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Just published research in Nature Sustainability shows that building a renewable energy system for a telescope in Chile's isolated Atacama Desert could also cover 66% of a nearby community's energy needs, giving hope for win-win development around other remote infrastructure projects.

Integrating renewable energy sources into the design of the AtLAST telescope would introduce the astronomical community on the Chajnantor plateau and the nearby residential areas to more sustainable energy systems. This integration would reduce local reliance on fossil fuels and provide renewable energy.

The research shows that replicating similar energy systems at nearby telescopes could reduce fossil fuel-based energy generation by 30GWh annually, cutting emissions by 18–24 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent while contributing to access to affordable renewable energy for surrounding communities.

Home to observatories like the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the Chajnantor plateau in the Atacama Desert, Chile is a global astronomical prime spot. Due to their remoteness, astronomical facilities are often disconnected from the national electricity grid and rely on diesel and gas generators to supply their power-intensive operations.

Atacama Desert a prime location for solar energy

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