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SOLAR PLANT. The construction is scheduled to begin by 2010.
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The project known as Andean Solar has not only changed the renewable energy landscape in Chile, but has also raised interest around the world. Construction is scheduled to begin by 2010 and it is expected to generate 200 MW from solar and wind renewable sources from the Chilean region of Antofagasta. It will be the first self-sustainable, financially viable plant without any kind of government subsidies. The objective is to generate enough energy to provide with electricity the three mining towns in Escondida (the largest private copper producer in the country), Chuquicamata (Codelco) y El Abra (Codelco and Freeport McMoran).
There are important names behind this plan, including Ausra, a company linked to ex-US Vice President Al Gore, and to the Ministry of the Environment and friend of Chilean ex-president Ricardo Lagos, Hernan Sandoval, who will participate through the corporation Chile Ambiente (non-profit organization working on sustainable development). The companies Zeltzer, Barberis & Ulloa Consultores, and Errazuriz Asociados, are also among the supporters of this project.
Innova Chile (Development and Technologic Innovation Program at the Ministry of Economy) financed the preliminary studies, mostly thanks to the support of Patricio Rodrigo (Director of Chile Ambiente), who emphasized that this plant is a clear example of the multiple alternatives to mega-hydroelectric plants.
"We have to eradicate preconceptions regarding non-conventional renewable energy, which are not only viable but also produce zero emissions", said Rodrigo. This is perhaps not the first (following the announcement that Fundacion Chile is supporting the construction of a solar farm in Atacama), it is definitively the most important project in the region.
In some parts of Atacama humidity is close to zero, which in combination with approximately 350 days of direct sun light with practically no shadow, makes the region unique. This may benefit the local communities as this can take advantage of the electricity generated by the wind and solar farms.
This is the basis for the work of Gino Perez Lancellotti and Nelson Llanca Oyarce, specialists from the Universidad Catolica del Norte, who with financial support from Escondida mining company, will build the first prototype of the solar concentrator for the ecologic community Gen (20 kilometers north of Antofagasta) in conjuction with a multi-disciplinary team of specialists.
The turbines work with as they do in wind farms. The prototype is expected to generate 100 KWh, which is considered enough for experimental purposes using 12V luminaries. Should this lead to success, financing is expected to be available to build multiple serial plants for the production of electricity.
The objective is to have a transnational to use the plants, such as the thermoelectric from Mejillones. With the use of the solar concentrator it is expected that companies will be able to reduce their CO2 emissions, mitigating the effects on the environment.
The solar concentrator is a project originated in Germany, and has already been successfully deployed in different desert areas in the south of Spain. Currently, there is a prototype being deployed in Australia.
Source: La Tercera
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