The new ECPA initiative “Renewable Energy and Climate Science: Metrology and Technology Challenges in the Americas” was launched in Querétaro, México on October 8 and 9, 2013. The project will be implemented in a partnership between the OAS and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and began through this Planning Workshop.

The ECPA project was formally presented as an initiative focused on establishing internationally recognized measurement standards.

Opening remarks were made by Jose Dajes Castro, president of the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM), followed Ms. Martha Beltán of the OAS and Ruben Contreras, project manager.

The discussion topics were: greenhouse gas measurements, climate data control, climate data traceability, instrument calibration, airborne particulate measurements, biofuels standards, renewable energy, energy efficiency for buildings, energy distribution infrastructure/smart grid, natural gas distribution infrastructure, sustainability, quality infrastructure, and biomass.

The overall goal of the planning workshop was to initiate a dialogue among the 34 National Metrology Institutes (NML) representatives, and discuss the needs in the Inter-American System of Metrology (SIM) regions.

The four objectives were to:

• Identify technology and metrology areas where training and sharing of best practices would be most beneficial for countries of the Americas;
• Start planning of workshops to improve local and regional measurement and standards infrastructure for renewable energy and climate science;
• Explore ways to promote regional and international partnerships to share approaches and best practices for expanded utilization of renewable energy, measurement of air quality, GHGs and other pollutants, and efficient energy use and distribution systems; and
• Develop an initial Action Plan for the Americas.

A work plan based on the feedback from this event will be prepared to address the identified needs.

Presentations:

See Workshop Program
First Day

• Ruben Contreras, Senior and Energy Climate Change Engineer, Department of Sustainable Development, Organization of American States. See presentation Renewable Energy and Climate Science: Metrology and Technology Challenges in the Americas.
• Dr. James Whetstone, Special Assistant to the Director for Greenhouse Measurements, National Institute of Standards and Technology. See presentation “Climate Change Issues and Metrology Challenges“
• Dr. Humberto Brandi, Director of Scientific and Industrial Metrology, Inmetro. See Presentation “GHG Measurement Efforts Planned in South America & Renewable Energy Activity in Brazil.”
• Dr. Francisco Guzman, Mexican Petroleum Institute. See Presentation “Air Quality Monitoring Activities in Mexico City.”
• Dr. Antonio del Rio Portilla, University of Mexico. See Presentation “Renewable Energy Research Activities in Mexico.”
• Dr. Greg Smallwood, NRC. “Airborne Particulate Monitoring” Presentation not available.
• David Yashar, Deputy Chief, Energy and Environmental Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology. See presentation “Current NIST Research Activities on: Building Energy Efficiency, Solar Energy Electrical Measurements/Smart Grid.”
• Dr. Héctor Laiz, INTI. See presentation “SIM Participation in Quality Infrastructure for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

For the full event agenda, click here.
For more information on this initiative, click here.