Content
Part I. Project Proposal A. Introduction General Costa Rica Demographics Maps
23 28 34
B. The Situation Energy Potential Energy Profile Total Energy Consumption Tourism Statistics Reference Articles
43 46 50 54 66 68
C. The Proposal
77
D. Potential Collaborators
92
E. Supporting Information Renewable Energy Resource Maps Renewable Energy Businesses Renewable Energy Sources
105 106 108 110
Part II. General Prequalification OMA Company Profile Project Lead CV’s Reference Projects
118 126 129
Part I. Project Proposal
In the case of most countries, full decarbonization is an unatainable goal. Costa Rica is an exception. The country has almost half of the ecological footprint of most of the countries of a comprable size. Over 50% of Costa Rica’s energy supply is based on renewable energy sources. Much of the country’s income comes from tourism, which is largely eco-based.
The challenge to Costa Rica’s decarbonization lies in the cities. More than 62% of the population of Costa Rica lives in an urban center. With power and transport claiming the majority of the energy demand, it will be essential that the inefficiencies of the infrastructure which supplies the urban electricity and transport be addressed.
With the technical and economic obstacles to decarbonization at a relative minimum, Costa Rica has the potential to become the first Carbon Neutral Country in the world, establishing itself as an inspirational global leader and encouraging other nations to follow suit.
A. Introduction
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
GUATEMALA
EL SALV
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
Location Costa Rica is located in Central America, between Panama and Nicaragua The country is the most visited nation in the Central American region.
CUBA
HAITI DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PUERTO RICO
JAMAICA
BELIZE
ATEMALA
HONDURAS
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
COSTA RICA
PANAMÁ
VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA
BRAZIL OMA/AMO
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
GUATEMALA
EL SALV
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
Share of Renewables Over 50% of Costa Rica’s energy supply comes from Renewable Energy Sources, with 92.8% of the electricity supply sources from Renewable Energy Sources.
CUBA
HAITI DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PUERTO RICO
JAMAICA
BELIZE
ATEMALA
HONDURAS
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
92,8%
COSTA RICA
PANAMÁ
VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA
BRAZIL OMA/AMO
Costa Rica Independence September 15, 1821 Form of Government Republic Head of State Laura Chinchilla Currency Costa Rican colรณn (CRC) Population 4,253,897 Area 51,100 km2 Coastal Length 1,290 km Ecological Footprint 2.77 gha/pers
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
SOCIAL INDICATORS Population growth rate (avg. annual %)
2005-2010
1.4
Urban population growth rate (avg. annual %)
2005-2010
2.3
Rural population growth rate (avg. annual %)
2005-2010
Urban population (%)
2007
Population aged 0-14 years (%)
2009
25.9
Population aged 60+ years (women and men, % of total)
2009
9.8/8.6
Life expectancy at birth (women and men, years)
2005-2010
81.3/76.5
Fertility rate, total (live births per woman)
2005-2010
2.0
Education: Female third-level students (% of total)
2005-2008
54.3
Seats held by women in national parliaments (%)
2009
36.8
GDP (Billion USD)
2.000 1.900 1.800 1.700 1.600 1.500 1.400 1.300 1.200 1.100 1.000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100
46 Public Solar Public Geothermal 42 Public Hydro Public Nuclear 38 Public Tide and Wave Public Wind Public Thermal 34 Self Producer Solar Self Producer Geothermal 30 Self Producer Hydro Self Producer Nuclear 26 Self Producer Tide and Wave Self Producer Wind 22 Self Producer Thermal All 18 Billion USD
MWE
Electric Generating Capacity (MWE)
GDP PPP
14 10 6 2 1980
1990
GDP MER
1980
2000
Population (Thousand people) 4.400 4.000 3.600 3.200 2.800 2.400 2.000 1.600 1.200 800 400 1980
1990
2000
Income (Thousand USD) 10 9
Thousand USD
Thousand people
0.1 62.8
8 7
PPP
6 5 4 3
MER
2 1 1990
2000
1980
1990
2000
Sources: World Statistics Pocketbook | United Nations Statistics Division
OMA/AMO
Scale Comparison Costa Rica Independence September 15, 1821
Area 51,100 km2
Form of Government Republic
Coastal Length 1,290 km
Head of State Laura Chinchilla
Ecological Footprint 2.77 gha/pers
Currency Costa Rican colรณn (CRC)
GDP $29.318 billion
Population 4,253,897
Total Energy Consumption 3.82 mtoe (2005)
The Netherlands Independence January 30, 1648
Area 41,526 km2
Form of Government Constitutional monarchy
Coastal Length 451 km
Monarch Queen Beatrix
Ecological Footprint 3.74 gha/pers
Currency Euro
GDP $794.777 billion
Population 16,620,675
Total Energy Consumption 82,38 Mtoe (2005)
Switzerland Independence August 1, 1291
Area 41,284 km2
Form of Government Federal State
Coastal Length
Federal Chancellor Corina Casanova
Ecological Footprint 4.7 gha/pers
Currency Swiss Franc (CHF)
GDP $314.869 billion
Population 7,782,900
Total Energy Consumption 26,9 Mtoe (2005)
Taiwan
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
Independence October 25, 1945
Area 35,980 km2
Form of Government Semi-presidential republic
Coastal Length 1,566.3 km
Head of State Ma Ying-jeou
Ecological Footprint 4.67 gha/pers
Currency New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)
GDP $383.3 billion
Population 23,046,177
Total Energy Consumption 105,8 Mtoe (2005)
OMA/AMO
Costa Rica’s Population 4,253,897
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
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Maps
NASA Light Map
Pollution
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
Population Density
Geography
OMA/AMO
Archipielago de Solentiname
NIC CO ARA S T GU AR A I CA
nill o
TE
Rio Piedras
rio
GOLFO DE PAPAGAYO
Alajuela Heredia z VOLCAN BARVA
Isla Chira
Pa r is m
ue
Ri o
nj
o irrip Ch
o Ri
a Ar
ina
Rio
Guanacaste
ev en taz on
lag.Arenal
LAGUNA ARENAL
Ri oR
NA CA S
ntie r
UA
Cabo Santa Elena
F Rio
Source: GeoCommunity
CO RD ILL ER AD EG
Rio I
Maps
VOLCAN IRAZU
Punta Guiones
Cartago
GOLFO DE NICOYA
CERRO MATAMA
CO RD
Cabo Blanco
o Ri
Division
Rio
Rio Telira
ER
Punta Mona
S ix
A DCERRO CHIRRIPO E Limón TA LA José MA NC A
ao
la
R
San
ILL
Punta Cahuita
Rio Estrella
i o abagra C
Rio Grande de
Terraba Ri o
Puntarenas G O LF
Punta Llorona
O
DU
Co Brus to
LC E
Punta Banco LA CRUZ
LOS CHILES
Murcielago
UPALA
Cuatro Bocas Potrerillos
Guanacaste
Trinidad San Rafael
TOMAS GUARDIA INTL Puerto Nueva CANAS Bebedero
Tempate
CABO VELAS
Alajuela
BAGACES
SARDINAL
Bolson
Boca Arenal
Tilaran
Puerto Viejo
Heredia
lag.Arenal
SAN PEDRO
QUESADA
SANTA CLARA DE GUAPILES
