Contribution of the UNU/GTP to geothermal development in Central American countries-1978-2008

By Luz Barrios [email protected] 30th Anniversary Workshop August 26-27, 2008 Benefits to the CA and Mexico Area- UNU/GTP Fellows

CA Countries, energy grows between 3-5% annual one. Free Trade Agreement: Will imply an increment of over 100-200 MW in the installed capacity which now is being replaced by power stations based in oil, coal or gas. CA countries need to look urgently for renewable sources: Geothermal and depend less in a source with volatile energy prices that brings Economic, Political and Social problems as well.

For an exploration work in geothermal areas in CA countries the number of specialists required varies from 6 to 8. UNU/GTP

Goal UNU/GTP: to assist countries with significant geothermal potential to build up or strengthen groups of technical specialists.

The training made available to CA countries and Mexico, by the UN&countries with a long tradition of geothermal energy utilization such as Iceland, has greatly contributed to the growing geothermal energy sources, not only in terms of power generation, but also in terms of sustainable development of domestic renewable resources.

Recipients of the fellowship are selected based on the role of geothermal energy within the countries energy plans, the institutional capabilities for geothermal research and utilization in the respective countries and national training needs.

UNU/GTP Priority is given to candidates from countries where geothermal exploration and development has been or is currently under way.

Feed back from the trainees and their institutions has also contributed to modifications and improvements to the training courses. Areas of Training CA and Mexico

Areas of Training in Iceland CA & Mexico 1979-2007

Caribbean Sea Drilling Technology Geothermal utilization

Environmental studies

Chemistry of thermal Fluids Reservori engineering

Borehole geophysics Geophysical exploration

Specialized Areas Specialized Borehole geology

Geological exploration

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Number of UNU Fellows Total 54 Pacific Ocean

Areas of specialization covers most areas of geothermal exploration and development. Some 54 professionals from all five CA countries and Mexico have benefited so far from the UNU/GTP.

Areas of Training (%) Reservoir Engineer 24 Chemistry of Thermal Fluids 17 Geological Exploration and Borehole Geology 16 Geophysical exploration and Borehole Geophysics 15 Environmental studies, Geothermal Utilization and Drilling 28

UNU/GTP Fellows 1978-2008

Number of UNU Fellows active in geothermal- Total 42

Guatemala 2 3 El Salvador A high percentage of 12 Fellows have remained Honduras in the geothermal energy industry. 22 3 0 Mexico

Of the 54 UNU/GTP Fellows, some 42 or 78% are still active in the geothermal industry. El Salvador and Costa Rica have the highest retention with 22 and 12 active Fellows. Honduras which has not developed its geothermal resources during the last 28 years, has the smallest number of Fellows with none currently working in the geothermal industry. Two years ago, Honduras submitted 3 concession areas to private companies to explore and develop geothermal resources. It is a start point. Nicaragua started training again geothermal specialists, continuously since 2006. Academic Background UNU/GTP Fellows

Academic Background UNU Fellows (CA&Mexico) Active in geothermal (Total 42) 14

12

10

8

6

4

Number Number of Fellows UNU 1979-2007 2

0 Geo lo gis ts Chemis ts Chemical Mechanical Civil Electrical P hys icis ts Arquitect Enviro n Engineers Engineers Engineer Engineer Eng

Geologists are the majority (32%) of the 42 currently active UNU/GTP Fellows (concentrate in Costa Rica). An academic foundation in geology proves to be the most versatile preparation to assume a wide variety of roles. The second most prevalent academic background are the mechanical engineers, chemists and chemical engineers. Mechanical and electrical engineers work mainly as reservoir engineers, well logging and plant facilities. Physicists- in the area of geophysics. In general, engineers work in diverse areas such as: Drilling, Geothermal Utilization, Engineering of Geothermal Processes and Environmental Studies. Architects in Geothermal Utilization. Environmental Engineers in Environmental Studies. Quezaltenango

