“Energy Efficiency and Standardization Process Alternatives” National Meeting

Within the framework of the PEER Project, BUN-CA, together with the Industrial Standards and Technology Bureau (DGNTI) and Universidad Tecnológica of Panama (UTP), and with participation of the National Energy Saving Commission (CONAE) of Mexico, organized the “Energy Efficiency and Standardization Process Alternatives” National Meeting.

This meeting was held to continue promoting the exchange of experiences on energy-saving issues in standardization and labeling processes, and the importance of Metrology in implementing Standards in the Republic of Panama through Mexican expert involvement, in order to increase electric energy efficiency and further progress in Central American standardization.

The Meeting took place last June 11-12, 2008, with the following activities:
 
Wednesday 11:   National Meeting: Mexican experience in Standardization Processes, Panama City. (See agenda)

Thursday 12:        Technical meeting: National Metrology Center of Panama (CENAMEP).
...............................Knowledge-Sharing Workshop: Universidad Tecnológica of Panama. (See agenda)

Presentation of National Energy Efficiency Technical Standards

The Costa Rican Technical Standards Institute (INTECO), as implementing agency of the Program for SME Competitiveness Through Technical Standardization in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, and BUN-CA within the framework of PEER, are organizing an event, “Presentation of National Energy Efficiency Technical Standards.”

This event to meant to:

• Present and disseminate energy efficiency refrigerator and lamp standards developed by INTECO in the framework of the Program for SME Competitiveness Through Technical Standardization in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
• Promote the application of standards developed in production sectors, particularly in small- and medium-size enterprises (SME’s).
• Present the benefits of product certification and the support they could get from the INTECO/IDB/MIF Program

The event will take place on Wednesday July 02, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Hotel in San José, Costa Rica.

Civil Society Summit  “Changing Tracks in View of Climate Change”

BUN-CA, in the framework of its Regional Energy Efficiency Strategy, participated in civil society’s “Changing Tracks in View of Climate Change” summit with a paper on the need for changing the energy matrix in the Central American region.
 
The Central American Integration System Advisory Committee (CCSICA) and the Central American Social Forum on Environment and Energy (FOSCAD), together with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), co-sponsored this meeting as part of a process to create spaces for Central American civil society advocacy on climate change and the development of a concerted agenda for action in face of climate change, where energy efficiency and renewable energy sources are promoted.
 
The event took place on May 23-24 at the Copanti Hotel in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (see agenda)

Workshop on “Energy Efficiency Project Promotion and Financing”

BUN-CA Regional Director, José María Blanco, made a presentation at the meeting “Energy Efficiency Project Promotion and Financing”, organized by the private investment group E+Co Capital, manager of the Central American investment fund CAREC. This Fund invests in energy efficiency and clean energy projects.
The event took place on May 09, 2008 at the Ramada Herradura Hotel, San José, Costa Rica.

Ist Central American Workshop on Clean Energy: “Sharing Experiences and Looking to the Future”

BUN-CA Regional Director, José María Blanco, participated in the I Central American Workshop on Clean Energy: “Sharing Experiences and Looking to the Future”.

This workshop was organized by E+Co, a leading company in renewable energy project financing, and SOL RAY, a Costa Rican business engaged in promoting clean energy, and had the purpose of sharing experiences and achievements by well-known Central American companies in the use of solar energy.

The event was held in June 16 at the Selva Verde Hotel, Costa Rica. (See agenda)

BUN-CA/HIVOS

Energy Diagnoses Delivered to Nicaraguan Hotels

BUN-CA, in the framework of the PEEST III Project, financed by HIVOS, is following up on actions developed with Nicaraguan hotels by delivering Energy Diagnoses and monitoring identified Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECO’s) at hotels, so they can achieve savings in their electric consumption bills.

3rd Train the Trainers Workshop

BUN-CA, within the framework of the Regional Energy Efficiency Project (PEER) is organizing the 3rd “Train the Trainers on Energy Efficiency” regional workshop to be conducted in July, 2008, in coordination with UCA of El Salvador. The main topic to be covered will be air conditioning and refrigeration. Further information will be featured in our next Electronic Newsletter.

SME follow-up in Central America

Following up on the SME Strategy developed by BUN-CA in the framework of the PEER Project, consultant Javier Vadillo –an SME expert– will be on a regional assignment in June to monitor SME’s that participated in training and awareness-raising workshops.

The consultant will monitor the impacts of implemented measures, identify and remove barriers to electric energy-saving measure implementation, and facilitate the joint development of electric energy diagnoses with SME staff.

Central American Electricity Subsector Statistics

The preliminary report “Central American Isthmus: Electricity Subsector Statistics” is made available by ECLAT  (more information)

2nd Central American Workshop on “Standardization and Energy Efficiency Conformity Assessment”

Presentations made at the 2nd Regional Workshop on “Standardization and Energy Efficiency Conformity Assessment”, which took place last April and was organized by the National Science and Technology Council (CONACYT) of El Salvador, together with BUN-CA, are available to all interested parties. (more information)

INTECO Invites Professionals to Join the Consultant Roster

In the framework of the Program for SME Competitiveness Through Technical Standardization in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, INTECO/IDB/MIF Technical Cooperation Agreement No. ATN/ME-8976-RG, INTECO invites professionals from various areas with demonstrated experience in implementing voluntary technical standards in Small- and Medium-Size Enterprises (SME’s) to join the Program’s Individual Consultant Roster. The registration form can be filled out at the webpage www.comccanor.org by clicking on the link “Solicitud de Inscripción de Implementadores y Evaluadores” (Implementor and Assessor Registration Application), or it can be requested through an e-mail at rarrones@inteco.or.cr, or at telephone 2280-8201 or fax 2283-4831, attention Rebeca Arrones.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Publications

In developing implemented Projects, publications made on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy subjects, as well as on other BUN-CA work areas, are made available by BUN-CA. (See listing)