Pablo Lamas and the Innovation in Renewable Energy

Chosica’s eternal sunlight would shine on little Pablo when he helped his classmates thanks to his knowledge and early curiosity. Pablo smiles now as he recalls that in 1989, before completing his electromechanical engineering career, he began his internship at Electrolima (formerly Edegel and now Enel Generación Perú). His curiosity evolved into a strong passion for energy that has taken him, for 27 years, to share his knowledge in the Company’s different plants, thus supporting the energy generation that brings progress to thousands of Peruvian households.

Pablo has witnessed all the corporate changes made in the Company and he is to this day an outstanding and major worker at Enel Generación Perú. As senior specialist in improvement projects and processes, and leader of innovative ideas for thermal generation, he has become the personification of Open Power Enel 's global approach. He has developed renewable energy projects and, as if that was not enough, he wants something more: to innovate them.

What did you want to be as a boy?

I loved playing, like every other kid. Over time, I decided I wanted to study something related to science. At school I liked math and was good at it, so my classmates would ask me to help them; they even gave me a nickname: “Pythagoras” (laughs). This encouraged me, so I became an engineer.

What does Open Power mean to you?

In my daily activities, I see it as doing what I like; for example, dealing with operational efficiency, which is my area of work. Within the generation management there is a department called Optimisation of Operational Performance, and my job there is to deal with improvement projects and processes. This gives me knowledge to develop energy efficiency projects.

How do you contribute with the experience you have?

Experience is an important factor, because knowing different technologies and energy processes broadens your horizon, makes you wiser. After I completed a postgraduate course in Madrid, Management of Operations and Innovation Quality, I had to do a thesis. After taking courses related to energy efficiency and the Kyoto Protocol, I felt inclined to write a thesis on renewable energy projects . After the master’s degree, I took a certification course in Project Management, and I gained more insight on how to manage projects from different areas. However, I felt that something was missing if I wanted to do my thesis on renewable energies . So I pursued another master's degree on renewable energies in Zaragoza, which gave me much more knowledge on the subject and the opportunity to write another thesis. This time I focused on the energy efficiency of the Huinco Power Plant, where it was necessary to lower the plant’s lighting consumption. In it, I proposed changing lighting inside and outside, adding LED lights, movement sensors and smart energy meters. I also plan now to add photovoltaic solar panels.

“'When I am not working, I am studying', says Pablo laughing; he is one of the most outstanding workers of Enel Generación Perú. Thanks to his academic and work experience, he has innovated the Company’s renewable energy generation.”

Did you develop the HER project?

Yes. Within the Company's innovation programme, we are encourage to convey our ideas. In 2010, I suggested to place a mini-hydraulic generator inside the discharge channel of the Huampaní Power Plant. As a result, part of the energy generated by the plant and delivered to its auxiliary servers is smaller and, in turn, the part that can be injected into the network is bigger; this makes the Company more profitable. I also proposed installing LED lighting and photovoltaic panels in the Moyopampa headquarters to lower consumption.

What is the most beautiful thing about your profession?

The most beautiful is that I can contribute the knowledge that I have and continue to learn more. I am now pursuing a doctorate in sustainability and my thesis will focus on Huampaní. It is called “Improved Performance of the Hybridisation of Renewable Energy within the discharge channel”. The research will improve the energy produced in the Huampaní channel.

Do you consider yourself an inventor, an innovator?

I am committed to innovation , which means adopting cutting edge technology available in the market and other countries but new to Peru. Bringing a new technology to a facility and make it work, operate; that is innovation.

How do you see the importance of renewable energies?

Renewable energies are shaping up as an important technology within the energy matrix in the country. In Peru, renewable energy use barely reaches 5%, while conventional energies, such as gas, oil and coal, run out and pollute; no matter how many filters are used to make them cleaner, they always generate pollution.

It is false that renewable energies are expensive. The cost of a solar or wind farms has dropped enormously. Peru has, like other countries, renewable energy auctions every 2 years, where investors put their share of renewable energy . The Peruvian government encourages the generation of renewable energy by giving higher prices at auctions. For example, the Huampaní mini hydroelectric power station was a winner in this year's auction, obtaining a price of 58 USD per megawatt, when the normal price is around 20 USD. A 20-year contract at that price is certainly attractive.

How do you see the future of renewable energy in Peru?

We have a low percentage. Policies should aim to increase support for the energy matrix in renewable energy, as they do in Chile, where a standard allows a 12% share of renewables in the energy matrix. The standard also states that must the share must reach 70% by 2035 and 100% by 2050. We, on the other hand, have the paradigm of using thermal energy because we have the Camisea gas, which at some point will run out. Renewable will be more comfortable in the long term. Peru has great resources; it is a rich country that can grow by developing its sources of renewable energy. We are going to get there, we are in a transition period. Therefore, the arrival of Enel Green Power to Enel Generación Perú means to me a great hope of being able to grow. Enel is the first and only company that has ventured into renewable energy in the country.

What is your dream, your ultimate goal?

I would like to innovate in the development of renewable energies . In China, photovoltaic solar energy travels through trolley travel bags to meet the needs of industrial project camps. Developing that kind of technology here would be ideal.

Sustainability