Workshop Technical Program

Renewable Energy and Climate Science for the 

Americas: Metrology and Technology Challenges

CENAM, October 8-9, 2013
Planning Workshop for an Initiative

on

Renewable Energy and Climate Science for the Americas:

Metrology and Technology Challenges

Organized by NIST, OAS and CENAM

CENAM, Querétaro, México

October 8-9, 2013

Background

Implementation of renewable energy and climate change related policies around the globe will 

require access to accurate, internationally recognized measurements and standards. These 

will be critical for both policy-making purposes as well as evaluating the impact of mitigation 

efforts. Such capabilities will be equally important for assessing the impact of energy and 

climate change policies on the economic development of each country. National Metrology 

Institutes (NMI) in each country need to be aware of the measurement and standards 

capabilities necessary for implementation of such policies, and must be able to ensure the 

quality and international acceptance of data on Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 

measurements and characterization of renewable energy sources. 

In the Americas, the Inter-American System of Metrology (SIM) has undertaken a major effort 

to strengthen the measurement and standards infrastructure in the hemisphere. This initiative 

will build on that effort by establishing a new focus to develop a robust infrastructure for 

renewable energy and climate science in each country; this effort would directly support the 

activities planned within Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). ECPA 

established seven principles as its pillars including energy efficiency, renewable energy, 

cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels, energy infrastructure, etc. This initiative clearly 

addresses many of the ECPA pillars, and will facilitate the implementation of technologies and 

promote economic development in the region.

The objectives of the Planning Workshop at CENAM are to: 

1. Identify technology and metrology areas where training and sharing of best practices

would be most beneficial for countries of the Americas;

2. Start planning of workshops to improve local and regional measurement and standards

infrastructure for renewable energy and climate science;

3. Explore ways to promote regional and international partnerships to share approaches

and best practices for expanded utilization of renewable energy, measurement of air quality,

GHGs and other pollutants, and efficient energy use and distribution systems; and

4. Develop an initial Action Plan for the Americas.
Workshop Technical Program

October 8, 2013 Tuesday Afternoon 

Plenary Session - Overview of Metrology and Technology Challenges

2:00-2:05 PM Welcoming Remarks and Workshop Introduction Dr. Claire Saundry

SIM (NIST) 

2:05-2:20 PM Investing in Metrology to support Climate Science

and Renewable Energy in the Americas: A project

executed by NIST and OAS

Mr. Ruben Contreras

(OAS)

2:20-2:50 PM Climate Change Issues and Metrology Challenges

US Projects – INFLUX, LA Basin Opportunities 

for Global Metrology Activities

Dr. James Whetstone

NIST (USA)

2:50-3:20 PM Urban GHG Measurement Efforts Planned in So. 

America Renewable Energy Activities in Brazil

Dr. Humberto Brandi

INMETRO (Brazil)

3:20-3:50 PM Air Quality Monitoring Activities in Mexico City Dr.Francisco Guzman 

Mexican Petroleum 

Institute (IMP)

3:55-4:15 PM Break

4:15-4:45 PM Renewable Energy Activities in Mexico Dr. Antonio del-RioPortilla

University of Mexico

4:45- 5:15 PM Airborne Particulate Monitoring Dr. Greg Smallwood

NRC (Canada)

5:15-5:45 PM Current NIST Research Activities on:

Building Energy Efficiency, Solar Energy

Electrical Measurements/Smart Grid

David Yashar

NIST (USA)

5:45-6:15 PM SIM Participation in Quality Infrastructure for Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources in LatinAmerica and the Caribbean – a PTB Project and an 

update on current activities in Argentina

Dr. Héctor Laiz, 

INTI (Argentina)

6:15-7:00 General Discussion
October 9, 2013 Wednesday Morning 

Panel Discussion - Setting Priorities (9:00 – 11:00 am)

9:00 Welcome Humberto Brandi, INMETRO and

Hratch Semerjian, NIST

9:15 Introductory Remarks James Whetstone, NIST

9:30 Brief Presentations* (not to exceed 10 minutes) by representatives from:

 ANDIMET – Juan Carlos Casillo, Instituto Boliviano de Metrología

 CAMET – Ileana Hidalgo, LACOMET, Costa Rica

 CARIMET - Robert Medford, Grenada Bureau of Standards 

 NORAMET - Dr. Jorge Koelliker-Delgado, CENAM, Mexico

 SURAMET – Dr.-Ing. Héctor Laiz, INTI Argentina

 PTB – Alexis Valqui – International Technical Cooperation 

10:30 Panel Discussion - Needs and Priorities

 Objective: To identify common themes, needs and priorities!

Possible Topics of Discussion:

• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Measurements

• Airborne Particulate Measurements

• Biofuels Standards/Biorefineries

• Renewable Energy (Bio, Wind, Solar, etc.)

• Energy Efficiency for Buildings

• Energy Distribution Infrastructure/Smart Grid

• Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure

• Sustainability/Life Cycle Analysis

• Quality Infrastructure

• Other?

Wrap-up Session – Future Activities (11:00 am – 12:30 pm)

Open Discussion to develop an Action Plan for the Americas

• Metrology Needs

• Technology Needs

• Training Needs

• Regional Collaborative Activities

• Resource Strategies

Expected Outcome:

Discuss and agree upon an initial Action Plan for metrology infrastructure 

development for Renewable Energy and Climate Science in the Americas