Río Samala

Zunil

Contribution of UNU Fellows GUATEMALA

Lago

Quetzal 2. Amatitlán Geothermal Power Plant 4. Totonicapan 20.5 Mwe

1. Zunil I Geothermal Power Plant 24 MWe and 5 MWe in Zunil II

3. : 40 MWe expected after drilling wells

TOTAL INSTALLED: 49.5 Mwe, FUTURE: 40 MWe Tecuamburro Contribution of UNU Fellows Guatemala- INDE (Instituto Nacional de Electricidad) • Chemistry of Geothermal Fluids -Head of Restructuring Division INDE. Technical Assistant of the General Manager INDE. Works in a Global Environmental Facility (GEF). It is designed to promote renewable energy such as geothermal by overcoming physical and institutional barriers for investment in the electricity sector. This activity still in in progress with outstanding results. • Borehole Geology-Geology Group and works directly with the new wells drilled at the Zunil areas and Amatitlan: 24 Mwe Zunil I, 5 MWe Zunil II and 20.5 MWe Amatitlan. A total of 49.5 MWe • Reservoir Engineering: Coordinator of Geological Exploration at the Tecuamburro Geothermal Area. Area of concession awarded to ENEL. Hot Springs Las Georginas

Zunil Hot Springs Las Georginas

Zunil I and II: Private owned and operated 28 MWe plant. Came on line 1999 and is located at Zunil I. In Zunil II: potential power generation assessed at 40-50 MWe

Calderas Lake: South of Amatitlán: Amatitlán Lake Private owned 5 MWe back pressure unit: Amatitlán , in operation for 3 years. Goal: to install a condensing 25-30 MWe plant. Following geochemical studies from 1995-2000, the áreas of Totonicapán (with IAEA studies), , Tecuamburro and San Marcos have been identified as potential targets. EL SALVADOR

1. Ahuachapán Geothermal Field 85 (95 MWe installed)

2. Berlín 3. Geothermal Field Geothermal 54+40 MWe Area (60 + 44 + 9.2 Binary Mwe) 4. Installed Geothermal Area Contribution of UNU Fellows

El Salvador-LAGEO •Laboratory of Chemistry Analysis: Norm ISO/IEC 17025 Obtained its accreditation under the Quality Systema of CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología).

•Santa Barbara Drilling Company (3 rigs): Services to CA and South America.

•Join venture with SHELL. A hydraulic stimulation of a low permeable well. REG and Lageo project chief were former UNU/GTP Fellows. Activities: Tracer, SP, Pmonitoring, Modern Logging (PTS electronic tools, Microseismic. Application: Permanent Pumping Station (3 pumps) in Ahuachapan and Berlin.

•Berlin´s extension project: 44 MWe Power Plant with partner ENEL: UNU/GTP Fellows supplied data base, updated the geothermal and numerical modelling, proposals for location and design of wells. Follow up of construction and operation of new power plant. •Berlin´s bottoming cycle binary power plant with 9.2 MWe installed capacity The extraction of residual heat from the separated water. Contribution of UNU Fellows

•Chemical Stimulation: Actively participating in leading and executing this project. More than 40 wells since 2000. More than 40 MWe and 322 kg/s of injection capacity.

•Optimization Ahuachapan Geothermal Field. Increment of 15 MWe. Production of 85 MWe from the 95 MWe installed capacity. Drilling new production wells, installing second injection pipeline to Chipilapa area (More than 900 kg/s capacity, Improve efficiency of UII, Changing gathering system.

•Exploration project in San Vicente: Drilling well SV1A: High temperature but low permeability, SV2 and SV3: High permeability but low and extremely low temperature. Further drilling exploration close to the heat source of volcano.

•Exploration and drilling project in Chinameca.

•UNU/GTP Fellows in surface exploration (geol, geoph, geoch) in Nicaragua two concession areas: Hoyo Monte Galán and Managua-Chiltepe.

•Drilling in Chile, Nicaragua with Santa Barbara Drilling Company. Contribution of UNU Fellows

Mechanical and Chemical Pumping Station Berlin Stimulation

Pumping Station Ahuachapán Binary Cycle Power Plant

El Salvador- CEL-GESAL-LAGEO TOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY: 95 MWe +60 MWe and 44 MWe+9.2 MWe=208.2, FUTURE: 54 MWe expected in Chinameca Contribution of UNU Fellows

Optimization Ahuachapán

Exploration and drilling in Chinameca

Berlin Third Unit 44 MWe

El Tatio, Chile Contribution of UNU Fellows Contribution of UNU Fellows

Nicaragua-INE-Instituto Nicaragüense de Energía

Reservoir Engineering: ORMAT .The only active UNU/FTP Fellow, worked on well workovers with service provider in chemical stimulations and also in leading the implementation of calcite inhibition system. Project manager (Nic) and Res Eng (Guat). (70->35-24MWe-2008) + Binary PP: 7.5 (10 MWe).