Juntas
SANTA CRUZ
Marbella
NICOYA MANSION Cueste Grande
Abangaritos
San Pablo
Aeronauitcal Points Railroads
SAN JOSE San Pedro CARTAGO SANTIAGO SAN IGNACIO
JUAN SANTAMARIA INTL Pital
Main Roads
SIQUIRRES
Manzanillo
MATINA Corina
TOBIAS BOLANOS INTL
ESPARZA
OROTINA
Bejuco
EL CARMEN
SAN RAMONNARANJOPOAS ALAJUELA
CHACARITA LEPANTO
Garza
Parismina
GUAPILES
San Antonio
Bomba
TURRIALBA TUCURRIQUE
Chirripo
Cartago
PANDORA
Cahuita
SAN MARCOS
Puerto Viejo
Cabuya Katsi
Esterillos Este PUERTO QUEPOS
Limón
QUEPOS MANAGUA
Savegre SAN ISIDRO
San José
Provinces Alajuela Cartago
Dominical
Pejibaye
BUENOS AIRES
Puntarenas
Potrero Grande
PALMAR SUR NUEVO PALMAR SUR
Sabanilla
Venecia
Guanacaste Heredia Limón Puntarenas San José lag.Arenal
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
Guaria
GOLFITO GOLFITOFINCA 63COTO 47 PENINSULA DE OSA UNION Punto Jimenez LA CUESTA
Main Roads
Railroad
OMA/AMO
Maps Source: GeoCommunity
Hydrography
Topography
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
National Parks
Guanacaste Alajuela lag.Arenal
Heredia
Cartago
LimĂłn San JosĂŠ
Puntarenas
Provinces and Cantons
OMA/AMO
San José
San José
Status Capital of Costa Rica Type of Government Democratic Republica Head of City Johnny Araya Monge Settled ca. 1738 Area 44.62 km2 Population City: 350,535 Metro: 1,611,616 Elevation 1,161 m 40
Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
Int. Airport
Institute of Electricity
Center of Science and Culture
Government Administration
University of Costa Rica
OMA/AMO
B. The Situation
Costa Rica has to import petroleum products for its consumption (44,000–45,000 bbl/ day) spending about US$430–450 Million annually to meet it’s energy demands.
Source: Shyam S. Nandwani, Uses of solar energy in Costa Rica, Renewable Energy 31 (2006) 689–701
However, Costa Rica has enough Renewable Energy Resources available to provide for all its energy demands, and could even become a profitiable exporter of Renewable energy
Energy Potential in Costa Rica
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
OMA/AMO
Energy Consumption in Costa Rica
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
OMA/AMO
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
54
Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
OMA/AMO
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
56
Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
OMA/AMO
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
58
Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Road sector gasoline fuel consumption (ktoe) Road sector diesel fuel consumption (ktoe)
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
ktCO2 fuel Consumption ktCO2 gasoline fuel consumption ktCO2 diesel fuel consumption
OMA/AMO
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
OMA/AMO
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
5
4
3
2
1
0 Household Average Size
150
120
90
60
30
0
OMA/AMO
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) 2010, IEA, EIA, EPA, EarthTrends, WWF, Enerdata, United Nations Statistics 2010, AMO team analysis
64
Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
NO2 + CH4 Agri NO2e Agri CH4 e
OMA/AMO
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
With a $2.2 billion per year tourism industry, Costa Rica is the most visited nation in the Central American region, with two million foreign visitors in 2008, which translates into a relatively high expenditure per tourist of $1,077 per trip, and a rate of foreign tourists per capita of 0.46, one of the highest in the Caribbean Basin. In 2008 most visitors came from the United States (38.6%), neighboring Nicaragua (21.8%), Europe (11.3%) and Canada (5.2%).In 2005, tourism contributed 8.1% of the country’s GNP and represented 13.3% of direct and indirect employment. Tourism now earns more foreign exchange than bananas and coffee combined. Ecotourism draws many tourists to visit the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism, and the country is recognized as one of the few with real ecotourism.In the 2009 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica ranked 42nd in the world and first among Latin American countries. Just considering the subindex natural resources, Costa Rica ranks 6th worldwide in terms of the natural resources pillar, but 89th in terms of its cultural resources. OMA/AMO
Costa Rica aims to be the 1st Carbon-Neutral Country The smart money may be on Costa Rica to get there first, experts say, even though the small Central American country faces a host of problems, from illegal logging to overdevelopment fueled by tourism.
Photograph by Luis Marden/NGS
Roberto Dobles, the minister of environment and energy for Costa Rica, calls the race the “carbon-neutral World Cup.” “We realize that climate change is probably the major challenge facing humanity today, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to combat it,” Dobles said in an interview at his office in San Jose. The quest for carbon neutrality seeks to balance the amount of carbon dioxide a country releases by burning fossil fuels with the amount that it captures or offsets by, for example, planting trees. At a United Nations climate conference last month, the U.N.’s Environment Program launched a new online network of countries engaged in the carbon-neutral endeavor. At the 154-nation talks, Monaco, the host country, became the fifth to commit to carbon neutrality, joining Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, and Costa Rica.
“There are advantages that Costa Rica offers to becoming carbon neutral,” said Manuel Ramirez, Costa Rica director for the environmental nonprofit Conservation International.
For example, over 80 percent of Costa Rica’s energy is already generated through renewable sources, such as water and wind. And the country’s rich tropical biosphere makes the environmental stakes especially high there. Slightly smaller than West Virginia, Costa Rica is believed to house about 5 percent of the world’s plant and animal species.
Source: Costa Rica Aims to Be 1st Carbon-Neutral Country, National Geographic News, March 7, 2008
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
The “Carbon Neutral” Nation Race In April, world number five oil exporter Norway said it was aiming to get rid of its net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The EU says it will cut emissions 20-30 percent by 2020. California aims to cut emissions by 80 percent by 2050. But Costa Rica believes it can still become a voluntarily carbon neutral country before anyone else. “We think we can get there first,” said Dobles. Costa Rica has a headstart. According to the United Nations, in 2003 the country produced roughly 1.5 tonnes of carbon per person, compared to close to 10 tonnes in Norway.
