Contract with Bechtel Corporation to introduce innovative and environmentally benign US energy engineering technologies and management techniques which promote sustainable and cost-effective operation of electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems in developing countries

energy technologies in their electric power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. The project, to be implemented through a contract with Bechtel Corporation, will include: (1) energy engineering services; (2) implementation of improved energy management techniques; (3) TA and training to improve power sector institutional structures and assist in rehabilitation of existing systems; and (4) assessments of indigenous energy resources and applications. The project will introduce power generation or conversion technologies that use alternative fuels and/or have substantially less environmental impact than conventional generating options. This will probably include solar electric (solar thermal and photovoltaic), wind, geothermal, atmospheric fluidized bed combustors (AFBC), and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) units, slagging combustors, and fuel cells. Activities will initially focus on assisting parastatal utilities; however, as the project expands, it will address the broader energy sector, including private sector power generation. Specific activities Bechtel will undertake include assessments of indigenous energy resources, assessments of potential applications of and markets for U.S. technologies, and definitional missions to identify project opportunities. These definitional missions will include efforts to develop environmentally sound power plant projects, identify pollution control and atmospheric emissions monitoring system needs, and assess potential global warming emissions reductions and costs for natural gas, clean coal, and other energy technologies. Bechtel will also conduct various special technical studies and cost analyses, and will hold workshops to strengthen the management capability of indigenous energy institutions. Countries to receive services will most likely include Morocco, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Other countries may be added as needs arise and TA requests are made by A.I.D. Missions. Amendment of 2/25/93 authorizes buy-ins from the Newly Independent States fund (NIX) to address urgent TA needs in the areas of (1) natural gas and oil pipelines upgrading, (2) reduction of harmful atmospheric emissions from natural gas and oil operations, and (3) improving coal conversion, transport, and utilization technologies. (PD-WAZ-657)