'Free way' for solar energy

Consumers may deliver their surplus produced

April 02, 2014

Consumers of its electricity generated by the sun or other renewable source , and will be able to see reflected a decrease in their energy bills , to deliver the surplus produce your dealer.

This is possible because the Regulatory Authority for Utilities ( Aresep ) approved Monday night the technical note on the planning , operation and access to electricity system , which allows something that today only the ICE and the Public Service Company Heredia had a pilot plan that had an expiration date .

The next step is that this regulation is published in the Gazette , to make it official , so all distributors should heed the note of the regulator.

At the time that happens, ARESEP may set rates for the generation, distribution , support and energy delivery nationwide system in regard to distributed generation.

This energy model is ideal for those with a lower to 3000 kwh per month electric bill as actually be diminished payments to energy distributors .

Currently, there are financing plans to do so in your home or business .

This will allow homeowners, industries or companies to deliver national electric system surplus electricity generated by solar or other renewable systems .

A company that spends less than 3000 kilowatts per month , would lower your energy bill .

Those who consume more , could lose rank.

In homes is where you can install the system more easily, with greater advantage regarding the generation, consumption and what the system can deliver .

In the latter case , the system costs about $ 5000 , and banks are giving soft rates to encourage overcrowding.

Source: 'La Republica'

ARESEP adopted new energy quality regulation

April 02nd, 2014.

The Board of the Regulatory Authority approved a new regulation to control the planning, operation and access to the National Electricity System (SEN). This regulation, which replaces one issued in 2001, the technical and commercial conditions under which permit access of users to the national transmission and distribution are established.

The regulation establishes guidelines to consider in the operation and development of SEN, in order to meet domestic demand at optimum cost, maximize renewable generation and minimize thermal generation, among others.

Another part of the new legislation is that it provides the interconnection and operation of micro and mini generators using renewable sources for consumption. This will allow users to install on their property, equipment for wind generation, biomass and / or solar, to meet its electricity needs and can deliver surplus production to distribution companies, later consume Exchange (kWh).

Applicants must have a qualification (which must define the MINAE), comply with the technical conditions laid down in the regulations ARESEP and undergo operational testing that companies require.

On the other hand, are established and defined criteria to measure the quality of service of transmission and generation. And according to the measurements are made, the management of the transmission and generation assets will be assessed. All utilities are obliged to provide the information necessary to operate and plan the operation of the system and meet the technical requirements of the ARESEP according to the regional regulation.

This law also regulates the operation of the electricity system in case of rationing, which must prevail criterion of minimum duration and frequency with respect to outages if rationing.

In this regard, the regulation requires utilities to report in detail on the duration, frequency and location of rationing scheduled eight days in advance. And in case of defaults ARESEP impose financial penalties.

Some conditions to ration electricity are to be scheduled Monday to Saturday, between 5 am and 10 pm; and can not stop services in hospitals, clinics, emergency radio stations, pumping system for drinking water, fuel pump, industry, road lighting, metropolitan area and sites of economic concentration.

Source: ARESEP

Volume of rains decrease between 30% and 50% in the Caribbean and the north zone

February 26th, 2014

A rainfall deficit of between 30% and 50% of the historic average by region, since last December affected the Caribbean coast and the northern part of the country.

The situation turned on the alarms and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), although not yet crop losses or animals are reported.

Erick Quirós, director of regional operations of MAG, said one of the concerns is that large areas of pasture for cattle have little drought resistant varieties.

This practice is common in the Caribbean and the north, because in those sectors rains almost all year.

Deficit. Luis Fernando Alvarado, specialist (IMN) National Meteorological Institute, confirmed the decline in rainfall, especially in the Caribbean. He said he fell by 50% in some places.

Added that a situation quite similar climate has presented in the Caribbean during the past two or three years.

Some transnational banana companies and other independent producers intensified irrigated trials. This is done in small areas of about 20 hectares, preventing the decline in rainfall resulting permanent, Edgar said Quiros, president of the National Association of Independent Banana Producers. If so, the risk would extend to the entire estate.

The administrator Cantonal Agricultural Center (CAC) of Los Chiles, Kenneth Serrano said yellowed grass and dry ravines in the area and observed but not yet reported losses.

Quirós said that in the Caribbean are positive to reduced rainfall and high temperature: soursop, papaya and Chinese pipa gain more sweetness in this weather collaborated. Carlos Hernandez.

Souce: La Nación

Minister of Envieronment says geothermal, gas usage and use of biomass would lower the prices for the electric generation

February 27th, 2014

Minister of Environment and Energy, René Castro, expressed concern at the increase in electricity generation from fossil fuels last year reached 12% and the consequence is an increase in rates that impact the competitiveness of the country.

This at a forum on renewable energy and energy efficiency held Thursday in the auditorium of the National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LANAMME), University of Costa Rica.

For Castro real changes must be sought in reducing the costs of generation, for example, substituting fuels (diesel and bunker) used in the plant in Puntarenas Garabito natural gas because gas untapped locally and taking into account all the costs associated with importation and management, energy production would be cheaper.

Also raised the possibility of increasing the use of biomass has a lower cost of generation, using all available resources of rice, pineapple and sugarcane, says a press release of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae).

Another way to reduce costs is to increase the use of geothermal energy, according to the minister, the firm provides electric power system throughout the year.

"The country has an opportunity to solve their energy problems if he can carry on a discussion without myths, actual costs and what are the real options to take advantage of renewable energies that keep us from the problems of climate change: geothermal energy without doubt and biomass, because we will never stop farming, "the minister said.

Source: 'La Nación'