Zamorano Renewable Energy Center
Zamorano at the vanguard of Renewable Energy
Global warming, which alters the temperature and global weather patterns, is produced by greenhouse gasses that are principally the result of using fossil fuels like carbon and petroleum. The Latin American and Caribbean regions have demonstrated that they are not prepared to face this phenomenon, which puts a break on development and causes enormous human and economic losses.
In its search for solutions to current problems such as global warming that impede the region’s development, Zamorano created the Center for Renewable Energy in 2007. Its purpose is to promote, adapt and evaluate renewable energy technologies capable of generating opportunities for income in the region and of mitigating the effects of global warming by seeking alternatives to the use of and dependency on fossil fuels.
“The Zamorano Center for Renewable Energy places Zamorano at the forefront of research, teaching and the formulation of policies for the generation and use of renewable energy. The Center carries out projects and activities in three interconnected areas: biofuels, alternative energy sources and technology and analysis related with the creation, use and distribution of renewable energy,” explains Arie Sanders, Director of the Socioeconomic and Environment career.
The Center for Renewable Energy and the production and development of biofuel crops
The Center for Renewable Energy seeks to strengthen and expand the commitment of the Zamorano community to face the problems of rising petroleum prices and climate change by identifying local crops which can be used as alternative energy sources. Some of its recent studies have focused on biodiesel and ethanol produced from African palm oil, sugar cane, maize and soy beans, evaluating their profitability, quality and combustion energy.
The Center has also undertaken a variety of research projects, including experimenting with Jatropha seeds as biofuel, a study on the regional potential of producing ethanol from sugar cane and an evaluation of energy needs and possible solutions for the energy deficit in rural areas of Honduras. An integral evaluation was made of each energy source taking into account the efficient use of the resource and identifying forms of adapting renewable energy sources to the needs of communities and the environment. We invite you to visit the Center’s web site at: www.zamorano.edu/czer/
