Intention
Renewable Energies, such as solar, wind, geothermal energy and sustainable biomass, represent the future of energy supply. Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the use of renewable energies has been promoted to offset climate change, preserve natural resources, increase energy security, and provides electricity to remote and impoverished regions.

In recent years, growth in the renewable energy sector has been strong. In 2010, global renewable energy capacity reached 1320 GW – 25% of total generation capacity. The renewable energy sector now employs over one million people worldwide and in 2010 generated more than US$ 266 billion in investments.

Although vast opportunities for the renewable energies market exist, many obstacles remain. RIO 12 continues the successful legacy of previous World Climate & Energy Events. Leading experts will present the latest in renewable technologies, resource efficiency, policy analysis, financing options and carbon trading.

Opportunities for networking and developing business relations are a cornerstone of the event. Due to successful mass production of renewable energy (RE) power supplies and its components, RE generation costs are now well below consumer electricity prices in most countries of Latin America and the Caribbean – this offers excellent business opportunities, even in countries without particular grid-feed tariffs. RIO 12 will be the meeting point of present and future players in this field.

Structure of RIO 12

The International Conference
Speakers at RIO 12 represent the scientific community, energy industry, finance and policy fields associated with the implementation of energy saving strategies and renewable energies.

Former RIO-Conferences have been attended by Professor Martin Green (Alternative Nobel Prize Laureate, world leader in Si-photovoltaic conversion efficiency, University of New South Wales, Australia), Dr. Hermann Scheer † (Alternative Nobel Prize Laureate, Chairman of WCRE, President of Eurosolar), Prof. Peter Landsberg † (University of Southampton, Journal editor and "Nature" author), Prof. Olav Hohmeyer (University of Flensburg, pioneer in carbon trading), Prof. Chris Wronski (Pennsylvania State University, pioneer in PV thin film technology), Prof. Adolf Goetzberger (founder of Solar Fraunhofer Institute, former ISES President), Mechthild Rothe (EU Parliament Deputy), Prof. Maurício Tolmasquim (CEO of EPE - Energy Research Company, former CES of Ministry of Energy), Fernando Gabeira (Federal Deputy and bestseller author), Prof. Dr. Bautista Vidal (Head Pro-Álcool, the largest RE program ever), Dr. Franz Alt (Bestseller author and TV-journalist), Rosa Moreno (Greenpeace), Laura Porto (MME), Dr. Everaldo Feitosa (Director Brazilian Wind Energy Center, Vice President World Wind Energy Association), Mauro Passos (America do Sol, Director of Instituto Ideal), just to mention some participants and supporters. Furthermore the Brazilian Ministry of Energy (MME), the German Energy Agency (DENA), Eurosolar, ISES Brazil, the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE) and GIZ (international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations) have been fully backing the events and predictably will send their top representatives also to RIO 12.

The Exhibition LAREF 2012 (Latin America Renewable Energy Fair)
The Latin America Renewable Energy Fair, in tandem with RIO 12, will provide companies and institutions the opportunity to present their latest technologies and solutions to an expanding Latin American and Caribbean market and providing the perfect opportunity to build business relations.

The following organizations and companies have been attended previous RIO Events and are expected to return for LAREF 2012. At LAREF 2003/05/06/09 Petrobrás, Eletrobrás, the German Ministry of Economics & Labour (BMWA), AET, ABEER, CanalEnergia, Wobben-Enercon Windpower, GTZ, Gamesa, SEBRAE, Valentin - Energysoftware, Isofotón, Bosch Solar SE, Brasil Energia, Solardynamics, Soletrol, Q-cells SE, Solon SE, Nordex Energy AG, Eolica, Suntech Power SE, PI-Berlin AG, PE Europe, Riosolar Ltda, MAN B&W, Energia Pura, Altercoop, UfE, Renexpo, Kyocera Solar do Brasil, Greenpeace and more exhibited their products and projects. The Latin America Renewable Energy Fair has been supported by the German Ministry of Economics & Labour (BMWA), German-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (AHK), German Energy Agency (DENA), Heinrich Boell Foundation, Isofotón, GIZ, FURNAS and the State of Rio de Janeiro.

The Political Round Table
Government representatives and policy analysts will discuss legislation, identify trends and obstacles, and provide effective solutions for the application of renewable energies. Sponsors have the right to hand-in suggestions and issues to be discussed.

Excursions
Excursions to existing and potential renewable energy projects (photovoltaics, wind, geothermal) in the region are scheduled on 19th of January 2012, offering numerous contacts and networking opportunities (pictures show a part of the wind park Amayo, Rivas (63 MW) and the Volcano Concepción in Omeptepe).

Further Information: Sponsorship Proposal (PDF)

Further Information

Sponsorship Proposal
(PDF)