The GREEN ProgramCosta Rica

May 22, 2013- June 2, 2013

Amanda Murphy

1 Table of Contents Section Title Introduction Page Number 2

History of Costa Ricas Unique Energy Circumstances

Travel Journals

Glossary of Terms

Analysis of Costa Rican vs. U.S. Government Structure and Energy Industry

11

Capstone Executive Summary

14

2 Introduction The Global Renewable Energy Education Network, more commonly known as GREEN, is a study abroad experience related to renewable energies. The GREEN program is an experience of a lifetime. The program provides students with the opportunity to be adventurous and step outside of their comfort-zones. This 12-day adventure includes visiting renewable energy facilities, such as wind turbine and geothermal plants, learning from industry experts and even implementing innovative sustainable solutions in local communities. Students are given the opportunity to work with others from different universities on a capstone project related to environmental sustainability. Working with students from different universities is, of course, beneficial towards those students educational journey because it lets them see things from a new perspective. GREEN encourages open-mindedness, language immersion, and global awareness by submerging students into a unique culture in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is one of the few locations in the world where solar, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and biomass energy facilities converge. Students arrive in the city of Liberia, Costa Rica and then travel to the Volcano Brewing Company (the first hotel) which is located in the city of Tilaran, (state of Guanacaste). Other locations visited throughout the trip include: Hotel Puerto San Luis (city of San Luis) located near Lake Arenal, Thermo Mania (city of Guayabo de Bagaces) near the Miravalles Volcano (National Park), and Hotel Zullymar (city of Tamarindo Beach). Upon completion of the program, students gain access to the GREEN Alumni Network. Becoming a part of this network permits GREEN Alumni to connect with other alumnus as well as professionals within the industry, which unquestionably, will be beneficial when job searching. As an additional benefit, students gain personalized letters of recommendation from the industry professionals under whom they work while in Costa Rica.

3 History of Costa Ricas Unique Energy Circumstances Costa Rica is a country that is unique from any other. It is unique in the fact that, currently ninety percent of the countrys electricity is generated from renewable energies 1. These renewable energies include: biomass, hydro-power, geothermal, wind, and solar generated energy. However, Costa Rica has not been reliant on renewables for very long. Energy distribution and generation was first controlled by the public Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) in 1949 2. ICE started in the 1940s as exclusive controller of energy sources and oversaw construction of Arenal reservoir in the 1970s which produces 20% of the country's electric needs 5. ICE was given a monopoly over the distribution, generation, and transmission of electricity throughout the country. Yet, since the energy industry was strategically necessary for the development of Costa Rica, electric power generation had been nationalized earlier in 1941 2. ICEs monopoly included the creation of local utility companies, in the early 1960s, which purchased electricity from ICE and distributed it locally. In 1990, a new law allowed private companies to generate electricity for sale, albeit only to ICE. The law established limits on the amount of electricity that could be generated privately, as well as the type, specifying that that power could only be generated privately by small-scale hydro plants or other unconventional, or renewable, sources of power. The law also established limits on the size of private plants as well as the percentage of the countrys total installed capacity from private sources (originally 15 percent) 2. Today, the limit on private generating capacity stands at thirty percent of the total installed capacity. Back in 2005, President scar Arias announced that he would like to make the country carbon neutral (having a net zero carbon footprint) by the year 2021. A few weeks after his announcement, a delegation of representatives from the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) arrived in Costa Rica to discuss with the

4 President and his cabinet the feasibility of carbon neutrality, and about how Costa Rica could become a model for the rest of the world 3. Then, in April 2006, members of E2, participated in a NRDC trip to Costa Rica 3. The primary focus of the trip was to understand the potential threat of Harken Energy drilling for oil off of the Caribbean coast. In May 2006, NRDC attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. wrote a letter to President Arias on the occasion of his inauguration, suggesting a goal of carbon neutrality was indeed feasible and that NRDC and E2 were available to help develop a plan. The motivation behind the assessment of opportunities was based on the belief that Costa Rica has excellent potential to develop biofuels without impacting food crops or reducing tropical forests and observing this process would help us understand the differences between addressing climate in the developed and the developing worlds 3. Under the direction of Robert Dobles, Minister of the Environment and Energy, in 2007, the Costa Rican government developed a plan in order to achieve carbon neutrality. Peace with Nature was designed to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Costa Rica already had created regulatory measures to be set in place, beginning in 2008. At that time all Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE, the gasoline additive) would be replaced with low-carbon ethanol from sugarcane 3. The NRDC submitted a proposal (in addition to the plan outlined above) which would emphasize in increasing energy efficiency, raising fuel economy and promoting plug-in hybrids, encouraging productions of biomass and biofuels for electricity, and improving public transport. Minister Dobles created a draft report of the carbon neutral strategy, which was submitted in July 2007 and reviewed by the NRDC and E2. Costa Rica has recently been practicing collaboration with the NRDC to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2021.

