Chile: Luxury hotel in the Atacama Desert relies on photovoltaics coupled with a storage facility

New pilot project launched as part of the dena RES programme

On 13 October, a photovoltaic system including battery storage was unveiled at a leading spbattery storagebattery storagea resort in northern Chile as part of the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme. The consortium of German companies Kraftwerk Renewable Power Solutions and Qinous installed the PV system and combined it with the existing supply facilities, resulting in an efficient energy management solution.

Together with dena and the implementing partners of the ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Germany in Santiago de Chile, Rolf Schulze and Iris Olivares, responsible representative of the Chilean energy ministry, took part in the inauguration ceremony.

Rolf Schulze commented on the occasion: ‘In Germany we envy Chile’s great potential in terms of sun-, wind- and hydroelectric power, as well as geothermal energy and biomass. We are happy to support such projects using our technology and experience so that Chile and the entire Atacama region can make optimum use of its energy sources.’

Achieving even greater sustainability through German know-how

As early as 2013, the owners of the Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, which is situated far from the public electricity grid, installed their first small PV/diesel hybrid system, which won them the award of ‘Most sustainable tourist company in Chile’. Taking on more of a leading role is the aim: Together with the battery manufacturer Qinous, Kraftwerk Renewable Power Solutions enhanced the hotel’s existing hybrid system with a 133-kilowatt peak PV output and lithium-ion battery storage with a capacity of 330 kilowatt hours.

The intelligent energy management solution is the linchpin of the project, as it coordinates the use of the two PV installations, the storage system, and the existing diesel generators such that the hotel will be able to completely switch off its diesel generators for eight to nine hours at a time, and for several hours at night. This means that guests can enjoy a holiday home with low emissions and noise levels. The hotel management is delighted about the 60 to 65 per cent savings in diesel consumption, as well as further adding to its image as a pioneering tourist company.
The photovoltaic system on Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa. Photo: Kraftwerk RPS
The photovoltaic system on Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa. Photo: Kraftwerk RPS
The photovoltaic system on Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa. Photo: Kraftwerk RPS
The photovoltaic system on Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa. Photo: Foto: Kraftwerk RPS
Inauguration of the photovoltaic system with battery storage; from left to right: Dr Karsten Schulte and Hans Hall (both KRAFTWERK RPS GmbH), Steffen Heinrich (Qinous GmbH), Felix Schmid (dena), Rolf Schulze (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Chile), Miguel Purcell (Tierra Hotels), Aliro Catur (Mayor of San Pedro de Atacama), Iris Olivarez (Chilean Ministry of Energy), Rodja Sass (KRAFTWERK RPS GmbH Chile), Marcela Godoy (National Tourism Service of Chile). Photo: Kraftwerk RPS
Steffen Heinrich, Managing Director of Qinous GmbH, explains how the battery system works. Photo: Kraftwerk RPS

dena’s Renewable Energy Solutions Programme

The dena RES Programme offers German companies in the renewable energy industry the opportunity to implement reference projects at prime locations abroad – thereby opening up attractive target markets. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) as part of the Energy Export Initiative.