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This paper examines the current and prospective greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of e-fuels produced via electrolysis and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) for the years 2021, 2030, and 2050 for use in Germany. The GHG emissions are determined by a scenario approach as a combination of a literature-based top-down and bottom-up approach. Considered process steps are the provision of feedstocks, electrolysis (via solid oxide co-electrolysis; SOEC), synthesis (via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis; FTS), e-crude refining, eventual transport to, and use in Germany. The results indicate that the current GHG emissions for e-fuel production in the exemplary export countries Saudi Arabia and Chile are above those of conventional fuels. Scenarios for the production in Germany lead to current GHG emissions of 2.78–3.47 kgCO2-eq/L e-fuel in 2021 as the reference year and 0.064–0.082 kgCO2-eq/L e-fuel in 2050. With a share of 58–96%, according to the respective scenario, the electrolysis is the main determinant of the GHG emissions in the production process. The use of additional renewable energy during the production process in combination with direct air capture (DAC) are the main leverages to reduce GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen is gaining increasing attention as a key component of the global energy transition towards a more sustainable industry. Chile, with its vast renewable energy potential, is well positioned to become a major producer and exporter of green hydrogen. In this context, this paper explores the prospects for green hydrogen production and use in Chile. The perspectives presented in this study are primarily based on a compilation of government reports and data from the scientific literature, which primarily offer a theoretical perspective on the efficiency and cost of hydrogen production. To address the need for experimental data, an ongoing experimental project was initiated in March 2023. This project aims to assess the efficiency of hydrogen production and consumption in the Atacama Desert through the deployment of a mobile on-site laboratory for hydrogen generation. The facility is mainly composed by solar panels, electrolyzers, fuel cells, and a battery bank, and it moves through the Atacama Desert in Chile at different altitudes, from the sea level, to measure the efficiency of hydrogen generation through the energy approach. The challenges and opportunities in Chile for developing a robust green hydrogen economy are also analyzed. According to the results, Chile has remarkable renewable energy resources, particularly in solar and wind power, that could be harnessed to produce green hydrogen. Chile has also established a supportive policy framework that promotes the development of renewable energy and the adoption of green hydrogen technologies. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as the high capital costs of green hydrogen production and the need for supportive infrastructure. Despite these challenges, we argue that Chile has the potential to become a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen or derivatives such as ammonia or methanol. The country's strategic location, political stability, and strong commitment to renewable energy provide a favorable environment for the development of a green hydrogen industry. The growing demand for clean energy and the increasing interest in decarbonization present significant opportunities for Chile to capitalize on its renewable energy resources and become a major player in the global green hydrogen market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a pricing alternative based on the scheme of Time of Use Pricing (TOUP) is proposed for customers connected to the Cooperativa Eléctrica San Pedro de Atacama (CESPA) microgrid, located in the far north of Chile. With this proposal, the promotion of Demand-Side Management, DSM, aims at optimizing both the use of electric energy and the available infrastructure. The pricing proposal replaces the current tariff scheme based on sections of energy consumption and does not give an incentive for customers to efficiently manage their energy consumption. The proposal considers the creation of time bands and their corresponding tariff formulas, to obtain economic benefits both for customers and the electric company. Study cases consider the operation of a photovoltaic plant of 2 MWp in the electric system of CESPA, which is currently underway. The obtained results report benefits for all parts of the electric market. For customers, favorable pricing up to a 19.1% monthly reduction in electric bills is shown, whereas the company presents an increment in their average monthly income of about 7.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aseismic Nazca Ridge produces localized flat-slab subduction beneath the South American margin at latitudes 10° to 15° S. The geological evolution and the spatio-temporal pattern of deformation of the upper plate have been strongly influenced by the presence of the flat slab. In this study, we investigated the lithospheric thermal structure of this region by elaborating a 2D geothermal model along a section across the top of the Nazca Ridge, the Peru–Chile trench, the Andean Cordillera, and the Amazonian Basin, for a total length of 1000 km. For the sake of modelling, the crust of the overriding plate was subdivided into two parts, i.e., a sedimentary cover (including the entire lithostratigraphic sequence) and a crystalline basement. Applying an analytical methodology, we calculated geotherms and isotherms by setting (i) thickness, (ii) density, (iii) heat production, and (iv) thermal conductivity for each geological unit and considering (v) heat flux at the Moho, (vi) frictional heating produced by faults, and (vii) plate convergence rate. The resulting model could make a significant advance in our understanding of how flat slab geometry associated with the Nazca Ridge subduction affects the thermal structure and hence the tectonic evolution of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chile has set itself to achieve Greenhouse Gas emission neutrality, with at least 70% of electricity coming from renewable energy sources by 2050. To this end, institutional and regulatory frameworks have been improved, resulting in significant progress in medium and large-scale projects. However, solar energy production at residential level and its surplus injection to all distribution networks has been very limited. This paper analyzes the evolution of the regulatory energy policies in Chile in order to contrast it with an economic evaluation of residential projects. The analysis focuses on the city of Arica, one of the highest potential regions in terms of solar energy within the country. There, a particularly low penetration of residential solar energy usage has been observed. Based on the current situation, projections are made for Arica in 2050, through the identification of barriers and opportunities on a residential scale development. According to some recommendations, there is the need to design policies that take into account the particular characteristics of each region within the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, Chile generated 20 million tons of waste, 79% of which was not properly disposed of, thereby providing an attractive opportunity for energy generation in advanced thermochemical conversion processes. This study presents a techno-economic and environmental assessment of the implementation of Waste-Integrated Gasifier-Gas Turbine Combined Cycle (WIG-GTCC) technology as an alternative for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) treatment. The studied case assesses the conversion of 14.61 t·h−1 of MSW, which produces a combustible gas with a flow rate of 34.2 t·h−1 and LHV of 5900 kJ·kg−1, which, in turn, is used in a combined cycle to generate 19.58 MW of electrical power. The proposed economic assessment of the technology uses the energy generation processes as a reference, followed by a model for an overall economic evaluation. The results have shown that the profit could be up to USD 24.1 million, and the recovery of investment between 12 and 17 years would improve the environmental impacts of the current disposal technology. The WIG-GTCC has the most efficient conversion route, emitting 0.285 kg CO2eq/kWh, which represents 48.21% of the potential yield of global warming over 100 years (GWP100) of incineration and 58.51% of the GWP100 of the standard gasification method. The WIG-GTCC would enable the energetic valorization of MSW in Chile, eliminate problems associated with landfill disposal, and increase opportunities for decentralized electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work allows characterizing and classifying the consumption profiles of non-residential customers (without distributed generation) based on the consumption curves obtained from the records reported by 934 smart meters in the period from January to December 2019, and which belong to an electric power distribution company in Chile, SAESA Group S.A. To achieve the characterization and classification of the consumption profiles, three typical days are analyzed and determined, which correspond to working days (Monday to Friday), Saturdays, and Sundays or holidays. These three typical days are analyzed for each trimester of 2019. The data processing is carried out on the Power Bi and Matlab® platforms. In Power Bi, the data provided by the electricity company are worked, obtaining the average consumption curves for each client in each period of study considered, while in Matlab®, the visualization and classification of the curves is carried out using the K-means algorithm, to finally obtain the results and conclusions. The results show the existence of seven typical profiles representative of the behavior of non-residential clients, which, in some cases, show similar behaviors, despite being from different categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overtopping-type wave power conversion devices represent one of the most promising technology to combine reliability and competitively priced electricity supplies from waves. While satisfactory hydraulic and structural performance have been achieved, the selection of the hydraulic turbines and their regulation is a complex process due to the very low head and a variable flow rate in the overtopping breakwater set-ups. Based on the experience acquired on the first Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC) prototype, operating since 2016, an activity has been carried out to select the most appropriate turbine dimension and control strategy for such applications. An example of this multivariable approach is provided and illustrated through a case study in the San Antonio Port, along the central coast of Chile. In this site the deployment of a breakwater equipped with OBREC modules is specifically investigated. Axial-flow turbines of different runner diameter are compared, proposing the optimal ramp height and turbine control strategy for maximizing system energy production. The energy production ranges from 20.5 MWh/y for the smallest runner diameter to a maximum of 34.8 MWh/y for the largest runner diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]