ALVARO ATILANO
Phone: +58-424-226-4508
Email:
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
More than 25 years of professional experience in the following areas or activities: a) more than five years in ocean renewable energy projects; b) three years as a Senior Executive in charge of coordinating the environmental and social evaluation and monitoring of large infrastructure project loans in the Latin American Region for the Environmental Department of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF in Spanish), a multilateral development agency; c) two years in the definition of environmental financing strategies for the public and private sector; d) three years on strategic planning and management of environmental projects and in institutional strengthening programs in the public sector; e) four years in environmental regulatory reform programs; and f) eight years in environmental management of private and industrial projects.
Mr. Atilano has lived and worked in Washington DC, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and performed international consultant work in several countries including Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, México, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and USA. He has been involved in investment projects of the World Bank, the Inter American Development Bank, the Andean Development Corporation, and the United Nations Development Program. Also, Mr. Atilano has been involved in the definition and consecution of bilateral and multilateral technical cooperation funds including Global Environment Facility (GEF) funds.
Currently, Mr. Atilano is the President of Nova Oceanic Energy Systems, Inc., one of the very few new companies dedicated to the promotion of renewable ocean energy in developing countries and to the development of tropical wave energy converting technologies (i.e., low energy intensity seas). Nova holds US patents in marine renewable energy technologies.
ALVARO ATILANO
Phone: +58-424-226-4508
Email:
EDUCATION: Master of Science
Environmental Engineering
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
1985
Bachelor of Science
Organic Chemistry
Magna cum Laude
University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA
1982
LANGUAGES: Completely bilingual Spanish/English. Regular Portuguese.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Promotion and Development of Renewable Marine Energy. Experience in the promotion of renewable marine energy in developing countries.
Development of Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Technologies. Experience in the design, evaluation and development of ocean wave and river energy technologies.
Definition of Financial Strategies. Experience in the development and implementation of strategies for cofinancing sustainable development programs and projects including the identification and evaluation of multilateral, bilateral, public and private non reimbursable financial resources, and the preparation of applications for obtaining them.
Sustainable Development. Experience in developing strategies for integrating development projects and sustainable development in tropical Latin American countries. Experience in public consultation activities (especially with local communities) related with large development projects in tropical rural areas.
Environmental Management and Planning. Several years of experience developing environmental plans and strategies for public and private sectors (mining, basic industries, petroleum, consulting) including the evaluation of environmental programs financed by multilateral development agencies, defining environmental management department and units, budgets, and schedules of implementation.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
January 2006 - present President. Nova Oceanic Energy Systems, Inc. A company dedicated to the promotion of Marine and Hydrokinetic renewable energy in the developing countries and the design, development and commercialization of ocean wave energy converters.
2002 – 2005: Senior Executive. Environmental Department, Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF), a multilateral development agency. In charge of coordinating the environmental evaluation and monitoring of large infrastructure project loans in Latin America. Involved in the development of the environmental and social management system for the Corporation.
1997 - 2002: International Consultant. Advisor to environmental and sustainable development projects financed by the World Bank, Inter American Development Bank, the Andean Development Corporation (CAF in Spanish), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
1995 - 1997: Environmental Manager. Placer Dome Costa Rica, subsidiary of Placer Dome Inc., a major (senior) gold mining company.
1989 - 1994: Vice-president. AmbioConsult Environmental Consultants, Venezuela: Founding member and member of the Board of Directors in charge of business development of one of the largest environmental consulting companies of Venezuela.
1988 - 1989: Lead Environmental Engineer. Caura Environmental Consultants, Venezuela.
1985 - 1988: Lead Environmental Engineer. ICF Technology Inc. (now ICF Consulting), Washington D.C., USA.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN RENEWABLE WAVE ENERGY
· Selected as part of its Associate Experts Network in area Energy and Environment of UNDP Regional Service Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean (August 2, 2010 – present)
· Contracted as an International Expert in Renewable Wave Energy for the project “Introduction of Technologies for the Generation of Electric Power from Oceanic Renewable Energy Originating from the Movement of the Waves in Small Coastal Communities in Dominican Republic” (August 15, 2010 – present).
· Delivered a Conference on Renewable Wave Energy and its Applicability in Colombia on a workshop titled “Renewable Ocean Energy in Colombia: Looking at the Future” organized by the Belgian company HINICIO within the context of the International Exposition of the Environment (FIMA 2010), Bogota, Colombia (June 2010).
