The Company

Research and Development

ENAP has concentrated its research and development activities (I&D) in the renewable energies field (ERNC), particularly geothermal energy and second generation biofuels (biodiesel manufactured from forestry debris).

Geothermal Energy

In the field of geothermal energy, ENAP forms part of  three companies that are investigating the potential for this renewable resource:  in association with the Italian company ENEL, Empresa Nacional de Geotermia S.A. and Geotérmica del Norte S.A., with our company holding  49% of each one, and Eergía Andina S.A., in which ENAP has a 40% shareholding in association with Antofagasta Minerals. These companies have as their objects to take advantage of the geothermal energy originating from the sub-soil for various productive processes, whether the production of electricity or the use of steam.

Biofuels

ENAP is investigating the feasibility of producing second generation fuels in the country, by means of its partnership at two entities: ForEnergy and Biocomsa.

Both associations have a 5-year term to propose technological solutions from forestry biomass, to reach high impact levels in obtaining new generation biofuels, by means of adopting, transferring and marketing their results.

Biocomsa is an association established in 2008 among ENAP’ subsidiary, Enap Refinerías S.A., Consorcio Maderero and Universidad de Chile, which purpose is to look for technical and scientific solutions within the bioenergy area in Chile, orienting its task to research and development for a later marketing to companies requiring such technologies.

This project was started with the support of Innova Chile, and eight lines of research have been established. Each sub-project has products, objectives and milestones that have been introduced to and have been approved by Innova Chile. At the same time, this technological association shall propose and implement new lines of work and products guaranteeing its feasibility, which is the idea of technological associations.

At this association experience, resources and knowledge are shared in order to create value through applied research. As a matter of fact, Universidad de Chile has made a large development in the forestry research area, and in processes oriented to energy generation from lignocellulosic material.

The main purpose of Biocomsa is applied research, and not to become a productive entity.

ForEnergy was incorporated in 2007, and it is a company oriented to the production of second generation biodiesel from forestry biomass, and to capture business opportunities.

Due to its particular features, second generation biodiesel is considered a hydrocarbon, and it may be used mixed in any percentage with the diesel originated by a fossil source. This way, it is possible to visualize second generation biodiesel as a relevant component of the Chilean energy matrix in the future, in case of being economically feasible, which shall be determined, among other factors, by future research.