5 The general public has been supportive of the neutrality movement. While I was studying abroad in Costa Rica, my Costa Rican mentor, Oliver, explained to me that the current President, Laura Chinchilla, is working hard to keep the goal of carbon neutrality by 2021 in mind. He clarified that she is very popular with the younger generations or ticos of the country. Oliver also explained that not only is it the ticos that support the movement but it is the rest of the country as well. He clarified that Costa Ricans realize renewables are the future and he feels that if we dont change our ways of how we generate electricity, we are going to destroy our planet. In the initial stages of the carbon neutrality movement Costa Rica was considering using tax incentives to help finance the project. However, today, some funding comes from other countries. For example, in June 2013, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) provided $100 million dollars towards a banking loan program in order for local Costa Rican banks to lower interest rates for renewable energy projects and sustainable transportation 4. One of the largest concerns for Costa Rica is the backlog on infrastructure; it goes as far back as twenty-five years. Existing structure, like bridges, are in critical conditions. American Highways 1, 27, and 32 connect the Central Valley to the Pacific Coasts and the Caribbean 6. Highway 27 is a newly constructed path, concession and is a direct connection between San Jose and the various tourist destinations in the Pacific coast 6. Because the railway system has not been working since 1994, the capacity of the airports in Juan Santamaria and Liberia have been taken over by increasing tourism 6. These upgrades in infrastructure have allowed for the country to expand upon the development of renewable energies. Costa Rica is unique because they are working towards producing a net zero carbon footprint by the year 2021. Renewable energies are the future, and Costa Rica is taking the correct action in creating a cleaner planet for future generations.

6 References: 1. http://news.co.cr/costa-rica-committed-to-renewable-energy/15673/ 2. http://www.ticotimes.net/Sustainable-Living/A-renewable-power-generationprimer_Friday-September-07-2012 3. http://www.e2.org/jsp/controller?docId=13225&section=costarica 4. http://thinkgeoenergy.com/archives/15678 5. http://www.welovecostarica.com/public/150.cfm 6. http://sustainable-infra.wikispaces.com/3.+Costa+Rica+Infrastructure+Facts+and+History

7 Travel Journals http://www.personal.psu.edu/amm6485/blogs/travel_journal/2013/08/travel-journal-thegreen-program-guanacaste-costa-rica-may-22-2013-june-2-2013.html

8 Glossary of Terms Automated Plant: a place where an industrial or manufacturing process takes place in which mechanized production processes in which the control and monitoring functions previously performed by humans are transferred to instruments and automatic devices. Derived from automated plant. 2013. In The Free Dictionary.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Automation+of+Production Boiler: a closed vessel or arrangement of vessels and tubes, together with a furnace or other heat source, in which steam or other vapor is generated from water to drive turbines or engines, supply heat, process certain materials, etc. Derived from boiler. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/boiler?s=t Capacity: the maximum amount or number that can be received or contained. Derived from capacity. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/capacity?s=t Carbon Footprint: a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a single endeavor or by a company, household, or individual through day-to-day activities over a given period. Derived from carbon footprint. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/carbon+footprint?s=t Carbon Neutral: pertaining to or having achieved a state in which the net amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere is reduced to zero because it is balanced by actions to reduce or offset these emissions. Derived from carbon neutral. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/carbon+neutral?s=t Diffused Solar Radiation: describes the sunlight that has been scattered by molecules and particles in the atmosphere but that has still made it down to the surface of the Earth. Watson, A. M., & Watson, D. E. (2011). Direct, Diffused, and Reflected Radiation. In FT