· Developed a Concept Note for a 650,000 Euros project titled “Renewable Wave Energy Project for Electrification of Rural Coastal Communities in the Dominican Republic, starting with a Community in the Municipality of Paraiso” for the European Commission´s ACP-EU Energy Facility II Restricted Call for Proposals 2009. On April 30, 2010 the Concept Note was preselected to present a full proposal by July 2010.
· Developed a Concept Note for a 500,000 Euros project titled “Introduction of Renewable Wave Energy in the Caribbean Region – Phase I - Municipality of Ocumare Costa de Oro, Venezuela” for the European Commission´s Thematic Programme for Environment and sustainable management of natural resources Restricted Call for Proposals 2009. The Concept Note was preselected on December 22, 2009 and a full proposal was presented on March 10, 2010.
· Developed a proposal for a US$ 60.000 cofinancing from the Dominican Republic National Commission for Agricultural and Forestry Research (CONIAF) to cofinance a US$ 299.000 project titled “Introduction of Technologies for the Generation of Electric Power from Oceanic Renewable Energy Originating from the Movement of the Waves in Small Coastal Communities in Dominican Republic” the proposal was approved on March 3, 2009.
· Developed a Concept Note for a 1,350,000 Euros project titled “Renewable Wave Energy Program for Electrification of Rural Coastal Communities in Jamaica – Phase I” for the European Commission´s ACP-EU Energy Facility II Restricted Call for Proposals 2009. February 1, 2010
· Submitted a proposal to implement a Renewable 50 kW Wave Energy Pilot Project in the Martinique to a Private French Company. January 10, 2010.
· Developed a proposal for US$ 299,000 project titled “Introduction of Wave Energy Converter Technology for Beach Erosion Control and Storm Waves Mitigation in Dominican Republic” for the World Bank’s Adaptation to Climate Change Competition 2009. The proposal was chosen as one of the 26 winners in November 13, 2009.
· Helped in the development for the Government of Jamaica of a Project Identification Form (PIF) for a US$ 715,000 Medium Sized Project (MSP) titled “Introduction of Renewable Wave Energy Technologies for the Generation of Electric Power in Small Coastal Communities in Jamaica” for the Global Environment Facility’s Technology Transfer Pilot Projects Call for Proposal 2009. A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) was approved by GEF on November 13, 2009.
· Implementing the project “Introduction of Wave Energy Converter Technology for Distributed Electric Power Generation in the Community of Ocumare de la Costa, Venezuela”. Project includes public consultation, environmental impact assessment, construction, transport, assembly and start up of a 10 kW Nova Wave Energy Converter. Nova Energías Renovables, C.A. and the Municipality of Ocumare de la Costa de Oro, State of Aragua, Venezuela (September 2009 to present).
· Coordinated a study for identifying and selecting a rural coastal community for testing a 10 kW Nova Wave Energy Converter. Nova Energías Renovables, C.A., Venezuela (July to August 2009).
· Developed a proposal titled “Introduction of Wave Energy Converter Technology for Distributed Electric Power Generation in Small Communities in Dominican Republic” for the Inter American Development Bank’s ENERGY INNOVATION CONTEST 2009. The proposal was chosen as one of the finalist in August 2009.
· Co-Inventor of an International Patent Titled WAVE –POWER SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING SIMULTANEOUSLY BOTH POTENTIAL AND KINETIC ENERGY AT VARIABLE SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHTS AND PERIODS”. The patent was introduced on April 24, 2009.
· Developed a Successful US$ 912,000 Investment Proposal for a Venezuelan Venture Capital Company for the Development and Commercialization of Converters for the Generation of Electric Power Originating from the Movement of Tropical Sea Waves. The investment was approved on January 16, 2009. Financial resources were given in July 8, 2009.
· Delivered a Workshop on Renewable Wave Energy and its Applicability in Tropical Countries. Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela (May 2009).
· Developed a US Patent Titled “WAVE –POWER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ENERGY AT CONSTANT ROTATIONAL SPEED AT VARIABLE SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHTS AND PERIODS”. The patent was granted on December 23, 2008.
· Delivered a Workshop on Renewable Wave Energy and its Applicability in Tropical Countries. International Finance Corporation, Washington, DC (October 2008).
· Delivered a Workshop on Ocean Renewable Energy and its Applicability in Tropical Countries. Inter American Development Bank, Washington, DC (October 2008).
· Development of a Short Term Strategy for Clean Energy and Energy Conservation and Efficiency for a Thermoelectric Company that included a pilot project for the introduction of renewable wave energy for a rural coastal community. TERMOESMERALDAS, ESMERALDAS, Ecuador. (May - June 2008).
· Developed a Successful US$ 62,000 Investment Proposal Presented to the Venezuelan Science and Technology Ministry for the Development of a Wave Energy Converter of 2 kW Capacity. The investment was approved on May 21, 2008.
