block. The supermarket shelves were nearly bare. Lights went out again David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies and again, plunging the country into frequent darkness. Telex machines couldn’t work, and we reporters had to depend on the few places with generators to file our stories (for younger Director Brian Farrell readers, this was pre-computer and smart phones). U.S. President Ronald Reagan had imposed a trade blockade on Nicaragua in May 1985. The Soviets were sending oil, dodging Executive Director ENERGY Ned Strong the blockade. ReVista OIL, GAS AND BEYOND We reporters did what we always do: we reported on the ship’s arrival. But we also Editor-in-Chief breathed a collective sigh of relief. The arrival of the Soviet ship meant hot showers and light June Carolyn Erlick to read by. Copy Editor Energy is intensely political. It shapes nations and trade and fuels wars and blockades. FIRST TAKE Anita Safran Energy, I discovered then, is also intensely personal. It shapes our lives on a daily basis.
    [Show full text]
  • Geothermal Regulatory Framework in Chile
    Unlocking Geothermal Investments in Central America: Strengthening Enabling Policy and Regulatory Frameworks San Salvador - August 2017 Geothermal Regulatory Framework in Chile Rubén Muñoz Bustos Head of Geothermal Unity Renewable Energy Division Ministry of Energy Government of Chile Geothermal Energy in Chile – Electric Market Context • Generation sector is conceived open and competitive. • While the market is structured as exchanges marginal cost, there are PPAs to stabilize prices. • The investment is free private initiative: Freedom to decide technology, size, date of entry, etc. • Renewable Portfolio Standard for Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (ERNC, does not include hydro > 20 MW): ​​20% by 2025 goal. 25% 20% Ley 20.698 (2013) 15% Ley 20.257 (2008) 10% 5% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2015 2026 Ley 20.257 Ley 20.698 2 www.energia.gob.cl División Energías Renovables 2 Energy Generation Evolution 80000 250 Wind 70000 Solar 200 Geotermia 60000 Biomass ] 50000 150 Hydro GWh 40000 Natural Gas 100 30000 Energía[ Oil 20000 Coal 50 Cmg 10000 Costo Marginal Promedio [USD/MWh] Promedio Marginal Costo 0 0 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2012 2014 2016 Periodo de sequías Desintegración Acuerdos internacionales del mercado de importación de gas Recortes de gas www.energia.gob.cl División Energías Renovables Expected installed capacity by 2021 Installed capacity [MW] Installed capacity
    [Show full text]
  • Investment in Natural Gas Pipelines in the Southern Cone of Latin America
    Investment in Natural Gas Pipelines in the Southern Cone of Latin America The natural gas pipelines between Argentina and Chile provide an interesting and valuable case study of large-scale investments in competitive environments. Jadresic, a former Minister of Energy in Chile argues that a competitive energy sector and free entry were important policy initiatives to spur the cross-border investments which have had a beneficial impact on the energy sector and the environment in Chile. Alejandro Jadresic INVESTMENT IN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES IN THE SOUTHERN CONE OF LATIN AMERICA Alejandro Jadresic1 1. Introduction Increasing demand for clean sources of energy is expanding investment in natural gas infrastructure around the world. Massive resources are being allocated to extraction and processing plants, pipelines and other transportation means, distribution networks and equipment for end users. This investment process is also taking place in Latin America with major projects being developed in countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Many of these are international projects involving pipelines that interconnect energy markets in two or more countries. 2. The Underlying Forces One of the key features of the investment process that is taking place in Latin America is the convergence of gas and electricity markets. Many of the projects are being developed to supply gas to new power generation plants that are required in order to meet increasing electricity demand. In turn, convergence of gas and electricity markets in Latin America is explained by three basic forces (see Figure 1): (i) technological innovation; in particular, combined cycle generation plants fed with natural gas have become the most efficient and cleanest way of expanding the electricity system; 1 Executive Director Jadresic Consultores Ltda.
