GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FOR EL TATIO, CHILE: A PILOT PROJECT FOR DIFFUSION OF GEOSCIENTIFIC DATA TO SUPPORT DECISIONS FOR ENERGY, TOURISM, AND SOCIAL EQUITY

In October 2009 exploratory testing of an old geothermal well caused a blowout at the El Tatio geothermal complex of northern Chile. El Tatio is the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere. The blowout was a paradigm-shifting event for the management of the El Tatio geothermal field, and drew attention to the disparity and critical nature of scientific information sharing.

In response to this event a pilot project to integrate geoscientific and social science data was formed. This pilot project is an international collaboration to implement and assess proactive approaches toward geosciences data and knowledge diffusion with the goal of supporting informal learning and public engagement across stakeholder groups. The pilot project combines field data collection using handheld devices with interactive delivery of scientific information via a proposed cyberinfrastructure.

This project proposes solutions for governance and decision-making for earth resource development, using El Tatio as a case study. After the 2009 blowout, the incomplete sharing of information resulted in negative outcomes for all parties—government, local communities, and developers. Good governance exists when social problems are efficiently dealt with and when there is a social perception that this is the case; these two conditions are necessary for short and long run governance. If only one of these conditions is met no long run governance is guaranteed. In the Chilean case of the El Tatio geothermal field, there has been a gradual shift from one-sided governance—with the local community feeling isolated from issues of conservation—to a more complete diffusion of scientific information.