“We think we can get there first” -Environment Minister Roberto Dobles
At the heart of the Costa Rica’s anti-carbon efforts are payments that compensate landowners for growing trees to capture carbon and protect watersheds. The government also plans payments to protect wildlife habitat and scenic beauty. The program, launched in 1997 and funded by a 3.5 percent tax on gasoline and by loans and grants, now pays out about US$15 million a year to nearly 8,000 property owners. “The fact that Costa Rica has applied (payments) on a national scale is what’s innovative,” said Esteban Brenes, a conservation finance expert at the World Wildlife Fund. Source: Costa Rica Aims to Win “Carbon Neutral” Nation Race, Thomson Reuters, 25-May-07
OMA/AMO
Energy Ministers Meet to Partner on Climate Change Western Hemisphere leaders discuss energy security, alternative energy Washington - More than 30 energy ministers and delegation leaders from across the Western Hemisphere will meet April 15–16 to deepen cooperation on energy security, alternative energy resources and confronting the effects of global climate change. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu is hosting the Energy and Climate Ministerial of the Americas. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will give a keynote address April 15 at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), where attendees will meet with several hundred representatives from civil society, businesses, nongovernmental organizations and others to work together on the partnership’s objectives. The meeting supports the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), which was formed at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in April 2009. On April 16, the energy ministers will gather at the Organization of American States (OAS). Over both days, leaders will discuss ongoing and new initiatives under ECPA and identify ways to expand cooperation to promote low-carbon economic growth, improve energy security and reduce energy poverty.
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
President Obama at the 5th Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009
“The overarching goal of ECPA is to foster partnerships, and I underscore the word partnerships, among governments, industry and civil society, to promote clean energy projects and support economic growth,” David Sandalow, DOE assistant secretary for policy and international affairs, said at an April 6 briefing. “Brazil thinks ECPA is an exceptional
opportunity for fruitful exchange and debate on sustainable development,” said Pompeu Andreucci Neto, minister-counselor for economic affairs at the Embassy of Brazil in Washington. “Brazil believes that a broad exchange of experience among various countries in this area is an innovative avenue for cooperation, a very important one.” Working As Partners With one of the initiatives under way, the Low Carbon Communities program, DOE will partner with Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Dominica and other Caribbean nations to provide technical assistance and funding to develop building standards and adopt modern urban planning strategies, including transitoriented development, to create low-carbon communities. Other initiatives include: • Colombia/Caribbean: Development of transformative energy programs and policies. • Brazil: Promotion of sustainable urban development and planning. • Colombia: Strengthening electrical interconnections in the Andean region, Chile and Panama. • Region-wide: Peru-led clean energy technology centers that include a regional Energy-Efficiency Center, a Mexico-supported regional Wind Research Center, a Chilean regional Renewable Energy Center, a Costa Rican Energy-Efficiency Center with the nongovernmental environmental group the Natural Resources Defense Council, a Brazilian Biomass Center, and an El Salvadoran Geothermal Center established with support from the IDB and DOE.
“The overarching goal of ECPA is to foster partnerships, and I underscore the word partnerships, among governments, industry and civil society, to promote clean energy projects and support economic growth,” David Sandalow, DOE assistant secretary for policy and international affairs
Source: Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State OMA/AMO
San Jose, Costa Rica Traffic 72
Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
The most effective way to reduce Costa Rica’s CO2 emissions is to focus first on decarbonizing the transportation sector
OMA/AMO
CO2 Emissions for Costa Rica
Power
Transport
7.85
MtCO2e/yr
Industry
2.48
MtCO2e/yr
Buildings
Agriculture & Other
1990
2006
SOURCE: World Bank World Development Indicators 2010; IEA WEO 2009; US EPA; EarthTrends; Team analysis
-100%
2018
2021 Total
High CO2 Concentration
Low CO2 Concentration
Pollution Map of Costa Rica Shoing CO2 and GHG Emissions
2010
2021
San Jose, Costa Rica by night
D. Potential Collaborators
Costa Rican Government
Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a strong constitution. The country has had at least 59 years of uninterrupted democracy, making it one of the most stable countries in the region, and the only Latin American country included in the list of the world’s 22 older democracies since at least 1950.[7] Costa Rica has been able to avoid the widespread violence that has plagued most of Latin America. Costa Rica is a republic with three powers: executive responsibilities are vested in a president, legislative power is vested on the Legislative Assembly, and Judicial power is vested on the Supreme Court. There are two vice presidents as well as a cabinet designated by the president. The president, vice presidents, and 57 Legislative Assembly delegates are elected for four-year terms. A constitutional amendment approved in 1969 limited presidents and delegates to one term, although delegates were allowed to run again for an Assembly seat after sitting out a term.
President: Laura Chinchilla Miranda (born 28 March 1959) is a Costa Rican politician and the first female President of Costa Rica. She was one of Óscar Arias Sánchez’s two Vice-Presidents and his administration’s Minister of Justice. She was the governing PLN candidate for President in the 2010 general election, where she won with 46.76% of the vote. She is the sixth woman to be elected president of a Latin American country. She was sworn as president of Costa Rica on May 8, 2010.
First Vice President: Alfio Piva Mesén (born 1940) is a Costa Rican politician, scientist and environmentalist. He is the First Vice President of Costa Rica. The Second Vice President is Luis Liberman. Piva obtained a Ph.D in animal physiology from the University of Milan in Italy and co-founded the Veterinary School of the National University of Costa Rica. In 1995 he won the Prince of Asturias Award in Technical and Scientific Research along with his colleagues from INBio.
Second Vice President: Luis Liberman Ginsburg (born 1947) is a Costa Rican businessperson and Second Vice President of Costa Rica. Liberman was chosen as a Vice President to President Laura Chinchilla mainly due to his expertise in economic affairs. He also said that Costa Rica under Chinchilla would be less active in the Middle East and foreign policy would focus more on Latin America while maintaining good relations with Israel, which he described as “excellent” as well as Egypt and other Arab states.