    [Show full text]
  • Solar PV Planning Toward Sustainable Development in Chile: Challenges and Recommendations
    Solar PV Planning Toward Sustainable Development in Chile: Challenges and Recommendations Shahriyar Nasirov 1 Carlos Silva 2 Claudio Agostini 3 Abstract In the last decade, the importance of solar energy sources in Chile has increased significantly as energy dependence raises and concerns regarding climate change grow, posing an important threat to its economy. The Chilean government recognises that exploiting its abundant potential of solar energy could be an important opportunity to address stable economic growth, energy security, and fulfil environmental goals. Recent developments toward sustainable solar PV planning have accelerated the growth process and investment opportunities in the field. However, to date, numerous policy challenges still exist. This paper studies solar PV planning in Chile, pointing on recent developments and remaining challenges. It also gives important recommendations for effectively addressing these challenges. Keywords: Solar energy, Sustainability, Planning, Chile 1 Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Chile. Email: [email protected] 2 Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Chile. Email: [email protected] 3 *Corresponding author. Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Chile. Email: [email protected]; Tel: +56 (2) 23311130 1 1. Introduction Over the last years, Chile has become one of the leading countries in the region of South America with regard to institutional and political stability, economic growth and market reforms. The Chilean economy has experienced an exceptional performance in terms of economic indicators thanks to its stable economic progress (See table 1). It is certainly worthy of note that Chile has implemented its reforms in such a way that it has reduced its poverty level from 40% down to 13% in two decades, allowing Chile to become the only member of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in South America [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Chile: Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy Planning
    Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy ISSN: 1556-7249 (Print) 1556-7257 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uesb20 Chile: Paving the way for sustainable energy planning Carlos Silva & Shahriyar Nasirov To cite this article: Carlos Silva & Shahriyar Nasirov (2017) Chile: Paving the way for sustainable energy planning, Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy, 12:1, 56-62, DOI: 10.1080/15567249.2014.977464 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15567249.2014.977464 Published online: 28 Dec 2016. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 142 View related articles View Crossmark data Citing articles: 1 View citing articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=uesb20 ENERGY SOURCES, PART B: ECONOMICS, PLANNING, AND POLICY 2017, VOL. 12, NO. 1, 56–62 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15567249.2014.977464 Chile: Paving the way for sustainable energy planning Carlos Silva and Shahriyar Nasirov Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Santiago, Chile ABSTRACT KEYWORDS Over the last 20 years, economy of Chile grew faster than any other country in Chile; energy efficiency; South America, thanks to its rigorous economic and political systems and its energy sources; hydro and integration to the global economy. Nonetheless, Chile faces the continuing renewables challenge of finding additional energy supplies to support its economic growth. The country has almost no fossil fuel resources and depends heavily on external sources that accounts for around 60% of its energy needs. However, this may change in the near future, as Chile has started developing its huge potential of sustainable energy sources.
    [Show full text]
  • The Environmental Impact Assessment………………………………………………………………
    Sustainable Energy Development in Chilean Patagonia: A Comprehensive Critique of the August 2008 HidroAysén Environmental Impact Assessment Graham Scholars Program Winter 2009 CEE 490: Sustainable Energy Development in South America Courtney Doman Shawn Kinkema Aubrey Parker Amy Fingerle Annette Kosin Matthew Raubinger Matthew Gacioch Rachel Lauderdale Sarah Robb Walter Graf Mary Lemmer Eric Sauck Alexander Harris Amy Mikus Jill Schlechtweg Greta Jankoviak John Monaghan Angela Wyse Professors Steven Wright and Sara Adlerstein-Gonzalez 1 Preface This report represents a course project prepared by a group of 17 undergraduate students and 1 graduate student at the University of Michigan enrolled in the course CEE 490 – Sustainable Energy Development in South America during the winter semester of 2009. In addition to studies of relevant documents, the students visited the Aysén region in February 2009 including some of the areas that would be impacted by the proposed projects, and participated in discussions and presentations with a number of stakeholders. The course was sponsored by the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute; the views expressed in this report do not represent an official position of the University of Michigan or the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute. Most of the students participating in the course were not fluent in Spanish and the review of lengthy documents in that language posed significant difficulties in ensuring accurate interpretation of the fundamental information that was analyzed in this report. There have been considerable efforts made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this report but it is possible that relevant information was not located within the documents or was incorrectly translated.
    [Show full text]
  • Chinese Incidence on the Chilean Solar Power Sector
    DISCUSSION PAPER Global Economic Governance Initiative 2015-4 Chinese incidence on the Chilean solar power sector WORKING GROUP ON DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT IN THE AMERICAS By Nicola Borregaard, Annie Dufey, Maria Teresa Ruiz-Tagle and Santiago Sinclair Over the last decade, China has become an important ally in Chile’s goal of diversifying its energy matrix away from fossil fuels. China’s over-production of solar PV panels came at just the right time for Chile, which was looking for new sources of low-emissions electricity after Argentina drastically reduced its gas exports. The resulting relationship between Chile and China is very promising for both parties. Solar power is still nascent in Chile, but growing quickly: as of this writing, over half of new power projects with approved environmental permits are solar. Chile can maximize the local benefit from this new relationship by encouraging linkages, establishing norms, and investing in education. Encouraging linkages can include training local companies to perform related services like equipment maintenance, which only a few Chilean firms currently provide. Establishing quality norms for imported PV panels can protect the grid from defective or unsafe equipment, and would not be prohibitively complicated: Chile could require certification from one of the international bodies or adopt international norms. Finally, the Chilean state should consider investing in education for residential and business consumers of PV panels as well as potential workers in the industry. 1 1. Introduction Chile’s power sector is characterized by mainly relying on large power plants based on hydropower and fossil fuels and by long distribution lines.
    [Show full text]