Community Energy Center in the ECOPARK of Independencia Municipality

Introduction

This project supported the establishment of a Community Energy Centre (CEC) in the community of Independencia in Chile. The site had been a rubble dump that was unsafely connected to the electrical grid: it was a dangerous place where violence and crime were prevalent.

The project fostered the refurbishment of the existing buildings at the site, which were seriously dilapidated and had not been used for many years. As part of the project, photovoltaic panels, solar thermal panels and biodigesters were installed. Training was provided to municipal officials, NGOs, schools and the community in general to ensure the correct functioning of the CEC.

Technology, Operations & Maintenance

First, two biodigesters were installed. These decompose organic food waste – supplied by the community – through anaerobic processes, transforming it into biogas and digestate. The biogas serves as an energy source to replace natural gas for cooking, lighting, space heating and/or electricity generation, while the digestate is a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser for gardening activities, such as vermiculture and composting.

Second, a solar photovoltaic system was installed. This comprises 10 solar panels with a capacity of 335 Wp each. There is also a 3 kWp Solis Mini 4Gb inverter connected to the CEC's main electrical board to provide energy.

Finally, a 300 litre solar thermal system was installed, which is connected to the CEC's drinking water network.