The best energy is the one that we do not produce



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Introduction

In every development process, there is a pressing need to increa¬
se the availability of qualified human resources. Developing
countries tend to experience a crucial lack in precisely this area.
In most countries, education in science and technology is recei¬
ving increasing attention, which indicates that development of
the teaching process is considered an essential task. High quality
science teaching is the best way to initiate scientific vocations.
Science and technology help form values in the intellectual level
and stimulate creative capabilities. Thus, they are indispensable
tools For the perception of nature and the environment, as well as
for understanding the contemporary world. The rational use of
scientific and technological progress can contribute powerfully to
solving development problems, particularly those of hunger and
disease. Increasingly, science is becoming a direct productive
force that underpins economic growth and social progress.



Why renewable energies?

The goal of education and training is to prepare a population for its future. In order to meet
actual training and education needs, one must first examine societal needs for the first part of the
21st century, that is, tor the period 2000 to 2030.
Energy is vital and essential for any society, but has two contradictory aspects. Firstly, it reflects
the standard of living and the progress status of a nation. It also presents growing awareness
concerning the level of risks that a given nation would face in attempting to satisfy its energy
needs. The first half of the 21st century will certainly see rapid progress*" in both the level of
energy consumption and m the diversification ot energy production methods, which can be lin
ked to several lactors:
Population growth especially in Asia, Latin America and Africa will lead to overall increases in
energy consumption
Ecological risks associated with some energy sources are becoming increasingly evident and
worrisome. Two examples include the Earth surface warming due to the greenhouse effect cau
sed by gas emissions'' and the uncertainty surrounding methods for long-term storage of
nuclear residues.


econotnic credibility
Discussion ol this factor will be limited to the known tacts concerning the most important cases.
Use ot geothermal and solar heat by ditferent techniques is competitive today within certain
contexts, including wood.
Hydro-electricity is an example ot a successful renewable energies case. Its economic charac¬
teristics, which include an important initial investment followed by small operating expenses,
can be found in many other cases.
Wind generators connected to the grid have been shown to supply electricity at a competitive
cost in the USA and in Europe, particularly m regions privileged by high wind speeds.
Stand-alone photovoltaic systems allow for the 'micro-electntication' ot isolated rural zones m
developing countries (modular power around 5 kW). In fact, they outperform both grid exten¬
sion and diesels systems.