UNFC FOR GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES CLASSIFICATION
IN EL SALVADOR

 by Elisabeth Henriquez

Introduction
The United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) was developed to provide a uniform system for classifying and reporting reserves and resources of solid fuels and mineral commodities during the 1990’s (Beardsmore et al., 2021). In 2014, the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) agreed to promote the development of the global geothermal sector using UNFC.
The UNFC Geothermal Specifications can provide a harmonized framework to qualify estimates of geothermal energy extractable by a project on key elements of economic viability, technical feasibility and confidence (Beardsmore et al., 2021).
Capacity building was a priority for the application of UNFC on a global term especially in member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA), and after the technical training by IGA under Dr. G. Falcone in 2020 in Central America and sponsored by BGR Germany. Costa Rica and El Salvador were able to apply the classification on a pilot basis.

El Salvador
LAGEO S.A. de C.V. is a state-owned geothermal company in El Salvador with two main geothermal fields in Ahuachapán and Berlín and two geothermal projects in San Vicente and Chinameca.
Geothermal reconnaissance began in the country by the United Nations in the 1960’s. The first geothermal well was drilled in Ahuachapán in 1975. Geothermal energy is mainly used for power generation. At present, the total installed capacity is 209 MWe, contributing around 25% in the energy matrix of the country.
After the training in 2020, the representatives of the geoscientific technical group for geothermal (GTG-SICA) of El Salvador carried out a preliminary classification of UNFC of the different projects of the country. It was then continued by the geoscientific team of LAGEO as part of the internal training of UNFC, guided by the questionnaire which was provided by Dr. Falcone.

Examples of the classification in different scenarios of exploration and development for electricity generation are given as follows in Table 1.

Table 2 shows the portfolio of projects with UNFC, which needs to be reviewed by experts.

In 2023, a workshop on UNFC was conducted in El Salvador, given by GTG Costa Rica and El Salvador to promote to the other SICA member countries on the use of UNFC. Although it has been applied to Costa Rica and El Salvador, there is a need of guidance and certification of the classification done by these two countries.

Opportunities
  • UNFC is a tool to standardize the classification criteria for the projects at all stages.
  • UNFC is a good way to summarize the status of portfolio of projects and national inventory and present to potential investors
  • UNFC is a highly useful tool for decision making with regards to the maturity of the projects and uncertainty of resources; and highlights the needs of funds, research and/or logistical adjustments, etc.
  • UNFC helps in tracking the evolution of the stages of exploration and development (history) of projects.
  • UNFC can allow geothermal projects (direct or indirect use) to be seen on similar footing with other renewables

References
UNITED NATIONS, [2019], United Nations Framework Classification for Resources.
UNECE, [2009], Specifications for the application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fosil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources ,2009 to Geothermal Energy Resources.
UNITED NATIONS, [2017], Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to Geothermal Energy Resources, selected case studies.
Beardsmore, G., Ali, A., Brommer, M, Chen, H., Conti, P., Falcone, G., Fridrikksson, T., Hogarth, R. Mijjnlieff, M., Rumberg, G., and Usher, G. [2021]: UNFC Resource Classification Applied to Real World Geothermal Projects: Outcome from an Education and Implementation Program, Proc. WGC 2020+1

By: Elizabeth Torio Henriquez

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