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University of Costa Rica - Partner in Energy Efficiency Center
The University of Costa Rica (in Spanish, Universidad de Costa Rica, abbreviated UCR) is a public university in the Republic of Costa Rica, in Central America. Its main campus, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, is located in San Pedro, in the province of San José. It is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious institution of higher learning in Costa Rica. Approximately 39,000 students attend UCR throughout the year. -wikipedia Facts: Motto: Lucem Aspicio Established: 1940 Type: Public, undergraduate, graduate. Rector: Dr. Yamileth González García Students: 39,000 Location: San Pedro, Costa Rica Campus: Both Urban and Rural Website: http://www.ucr.ac.cr History The first institution dedicated to higher education in Costa Rica was the University of St. Thomas (Universidad de Santo Tomás), which was established in 1843. That institution maintained close ties with the Roman Catholic Church and was closed in 1888 by the progressive and anti-clerical government of President Bernardo Soto Alfaro as part of a campaign to modernize public education. The schools of law, agronomy, fine arts, and pharmacy continued to operate independently, but Costa Rica had no university proper until 1940, when those four schools were re-united to establish the modern University of Costa Rica (UCR), during the reformist administration of President Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia. The UCR remained the country’s sole university until the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica) and the National University of Costa Rica (Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica) were opened by the government in 1972 and 1973, respectively. The first private university, the Autonomous University of Central America (Universidad Autónoma de Centroamérica), was created in 1975. Today, Costa Rica has four public universities and approximately fifty private ones, but the UCR remains the largest and best-funded institution. Academic areas: The UCR is divided into six major academic areas: Agricultural Sciences, Arts and Letters, Basic Sciences, Engineering, Health and Social Sciences. These areas are divided into Colleges, Schools and Departments, Research Centers and Institutes. The Graduate Studies System offers master and doctorate degrees in a variety of academic fields.
OMA/AMO
NRDC
- Partner in Energy Efficiency Center
The NRDC was co-founded in 1970 by John Adams, Gus Speth, and a group of concerned law students and attorneys at the forefront of the environmental movement. The organization lobbies Congress and other public officials for a public policy that promotes conservation of the natural and built environment. The NRDC works against urban sprawl, pollution, and habitat destruction, and promotes actions to mitigate global warming and increase the use of renewable energy. -wikipedia From NRDC’s website: NRDC is America’s most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists to protect the planet’s wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. Facts: Founded: 1970 Mission: To safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends. Status: Not-for-profit, tax-exempt, membership organization Staff: 300+ lawyers, scientists and policy experts Revenue: $87.2 million USD (2008) Supporters: 1.3 million members and e-activists Motto: “The Earth’s Best Defense” Offices: New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing Involment in Costa Rica’s carbon neutral target: In 2001, ADELA, a coalition of citizen groups in Costa Rica’s southeastern region of Talamanca, contacted NRDC for assistance in opposing plans by Harken Energy to explore and develop offshore oil. Offshore oil drilling would have irreversibly damaged Talamanca, one of world’s most biologically rich areas, harming its indigenous and Afro-Caribbean communities and thriving tourism industry. Mounting an impressive campaign, ADELA - with international support from NRDC’s BioGerms Initiative - secured a government decision not to proceed with oil development in the region. Because the pressure to drill for oil continues, NRDC is eager to work with Costa Rica to develop suitable alternatives. NRDC has also delivered a policy solution for Costa Rica: Costa Rica: Setting the Pace for Reducing Global Warming Pollution and Phasing Out Oil Already a world leader in renewable energy use and tropical forest conservation, Costa Rica has declared the goal of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral country. To achieve this goal, Costa Rica must reduce its dependence on oil and increase investment in domestic renewable energy production and demand reduction strategies. People:
Frances Beinecke, NRDC President
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Carbon Neutral Costa Rica 2021
Peter Lehner, Executive Director
John Adams Partnership for the Earth Campaign. Founding Director, NRDC Chair, Open Space
Robert Redford, Partnership for the Earth Campaign. Steering Committee Member
Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET) - Partner in Energy Efficiency Center
Roberto Dobles Mora, Ph.D Minister of Environment & Energy of Costa Rica President of the Administration Council Bureau at UNEP 2007-2009 President of the Ministerial Global Environmental Forum 2007 Dr. Dobles earned his Doctorate in Management Administration from the Université of Paris, France. Also has a Master in Business Administration (MBA), University of Louvain, Belgium and a Master in Industrial and Systems Engineering (MSc), University of California (UCLA), USA. He also has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Currently Dr. Dobles is the Minister of Environment and Energy in Costa Rica, also in charge of Environment, Energy, Water Resources, Mining and Telecommunications. He has vast international experience including President of the Governing Council Bureau at United Nations of Environment Program 2007-2009, President of the Ministerial Global Environmental Forum 2007 and was the Pro Tempore President of the Central American Commission of Environment and Development (CCAD) II Semester 2006. In Costa Rica, Dr. Dobles has been the Chairman and CEO of the National Institute of Electricity (ICE), the President of the Administration Council of the National Company of Light and Power (CNFL), Minister of Science and Technology, and Chairman and CEO of the National Refinery Company (RECOPE). Over the years, he has been an international consultant and diplomat, has been part of executive and directive boards across multiple sectors including commerce, energy, technology, mining, and free trade zones.
“We are introducing private companies to a new concept called the ‘climate quality factors’. We are trying to persuade them to use new market trends where consumers will eventually be preferring low carbon goods and services.”
OMA/AMO
Christiana Figueres
- Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Christiana Figueres With a long and distinguished career in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ms. Figueres has been a member of the Costa Rican negotiating team since 1995. She represented Latin America and the Caribbean on the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism in 2007, and was then elected Vice President of the Bureau 20082009. One of the most skilled mediators of the Convention, she is frequently asked to chair controversial negotiations. She conceived the new financial instrument “programmatic CDM” with four groundbreaking publications that have marked global thinking on this novel concept. She initiated her life of public service as Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Costa Rica in Bonn, Germany in 1982. She served as Director of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Planning in Costa Rica, and was then named Chief of Staff to the Minister of Agriculture. Moving to the USA, she was Director of Renewable Energy in the Americas (REIA) and in 1995 founded the Center for Sustainable Development of the Americas (CSDA) which she directed for eight years. She designed and helped to establish national climate change programs in Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, becoming a prime promoter of Latin America’s active participation in the Climate Change Convention. In 2001 she received the Hero for the Planet Award by the National Geographic Magazine. Ms. Figueres has made important contributions to the analytic literature on the design of the climate regime, is one of the most widely published authors on the topic, and a frequent public speaker. She has a Masters Degree in Anthropology from the London School of Economics, and a certificate in Organizational Development from Georgetown University. She speaks Spanish, English and German.
