NEXUS PHASE 3 PROJECT: PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN AREQUIPA’S HIGHLAND COMMUNITIES
February 2, 2024
Peru is considered to have a high potential for wind and solar energy, and investment is growing in the renewable energy sector. However, many Andean communities still lack connection to the electric grid due to their remote location, difficult geography and because they represent a small market. This lack of reliable supply of electric energy hinders the economic development of these communities and precludes them from achieving their full potential and contribution to the regional economy. Without access to reliable electric power, these communities must rely on fossil fuels, such as kerosene, for cooking and heating.
One of the four Nexus Phase 3 projects, “Renewable Energy Center for High Andean Communities (CERCA)”, recognizes these challenges and needs in Arequipa and aims to address them through the creation of a center, co-located with the CIBCI station (Centro Internacional de Bio-Ciencia e Innovación-CIBCI), dedicated to research and education in renewable energy. The main objectives of this project are to:
- Design a distributed co-generation system (hybrid photovoltaic-wind) to generate electricity for water pumping and to supply the electricity needs of the CIBCI station.
- Generation of mechanical motion from wind to aerate a trout farming pool at the CIBCI station.
- Design of thermal systems optimized for high-altitude Andean conditions to produce a low-cost system to heat houses of small Andean communities.
- Design of an improved biodigester for methane production at high altitude.
- Implement a remote monitoring system using IoT and satellite technologies, which will also provide Internet access to the station.
- Outreach to nearby communities through transference of energy technologies developed and tested at CERCA.
Contact Details
- Rosa Cossio
- rcossio@purdue.edu
