Site Visits
Each plant visit complements a lecture on renewable energy, which occurs before the outing ensuring that each student has a foundation of knowledge about the engineering, business, policy, and ecology impacts of the facility.
Hard hats, rain boots, and any other special gear are provided on site. But be sure to pack jeans and sneakers, as they are required!
Each tour is provided by a manager or engineer of the facility and is accompanied by a translator when needed. Get ready to see progressive technologies and world-changing operations in action!
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GeothermalComprehend the mechanics and economis of a "Build, Operate and Transfer" energy plant. Follow the steam from PH stabilized extraction wells to an utterly modern plan, operating 99% of the time over the last few decades. This incredibly efficient plant harnesses the power of the Earth and is an example of many plants scheduled for construction in the United States in the coming decade. |
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WindVisit a privately owned facility of nine 750kw wind turbines located on one of the windiest ridgelines in the world. Costa Rica's continental divide is home to 5 commercial wind plants. Step inside an active forty-meter wind turbine tower and observe the extremely well-trained staff operate of the plant and maintenance facility. Make your decision about the prospect of living near this type of renewable energy plant. |
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BiomassAs the largest sugar producer in Costa Rica with thousands of hectares under cultivation, this family-owned plant is the epitome of old and new technology. See, feel and taste the processes as the cane is refined into fine white sugar by the tons per hour. All waste products are used: cane fiber is burned for steam generators, producig megawatts of electricity, the molasses fermented and distilled into food grade and popular Cacique, Costa Rican alcohol, as well as a gasoline additive by the millions of liters. |
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HydroelectricCosta Rica's Institute of Electiricity (ICE) and its subsidiaries are a Costa Rican monopoly producing most of the electricity in Costa Rica, but also buying from private and even household producers. ICE is the sole distributor of electricity and is responsible for Costa Rica being completely self-sustainable and having one of the lowest kwh cost rates in Central America. 80% of the country's consumption is being renewably produced because ICE is GREEN! Students, visit an ICE low-pressure hydroplant and a high-pressure peak-demand hydroplant. Both plants are part of the primary electrical energy resource of Costa Rica, and of our educational program. Don't just be IN the industry, BE the industry. Live in a sustainable presence. |
Additional Tours Include
Organic Gardening, Green Sustainable Homes, Endemic Tree Biological Cooridor Reforestation, & Ecosystem Rehabilitation
These tours cover a variety of sustainable topics by industry experts including "green building design", "biological reforestation", "organic gardening", "ecosystem rehabilitation" and "sustainable lifestyle"
