Ecopetrol, MinCiencias and MinEnergía announce agreements for US$11 million to promote energy transition and technology transfer projects
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Ecopetrol, MinCiencias and MinEnergía announce agreements for US$11 million to promote energy transition and technology transfer projects
May 19, 2022
- These resources are part of an investment of US$30 million to be executed over the next three years.
- The initiative seeks that Colombia ratifies its leadership in hydrogen generation and carbon capture.
- These resources will be available through a public call and an invitation, which close on July 10 and 15, respectively.
- Through two cooperation agreements, Ecopetrol, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MinCiencias) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergía) will promote science, technology and innovation (CTeI) actions in areas such as carbon capture, hydrogen generation and technology transfer processes to improve the operation of the industry.
The cooperation agreements are valued at US$11 million and are part of a framework agreement signed between Ecopetrol and the National Government, through the Ministries of Science, Technology and Innovation, and of Mines and Energy. Its objective is to promote the implementation of the recommendations delivered by the 2019 Mission of Wise Men on the uses of water, natural carbon dioxide sinks, advanced materials, biotechnology for sustainability and the promotion of processes for the creation and transfer of knowledge and technology.
"From Ecopetrol we support this initiative that provides resources to stimulate research and knowledge on transcendental topics such as energy transition and technology transfer. The resources open a window of opportunity to strengthen a line of projects framed in our Strategy 2040 "Energy that transforms", responding comprehensively to the current challenges in environmental, social and corporate governance matters, having technology as an enabler of our goals", says Ernesto Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Ecopetrol's Digital vice-president.
These are the thematic axes of the calls for proposals
In its first phase of execution, projects will be selected focused on:
Studies of processes for the generation of low-emission hydrogen, articulated with capacity building processes.
Measurement of carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services based on natural climate solutions CNS.
These must be articulated with capacity building processes, value generation and have the participation of ethnic or rural communities.
Each participating initiative will be able to access resources for up to $1,738 million. Those interested in participating in this process may consult more information through the following link: https://minciencias.gov.co/convocatorias/innovacion-yproductividad/convocatoria-para-el-apoyo-proyectos-en-medicion-captura-y
The deadline for receipt of proposals is July 10.
"This initiative is a breakthrough in the fulfillment of the recommendations made by the International Mission of Wise Men in 2019, specifically those promoted by the focus on sustainable energies and those contained in the flagship mission on water and climate change. This allows us to move forward with the ambitious goals that we set as a country, around the reduction of 50% of the carbon footprint by 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2050," said the Vice Minister of Knowledge, Innovation and Productivity, Sergio Cristancho.
Likewise, in a second phase, a selection process will be opened to form the list of eligible projects for the transfer of two technologies owned by Ecopetrol, which are nano fluids for the modification of the relative permeability (RPM) of hydrocarbons, for manufacturing and implementation in the departments of Santander and Meta and the granting of funding resources in the form of mandatory reimbursement. This selection mechanism will also be available in the next few days.
This institutional effort between Ecopetrol, MinCiencias and MinEnergía is committed to strengthening the country's capacities in terms of sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation to the energy transition. A total of US$30 million is expected to be allocated over the next three years.
"Within the framework of the cooperation agreements that our Ministry has signed with Ecopetrol and the Ministry of Science and Technology, we hope to continue promoting the development of hydrogen as a fuel and that the projects submitted to this call can also take advantage of the roadmap we are launching for this technology. Hydrogen is the energy vector of the future and Colombia has the potential to be the main exporter in Latin America by 2030," said the Vice Minister of Energy, Miguel Lotero.
Piedecuesta, May 19, 2022
