The University and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) of Germany came together for this interesting meeting.

Last week and with the presence of the Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, the SEREMI of Energy of the Coquimbo Region; Álvaro Herrera, the Director of CONICYT's FONDEF program, Dr. Khaled Awad; the Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Eduardo Notte; the Director of Research and Development, Dr. Amelia Ramírez; representatives of CONICYT and special guests, the first “International Workshop on Renewable Energies: from Research to Applications” was held, which seeks to continue on the path of the use and benefits of renewable energies.

During the meeting, where around one hundred people participated, the results related to the forecast of renewable energies generated within the framework of the project “Forecasting system for the energy generated by a wind farm” financed by the FONDEF IDeA program of the Chilean Commission were presented. of Science and Technology (CONICYT), and the Chilean-German International Cooperation project “Prediction of an optimized provision with renewable energy in Chile” financed by the German Ministry of Research and Training (BMBF) and CONICYT. Over the past three years, ULS and ZSW have collaborated closely on this project.

In the interventions, which were given by experts in the area, an in-depth analysis of the guarantees and benefits that are generated in the use of clean energy was carried out, considering that the Coquimbo Region is the pioneer in this type of solutions, taking into account which was the first area where the installation of a wind farm was carried out and which delivers renewable energy to the communities involved.

This initiative, which arises from the need to establish awareness of new clean energies and the joint work of the teacher and researcher of the Department of Physics and Astronomy ULS, Dr. Sonia Montecinos, with German institutions experts in the area, seeks not only raise awareness not only in the community and the authorities, but also in all members of the University and the important relationship between academia and private companies.

“We are very interested in advancing in the area of ​​renewable energies, from applied research, and in that context we apply for FONDEF projects, where part of the financing is required to come from private companies and that is what we do, telling them to those involved that the results we obtain are not easy, with research activities and where they are relevant to these advances, demonstrating that they are a key point and that they will also bring benefits. We want to relate the academy with the private world to develop achievements, not only for those who are part of this alliance, but for the community and region in general,” said Dr. Montecinos.

The Rector, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, highlighted the organization of this workshop and indicated that “for our house of higher education it is relevant to lead this type of projects, especially when considering the positioning of the Coquimbo Region as a leader in non-conventional renewable energy. at the country level. Our institution has taken a decisive step in supporting the development of this area and the projects that our researchers lead in this matter. I must add that in the postgraduate field we have started in 2018 the Doctorate in Energy, Water and Environment and the Master in Energy and Environmental Sustainability, which join the two Diplomas that have allowed these topics to be installed in professionals throughout the Coquimbo Region, thus responding to the institutional commitment to connect the formation of advanced human capital with the demands of the territory. .

Likewise, as a way to unify criteria, the organization of the event specially invited the National Electrical Coordinator (CEN) to explain its mission towards energy generators, both conventional and renewable, and demonstrate the dynamics of joint work. that is done; Chilean companies such as CODELCO Tech and Engie LAB Laboreleck also participated, showing their relationship in the field of renewable energies, and the need to have energy forecasts for wind and solar photovoltaic parks.

Also present at the meeting was the Energy SEREMI of the Coquimbo Region, Álvaro Herrera, who in his initial intervention was emphatic in emphasizing that this type of initiative is appreciated from the central level, and also demonstrates the desire to carry out research in a area as decisive as clean energy. “We rescue the initiatives of the teachers of the University of La Serena and it is important that they help us on these issues. We must maintain a link between the public and the private to be able to move forward, especially if it is to advance in the line that the Government supports, which is to advance in the line of non-conventional renewable energies; If we want to continue with 99.5% clean generation in the Coquimbo Region, and maintain a diversification matrix on this matter, these meetings and studies are very relevant,” Herrera assured.

The workshop sought to generate an important space for the discussion of the latest research results, as well as to learn about problems that arise in the industry and industrial applications of renewable energies in Chile, as is the case of predictions, which seeks the optimization of development in the process of wind and photovoltaic energy, which is manifested and could give rise to future applied research projects.

At the end of the meeting, the Organizing Committee thanked all those who participated and called on them to continue working on an issue relevant to the entire community.

Source: DEIP Press