Submitted by RE Engineer
A renewable energy (RE) policy begins as informed decisions made from case studies of operational renewable energy systems under conditions as close to the expected operating conditions as possible. Carrying out tests and amassing empirical data is imperative. This data would effectively answer the myriad of questions that would need to be answered in the developmental stages of a RE policy.
Some say solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is perfect for us but what type?
Grid-tied or battery based?
What kind of legislation is possible for grid-tied?
What kind of solar-electric collectors will be used?
Mono-crystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous, thin-film?
What kinds of temperatures do these types of panels reach under our sun?
Can they be incorporated with water cooled (water heating) systems to increase cell efficiency and recover thermal energy?
How long would these systems be expected to last?
What about concentrated PV systems?
What kind of efficiency to cost benefits can we expect?
How about wind power especially in the eastern and less densely populated sections of the island? How about power tower?
Maybe these towers can be installed on roofs of large commercial buildings for efficient land use. Stirling-engine-parabolic-dish solar thermal electric systems?
What about wave power especially on the eastern coast?
All of these may be viable but there has been so little research on them that we can’t really determine which are better. We have the tendency of following North American technological models; so officials may be waiting for the holy-grail of renewable energy (RE) to save us. This is possible, but improbable, in the near future at least, so we need to start looking for our own most adequate technologies and the interesting thing is that we have the expertise to start that search.
Our engineers and technicians can be used to design and install different government funded RE projects around the island. These projects can be done in institutions, as scientific (innovation) competitions or on an independent basis. Each installation would have to be well monitored and have excellent data acquisition, record keeping and maintenance all of which seem to be significantly more difficult than the building and design process (especially at the governmental level). These installations could be used as features of school field trips and projects, where secondary and primary school students can learn about RE and energy efficiency.
Just as many learn about information technology, the sensible use and conservation of energy and water would also be an important part of their curriculum. Inculcating better understanding and habits plus creative thinking, effectively combating the social issues related to energy use and conservation.
Step 2: technical and economic evaluations of project results and the narrowing down of technologies to 2 or 3 best options for large scale implementation. This is where the BL&P comes in because their expertise in operation and maintenance of large scale power generation plants along with their ample staff of technicians which would be needed to make sure that projects (on a larger scale) are successful. It must be noted that the BL&P is not obligated to search for our energy solution those decisions are up to the government. They just need to make sure that there is enough capacity to satisfy the island’s needs. And most of their RE research efforts were probably general PR strategies to placate concerns about rising oil prices. The truth of the matter is that most RE technologies for electricity generation make little economical sense and are generally not seen as worth the risk without government backing and subsidies.
Step 3: an individual energy policy for the best small scale possibilities of the pilot projects, giving incentives to consumers who would like to invest in the production of their own electricity or the reduction of their energy footprint. A good mixture of conventional and ‘new’ energy on large and small scales are needed for a sustainable energy mix and for energy security. It is unlikely that a singular technology will be satisfactory for across the board implementation; the most likely situation would be different technologies for different applications to reduce conversions which enforce thermodynamic limitations on efficiency. For businesses or industries that require large amounts of heat, solar thermal or biomass/biofuels might be the most adequate technologies. For those whose energy use is attributed mainly to air conditioning and lighting then solar-hybrid air conditioners and solar-hybrid lighting maybe the answer. If energy needs are very diverse then solar or wind electric systems would be used to cover as much of the energy needs as economically feasible.
Consumers should not expect a reduction in energy cost at any point in time no matter what policies are implemented. Energy efficiency should be a priority in terms of new equipment and appliances, vehicles and especially in the building sector where bioclimatic architecture, energy auditing and intelligent energy control systems should take centre stage. The days of cheap energy are over and we must accept that. Whatever new developments in the energy sector that are made will cost money and energy and as demand increases, RE should only be seen as a way of mitigating the effects for the sake of energy security and the environment but not as a way to reduce energy prices.
Another aspect policy makers have to keep in mind is that energy policies are not limited to devices that generate electricity but those that use them in every facet of society such as telecommunications where wireless systems can save money and energy, in transportation where more efficient public service vehicles and more reliable service can save on fuel and not to mention foreign exchange, in the tourism sector where energy efficiency in hotels and tourist attractions should be a priority and green energy should be part of our tourism product, and extremely important and often forgotten the conservation and sensible use of water.
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