The initiative aims to accelerate the transition to a 100% renewable electricity system in Chile by addressing the technical, economic, and regulatory challenges of long duration storage technologies. The goal is to contribute to a more flexible electrical system and enhance the country’s ability to integrate renewable energy.
In a strategic alliance to advance the decarbonization of the National Electric System, EDF Chile, in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences and the Business School of Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI), has launched an innovative research project focused on the development and implementation of Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) systems in the National Electrical System (SEN).
In a ceremony attended by leading academics and energy sector leaders, the CENTRA-EDF Chile Industrial Research project was presented. The initiative will focus comprehensively on the technical, economic and regulatory challenges of LDES adoption in Chile, proposing improvements and market models that reflect the value that these technologies bring to the system.
The “CENTRA-EDF Chile Industrial Research Project” seeks to contribute to the debate and formulation of technical and regulatory policies and strategies that facilitates a harmonious integration of these technologies into the electricity market. The clear long-term objective is to move towards a 100% renewable, secure, resilient and efficient electrical system in Chile.
Long Duration Energy Storage Systems include solutions such as pumped hydro storage, compressed air, gravity storage, flow batteries and Power-to-X technologies. LDES are essential to manage the variability and uncertainty of renewable sources on different time scales.
Claudio Seebach, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences at UAI, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “This partnership represents a strategic collaboration between academia and the industry to address the challenges of the energy transition. Our goal is to support and contribute to the adoption of energy storage technologies, thereby promoting investment in sustainable solutions.”
Joan Leal, CEO of EDF Chile, commented that “the project seeks to enhance Chile’s ability to integrate renewable energy and position the country as a global leader in energy storage technologies. The objective is to contribute to the public discussion by proposing legal and regulatory modifications that will shape Chile’s electricity market towards achieving a net-zero CO2 emissions system by 2050”.
Finally, Juan Carlos Jobet, Dean of the UAI Business School, highlighted, "Our commitment and contribution is to form business leaders who can identify the opportunities arising from the energy transition, given the global economy’s shift towards more sustainable and innovative ways of operating."
