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UNESCO and small energy resources
(]375-6505/88 $3.00 + [).00 Pergamon Press plc © 1988 CNR.
Geothermics, Vol. 17. No. 1, pp. 271-279. 1988.
Printed in Great Britain.
UNESCO AND SMALL E N E R G Y R E S O U R C E S L Y D W I N E D ' A N D I G N I 2 D E ASIS Division of Earth Sciences. UNESCO, Rue Miollis 1, 75700 Paris, France
Abstract--UNESCO's participation in the development of geothermal resources mainly takes the form of sponsorization of training courses for geothermal experts dedicated to graduates from developing countries. A brief description is given in this paper of UNESCO programs in the non-conventional energy sector, especially with regard to geothermal training in the International School of Geothermics of Pisa and Kyushu University.
INTRODUCTION The increasing difficulties undergone by developing countries in developing, little by little, their national energy resources indicates the importance of natural resources such as geothermal energy and of the techniques required to make proper use of small energy resources. Energy from conventional sources is expensive and the cost to developing countries in foreign currency to purchase fuel is a m a j o r constraint to development and growth. Many studies have already been done in countries likely to exploit small energy resources and some of these countries are already producing electricity from non-conventional or small-scale sources. On various occasions the United Nations have acted as coordinators for the large wealth of experience gathered by specialists throughout the world. U N E S C O ' s involvement in geothermics started in 1968 when, during a meeting of experts to evaluate the global demand for geothermists, U N E S C O was asked to organize training activities in the main disciplines involved in this field: geology, geophysics, geochemistry, drilling engineering and production engineering. Since then U N E S C O has sponsored every year two postgraduate training courses: one at the International School of Geothermics in Pisa (Italy) and the other at the Geothermal Research Centre in Kyushu (Japan), both organized with the assistance and support of the respective national authorities. Both courses offer postgraduate training to participants from developing countries. Both are conducted thanks to the dedication of teams of high-level experts and scientists. Field and laboratory training in Italy is facilitated by the involvement in this activity of several Italian entities such as the Italian Electric Energy Agency ( E N E L ) , A N S A L D O , the G e n o v a Centre for Energy Studies ( C E S E N ) , Electroconsult, etc. In Japan, field investigations take place in the Otake geothermal area and at the H a t c h o b a r u power station. Fifteen fellowships are offered every year by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and about the same n u m b e r by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, while U N E S C O provides its sponsorship as well as a small amount to cover the air tickets of selected participants, or expenses related to field work. I am not going to review here the scientific content of the programmes, but I would like to point out that efforts have always been made to try to cope with field reality and requirements. In this respect, both p r o g r a m m e s always aim at offering an equilibrium between theoretical training and laboratory and field work. 277
278
L. d'Andigne~ de Asis
Prior to the first session of both courses, contact was made by the organizers with institutions in developed and developing countries so as to define the type of information that would be needed to train ~he most efficient specialists in geothermics, those specialists who are effectively lacking in developing countries, and draw up suitable work programmes. This enquiry led to the conclusion that the curriculum would best be designed so as to provide participants with basic general notions as well as with the fundamental knowledge required from technicians. Persons trained in the Pisa course thus receive training on all the prospecting methods used in geothermal research, so that, once they return to their home country, they are able to develop a geothermal project from the initial reconnaissance phase to the end of exploration. They also receive sufficient scientific background to enable them to collaborate with experts in related fields (geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, etc.). The purpose of the Kyushu course, which is of shorter duration (3 months compared to the 7½ months of the Pisa course), is to provide "sufficient training for an earth scientist or engineer to join a geothermal project at any stage of development". According to investigations by the organizers of the Pisa course, ex-trainees of this course have since 1978 gradually been put in charge of geothermal research in their own countries and, as a consequence, the demand for specialists has evolved from general geothermists to exploration experts capable of expanding already existing projects. The course syllabus was therefore modified in order to train the staff required for the exploration phase of geothermal projects. Thus the programme now gives emphasis to exploration methods and technologies rather than to the techniques of field exploitation and plant management. A great deal of effort is also made to provide practical