Monica Eggers

Chile’s presidential palace is about to become a model for energy efficiency in public buildings

In line with the government’s campaign to reduce energy consumption and costs, Chile’s presidential palace – La Moneda – is about to become a model for energy efficiency in public buildings (link in Spanish) after having spent around £350,000 on electricity and gas in 2008, the palace’s  highest energy bill ever.

The project started with an Energy Consumption Study carried out by a private organisation in order to identify how to improve the energy efficiency of the palace, which when including parking and office space totals around 23,500 square metres.  With a budget of some £2 million, the technologies that are being installed are thermo-solar panels to provide hot water for the Palace Guard’s showers and the buildings in general, low energy light bulbs, sensors to automatically turn lights on and off, and photovoltaic panels to illuminate the palace’s northern façade.  Heating and air conditioning is also being addressed and a ground source heat pump system is being proposed.

La Moneda was inaugurated in 1805 as the country’s Mint, which was transferred to its current location in 1930. The building has endured a number of earthquakes and fires, has been through many a refurbishment, and has served as the presidential seat and residence to a long list of presidents.  Who would have thought that the old palace will shortly become an efficient and sustainable building, saving around 30% of electricity and 25% of gas, in total some £97,000 per annum?

Posted at 11:54 20 November 2009 by Monica Eggers  |  Comments[0]

The impacts of climate change: experiences of two visionaries

I met Tony Marmont last May, during a visit to West Beacon Farm - his home in Leicestershire - with a group of Chilean companies interested in renewable energy.  Tony's farm is a model of sustainability, functioning mostly off-grid.  Some of the applications on the farm are two small wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels and two mini hydro turbines.  Surplus energy is stored in a hydrogen storage system.   To reduce heat loss in his home Tony has isolated walls and roof, and added double glazing to windows.  A natural spring 50 m deep provides clean water.  In addition, rainwater is collected and filtered for use in the house.   His company – Beacon Energy – works from reconverted farm buildings at Whittle Hill, Leicestershire, likewise a model of sustainability.  In the last few years, Tony has been working on the development of carbon neutral aviation fuel.

An entrepreneur and a visionary with a deep concern for climate change, Tony has also been involved in several university initiatives related to renewable energy, including the donation of funds to set up two research centres in De Montfort and Loughborough universities.

In early October, Tony and his wife Angela visited Santiago for a few days, and Tony offered to give a presentation at the Embassy on a subject he feels passionate about:   climate change and its consequences.  We organised an event with his participation and that of Professor Roberto Román, a Chilean academic involved in climate change and renewables.  The event was aimed at a general audience and was very well attended, including various representatives of the business community.  Tony’s presentation had the full attention of the public, generating a great amount of interesting questions and debate.   It was an excellent event which gave a positive and practical example of the use of renewable energy technologies and which helped raise people’s awareness about climate change.

Posted at 17:19 26 October 2009 by Monica Eggers  |  Comments[0]

Renewable energy projects growing in Chile

Chile is such a small country and so far away from the rest of the world.  It can seem that Chile  makes no difference at all to the ever increasing worries about climate change.  However,  climate change is slowly taking a foothold in the minds and ways of the Chileans, and little by little the country is starting to address the issue.  

Geographically, Chile is well suited for renewable energy projects, starting with over 4,000 kms of coast that offer optimal wave and tidal energy resources, plus excellent wind resources for on-shore projects.  The country's climate ranges from hot and arid in the northern Atacama desert - boasting one of the highest values of solar radiation on the planet, to very cold and rainy in the Patagonia - excellent for hydro and wind projects. The central zone, including Santiago, has a Mediterranean climate with 4 distinctive seasons. Much of the south has a very high rainfall. The central and southern areas have potential to develop small and medium size run-of-river projects, wind energy projects, and biomass projects from forestry and agricultural waste.

With the support of government regulations and financial instruments, the development of  renewable energy projects is increasing significantly.  From a total installed capacity throughout the country of  some 13,200 MW at the end of 2008, only 2.8% are generated by renewables, mainly small hydro, on-shore wind and biomass.  The current government is expecting this figure to increase to over 4%  - some 550 MW - by the end of 2009.  

To show its commitment, the Chilean government recently launched the Centre for Renewable Energy, which will act as an information hub, as a liaison between the private and public sectors, and will also support investment promotion and technology transfer.  

On-shore wind projects for around 1,000 MW and an investment of USD 2.2 million have been approved by the Environmental Impact Assessment System for the Coquimbo Region IV, 500 km north of Santiago, and additional projects for 570 MW in other regions are currently in the EIAS pipeline for approval.

A bill has been issued by the government - in its final stages of approval in the Senate - to subsidise the installation of thermal solar systems to displace the use of gas in heating water in new houses and residential buildings.  Social housing projects and medium sized houses will be able to apply for a 100% subsidy.  

Outstanding solar radiation resources in nothern Chile have prompted the government  to launch a bid for a 5 kV photovoltaic pilot project in San Pedro de Atacama.  In addition, SolarPack, a Spanish company, is planning a 9 MW photovoltaic plant near Calama, in the Atacama desert with an investment of USD 40 million.

All throughout central and southern Chile's Andean foothills there is a potential of some 3,000 MW to develop small run-of-river power plants, and a generation potential of around 850 MW from existing irrigation infrastructure.

Research is being carried out jointly by government institutions, universities, and consortia including the private sector to produce biofuels from jatropha and from marine algae.  Some regulations are already in place.

Chile's wave and tidal energy resources are some of the world's best generating interest from local and foreign companies, although still in an early stage from the technologies and regulations point of view.  Research is being carried out by some universities.

The development of a wide range of services such as consultancy, project development, measurement equipment, analysis equipment, engineering and logistics services, assembly lines, maintenance services, R&D, capacity building will be fundamental for the expansion of the renewable energy industry - and an excellent business opportunity for foreign companies.

Posted at 10:23 29 September 2009 by Monica Eggers  |  Comments[0]

Launching of solar panels company at the Residence

In a country which has been affected by an energy crisis and which has become increasingly aware of climate change and its effects, many believe that renewable energy sources could play a role in solving both problems.  Little by little this idea is gathering pace including with the backing of the Chilean Government which is supporting the installation of thermal solar panels in homes which meet certain criteria.
 
It was in this context that the British company Genersys plc, a producer of thermal solar panels, decided to begin operating in Chile. Since one of our jobs as Commercial Section of the Embassy is to support British companies in the local market, it was my responsibility to organise the launch of Genersys in the Ambassador’s residence.

Unfortunately the Chilean weather was not at its best for an event promoting solar power.  However it was impressive to watch the solar panels, which had been installed at the entrance of the Residence, deal with the torrential rain which fell that day, without suffering any damage!

Despite the weather, the reception attracted a large gathering in which various sectors were represented, from architecture and construction, academia and Armed Forces, to representatives from the public and private sectors.

Following a presentation by the Director of Genersys Chile, there was an interesting array of questions from those present, who were fascinated by this new technology and its potential in Chile.

With a 35-year life expectancy, and a 20-year guarantee, Genersys’ panels are reliable, robust, need minimal maintenance, and can meet a large proportion of the hot water and heating requirements in the buildings in which they are used.

In Santiago many buildings already use solar panels, such as the Stade Francais stadium and the Colegio Aleman school. Hospitals, schools, universities, sports centres and social housing buildings are ideal candidates for taking advantage of this advanced technology which on top of what has already been described, also contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions, something which is crucial in a city as contaminated as Santiago.
 

Posted at 07:20 26 August 2009 by Monica Eggers  |  Comments[0]