Binational Institute for Water and Renewable Energy


In the last week of September, Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Governor Eduardo Bours Castelo of Sonora signed an agreement establishing a Binational Institute for Water and Renewable Energy, “a public-private partnership that connects the research communities of all three Arizona universities with their counterparts in Mexico to inspire the region’s best research minds to focus on our biggest challenges: our water resources, energy requirements and the technologies needed to sustain them in the region.”

The efforts of the three Arizona universities and other US partners will be coordinated primarily by the Arizona Water Institute, using the existing staff to build cooperative, regional solutions to water and energy issues along the US-Mexico border. The Institute is established under the auspices of the Arizona-Mexico Commission and aims to become the premier source for collaborative and applied research and innovative social engagement in the Arizona-Sonora Region.

In Sonora, this effort will be coordinated by the Consejo Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnología de Sonora (State of Sonora’s Council for Science and Technology) and will include Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Sonora Norte (ITESM, Monterrey Institute of Technology’s Northern Sonora Campus), Colegio de Sonora (COLSON, Sonora College), Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD, Center for Nutricional and Development Research), Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora (ITSON, the Sonoran Institute of Technology) and Universidad de Sonora (UNISON, the University of Sonora) among others. The two remaining action ítems are to “develop reports and an action-oriented strategic plan by January 2008” and “propose collaborative projects from concerned entities” by May 2008.

To view an article from a Sonoran newspaper on the Binational meeting, click here.

To view a copy in English of the signed agreement establishing the institute, please click here.

Para ver una copia del acuerdo firmado que establece el instituto, por favor clic aquí.

For a one-page summary regarding the Binational Institute for Water and renewable Energy, please click here.

Para un resumen de una página sobre el Instituto Binacional de Agua y Energía Renovable, por favor clic aquí.

January 31, 2008 - to view the final version of the Strategic Plan for the Binational Institute, please click here.

31 de Enero 2008, para ver la versión final del Plan Estratégico para el Instituto de Binational, por favor clic aquí.

February 21, 2008 - Binational Institute for Water and Renewable Energy Workshop, Arizona Department of Water Resources, 3550 N. Central Avenue, Verde Conference room, Phoenix Arizona.


Updated agenda 02/19/08 - To view an agenda for the Binational Institute workshop, please click here.

To view a list of participants, please click here.

Para ver una lista de participantes, por favor clic aqui.

PDF files of the presentations at the workshop are now available

Los archivos de PDF de las presentaciones en el taller están ahora disponibles

Dr. Jose Luis Fernandez Zayas - "Binational Collaboration for a Sustainable Future"

Dr. Enrique Guzman Lara - "Mexican Regulation of Electrical Energy Imports & Exports; Opportunities for the Promotion of Renewable Energy"

Dr. Gerardo Hiriart - "Desalination-Renewable Energy Opportunities in Northern Mexico"

Dr. Luis Mier y Teran - "Program for the Promotion and Development of Science"

Dr. Martin (Mike) Pasqualetti - "Water and Renewable Energy at the US/Mexico Border"

Dr. Joaquin Ruiz - "Binational Collaborative Research"

Ing. Renato Ulloa - "Escenario del Agua en el Estado de Sonora y Oportunidades para Investigacion"

Dr. Rick Van Schoick - "'Biwatergy' Break-out Session Guidance"

21 de Febrero 2008 - Binational Institute for Water and Renewable Energy Instituto Binacional de Agua y Energía Renovable Arizona-Sonora taller, Arizona Department of Water Resources, 3550 N. Central Avenue, Verde Conference room, Phoenix Arizona.


Para ver un orden del día para el taller del Instituto de Binational, por favor clic aquí.

March 10, 2008 - Critica Periodismo en Sonora - "Unen Esfuerzos Sonora y Arizona por el Agua" (Sonora and Arizona Unify Efforts for Water).

March 10, 2008 - Tribuna Periodismo de Ciudad Obregon - "Atiende Son-AZ Agua y Energia" (Sonora-Arizona Address Water and Energy).

March 9, 2008 State of Sonora, MX governmental website "Los Gobernadores de Sonora y Arizona recomendaron crear el Instituto Binacional de Agua y Energía Renovable"


For additional questions or information, please contact:
Plácido dos Santos
Associate Director Arizona Water Institute
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Phone: 602-771-8551
E-mail: pdossantos@azwater.gov

AWI Sponsored or Attended Upcoming Events

For additional information on other events, please see the calendar

  • May 12-15 - World Water Expo "Issues in Water Resource Policy - Learning From International Experiences" in Zaragoza Spain
  • June 18 - 5th Annual Navajo Nation Drinking Water Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
  • June 22-28 - Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) presents - "Climate Prediction to 2030: Is it possible? What are the Scientific Issues? How would those Predictions be Used?", Aspen CO
  • June 24 - Water Resources Research Center at the University of Arizona and Central Arizona Project Conference on Colorado River/CAP Water Issues, Phoenix
  • November 2- "Troubled Waters: Religion, Ethics, and the Global Water Crisis" in Phoenix, Az.
  • Thank you to our sponsors:

    Visit the sponsors page for a complete list of our sponsors