experience. In Japan the course ends with an evaluation by the participants of the various components of the courses (lectures, laboratory work, field work, field trips, etc.). The results of this evaluation are taken into account in modifications and improvements made to subsequent programmes, which incorporate newly acquired knowledge and technologies. In Pisa too, special attention is paid to requests formulated by individual participants. Whenever possible, tuition a la carte is in fact offered to participants of either course with specific work problems in their own country. The success of both courses can be evaluated through the number of applications received each year, which greatly exceeds the places available (15 people per year for each course). A strict policy had to be set for the selection of candidates, taking into account the geothermal potential of the home country of the candidate as well as his professional preparation and experience. This procedure seems to have proved successful, since it appears that about 80% of the participants are now involved in the geothermal sector. I will not enter into statistical details concerning the participants. Data on the course in Kyushu have been provided to the organizers of the Pisa course for their own contribution to this seminar. I will only emphasize that since the inception of both courses 216 people have been trained in Kyushu, of which 11% come from Africa, 5.5% from Arab States, 44% from Asia, 7.5% from Europe and 32% from Latin America. In Pisa, a total of 239 geothermists have been trained between 1970 and 1987, of which 8.5% come from Africa, 3% from Arab States, 31% from Asia, 17% from Europe and 40.5% from Latin America. It should be pointed out that scholarships are offered only to participants from developing countries. Some participants from other countries attend at their own expense. Apart from these two courses, U N E S C O has participated in the organization by O L A D E of some training seminars on more specific topics, such as drilling and reservoir engineering in Mexico in 1981 and 1983, geovolcanology in Quito (Ecuador) in 1983, for which U N E S C O also
UNESCO and Small Energy Resources
279
provided some laboratory equipment, geophysics in Manizales (Colombia), etc. Unfortunately, from information we have received from our Regional Office in Latin America, it would appear that O L A D E has discontinued these training activities. One might also mention other short duration seminars on a specific subject organized in the Philippines in 1982, in Panama in 1984, in Brazil in 1984 and 1986 etc. Around one hundred people have benefited from this training. A few years ago, UNESCO was asked to sponsor the publication of a Handbook on the Economics of Geothermal Energy. The manuscript is now ready and will be jointly published by Sunderland Polytechnic in the U.K. and the Commission of European Communities. Parallel to its involvement in the training of geothermists, UNESCO also conducts an information programme on new and renewable sources of energy which works through subregional pilot projects designed to strengthen national capabilities through regional cooperation. The global network is in fact designed to promote the availability of alternative sources of energy and to develop information systems that could collect, process, store and disseminate all information available on such sources of energy. It aims also at strengthening the capabilities of selected institutions in order to develop centres of excellence in specialized fields. This programme consists of training and development of communication exchanges through integrated data bases and utilization of new information technologies, such as compact disks and videotexts. A data base is available to provide information on institutions at national and international level that have expertise in the scientific, economic, and political aspects of energy sources such as biomass, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, ocean energy and, of course, geothermal energy. Some 4000 entries representing 160 countries have been gathered to date although this type of information is rather difficult to obtain because of the frequent lack of trained personnel in developing countries. Work, however, continues and a second edition of the International Directory of New and Renewable Energy was published in 1986. UNESCO would be grateful to anyone interested in helping to update future editions of this directory, both on geothermal energy and other resources. Finally, UNESCO launched in 1986 a "Deposit modeling programme" designed to advance geoscientific knowledge and expertise in mineral deposit modeling for use in exploration, assessment, and development of resources. It is also designed to facilitate the transfer of this expertise to developing countries. One function of the programme is to compile and publish information on existing models. This activity is aimed, for the time being, at mineral deposits, but could perhaps be adapted to the study of reservoirs. In this case, we are willing to help you with experience already gained in this field. This is a small overview of UNESCO activities in the field of small energy resources. We intend to continue along the same lines but are open to any suggestions and would be most grateful to those willing to help us achieve our goal, which is the transfer of technology to developing countries.
