Alternative Energies Fair: Can We Grow Fuel?

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SAN JOSE 001965 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ENRG PGOV CS SUBJECT: Alternative Energies Fair: Can We Grow Fuel? Ref: A) San Jose 001323 B) San Jose 001374 ¶1. SUMMARY: Embassy participated in an alternative energies conference sponsored by RECOPE, Costa Rica's national oil refinery, held at the University of Costa Rica on 24-25 October, 2007. RECOPE organized this event as part of its "Quality Month" by inviting private companies, students, government, NGO's and general visitors to participate. The embassies of Germany, France, Netherlands, Brazil, and Panama participated with the presence of some private companies as well. Speakers included former Costa Rican astronaut Dr. Franklin Chang and Dr. Luis Horta of Brazil's Itajuba University. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) furnished a booth and detailed brochures and post developed additional collateral information such as materials for students. Post estimates that 300 people participated including an estimate of 250 visitors to the Embassy booth. END SUMMARY. ========= USG BOOTH ========= ¶2. Post requested NREL's help for information and brochures. NREL sent from the US a portable display and informational material to give out to the visitors and students. A looping DVD describing Cellulosic Ethanol was played on a laptop. Embassy staff from the Environmental Hub, Econ, FCS and PAO contributed in managing the event for the Embassy, exhibit logistics, and attending to visitor's questions and comments. Attendance was estimated at 300 visitors (of which 10 percent were students from high schools featuring scientific curricula). ========== QUESTIONS? ========== ¶3. Visitors and students were very interested in USG achievements in biofuels and new technologies. Questions of food security, environmental issues, algae fuel technology, and contact information for obtaining more information were typical inquiries asked of the Embassy staff. Engineering and biology college students from the University of Costa Rica were very interested in biofuels production, as they were working on their thesis projects and needed relevant information. ¶4. The Embassy's booth attracted attention due to the NREL biofuels poster, the biofuels production DVD, and the variety of materials and brochures available for visitors. Dr. Franklin Chang, former NASA astronaut, came to the booth and greeted Embassy staff. ========================================== WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER EMBASSIES AND BOOTHS? ========================================== ¶5. A neighboring exhibitor, Germany, had information about biodiesel production using canola oil along with other renewable energy information. Brazil focused on sugar cane ethanol and attracted much attention. France, the Netherlands, and Panama offered general information on their respective programs. ¶6. Private companies presented a variety of energy solutions including solar, hydraulic and wind powered generators. These technologies were marketed as alternative energy solutions to mitigate or produce electricity in rural places and farms. Costa Rica's ICE (National Electricity and Telecomunication Institute) and CNFL (National Electricity Company) gave information on their hydraulic, wind and solar projects. ======== SPEAKERS ======== ¶7. Former NASA astronaut Franklin Chang presented his vision on the promise of fusion generated nuclear power and VASIMIR plasma technology. Dr. Luis Horta of Brazil spoke about the potential of energy from biomass and the fundamentals of ethanol production; students seemed to enjoy this the most. ======= SAN JOSE 00001965 002 OF 002 COMMENT ======= ¶8. Costa Rica wants to actively participate in an international discussion of alternative energy issues. As an example of domestic commitment to alternative energy, RECOPE is planning to add a 7 percent ethanol blend for its vehicle fleet next year (reftels). This RECOPE sponsored event, their invitation to the different embassies, and a Round Table on Renewable Energy organized by the Ministry of Economy and Trade to take place on November 8, confirm that Costa Rica is committed to becoming the first carbon neutral country or at least to making incremental steps in that direction. From an Embassy outreach perspective, the conference gave us a rare (and needed) chance to connect with students on the often anti-US UCR campus. From an operational perspective, the event highlighted the importance of continued intra-Mission cooperation on cross- cutting scientific, economic and public diplomacy issues. END COMMENT. BRENNAN