9 Exploring Science and Technology. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://www.ftexploring.com/solar-energy/direct-and-diffuse-radiation.htm Direct Solar Radiation: sometimes called "beam radiation" or "direct beam radiation". It is used to describe solar radiation traveling on a straight line from the sun down to the surface of the Earth. Watson, A. M., & Watson, D. E. (2011). Direct, Diffused, and Reflected Radiation. In FT Exploring Science and Technology. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://www.ftexploring.com/solar-energy/direct-and-diffuse-radiation.htm Efficiency: the ratio of the work done or energy developed by a machine, engine, etc., to the energy supplied to it, usually expressed as a percentage. Derived from efficiency. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/efficiency?&o=100074&s=t Generator: a machine that converts one form of energy into another, especially mechanical energy into electrical energy, an apparatus for producing a gas or vapor. Derived from generator. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013 from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/generator?s=t Maleku Tribe: a unique tribe in that the people speak their own language and are struggling to hold onto their original traditions and customs. There are only a few hundred Malekus left on the reservation. The Maleku Tribe of Costa Rica. (2007). In Maleku. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://maleku.com/ Megawatt: a unit of power, equal to one million watts. Abbreviation: MW. Derived from megawatt. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/megawatt?s=t Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB): any of a family of very stable industrial compounds used as lubricants, heat-transfer fluids, and plasticizers. The manufacture and use of PCBs has been restricted since the 1970s because they are very harmful to the environment, being especially deadly to fish and invertebrates, and stay in the food chain for many years. Derived from PCB. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pcbs?s=t

10 Reflected Solar Radiation: describes sunlight that has been reflected off of non-atmospheric things such as the ground. For example: Asphalt reflects about 4% of the light that strikes it and a lawn about 25%. Watson, A. M., & Watson, D. E. (2011). Direct, Diffused, and Reflected Radiation. In FT Exploring Science and Technology. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://www.ftexploring.com/solar-energy/direct-and-diffuse-radiation.htm Reforestation: is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation. Derived from reforestation. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/reforestation?s=t Ticos: a colloquial term for a native person of Costa Rica. Costa Ricans are usually called ticos by themselves and persons of other Spanish-speaking countries, in place of the more formal costarricenses. Biesanz, M. H., Biesanz, R., & Biesanz, K. Z. (1998). The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica. Retrieved October 13, 2013 Transmission Line: a system of conductors, as coaxial cable, a wave guide, or a pair of parallel wires, used to transmit signals. Derived from transmission lines. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/transmission+line?s=t Turbine: any of various machines having a rotor, usually with vanes or blades, driven by the pressure, momentum, or reactive thrust of a moving fluid, as steam, water, hot gases, or air, either occurring in the form of free jets or as a fluid passing through and entirely filling a housing around the rotor. Derived from turbine. 2013. In Dictionary.Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/turbine?s=t

11 Analysis of Costa Rican vs. U.S. Government Structure and Energy Industry Costa Rica and the United States share similarities but also encounter differences in the way their governments are structured and also within their energy industry sectors. Both Costa Rica and the U.S. are democratic countries, meaning that citizens share equality above the law 1. Another similarity is that both governments are split into three different powers; the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Costa Ricas executive power is comprised of the president (the current president is Laura Chinchilla), two vice-presidents, and the ministers: 17 members total, which make up the Government Council. In the U.S. government, the executive branch is composed of the president, vice-president, departments, and independent agencies, similar to Costa Ricas executive branch. The Costa Rican Legislative Assembly is a body composed of 57 members elected from proportional representation 2. The assembly holds a multitude of responsibilities, including the power to amend the presidents budget, appoint the Comptroller General (checks public expenditures and prevents executive power from overspending) and also to appoint Supreme Court judges. It is the job of Costa Ricas current twenty-four judges to appoint judges for civil and penal courts. The courts also employ three permanent magistrates on the Special Electoral Tribunal. The Special Electoral Tribunal oversees each election. The seven provinces of Costa Rica (Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and San Jose) are ruled by a governor appointed by the president. The provinces are then divided further into 81 countries and then into 421 districts. Each district is ruled by a municipal government. The provinces main role is to serve as electoral districts for the Legislative Assembly 2. Similar to Costa Ricas Legislative Assembly, the United States legislative branch includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives includes 435 members who each represent a congressional district from a different state. The House can create laws that enforce people to pay taxes and also decide if a government official