Geothermics, Vol. 17. No. 1, pp. 271-279. 1988.
Printed in Great Britain.
UNESCO AND SMALL E N E R G Y R E S O U R C E S L Y D W I N E D ' A N D I G N I 2 D E ASIS Division of Earth Sciences. UNESCO, Rue Miollis 1, 75700 Paris, France
Abstract--UNESCO's participation in the development of geothermal resources mainly takes the form of sponsorization of training courses for geothermal experts dedicated to graduates from developing countries. A brief description is given in this paper of UNESCO programs in the non-conventional energy sector, especially with regard to geothermal training in the International School of Geothermics of Pisa and Kyushu University.
INTRODUCTION The increasing difficulties undergone by developing countries in developing, little by little, their national energy resources indicates the importance of natural resources such as geothermal energy and of the techniques required to make proper use of small energy resources. Energy from conventional sources is expensive and the cost to developing countries in foreign currency to purchase fuel is a m a j o r constraint to development and growth. Many studies have already been done in countries likely to exploit small energy resources and some of these countries are already producing electricity from non-conventional or small-scale sources. On various occasions the United Nations have acted as coordinators for the large wealth of experience gathered by specialists throughout the world. U N E S C O ' s involvement in geothermics started in 1968 when, during a meeting of experts to evaluate the global demand for geothermists, U N E S C O was asked to organize training activities in the main disciplines involved in this field: geology, geophysics, geochemistry, drilling engineering and production engineering. Since then U N E S C O has sponsored every year two postgraduate training courses: one at the International School of Geothermics in Pisa (Italy) and the other at the Geothermal Research Centre in Kyushu (Japan), both organized with the assistance and support of the respective national authorities. Both courses offer postgraduate training to participants from developing countries. Both are conducted thanks to the dedication of teams of high-level experts and scientists. Field and laboratory training in Italy is facilitated by the involvement in this activity of several Italian entities such as the Italian Electric Energy Agency ( E N E L ) , A N S A L D O , the G e n o v a Centre for Energy Studies ( C E S E N ) , Electroconsult, etc. In Japan, field investigations take place in the Otake geothermal area and at the H a t c h o b a r u power station. Fifteen fellowships are offered every year by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and about the same n u m b e r by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, while U N E S C O provides its sponsorship as well as a small amount to cover the air tickets of selected participants, or expenses related to field work. I am not going to review here the scientific content of the programmes, but I would like to point out that efforts have always been made to try to cope with field reality and requirements. In this respect, both p r o g r a m m e s always aim at offering an equilibrium between theoretical training and laboratory and field work. 277
278
L. d'Andigne~ de Asis
Prior to the first session of both courses, contact was made by the organizers with institutions in developed and developing countries so as to define the type of information that would be needed to train ~he most efficient specialists in geothermics, those specialists who are effectively lacking in developing countries, and draw up suitable work programmes. This enquiry led to the conclusion that the curriculum would best be designed so as to provide participants with basic general notions as well as with the fundamental knowledge required from technicians. Persons trained in the Pisa course thus receive training on all the prospecting methods used in geothermal research, so that, once they return to their home country, they are able to develop a geothermal project from the initial reconnaissance phase to the end of exploration. They also receive sufficient scientific background to enable them to collaborate with experts in related fields (geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, etc.). The purpose of the Kyushu course, which is of shorter duration (3 months compared to the 7½ months of the Pisa course), is to provide "sufficient training for an earth scientist or engineer to join a geothermal project at any stage of development". According to investigations by the organizers of the Pisa course, ex-trainees of this course have since 1978 gradually been put in charge of geothermal research in their own countries and, as a consequence, the demand for specialists has evolved from general geothermists to exploration experts capable of expanding already existing projects. The course syllabus was therefore modified in order to train the staff required for the exploration phase of geothermal projects. Thus the programme now gives emphasis to exploration methods and technologies rather than to the techniques of field exploitation and plant management. A great deal of effort is also made to provide practical experience. In Japan the course ends with an evaluation by the participants of