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new refinery. It has also left the
possibility open for operators to
import LNG directly in specialized
ISO tanks for the transportation
of liquid fuels, while the company
is preparing to offer the supply
service.
It should be noted that the
profitability of an LNG plant
depends on ICE´s consumption
of 100,000 tons of this product as
a base for permanent generation.
The ICE is not in a position to
assume this commitment for
the time being as it is currently
developing two large hydropower
projects (Reventazon and Diquís)
that will reduce thermal energy
production significantly.
Meanwhile,
la
Refinadora
Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE
SA) and Ad Astra Rocket Company
Costa Rica are advancing research
in the management of a high
pressure hydrogen storage system
and engine development.
The
project
includes
the
design,
implementation
and
commissioning of an experimental
high pressure hydrogen storage
system that may be used in public
transport vehicles. RECOPE´s total
investment is U.S. $1.4 million.
This initiative will serve to evaluate
how to develop a model vehicle
that uses a mixture of hydrogen
with conventional or alternative
fuels, so as to introduce clean
technology vehicles in the future
and help reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. This is all at an
experimental level for themoment.
As a result of this work, between
October 2011 and April 2012, the
compression of hydrogen was
identified as the first link in a chain
of technological milestones that
are necessary for the introduction
of this alternative fuel in the
country.
Ad Astra Rocket Company in turn
will provide its staff, along with
its scientific and technological
infrastructure, and its experience
in managing and implementing
projects so as to lead this project´s
entire engineering process.
The agreement is part of
a
cooperation
framework
agreement
(Decree
No.
3722-MINAET)
between
the
Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía
y Telecomunicaciones (MINAET),
RECOPE, the School of Agriculture
of the Humid Tropical Region
(EARTH) and Ad Astra Rocket.