12 should be put on trial before the Senate if he or she commits a crime against the country. The Senate has 100 members (two from each state) and like the House and similar to Costa Ricas Legislative Assembly, it has special duties that only it can perform as well. Some of these special duties include, confirming or disapproving any treaties the presidents drafts, and approving or condemning the presidential appointments such as the Cabinet, officers, Supreme Court justices and ambassadors. Differing from Costa Ricas government, the Senate can also hold a trial for any government official that commits a crime. Costa Ricas energy industry is far more advanced in terms of renewable energy compared to the United States. Currently both countries utilize hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, wind and solar energies, as well as coal, natural gas and oil reserves. The United States uses all of these technologies on both a large and small-scale. Renewable energy generation is an increasingly important part of our nations energy security and economic growth 3. However, Costa Rica is aiming to become completely carbon neutral by the year 2025, meaning that there would be no releases of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The U.S. has problems with emissions of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, and is contributing to global warming. People in Costa Rica use 85.7% less electricity and consume 84.15% less oil than people in the United States 4. My perception of the Costa Rican publics attitude regarding their economy and energy situation is that they are supportive of the plan to become carbon neutral by the year 2021. When I was there, almost all of the locals I talked with seemed to be very passionate and exhibited pride in their advancements made with renewables. Costa Ricans, in general, have a very laid back attitude and are friendly even to complete strangers. They make you feel at home no matter where you are, and I think that they bring these qualities to the workplace; especially those who work at the renewable energy plants. While visiting the plants, I noticed that the operators who gave us our tours were open to any answering any

13 question we had regarding the plant. They went above and beyond; taking us into restricted areas, and trusted us to not hit the big red button (a.k.a. the button that shuts down the entire operation). It was obvious that not only the people who work at the plants are very proud of Costa Ricas accomplishments, but the community is as well. I believe that the people of Costa Rica will continue to support the government in their goal to become carbon neutral by 2025. I cant wait to watch them reach their goal, and it is my hope that the U.S. can one day also become entirely carbon neutral too. References: 1. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/democratic?s=ts 2. http://www.infocostarica.com/general/government.html

3. http://www.infrastructureusa.org/acore-strategies-to-scale-up-u-s-renewable-energyinvestment/ 4. http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/CR

14 Capstone Executive Summary For my Capstone Project I collaborated my skills and expertise with three other students, all from different universities. The students were: Kate Kincaid (Texas A&M; Environmental Geoscience), Giuliano Geronymo (University of Florida; Mechanical Engineering), and Dan Courtney (University of Notre Dame; Civil Engineering). Since all of us came from different backgrounds, not only educational, but socially as well, we were able to come together to create a unique proposal. Our proposal was as follows: To propose a model home using local materials for low income Haitian families which is both affordable and secure. At the creation of our proposal, we werent exactly sure about the economic feasibility of earthquake safe home; affordability was our greatest concern. In order to keep costs down we made it a point to incorporate as many local materials into the building of the homes as possible. Personally, I wanted to see these materials used in a sustainable way. As a solution, we agreed upon a ferrocement dome geometry for the structure of the home. The dome geometry of the house was chosen because of its strong, self-supporting shape. A dome geometry is more disaster resistant to hurricanes and earthquakes (both common natural disasters in Haiti). A dome made out of cement is also a good way to decrease vandalism and robbery. The main reason for choosing ferrocement is that it is cost effective. Ferrocement is a mixture of cement and sand which is placed over woven steel mesh and rebar; it requires less material than cement, making it more energy efficient and ultimately lowering the overall cost. We also designed a rainwater collection and water purification system to add into the design of the home. For lighting, we chose a recycled solar light bulb, and for ventilation, a roof-cooling vent would be used. We used real costs when conducting our estimates and determined that a micro-financing plan would be the best option for the people of Haiti. My

15 team and I presented our proposal to a panel of industry experts as well as to the rest of our classmates on Day 9 of the trip. Our project was received well; the audience seemed to be genuinely interested in what my teammates and I had to say. Afterwards, there was a Q&A period, and also a discussion regarding our proposal. There were some questions, but, I wouldnt go as far as to say any of them were compelling. See PowerPoint presentation attached for more info and graphics demonstrating the proposed project.