Nasirov, S., Cruz, E., Agostini, C. A., & Silva, C. (2019). Policy Makers' Perspectives on the Expansion of Renewable Energy Sources in Chile's Electricity Auctions. Energies, 12(21), 17 pp.
Abstract: Chile has become one of the first few countries where renewable sources compete directly with conventional generation in price-based auctions. Moreover, the results of energy auctions during the last few years show a remarkable transition from conventional fossil fuels to renewable energies. In fact, the energy auction in 2017, to provide energy to customers from distribution companies, achieved a massive expansion in renewable technology at one of the lowest prices in the world. These positive results prompted the question if such results were permanent or temporal due to factors with limited effects. In this regard, this paper studies the key factors that drove the significant rise of renewable technologies in Chilean energy auctions, obtaining valuable lessons for regulators, not only in Chile, but also in the region and the world. For this purpose, we considered a well-proven method based on a hybrid multicriteria decision-making model to examine and prioritize the main drivers of the expansion of renewables in auctions. The results showed that some specific characteristics of the auction design, particularly the hourly supply blocks, the lead time for project construction, and contract duration, were the most significant drivers for the expansion of renewables in energy auctions. Moreover, the results showed that, provided that the auction design accommodates for such drivers, solar energy ends up as the most attractive technology in the Chilean auctions. The research also shows the main findings are robust by the application of a probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
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Vera, R., Cruz, E., Bagnara, M., Araya, R., Henriquez, R., Diaz-Gomez, A., et al. (2018). Evaluation of anticorrosive coatings on carbon steel in marine environments: Accelerated corrosion test and field exposure. Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 13(1), 898–914.
Abstract: This study assesses the behavior of two paint systems applied to A-36 steel, commonly used to cover industrial structures in marine environments. Accelerated tests were carried out in a salt spray chamber with a maximum of 3000 hours of exposure, while other tests were conducted in the field in five areas in Chile over a period of two years. Coatings were assessed with measurements of thickness, adherence, and blistering. The behaviors of these coatings were assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS techniques, measuring the evolution of an impedance module at 0.1 Hz. The results show that, after two years of exposure or after 3000 hours in the salt spray chamber, the two coatings still present adequate protective properties, with an impedance module value log vertical bar Z vertical bar greater than 10(6) Omega cm(2). However, for all tests, comparing C5MB and C5IB coating systems, the latter is always less protective for the steel.
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