TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - "LET'S TALK ECO-ACTION"

Trinidad and Tobago's very own Papa Bois Conservation (PBC) host the first of an ongoing monthly meeting last night appropriately dubbed, "Let's Talk Eco-Action." The premise is exactly how it played out. There were about 6 different speakers talking about everything from Lion fish invasions to the important role of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in global climate policies.

An event presenting such a spectrum of topics attracted scientists, lawyers, conservationists, journalists, activists, and more totaling a 50 person head count packing the local Trinidad Theatre Workshop to the brim. For the first of an ongoing event, Let's Talk Eco promises to act as a strong networking medium for those with the same ultimate agenda: Promoting Sustainable Practices. Whether it comes down to hunting on Tobago or the methodology of valuing the environment, in the end we all want to live in a sustainable harmony. 

FUN FACT: When stung by a jelly fish, use vinegar, not urine to treat the sting.

Sustain TT was there last night to plug tonights opening ceremony of the 3rd annual "Green Screen" a film festival focused on environmental "EDU-TAINMENT". For more information on the schedule, check out their blog: 

http://sustaintt.wordpress.com/tag/sustain-tt/ 

The event was very informative and a great place to network, but there was little talk of renewable energy or even energy efficiency. Most of the topics were biology focused and had some element of biodiversity with the exception of the SIDS which focused on the hardships of SIDS during international negotiations. Next time we hope to see some speakers addressing some of alternatives to oil and natural gas, what T&T is commonly associated with. 

To keep updated on the next "Let's Talk Eco", stay tuned to PBC's Facebook page.

Trinidad and Tobago - Ministry of Energy Presentation

Smart Energy recently completed Level II energy Audits, funded by the IADB, for Port of Spain's General Hospital, as well as the San Fernando campus of University of Trinidad and Tobago. Connectsun was responsible for summarizing and presenting the findings to the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs.The findings were very typical considering it was only a Level II Audit. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) defines three distinct levels of audits:

1. Level I - Walkthrough and Preliminary Audit
2. Level II - Energy Survey and Analysis
3. Level III - Detailed Analysis of Capital Intensive Modifications

The main difference is an increasing sophistication between levels. Level II audits are great for identifying "Low Hanging Fruit" energy conservation measures (ECMs) characterized by rapid or instantaneous payback periods. ECMs including changing light bulbs or detailed behavioral guidelines and recommendations.

Level III Audits are much more complex with more detailed building envelope calcs designed specifically to analyze the viability of capital intensive measures like re-hauling the HVAC system or refurbishing a roof to improve the building's envelope.

Both reports recommended similar changes encouraging a greater use of daylighting with photosensor retrofits to automatically turn off lights when there is enough sunlight available. In additional, both the hospital and university could profit a lot from changing out older T12 and T8 fluorescent bulbs with 800 series high performance lighting and LEDs.

Trinidad and Tobago - GoldWindSolar

Connectsun is working with GoldWindSolar, a Joint Venture between Trinidadian firms, Smart Energy and Precision Power & Air on a solar street lighting project located on a private development yet to break ground in Port of Spain. In this scenario, solar street lighting can be advantageous in the long run considering the costs of the alternative. Not only are we talking about years of recurring cost through electric bills, but the cost to bury cables to provide them power in the first place is an expensive task.

The challenge is locating the street lights at an appropriate distance apart to minimize the number lights needed, but still achieve the appropriate illuminance. A common mistake is not understanding the difference between a LUMEN and a FOOTCANDLE.

Just because a light gives off more lumens and is brighter at the light source, does not mean the light is illuminating a far away surface as well as another light with lower lumens, but a better footcandle rating. A Footcandle is defined by the luminous flux through a unit sphere (1ft radius) one foot away from the light source. Footcandles are still used, but sparingly. A more common metric is a LUX, defined as 1 footcandle = 10.76 lumen/m2. The Iluminating Engineer's Society (IES) publishes rules of thumbs for different lighting applications. For a residential project, we are trying to achieve between 3-8 lux. This means we can space the lights roughly 9-10 meters apart alternating on each side of the road so as not to illuminate lower than the minimum lux.

Lighting only accounts for between 10-15% of our typical electrical demand, but it is low hanging fruit. Some LED bulbs have a lifetime, no questions asked guarantee and while CFLs show the best returns on investment. In this particular project, lights are necessary and will account for a significant expense over the course of the development's lifetime. Unfortunately like most long term investments, initial capital outlay will be the issue.

Trinidad and Tobago - Smart Energy

Connectsun is pleased to be working with Ian Smart CEO/Founder of local Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency company appropriately coined Smart Energy.

Today we started to develop an educational seminar for secondary schoolers to learn more about renewable energy with Horizon's Junior Science kit featuring a wind turbine, solar panel, battery back up, and even the option to add fuel cells to the equation.

The kit allows for an interactive demonstration on the power of the elements. When the wind blows or the sun shines, a light flickers and a motor spins the load propeller offering tangible evidence of renewable energy on even the smallest stage.

When you add storage to the mix, you can address the common sense question from any engaged high school student: "What happens when the sun doesn't shine and its not windy?"

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies' kit offers both an engaging and intuitive way to discuss the power of the world around us. Inspired? Check them out here.

CREF 2013

Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum

CREF 2013 kicked off with warm welcoming words from CREF's 

Chairman Jerry Butler followed by the well spoken, recently re-

elected Prime Minister of Aruba, Mike Eman. With hundreds of 

delegates in attendance, the show was poised to be a success.

The show was separated into two sections: scheduled presentations, 

each with a panel of relevant, industrious experts; and an exhibition

hall featuring vendors ranging from SolarWorld and Suniva, solar 

panel manufacturers; to Hydrostor and Saft, storage technologies.

Thursday's discussions tackled tough issues such as increased regional
Natural Gas exploration's effect on renewable adoption, utility aversion,
and financing projects through the region. Geraint Breeze said it best
stating, "Commercial lenders are the most risk averse people in the room."
PPAs must not only be bankable, but also pass the bank's scrutiny when
it comes to "Take or Pay" clauses or other undesirable nuances.

Friday got down to business right away running parallel presentations all

day. One room focused on the technologies: Wind, Solar, Storage, Ocean, 

Biomass, WTE, and Geothermal; while the other focused on individual

markets, including government representatives from Puerto Rico, Jamaica,

The Bahamas, etc. Even the oil and gas rich Trinidad and Tobago is 

looking to commission 100MW of wind in the coming years and has already

commenced a feasibility study on a WTE plant replacing the Malpais landfill.

All in all the range of attendees, speakers, and exhibitors made CREF a rich

event filled with myriad of economic opportunity and valuable information.

Connectsun will be back next year as long as the hosting island can compete

with Wednesday night's "reception" that quickly escalated from a majestic,

Circ du Solei-esque demonstration to a fiesta of epic proportions...

UP NEXT: Trinidad and Tobago