Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC): The first International Conference on the Energy Development Strategy is held
On October 6 and 7, the first International Conference on the Energy Development Strategy was held at the UC San Joaquín Campus, a space for conversation regarding the challenges and opportunities related to the electricity generation industry and fuels .
The event addressed the future of green hydrogen projects in Chile , in addition to the decarbonization of the energy matrix , the green production of synthetic fuels and the electromobility systems of the future , among other topics.
The conference was led by the rector Ignacio Sánchez; the Undersecretary of Energy, Julio Maturana; the dean of UC Engineering, Loreto Valenzuela, together with the professor and director of the UC Energy Center Álvaro Videla. In addition, the meeting brought together important players in the ecosystem, such as Codelco, Anglo American, Antofagasta Minerals, Fraunhofer, Corfo, ENAP, Kaufmann, Enel, Generadoras de Chile, among others.
Among the international exhibitors who stood out at the event are Frank Wolak, professor in the Department of Economics, Stanford University; Shmuel Oren, professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at the University of California, Berkeley; Robert Szolak, head of the Department of Thermochemical Processes at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
In addition, Egill Skúlason, professor at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Iceland; Samuel Perry, Research Fellow at the School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton; and Pat Wheeler, Head of the Power Electronics, Machines and Control Research Group and Professor of Power Electronic Systems, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, among others.
What is the future of green hydrogen projects in Chile?
According to Patricio Lillo, a UC Mining Engineering academic who moderated the module that analyzed this topic at the conference, the future of green hydrogen projects in Chile is arousing worldwide interest. This after the rise in gas and oil prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Europe has a strategic need to stop depending on Russian gas, which positions hydrogen as a complementary alternative. Although it is not something that is going to happen in the medium term, in the future this source of energy may partially replace gas” , highlighted the researcher.
The academic specified that the European Commission presented a document that highlights its weak points and indicates the reinforcement countermeasures to reduce its energy dependence and achieve more affordable, safe and sustainable energy.
“The first line of action proposed by said document is to accelerate the development of renewable energies, biogas and green hydrogen, as they are substitutes for fossil gas. This in full energy transition, thanks to the recovery funds” , added Patricio Lillo.
For the UC professor, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could accelerate the development of green hydrogen projects in Chile, as long as the war does not affect the costs of production or installation of systems for this type of source.