Environmental studies: Engineering in Environmental Quality : Universidad Centroamericana en Nicaragua Science, Technology and Environmental Faculty at UCA. Environmental Postgraduate at The International Summer School, Oslo University, Norway . August 2008: Master negree Environmental Assessment and Resource Management.

Chemistry of Thermal Fluids: Director of the Geothermal Group and Renewable Energy at University of Leon. Project to transfer geothermal knowledge and skills and coordination of a Geothermal diploma course in cooperation with Lageo S.A. de C.V. studies in low and high enthalpy areas in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Well logging in SJT (9 of 10 MWe). NICARAGUA

Guardabarrancos

1. Momotombo Geothermal Plant 24 MWe (2x35 Mwe) 7.5 (10) MWe Binary 2. San Jacinto Tizate 9 (10 MWe): BPressure Future. 72/66 MWe in a CPlant (3x24).

100% reinyection

The SJT Project– Nicaragua’s first geothermal power facility to be fully developed by a private sector. Extinct volcano Santa Clara

Hervideros San Jacinto TOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY: 90 MWe, FUTURE: 80 MWe Managua-Chiltepe The geothermal project, located 10 km NW of Managua city, between the City of Managua and the Peninsula of Chiltepe. Heat source: volcanic complex -Xiloá. Geothermometers Temp: 200- 240°C (water) and 230-280°C. Fumarole Xiloá, shows hydrothermal Lago de alteration and Managua steam vents 40 MWe expected

Lago Managua de Chiltepe Area: Nicaragua Managua Lake

Fracture with hot spring, high temperature Hoyo Monte Galán The geothermal project is located 50 km NW of Managua city- Mountain range of the Maribios. Concession area: 100 km2. Geotherm. Temp: 240-260°C (water)-290°C (gas). Yeast and Anhidrite Heat source: Hoyo volcanic deposits in Cerro complex. Colorado

Hoyo Volcano, fractures and fumarolic areas 40 Mwe expected COSTA RICA

1. Miravalles Geothermal Power Plant: 2. Miravalles I,II 110 MWe and III 29 MWe Binary Cycle Power Plant: installed capacity 19 MWe Back Pressure: 5 MWe

3. Drilling in Rincón de la Vieja Areas . Las Pailas (35 MWe expected) . Borinquen Contribution of UNU Fellows

Costa Rica-ICE-Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad •Geophysical exploration: Coordinator Geophysics area •Borehole geology, Geophysical exploration, Reservoir engineering: Remain in the same areas. •Geothermal Utilization: Head of Geosciences •Environmental Assessment: Responsible for the Environmental Assessment. •Geological exploration: Coordinator Geology Group •Reservoir engineering: Coordinator Reservoir Engineering Group •55x2: 110 MWe + 19 Mwe Binary + 5 MWe BP + 29 Mwe Miravalles III >163 MWe •Las Pailas: Rincon de la Vieja. 35 MWe expected Fumarolic area Las Hornillas

3. Drilling several production and injection wells in Rincón de la Vieja Rincón de la Vieja Volcano . Las Pailas: 35 MWe expected, 5 wells drilled . Borinquen: 2 wells drilled Costa Rica

All technical work within the disciplines of geothermal investigations are executed by UNU/GTP Fellows from 1990-2008.

Continuous update of the reservoir models as the field expands, execution of isotope studies and in the hydraulic characterization of the field.

Environmental assessment of Miravalles. Implementation of Norms ISO 14000.

Geothermal areas of Tenorio and Rincon de la Vieja have also been explored with the participation of the UNU/GTP Fellows.

Recent drilling campaigns in Las Pailas (SE of RV) and Borinquen (NW of RV). It is done with UNU Fellows in charge of Borehole Geology.

Once new wells are drilled, they continuously monitor the production and thermohydraulic conditions. UNU/GTP Fellows have helped CR to gain a leading position in the utilization of geothermal energy in CA. Conclusions In the past 30 years the UNU/GTP Fellows objective were accomplished:

• Transferred knowledge was acquired in their respective training courses.

• The implementation of their learning in the development of the geothermal resources has been a SUCCESS.

• It has allowed to share best industry practices through out the UNU/GTP CA Fellows network. A close cooperation in CA is possible due to the active communication within all the Fellows.

• The UNU/GTP Fellows have stepped out of traditional boundaries as implementers of know how and have assumed roles in the development and implementation of new geothermal practices and technologies. MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS!! Chinameca: Hervederos, La Viejona 1980

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