the various components of the courses (lectures, laboratory work, field work, field trips, etc.). The results of this evaluation are taken into account in modifications and improvements made to subsequent programmes, which incorporate newly acquired knowledge and technologies. In Pisa too, special attention is paid to requests formulated by individual participants. Whenever possible, tuition a la carte is in fact offered to participants of either course with specific work problems in their own country. The success of both courses can be evaluated through the number of applications received each year, which greatly exceeds the places available (15 people per year for each course). A strict policy had to be set for the selection of candidates, taking into account the geothermal potential of the home country of the candidate as well as his professional preparation and experience. This procedure seems to have proved successful, since it appears that about 80% of the participants are now involved in the geothermal sector. I will not enter into statistical details concerning the participants. Data on the course in Kyushu have been provided to the organizers of the Pisa course for their own contribution to this seminar. I will only emphasize that since the inception of both courses 216 people have been trained in Kyushu, of which 11% come from Africa, 5.5% from Arab States, 44% from Asia, 7.5% from Europe and 32% from Latin America. In Pisa, a total of 239 geothermists have been trained between 1970 and 1987, of which 8.5% come from Africa, 3% from Arab States, 31% from Asia, 17% from Europe and 40.5% from Latin America. It should be pointed out that scholarships are offered only to participants from developing countries. Some participants from other countries attend at their own expense. Apart from these two courses, U N E S C O has participated in the organization by O L A D E of some training seminars on more specific topics, such as drilling and reservoir engineering in Mexico in 1981 and 1983, geovolcanology in Quito (Ecuador) in 1983, for which U N E S C O also
UNESCO and Small Energy Resources
279
provided some laboratory equipment, geophysics in Manizales (Colombia), etc. Unfortunately, from information we have received from our Regional Office in Latin America, it would appear that O L A D E has discontinued these training activities. One might also mention other short duration seminars on a specific subject organized in the Philippines in 1982, in Panama in 1984, in Brazil in 1984 and 1986 etc. Around one hundred people have benefited from this training. A few years ago, UNESCO was asked to sponsor the publication of a Handbook on the Economics of Geothermal Energy. The manuscript is now ready and will be jointly published by Sunderland Polytechnic in the U.K. and the Commission of European Communities. Parallel to its involvement in the training of geothermists, UNESCO also conducts an information programme on new and renewable sources of energy which works through subregional pilot projects designed to strengthen national capabilities through regional cooperation. The global network is in fact designed to promote the availability of alternative sources of energy and to develop information systems that could collect, process, store and disseminate all information available on such sources of energy. It aims also at strengthening the capabilities of selected institutions in order to develop centres of excellence in specialized fields. This programme consists of training and development of communication exchanges through integrated data bases and utilization of new information technologies, such as compact disks and videotexts. A data base is available to provide information on institutions at national and international level that have expertise in the scientific, economic, and political aspects of energy sources such as biomass, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, ocean energy and, of course, geothermal energy. Some 4000 entries representing 160 countries have been gathered to date although this type of information is rather difficult to obtain because of the frequent lack of trained personnel in developing countries. Work, however, continues and a second edition of the International Directory of New and Renewable Energy was published in 1986. UNESCO would be grateful to anyone interested in helping to update future editions of this directory, both on geothermal energy and other resources. Finally, UNESCO launched in 1986 a "Deposit modeling programme" designed to advance geoscientific knowledge and expertise in mineral deposit modeling for use in exploration, assessment, and development of resources. It is also designed to facilitate the transfer of this expertise to developing countries. One function of the programme is to compile and publish information on existing models. This activity is aimed, for the time being, at mineral deposits, but could perhaps be adapted to the study of reservoirs. In this case, we are willing to help you with experience already gained in this field. This is a small overview of UNESCO activities in the field of small energy resources. We intend to continue along the same lines but are open to any suggestions and would be most grateful to those willing to help us achieve our goal, which is the transfer of technology to developing countries.