Press release 2012

MICROGENERATION GAINS IMPORTANCE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
Press release no. 120/12
05/07/2012

On day three of the conferences at Eolica Argentina and Solar Argentina the spotlight was on projects aimed at offering energy self-sufficiency from renewable sources for households and industry. New lower cost generators which are easier to produce were also shown off.

Opening the day, Daniel Luis Gómez Gómez, of the Uruguayan Association of Technological Engineers (AITU) noted that "our countries are mature enough to incorporate sustainable energy, but a boost is needed" Gómez Gómez said that the Sheraton Hotel in Montevideo had installed solar panels for its own power requirements. He said the aim was to promote the development of micro-generators and to control energy demand through pricing policies and user education to avoid excessive electricity consumption.

In regard to microgeneration, "every home could generate its own energy, consume what it needs and then put the rest into the grid," and noted that photovoltaic sources, for example, can be used in rural lighting because they do not require a grid connection. He also highlighted the use of renewable energy to supply power to businesses. He stressed that these kinds of installations will make it possible to boost the development of small-sized plants in the country.

Engineer Alberto Mérida of Obras Sanitarias de Mar del Plata (OSSE) presented the sustainable management project the agency is conducting to achieve power sufficiency from renewable energies. He said that wind and biomass sources had been chosen and that 190 hectares had been purchased for the installation of the Energy Farm, where turbines will be installed and energy "harvested". The plan envisages the construction of two parks. The first, capable of generating 10 MW, will cost an estimated U.S. $ 22 million. The project takes place in the context of the Emerging Sustainable City, which the Inter-American Development Bank awarded to the city of Mar del Plata.

Martín Bautista of Patagonia Energía Eólica presented a medium size vertical axis turbine which allows a yield of 60% to 80% annual installed capacity. In addition, the turbine can be put up easily in two to three days.

Jarl Pedersen, Xtreme Power, presented a power storage and management system, Dynamic Power Resources (DPR), which, among other features, enables the optimization of wind power generation projects.

Finally, independent researchers presented a tubular wind generator, designed to work even in low winds.

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