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ADELA (Acción de Lucha Anti-Petrola)
Formed in December 1999, Acción de Lucha Anti-Petrola (ADELA) is a Costa Rican grassroots environmental group created to oppose offshore oil exploration and drilling. Translated into English as “Anti-Petroleum Action,” ADELA is named after a local indigenous woman who was “struggling to defend her culture and local environment against outside forces.” ADELA initially consisted of 30 local citizen’s groups ranging from farmers’ organizations and the fisherman’s union, to religious groups, small business owners, and marine biologists. ADELA now comprises over 100 local citizens’ organizations. The various groups came together to form ADELA after becoming aware of the negative environmental impact of seismic reflection explorations being conducted by Harken Costa Rica Holdings in November 1999. -Wikipedia From ADELA website: The GROUP ADELA was born when people and organizations from diverse sectors of Limon became aware of the effects of the seismic reflection explorations performed by an oil company in November of 1999. ADELA has concerned itself with informing and educating the Caribbean community and the political sector about the risks that the petroleum activity carries with it for the Caribbean and Costa Rica, and in defending our model of sustainable development with the participation of the residents in the formulation of better energy practices and polícies . Currently it is promoting a pilot project of fuel based on biomass in the district of Talamanca and exercises its influence so that the country will formulate an energy policy based on reducing the consumption and making use of alternative technologies based on renewable sources. Current actions: ADELA is currently working on the planning and development of a pilot project of alternative energy based on biomass, in conjunction with a local organization and the Municipality. It seeks to utilize the agricultural waste products of bananas and plantains as raw material to produce biofuel. ADELA has received financial support from following groups: NRDC, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, Global Response, Caribbean Conservation Corporation, InterAmerican Association for Environmental Defense, International Fund for Animal Welfare, World Conservation Union, Forest Conservation Action Alerts, Environmental News Network, Project Underground, and Radio International Feminista.
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Energy Efficiency Center U.S. Government Partners with Costa Rica to Establish Energy Efficiency Center San Jose – January 6, 2010
The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding for the creation of the Energy Efficiency Center was led by representatives from the U.S. and Costa Rican governments. President Oscar Arias and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Peter Brennan participated as witnesses of honor.
The U.S. and Costa Rica are partnering to create an Energy Efficiency Center in the country that will support Costa Rica’s advance towards a cleaner and sustainable energy future with the goal of becoming a carbon neutral country by 2021. The Energy Efficiency Center will develop an advanced train the trainer program that will certify professionals in several clean and efficient technologies and will establish a regional base of knowledge in mechanisms and state of the art technologies in the energy efficiency field by promoting regional public and private public sector’s abilities. Partners in this initiative include the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute, the University of Costa Rica, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the U.S. Department of Energy which donated $100,000 to the project. The Energy Efficiency Center will be located at the University of Costa Rica. Caption The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding for the creation of the Energy Efficiency Center was led by representatives from the U.S. and Costa Rican governments. President Oscar Arias and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Peter Brennan participated as witnesses of honor. Source: United States Embassy in Costa Rica
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UCR San Jose planned Energy Efficiency Center
Partners:
Natural Resources Defence Council
University of Costa Rica, San Jose
Costa Rican Institute of Electricity
U.S. Department of Energy
Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications
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NRDC CFL pilot project in Costa Rica highlighted as an example for national efficiency program NRDC and E2’s collaboration that began last June has resulted in 22% electricity savings, compared with the same month the year before, in the Aquiares pilot project and the rollout of a national efficiency program by the Costa Rican state owned utility, ICE. This collaboration has also established a close working relationship with the Costa Rican government and laid the groundwork for future projects. The first is a series of NRDC - sponsored workshops with Costa Rican energy experts, including the Minister of the Environment and Energy, at Harvard University and UC Berkeley May 15-21st to discuss strategies for Costa Rica to become carbon neutral. Aquiares, Costa Rica – pilot project On November 12, 2007 NRDC and E2 launched the CFL distribution project in the town of Aquiares. The Ministry of Environment and Energy co-launched the pilot project with attendance from representatives of the national utility ICE and all other electricity suppliers; the regulating agency, ARESEP, and representatives from the department of energy (DSE). The launch
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The Liddell Family shows CFLs to members Aquiares community.
Vice Minister Matamaros and Lee Stein continue to enjoy discussing opportunities to work together.
was followed by a lively discussion of how the pilot project could be transformed into a national program and the barriers to implementation. ICE planned to replicate the Aquiares model with a “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” promotion with local distributors. There are approximately 1 million homes in Costa Rica and ICE’s goal is to distribute 750,000 CFLs this year, of which ICE will donate 250,000. ICE, the national energy utility, also planned to develop their own seal, ENERGICE, to certify bulbs that were approved for the program.
Initial data from Aquiares has shown a 22% reduction in electricy use compared with the same month the previous year, much higher than we had been expecting since we did not require each household to get rid of their bulbs at the start of the project. The Pilot Project: • Each home receives 2 CFL bulbs (15 watts, 6400 degrees Kelvin) for approximately $1.00 each, bulbs normally cost approximately $4.00 in Costa Rica, and one additional bulb for free (20 watt, 2700 degree Kelvin) • The money from the purchase of the subsidized bulbs will enable CFLs to be supplied for public buildings in the community, such as the
church, schoolhouse, and outdoor lights • Each home agrees to allow ICE and NRDC to monitor their electricity bills every month to calculate savings NRDC’s Executive Director, Peter Lehner, and Vice Minister Matamoros distributed the first bulbs to the community. Next Steps Costa Rica still has a long way to go, but we are encouraged by the example of Aquiares and the close relationships with the top government officials in Costa Rica that we have developed over the last year. The Vice- Minister of Environment and Energy, Julio Matamoros, recently came to Washington DC for the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, and had dinner with NRDC consultant, Elizabeth Beall, and E2 member Lee Stein to discuss future plans for collaboration. Costa Rica energy experts are coming to the Boston and the Bay Area May 15th – 21st .The Minister of Environment and Energy, Roberto Dobles, of Costa Rica, Vice – Minister Matamoros, and energy experts from the state - owned utility, state - owned oil company, and climate change experts in charge of determining Costa Rica’s plan for carbon neutrality will be coming to the U.S. for a carbon neutral study tour. The objective of the study tour is for Costa Rican policymakers and energy experts to benefit from lessons learned here in the U.S., and to have the opportunity to work with leading experts to develop strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021.