· Delivered a Workshop on Renewable Wave Energy and its Applicability in the Island of Margarita, Venezuela. SERVICIO ELECTRICO DEL ESTADO NUEVA ESPARTA (SENECA), VENEZUELA (May 2008).
· Delivered a Workshop on Ocean Renewable Energy and its Applicability in Ecuador. MINISTRY OF ELECTRIFICATION AND RENEWABLEW ENERGY, ECUADOR (April 2008).
· Delivered a Workshop on Renewable Wave Energy and its Applicability in TERMOESMERALDAS. TERMOESMERALDAS, ESMERALDAS, ECUADOR (April 2008).
· Delivered a conference on Ocean Renewable Energy and its Applicability in the Dominican Republic. First International Energy Week (SEIDE in Spanish). NATIONAL ENERGY COMMISION, Dominican Republic (January 2008).
· Conceptualization, Design, Basic and Detailed Engineering and Construction of Wave Energy Converters for Tropical Seas. Nova Oceanic Energy Systems, Inc. (ongoing work 2006 to present).
OTHER RELEVANT PROJECT EXPERIENCE (LAST TEN YEARS)
A) ON DEFINITION OF CO-FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
· Actualization of Sector Notes in “Environment”, “Water and Sanitation” and “Agriculture” as part of the definition of the Venezuelan Country Assistance Strategy. Inter American Development Bank (August - September 2006).
· Actualization of Sector Notes in “Environment and Sustainable Development” and “Agriculture and Rural Development” as part of the definition of the Venezuelan Country Assistance Strategy. World Bank (June - July 2006).
· Assisted the Venezuelan National Parks Institute in the development of a Full Sized GEF Project titled “Expanding Partnerships for the National Park System Project”. (March 2003 - December 2004).
· Development of the UNEP/GEF Application to Access the Resources to develop the Venezuelan National Biosafety Framework approved by the November 2000 GEF Council meeting. Venezuelan Ministry of the Environment (March – May 2002).
· Assistance to the UNIDO Mission for the Development of the Application to Access the GEF Enabling Activity Resources to develop the Venezuelan National Implementation Plan (NIP) for POPs Management in order to Meet the Obligations under the Stockholm POPs Convention. Venezuelan Ministry of the Environment (March 2002).
· Contracted to assist in the Definition of a Socio-Environmental Project Portfolio to be presented to Government Institutions for Counterpart Cofinancing for the Conservation of Biological Diversity in the Orinoco Delta Biosphere Reserve and Lower Orinoco River Basin Project (VEN/98/G41/A/1G/99). UNDP (GEF) and the Venezuelan Ministry of the Environment (October 2001- February 2002).
· Contracted to assist in the Definition of the Work Plan to Develop the National Sustainable Biotrade Program. CAN/CAF/UNCTAD and the Venezuelan Ministry of the Environment. (August - October 2001).
· Contracted to assist in the Definition of a Strategy for the Financing of Socio-Environmental Projects in National Parks. National Parks Institute. Government of Venezuela. Included the formulation both in English and Spanish of a PDF-B proposal for GEF. (March - August 2001).
· Agreements with Several Venezuelan NGOs for the Development of Grant Proposals to Private American Foundations. The principal objective of the agreements is to assist these Venezuelan NGOs in the search, identification and preparation of proposal for submission to 85 identified private grant makers in the US. (January - December 2001).
· Contracted to assist in the Definition of Alternatives for the Financial Sustainability of the National Biodiversity Strategy - Ministry of the Environment - Government of Venezuela (April - June 2000).
· Designed and delivered a seminar on Non Reimbursable Financial Resources for the Cofinancing of Projects in Latin America oriented towards NGOs, municipal, state, and national public institutions, and consulting companies interested in developing experience to access these types of resources. (November 2000).
B) IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING
· Development of Socio-environmental Management Framework and the Socio-environmental Evaluation Report for a US$ 50 millions Social Infrastructure loan of the Inter American Development Bank to the Government of Venezuela – FUNDACOMUN (October 2006 – February 2007).
· Development of Socio-environmental Management Framework and the Socio-environmental Evaluation Report for a US$ 50 millions Social Infrastructure loan of the World Bank to the Government of Venezuela – FUNDACOMUN (September - October 2006).
· Coordinating the environmental and social evaluation and monitoring of large infrastructure project loans in the Latin American Region (December 2002 - December 2005). As a Senior Executive of the Environmental Department of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF in Spanish), a multilateral development agency, I was in charge of: