Chile

Highlights in 2017
Highlights in 2017

 

New clean energy innovation policies and/or strategies

In 2015, the Ministry of Energy launched a long-term Energy Policy, establishing goals for 2035 and 2050. After a wide participatory process, the agreement was that Chile does not want just any kind of development, but one that is inclusive, equitable, and respects the environment and social harmony. A transformation was needed. This is where innovation emerges as a great opportunity for the energy sector, which is a key sector for the competitiveness of the country.

As actions of the National Energy Policy, three main initiatives were developed regarding innovation: a science, technology and innovation strategy, a strategic solar energy program and an electro mobility strategy. The Ministry of Energy has carried out a new participatory process in order to address the short and medium problems of the energy sector, where the science, technology and innovation will have a privileged status. This will be a main focus of the Chilean energy roadmap 2018-2022.

Top clean energy innovation successes in 2017

  • One of the Strategic Solar Energy Program’s initiatives is the desert module and system technology program so-called AtaMoS-TeC (Atacama Module and System Technology Center). The AtaMoS-TeC brings together the government, and national and international companies and technology centres in a partnership to implement a portfolio of research, development and innovation projects to develop photovoltaic systems created specifically for desert conditions, covering a gap in the knowledge of its own features for solar power generation. The goal of AtaMoS-Tec is to adapt and develop new materials, components and operation and maintenance services for photovoltaic systems, ensuring their durability and performance under desert climate conditions.
  • A Technology Program was launched last year to take advantage of the opportunity of using hydrogen as an energy vector. The call was specifically focused on the development of new low emission mining extraction trucks powered by hydrogen, both by mixing hydrogen and diesel, and by powering by fuel cells. Two consortiums have been created, including national and international universities and companies experienced on hydrogen applications.
  • Chile has recently joined the International Energy Agency´s groups on Photovoltaics Power System (PVPS) and Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPaces). Their objective is to share first-hand information on photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies. SolarPACES 2017 was held successfully in Santiago de Chile, connecting to top researches and related companies with the national R&D ecosystem related to concentrated solar power and energy storage.

Top activities delivered in support of the Innovation Challenges in 2017

  • The electro mobility strategy is the result of a collaborative effort that included the Ministry of Energy and also the Ministries of Transportation and Environment. This strategy has the long-term goal of reaching 100% of public transportation and at least 40% of private vehicles being electric by 2050. For the success, it is necessary focusing the efforts in the establishment of new regulations and standards; lower the entry barriers to foster a fast deployment of electric vehicles, but also give an impulse to the promotion of collaborative research and development initiatives.
  • For solar industrial development, an Open Innovation Platformhas been established. This project aims to develop a virtual supply-and-demand interaction platform, in addition to a specialized team in charge of studying the main energy-related problems, needs and opportunities in the national industry so they can translate into business innovation opportunities. It also contemplates a specialized team in charge of incentivizing participation by local suppliers and advising them on the construction of innovative and valuable proposals to take advantage of those opportunities. The objective is to contribute to closing the existing information and knowledge gaps between supply and demand of energy solutions and to facilitate access to financing to materialize the proposed innovations.
  • From late 2015, the Ministry of Energy and the Chilean Economic Development Agency have a joint program looking for the promotion of innovation in energy efficiency, co-funding the development of prototypes for the mining industry, by initiatives for the spreading of new technologies that improve the efficient use of energy and by the development of platforms that support the deployment of innovative solutions in the national market.