Source: NRDC
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NRDC proposes a policy solution for Costa Rica:
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E. Supporting Documentation
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Renewable Energy Resource Maps
Biomass Potential Very High Potential High Potential Medium Potential Low Potential National Reserves
Geothermal Potential Temperatures higher than 220 ยบC, 3km below ground National Reserves
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Wind Potential Energy Density (Wm-2)
Wind Speed (m sec -1)
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Solar Potential Mean Annual Radiation (kwh/m2) > 1910 1700 - 1910 1485 - 1700 < 1485
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Renewable Energy Businesses in Costa Rica
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1. Inti Tech Solar
3. BRAC Systems Central / South America
•Business type: Solar energy systems •Product types: 1)Photovoltaic grid-tie and stand-alone systems. 2) Water delivery and treatment systems (pool, well, and pressure pump systems). 3)Solar integrated roofing. 4)Solar crop drying. 5)Solar system financing/ payback. 6)Portable solar powered education centers. 7) Solar crop-drying and food processing centers. . •Service types: Alternative energy consultation, system design, installation, and maintenance •Address: Apdo 73, Puerto Jimenez, Puntarenas Costa Rica 8203 •Telephone: (506) 2735-5521 •FAX: (506) 2735-5773 •Web Site: http://www.intitechsolar.com/ •E-mail: Send Email to Inti Tech Solar
•Business type: retail sales, wholesale supplier, exporter •Product types: BRAC - Grey water recycling systems Save up to 40% of portable water in an easy and simple way. We offering Residential and Commercial Systems from 150 Litre up to 6600 Litre. •Service types: design, engineering •Address: Fuentes Calientes S. A., PO Box 187, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica •Telephone: 00506 2438 11 30 •FAX: 00506 2438 27 52 Celestial Power •Business type: retail sales, importer •Product types: solar water heating systems, photovoltaic systems. •Service types: design, installation, contractor services, maintenance and repair services •Address: 100 Mertros Norte de la Bomba, Uvita de Osa, Puntarenas-Canton de Osa Costa Rica 8001 •Telephone: (506)787-0215 •FAX: (506)787-0215
2. ASI Power & Telemetry, S. A. •Business type: retail sales, distributor •Product types: wind turbines (small) vertical axis, solar lighting systems, photovoltaic cells thin film flexible, solar street lighting, meters and measuring equipment, DC to AC power inverters sine wave, Batteries - Sealed AGM Type Lead Acid. •Service types: consulting, design, installation, engineering, site survey and assessment services •Address: Apdo 384-5000, Liberia, Guanacaste Costa Rica •Telephone: (506) 2665 6161 •FAX: (506) 2665 7161 •Web Site: http://www.asipower.com/
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4. Consultores en Energia CONSENERGY S. A. •Business type: retail sales, wholesale supplier, integrator and consulting •Product types: PV Solar Panels, Wind Generators, Hydro Power, BioFuels, Energy Saving Accessories, Batteries, Charge Controllers, Power Inverters, DC to DC Converters, Generators, Super LED s Street Lighting, Off-Grid, On-Grid, Consulting, Telecom-Grade Rectifiers, Hybrid Systems, and much more. *** Para Informacion en Espanol:Por favor NO dude en llamar al telefono # + 506
-2290-0668 / 2290-2422 We cover all Latin American Area, specially Central America and Caribbean. And also, we already have opened our Office in Miami, Florida, USA. Our phone numbers in Florida are: (786) 623-4830 / (305) 280-3462 - Mobile: (786) 444-6519. •Service types: Vast Renewable`s products with serious Consulting back-up •Address: 500 Mts. al Sur, 50 mts. Oeste y 25 mts. Norte de Universal La Sabana, San Jose, San Jose Costa Rica 209-1100 Tibas •Telephone: +506 2290-0668 •FAX: +506 2290-2413
systems (large), wind energy systems (small), Consulting in energetic efficiency and energy audits. •Service types: consulting, design, installation, construction, engineering, project development services, education and training services •Address: P. O. Box 220-2010, San Jose Costa Rica 220-2010 Sjo •Telephone: (506) 88243520 •FAX: (506) 22221975
5. Costa Vision Eco Developments S. A.
•Business type: manufacturer, importer •Product types: solar air heating systems, solar water heating systems, photovoltaic systems, backup power systems, biomass energy biofuel, remote home power systems, hydro turbines, green building, water delivery, solar water pumps, electric vehicles, biodiesel. •Service types: consulting, design, installation, construction, engineering, project development services, research services, site survey and assessment services, architectural design services, contractor services, maintenance and repair services, testing services •Address: 2 Km Oeste Bomba Osa, Puerto Jimenez, Puntarenas Costa Rica 60702 •Telephone: 011-506-2735-5843
•Business type: design, construction and consulting for sustainable living, retail sales, wholesale supplier, importer •Service types: consulting, design, installation, construction, engineering, project development services, research services, site survey and assessment services, architectural design services, contractor services, maintenance and repair services •Address: Panamerican Highway, Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste Costa Rica •Telephone: 805-660-3580 CRBuilders •Product types: air cooling system components, appliances, solar water heating systems, washers and dryers, water pumps. •Service types: architectural design services, contractor services •Address: Apdo. 261-4200, Naranjo, Alajuela, Costa Rica 00000 •Telephone: +11(506) 450-4084 •FAX: +11 (506) 451-9056
6. Energa Centroamerica S.A. •Business type: manufacturer, retail sales, service, importer, exporter, contractor, engineering •Product types: solar water heating components, photovoltaic modules, solar water heating systems, small wind energy systems (< 50 kW), solar pool heating systems, solar electric power systems . •Address: Aptdo 799-1007, San Jose, Costa Rica •Telephone: 00506 232 02 27 •FAX: 00506 222 51 73 Energy Solutions •Business type: retail sales, importer •Product types: photovoltaic systems, solar pool heating systems, water heating systems, water pumps, wind energy systems (small). •Service types: consulting, design, installation, project development services, site survey and assessment services, maintenance and repair services •Address: Edificio Meridiano, Piso 1, Guachipelin de Escaz�, San Jose Costa Rica •Telephone: (506) 2505-5095
•FAX: (506) 2505-5099
7. Interdinamica Energia •Business type: Renewable energy developer, retail sales, wholesale supplier, integrator, and consulting •Product types: photovoltaic, wind energy ( small ), hydroelectric turbines (small), solar water pumps, hybrid power systems, grid tie systems, buckup systems, energy consulting, energy enginieering, installation, maintenance, supervising, commisioning, system test. . •Service types: consulting, design, installation, project development services, maintenance and repair services •Address: 100 mts West, 100 mts South, from Carlos Maria Ulloa, Guadalupe, San Jose Costa Rica •Telephone: (506) 22 21 83 33 •FAX: (506) 22 22 52 41 Marostica S. A •Product types: biomass energy systems, hydro energy systems (small), photovoltaic systems, solar electric power systems, wind energy
8. Poderco SA
9. Solar-RES S. A. •Business type: retail sales, importer, installation, manufacture •Product types: solar pool/water heating systems, wind energy systems (small), backup power systems, microhydro energysystems, photovoltaic/ building integrated pv, . •Service types: consulting, installation, construction, project development services, maintenance and repair services •Address: Sarreguemines /, Alajuela Costa Rica, France, Panama, Nicaragua 572000 •Telephone: 8 351-4009 Costa Rica / 0 0643711622 France/Germany
10. Swissol de Centroamercia S. A. •Business type: manufacturer, retail sales, wholesale supplier, exporter, importer •Service types: design, installation, construction, engineering •Address: San Rafael ojo de agua, de la Panasonic en Belen, 1500 al oeste (hacia la Guacima), mano derecha, Rotulo Grande, Alejuela, San Jose Costa Rica •Telephone: 00506 2438 11 30 •FAX: 00506 2438 27 52
11. Swissol de Centroamerica S.A. •Business type: manufacturer, exporter, importer •Service types: consulting, design, installation, construction, engineering, project development services, education and training services •Address: San Rafael de Alajuela , Alajuela , San Jose Costa Rica •Telephone: 00506 2438 11 30 •FAX: 00506 2438 27 52
12. TURBOTEK S.A. •Business type: service •Product types: computer products, hydro powered electric generators. •Service types: consulting services, maintenance and repair •Address: Ave. 2da, Calles 26 y 28, No. 2661, Planta Alta, San Jose, San Jose Costa Rica 10258-1000 •Telephone: (506) 222-4755 •FAX: (506) 221-4014
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Hydro Plants
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1. Arenal, Corobici, and Sandillal (ARCOSA)
2. Alberto Echandi, Toro-1, Toro-2
Costa Rica’s multiuse Proyecto de Riego Arenal-Tempisque (PRAT) scheme was developed between 1975 and 1978 and is administrated by the Servicio Nacional de Aguas Subterráneas, Riego y Avenamiento (SENARA). PRAT channels water from the Arenal Lake, which originally used to flow down the Caribbean basin, towards the Pacific basin through a hydrelectric complex of three power plants built in cascade: Arenal, Corobici, and Sandillal (ARCOSA), illustrated above from left to right. Once the waters pass through these facilities, they enter two irrigation canals. Construction started on Arenal in 1974. The plant has three 52.5-MW Fuji Francis turbines driving Mitsubishi generators. Average annual generation is about 640 GWh. Corobici is the second of the three ARCOSA plants and has three 60-MW Mitsubishi Francis turbines with Hitachi generators. The plant went into service in 1982 and supplies about 730 GWh/yr to the Costa Rican grid. Sandillal is the last of three hydroelectric plants in the scheme. The plant has two 16-MW Kaplan turbines from Voest driving Siemens generators. Construction on Sandillal started in 1987 and it went into operation in November 1992.
