Investing in Natural Gas: Options for Resilient and Flexible Power Systems in Latin America
Fossil fuels, especially oil and gas have fueled global economic development for more than 150 years, and are currently the world’s primary energy source. Across the Western Hemisphere, the electricity sector is undergoing rapid change. Natural gas production and consumption is increasing, because it serves as a flexible, reliable, and affordable source of power.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has completed an analysis on the potential for natural gas as a sustainable option to increase reliability and resilience throughout the electric system in select countries in South America. Today, NREL will launch this new report that seeks to help inform energy planning and policy options across the Hemisphere, especially those with increasing variable renewable energy and those that traditionally rely on hydropower.
In addition to South America, Central America and the Caribbean are also exploring opportunities to import LNG. From Panama’s AES LNG import terminal to Jamaica’s new floating storage regasification unit, LNG provides an opportunity to improve regional energy security and resilience.
SPEAKERS
Welcome remarks and introduction
Juan Cruz Monticelli
Section Chief, Sustainable Energy
Department of Sustainable Development
Elizabeth Urbanas
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Americas
Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Study: Options for Resilient and Flexible Power Systems in Select South American Economies
The study identifies opportunities for natural gas to address decreasing hydropower availability and help ensure flexible and resilient power in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.
Jeffrey Logan
Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Josue Campos do Prado
Senior Energy Specialist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Perspectives on Natural Gas in Latin America
Moderator: Juan Cruz Monticelli, Organization of American States
Thiago Ivanoski Teixeira
Assistant Superintendent, Energy Research Agency (EPE), Brazil
Fabian Barria
Power Markets Unit Chief, National Energy Commission, Chile
Lisa Viscidi
Program Director Energy, Climate Change and Extractive Industries, Inter-American Dialogue
Ivonne Peña Cabra
Senior Engineer, National Energy Technology Laboratory
