Telescopes could help power isolated communities in Chile’s Atacama Desert

Telescopes could help power isolated communities in Chile’s Atacama Desert

by Erica Marchand

Paris, France (SPX) Oct 13, 2024

New research published in ‘Nature Sustainability’ reveals that integrating a renewable energy system for the AtLAST telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert could meet 66% of the energy needs of the nearby town of San Pedro de Atacama, offering a dual solution for both scientific infrastructure and local communities.

The proposed system would reduce dependence on fossil fuels, benefiting the observatory on the Chajnantor plateau and surrounding residential areas by providing cleaner, renewable energy. The study suggests that similar energy solutions at other nearby telescopes could cut fossil fuel usage by 30GWh annually, preventing 18-24 kilotonnes of CO2 emissions while expanding access to affordable clean energy.

The Chajnantor plateau is home to key observatories like the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which currently rely on diesel and gas generators for power due to their isolation from Chile’s national grid.

With the Atacama Desert offering some of the world’s highest solar energy potential, researchers found that surplus energy from the AtLAST telescope’s system could significantly benefit San Pedro de Atacama without additional solar infrastructure. “A solar renewable energy system sized to supply the telescope could cover 66% of the electricity demand of San Pedro de Atacama without additional capacities in PV or battery,” explained co-author Luis Ramirez Camargo from Utrecht University.

The researchers highlight the concept of “energy communities” – collaborative efforts involving public, private, and commercial stakeholders to jointly invest in energy infrastructure. This model encourages local engagement, as lead author Guillermo Valenzuela Venegas from the University of Oslo emphasized, “Allowing those who are truly affected to participate in the discussion and influence decision-making is essential to arrive at just, locally applicable solutions for the energy transition.”

Ramirez Camargo added, “Our research shows that astronomy can lead by example in the urgent transition to an equitable net-zero world, ensuring no one is left behind.”