The transition to a green economy is within reach as we experience a boost in the development of new renewable energy sources and green hydrogen.
Chile has enormous potential to generate electricity from renewable sources. According to different studies, the country has more than 1,800 GW of renewable power. If we consider that the current installed capacity of the electrical matrix is 25 GW, there is a lot of space for expansion of a new «green» and carbon-free economy.
In order to outline this potential, the project «Decarbonization of the Chilean energy sector«, financed by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Natural Conservation and Nuclear Safety, implemented by the «Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH» in cooperation with the Chilean Ministry of Energy, prepared a model that visually explains Chile’s path towards carbon neutrality and the great opportunity that Chile has to be a «green» and sustainable country in the future.
Context of the model
Promoting the process of energy transition in Chile at COP 25, the GIZ developed an interactive model using 3D printers, which enables the spectators to learn more about how the energy sector is moving towards carbon-neutrality, taking advantage of Chile’s renewable energy potential.
Given the current context of the pandemic that the world is experiencing, which prevents a personal live-presentation, the design of the same model got transferred into the virtual space, which can be seen above. Each point on the map presents an explanation and examples of how it works.
From scratch to finish
The model was designed as a way to demonstrate how Chile can advance in the energy transition. For this project a joint effort with professionals from the Ministry of Energy was made to create a concept that reflects the Chile of the future – with different technologies that are innovative today, but that might be widely used in a few years.
The work of design, editing of explanatory videos and 3D printing was commissioned to the company Fácil 3D, that used PLA, a biodegradable plastic, as raw material for its manufacture.
We would also like to thank Valhalla, Cerro Dominador, Generadoras de Chile and Viña Tarapacá for their collaboration and contributions to the explanatory videos.
Impression of the printed model
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, within the framework of its project «Decarbonization of the Energy Sector in Chile» of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program, 4e, supports the Ministry of Energy in activities contributing to the fulfillment of Chile’s goals for climate protection through a sustainable energy transition, with research and development, advice for improvements in the regulatory framework, activities aimed at fostering business and project financing, and improving the sustainability of the energy sector in Chile.