The first hydroelectric plant at the Alberto Echandi site in San Ramon Canto, Alajuela Province, was built in 1909. It has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 1990 with a 4.7-MW horizontal Francis turbine from Bell and a BBC generator. The Toro hydroelectric complex consists of two plants built in the Rio Toro basin cascade in Valverde Vega canton in Alajuela province. Studies on hydroelectric development in the area were completed from 1981 to 1983 and construction of the project began in 1990. Toro-1 (above left) has two 11.6-MW vertical Francis turbines which went into operation in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Toro-2 (above right) use a regulation dam which also harnesses flows from the Rio Claro and Quebrada Gata. The powerhouse has two 32.6MW Francis turbines which went online in the fall of 1996. Brazil’s Sade-Vigesa and Hydro Inepar supplied the generating equipment. Costa Rica’s Grupo Saret was the main construction contractor.
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3. Angostura, Cachi, Rio Macho
Angostura is the newest -- and largest -- hydro station in the Rio Reventazon basin in Cartago province after Cachi and Rio Macho. Angostura is in Turrialba canton and came on-line in 2000 and has three 70-MW Francis turbines from Voest equipped with Mitsubishi generators in a powerhouse on the right bank. Angostura uses water from the Reventazon, Tuis and Turrialba rivers. Cachi is in Jimenez canton and its 34-MW turbines were twice the size of the 15-MW machines at La Garita and Rio Macho, then the largest in Costa Rica. Cachiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arch dam in Valle de Ujarraz is unique in the country and uses water from the Macho and Reventazon rivers. Rio Macho is the oldest of the three plants. It is in Valle de Orosi, Paraiso canton. The first phase of the plant was built between 1959 and 1963 and has two 15-MW Pelton turbines and generators from Toshiba. Subsequent expansion of the water collection system culminated in 1972 in the addition of two 30-MW Pelton machines from Toshiba, this time with Mitsubishi generators, and a third 30-MW machine was added in 1978. Rio Macho operates with a head of 460 m, the highest in the country. The plant uses water from the Blanco, Macho, and Pejibaye rivers.
4. Tres RiosRio Volcan, Ventanas-Garita
Rio Volcan - Location: Heredia, Operator: Enel Latin America LLC, Configuration: 1 X 17 MW Pelton, Operation: 1998 T/G supplier: Sulzer, Canadian General Electric, EPC: Sulzer, Jose Cartellone Construcciones Ventanas-Garita, Location: Alajuela, Operator: ICE, Configuration: 2 X 48.7 MW Francis, Operation: 1987, T/G supplier: Fuji, Marelli, EPC: ICE
5. Tres Rios
The Tres Rios complex consists of three minihydro plants on the Rio Tiribi in La Union Canton, Cartago Province. These were privately-developed and acquired by ICE in mid-1975. All three sites are at elevations ranging from 1,565-1,750 m. The plants are Avance (240 kW, left), Los Lotes (375 kW, center), and Puerto Escondido (184 kW, right). Avance was completed in 1938 and has a horizontal Pelton turbine from Escher-Wyss driving an Ideal generator. Los Lotes was completed in 1940 and rebuilt in 1956. It has a horizontal Francis turbine from Voith driving a generator from Schorch-werke AG. Puerto Escondido was completed in 1940 with a single 184-kW horizontal Francis turbine from Escher-Wyss driving a Dornhoff generator.
