The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) held the webinar \u201cSmart Grids and New Energy Vectors for the Energy Transition,\u201d a high-level technical forum aimed at analyzing the challenges faced by the region\u2019s energy systems in a context marked by the growing penetration of renewable energy, the expansion of power electronics, and the need to ensure stability, security, and resilience in modern power grids.<\/p>\n
The event was designed to provide an integrated perspective on the structural transformation of electricity systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, addressing both operational challenges and the opportunities associated with the incorporation of new energy vectors.<\/p>\n
During the opening session, Gloria Alvarenga, Director of Integration, Access, and Energy Security at OLACDE, emphasized that the energy transition must be understood as a profound process that redefines how power systems are planned, operated, and protected.\u201cThe energy transition requires comprehensive and collaborative solutions to build more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive systems.\u201d<\/p>\n
For his part, OLACDE Executive Secretary Andr\u00e9s Rebolledo noted that the energy systems of Latin America and the Caribbean are undergoing an accelerated transformation, driven by technological advances, decarbonization agendas, and the emergence of diversified energy solutions. \u201cLatin America and the Caribbean are moving toward a multi-energy scenario where electrification, decarbonization, and innovation must progress together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebolledo highlighted that although the region has one of the highest shares of renewable energy in electricity generation worldwide, this segment represents only part of total energy demand. He therefore stressed the need to accelerate decarbonization in other sectors through the promotion of biofuels, biomass, and new green molecules.<\/p>\n
In the technical segment, Dr. Alejandro Garc\u00e9s addressed the challenges associated with operating power systems dominated by renewable sources and power electronics. He explained that the increasing integration of solar generation, energy storage, and hydrogen is transforming the power inverter into a central component of 21st-century electricity systems. \u201cBasic research is not a luxury, but a necessity to ensure the stability of modern power systems.\u201d<\/p>\n
The specialist highlighted phenomena such as reduced inertia, increased sensitivity to disturbances, and new challenges in protection and control, noting that research is essential to ensure stable and secure operation in grids with high renewable penetration.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Clara Ortiz presented a comprehensive overview of the potential of biomass and agro-industrial residues in Latin America and the Caribbean, underscoring their strategic role in the production of biofuels and synthetic fuels. She explained how byproducts from coffee, oil palm, and sugarcane can be converted into useful energy through processes such as fermentation, gasification, and advanced synthesis routes. \u201cBiomass and synthetic fuels offer enormous potential to strengthen energy security and move toward a low-carbon economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ortiz emphasized that these energy vectors help diversify the energy mix, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and promote circular economy models based on local resources. She also stressed the importance of integrating biofuels, green hydrogen, and polygeneration schemes into modern grids to enhance the resilience of energy systems.<\/p>\n
The workshop also addressed priority action lines for the region, including the development of inverter-dominated smart grids, the deployment of grid-forming inverters to enhance stability, the promotion of agro-industrial biomass as an energy vector, the strengthening of technological sovereignty in power electronics, and the updating of grid codes to meet new operational requirements.<\/p>\n
Through this webinar, OLACDE reaffirms its role as a regional technical platform for knowledge exchange, specialized training, and the promotion of innovative solutions that will enable Latin America and the Caribbean to advance toward more secure, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.<\/p>\n