6. Cariblanco, Don Pedro, La Joya
Cariblanco - Location: Alajuela, Operator: ICE, Configuration: 2 X 40 MW Francis, Operation: 2007, T/G supplier: Litostroj, Koncar Don Pedro - Location: Heredia, Operator: Enel Latin America LLC, Configuration: 1 X 14 MW Pelton, Operation: 1996 T/G supplier: Sulzer Escher Wyss, Canadian General Electric, EPC: Ingendesa, Jose Cartellone Construcciones, La Joya - Location: Cartago, Operator: Union Fenosa, Configuration: 3 X 17 MW Francis, Operation: 2006, T/G supplier: Alstom, EPC: Alstom, Union Fenosa, Ghella, Seli
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Geothermal 1
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Geothermal Development 1. Borinquen Geothermal Field 2. Las Pailas Geothermal Field 3. Miravalles Volcano & Geothermal Field 4. Tenorio Geothermal Field Volcanos 1. Volcano Orosi 2. Volcano Cacao 3. Volcano Rincon de la Vieja 4. Volcano Miravalles 5. Volcano Tenorio 6. Volcano Arenal 7. Volcano Platanar 8. Volcano Porvenir 9. Volcano Poas 10. Volcano Barva 11. Volcano Irazu 12. Volcano Turrialba
Geothermal in Costa Rica
In all, Costa Rica has seven historically active volcanoes, including Arenal, one of the world’s most active volcanoes whose present eruptive cycle began in 1968. According to the International Geothermal Association, out of 25 producing countries, Costa Rica is the 7th largest producer of geothermal electricity in the world. From the beginning, geothermal development in Costa Rica was undertaken with environmental sensitivity. At Miravalles, environmental monitoring began in 1987, long before the first power plant was commissioned in 1994 (Guido-Sequeira, 2010). An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) was made for Miravalles Geothermal Field in 1998, the first in the country, forever changing the model for any new, large project in Costa Rica (Guido-Sequeira, 2010). Most land ICE purchased at Miravalles had been clear cut for
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cattle grazing 200-to-300 years ago, and ICE began planting what would become about 362,000 trees on the property, making it home for flora and fauna once difficult to find (Guido-Sequeira 2010). Today two new geothermal fields are under development, both within the Rincón de la Vieja volcanic complex about a two-hour ride westnorthwest of Miravalles. (The volcanic complex includes Rincón de la Vieja National Park, where no development is allowed.) One of the new fields, Las Pailas, lies on the southwestern side of the volcanic complex. In the southernmost part of Las Pailas, a good geothermal reservoir has been found, wells have been drilled, and electricity from a binary power plant will be on line in the second half of 2011, producing another 41 MWe, gross, or 35 MWe, net (Mainieri, 2010). About 12 km west-northwest of Las Pailas is the second new field, Borinquen, located on the northwestern
1. Borinquen Geothermal Field
2. Las Pailas Geothermal Field
3. Miravalles Volcano & Geothermal Field
4. Tenorio Geothermal Field
extreme of the area of the Rincón de la Vieja volcanic complex under exploration. Current information confirms the presence at Borinquen of the same important thermal anomaly measured at Las Pailas Geothermal Field—the one associated with the magma chamber of Rincón de la Vieja volcano. An initial plantfeasibility study is underway (Mainieri, 2010).
The Las Pailas Geothermal Field—perhaps one day— will extend into the Dry Forest Conservation Fund area, where it will be renamed the Mundo Nuevo (“New World”)Geothermal Field. As a first step toward beginning work in Mundo Nuevo Field, ICE has signed a contract of mutual cooperation and care with the country’s Ministry of the Environment, Energy, and Telecommunications and the Zuanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund. Together they are honing a template for geothermal work in an environmentally protected area—to be called the “Mundo Nuevo Geothermal BioDevelopment.” Thus Costa Rica’s geothermal future means deciding— among many other things—how to least affect the plants and animals in the complex and varied ecosystems flourishing on the volcanic slopes. Under Costa Rican law, such natural areas are the patrimony of each citizen, legally protected—often under national park status—in about 25% of the country. On the one hand, the Costa Ricans wish to develop geothermal sites with the best potential, but on the other, often find such sites lie within natural preserves where development is forbidden. How the situation will be resolved, as electrical demand rises, remains unclear.
According to the International Geothermal Association, out of 25 producing countries, Costa Rica is the 7th largest producer of geothermal electricity in the world. Some lands in the Rincón de la Vieja volcanic complex on the southwest—adjoining but outside the national park—are owned by the Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund, a Nonprofit Governmental Organization headed by Dr. Daniel Janzen and managed by the Guanacaste Conservation Area.
Source: Geothermal in Costa Rica, February 2010
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Solar Installations 1 Puerto Jiménez 2 P. N. Chirripó 3 Dos Bocas de Aguirre 4 Sepeque 5 Boca e Isla Coen 6 Piedras Blancas 7 La Potenciana 8 Telesecundaria Chánguena 9 Clínica Drake 10 Bahía Ballena 11 and 12 Santa Cruz 13 Isla Caballo 14 Santa María 15 Las Pilas 16 La Perla 17 Punta Burica 1. Volcano Orosi
Solar in Costa Rica In Costa Rica, depending on the place, this country receives energy equivalent to 1300–1700 kW h/m2 yr. Taking 1500 kW h as an average, the total energy received on the Costa Rica terrain (50,000 km2) in 1 year will be 75,000 TW h, whereas the total energy consumed is about 28 TW h (103,350 TJ), that means the solar potential on Costa Rica is about 2600 times the energy consume in 1 year. There are many individual solar systems installed in Costa Rica, for water heating, cooking, dehydration of agriculture products and agriculture waste and few on distillation of water and solar electricity at isolated houses, islands and lodges promoting eco tourism.
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The solar potential on Costa Rica is about 2600 times the energy consume in 1 year. Water heaters including swimming pool heating
HOTEL DEL SUR. San Isidro del General. 1995, has 30 solar Collectors with total area of 60 m2 to heat 1400 gal of water. Forced circulation using Photovoltaic. collectors for Swimming pool heating at Center of Recreation of our university, in 2003. It has 54 plastic collectors, each with an area of about 3.5 m2. Golfo Dulce Lodge (Swiss Owned) on the rocky playa San
1. Solar park with solar house
2. Solar water heater
3. Solar swimming pool heating Hotel Fiesta
4. Coffee drying with solar and biomass
Josecito is a 750 acre private reserve with Solar Hot Water and Water Generated electricity.
Coffee dried with solar energy has a better price, almost 25–30% higher than dried with fuel oil.
Hotel Fiesta has 30 standard solar collectors (each 2 m2), for swimming pool heating. Total area of solar collectors should be about 3000–4000 M2. Dryers For dehydrating fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, coffee, etc. Four Solar dryers (each 3–4 m2), have been constructed for three rural communities to dry different products. Solar drying and materials group of our solar section have made 34 solar dryers in different communities, for herbs with an area of 645 m2, with the drying capacity of 30–100 kg of products each 3–5 days. Cooperative Monte Oro: Puntarenas use Solar Energy (50–60 m2) active systems for drying coffee for export. The system uses cylindrical concentrators for air and water heating, and PV panels for running pump. Cooperative Coopeldos: Recently with the collaboration of Canadian Ministry of Energy and International Energy Agency, this has installed a large system (more than 600 m2) for the drying of Coffee (Photo 5). The system also uses biomass when the solar energy is not sufficient.
Solar cooking
Foundation Sol de vida: One of the local foundation after learning cooking through our dissemination program promote actively the use of solar energy basically for cooking foodin the northern province of Guanacaste. About 150 Members of the different communities own and operate solar powered kitchens (Photo 8). They also celebrate, since 1991, Sun Festival—an annual gathering to exhibit solar cookers, basically hot box types. Other NGOs: Two other local Non-Government Organizations (CEPRONA,CEDECO) made about 100 solar cookers for some communities. Schools: four schools have solar cookers, as an educational project realized
Source: Shyam S. Nandwani, Uses of solar energy in Costa Rica,Renewable Energy 31 (2006) 689–701
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