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Category: Electricity

SolarBuzz Jamaica > Blog Classic > Electricity
Electricity JPS News

Combined Cycle Gas Turbine the way forward for new generation in Jamaica

April 17, 2013

This article has been submitted by the JPS.

As the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) evaluates proposals for the construction of the next generation of generating plants, the question of what is the best technology to deploy has ignited a public debate, as we saw with the recent article published in the Business Observer (Wednesday, April 3).

The two leading technologies that have emerged are the medium-speed reciprocating engines (diesel) (MSD) and the combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT). Both technologies are currently in operation in Jamaica and have some inherent advantages and disadvantages.

Total generation cost, flexibility of fuel options, ease and frequency of maintenance and environmental issues are all important considerations that will factor into the decision by the OUR in the technology choice. The analysis by JPS has concluded that the CCGT is the right generation solution for Jamaica at this time.

Policy & regulatory framework

The decision on the most appropriate technology for electricity generation is first framed by the policy objectives of both the Government and the OUR. The two most important objectives of the National Energy Policy and the regulator are:

1. A significant reduction in electricity prices; and

2. Fuel diversification.

The Government and the OUR have agreed that a policy of diversifying the mix of fuel used for electricity generation away from oil is the most effective in lowering electricity cost. JPS agrees with this policy approach and it is within that context it has conducted an evaluation of the available technologies to replace its existing capacity and prepare for sustainability and future growth in electricity demand.

Sector experience

JPS has been Jamaica’s electricity provider for 90 years and owns the largest block of power plants on the island. Its majority shareholders, Marubeni Corporation of Japan and Korea East-West Power Company together own and operate power plants (including diesels and combined cycle units) with an installed capacity of over 9,000 MW globally and using a full range of fuels: coal, gas, oil, hydro, wind, solar. No other entity in Jamaica and few others across the world can similarly claim this level of operational familiarity and experience with such a range of plants and fuel.

JPS drew on this knowledge, experience and policy objectives in preparing its proposal to the OUR and after careful analysis has concluded that the CCGT technology offers the best efficiency and flexibility option for generation expansion in Jamaica at this time.

Here’s why.

Cost of Energy

Electricity JPS News

Energy News – JPS ripping us off again?

April 17, 2013

JPS ripping us off again?
April 17, 2013
Roger Chang

In the recent JPS Annual Tariff Adjustment Page 19 Technical Losses states:

“The T&D system configuration and voltage levels are critical to determining the actual
level of technical losses. Further reduction in technical losses will typically be as a
result of capital intensive programmes such as building more sub-stations or
“”increasing”” the voltage level at which we transmit and distribute electricity.”

Increasing the voltage WILL increase your electricity consumption and in effect your JPS
bill!

Most other countries practice something called “Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR)” in
an attempt to save energy…. decrease voltage. (thanks Stanley)

The JPS nominal voltage should be 110vac or 220vac for rate 10 customers (residential)

I typically measure between 115vac to 125vac and many days close to 128vac, or 4.5% to
16.3% over nominal voltage.

Ever wonder why your motors and electrical equipment run hotter or burn up quicker?
Overvoltage?

Studies have shown 1% voltage change can yield a 0.6% change in consumption, or 2.7% to
9.8% increase in your JPS bill!

Is this there the 10% technical loss reduction will come from?
Technical losses is said to be about $1,500 million annually

Building a sub-station will cost money.
There is no cost to increase the voltage, but is an easy “hidden” way to extract more

money from every customer.

Where is the OUR?
Why is the OUR not regulating this?
Minister Paulwell?

more to come…

THE JAMAICA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. LTD. ANNUAL TARIFF ADJUSTMENT SUBMISSION FOR 2013
http://www.our.org.jm/images/stories/content/Electricity/Tariff/JPS%202013%20Annual%
20Tariff%20Submission.pdf

http://www.myjpsco.com/_pdfs/Interconnection_Technical_Guideline.pdf

http://www.jsea.org.jm/docs/DG%20Interconnection%20Guidelines%20-%20JPS%
20Co_July09_Draft%20v3.0_final.pdf

Electricity JPS News

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

April 16, 2013

As customers contend with the increasing cost of energy bill, they may often ask what their alternatives are.

But before you even consider costly renewable energy systems, you should first adopt a conservation approach.

The average Jamaican household (that spends on average $12,000 per month on electricity bill) can spend $2 million on alternative energy.

Coming off the grid isn’t merely about divorcing the company that supplies your power and charges you on a monthly basis. It’s more than that; it’s about cheaper means of supplying and using power.

“If you are not one to maximise the energy saving opportunities, producing power on your own, and getting off the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) grid won’t save you money,” said Nathan Parkins, design technician at Alternative Power Sources.

Renewable energy systems are designed to match your current consumption, that is the more you consume, the bigger and more costly your system will have to be.

“If you don’t conserve, you could very well end up spending $5 million on a system when you could have had one for $3 million,” he said.

Some energy savings opportunities are free.

Turning off lights that aren’t in use may sound like the usual energy savings lecture, but if you aren’t flicking the switch, you are increasing wastage.

Lights on during the daylight hours, are obviously wasteful.

Then there are some suggestions that would require you to spend a little extra cash.

Equipment that trap heat and in turn pass it on to you, without electricity, are an option.

Opt for solar water heater over electric water heater, Parkins advised.

“We pay so much to use the electricity to get hot water, yet we have the sun,” he said. “I can safely say solar water heater can shave 15 per cent off your light bill.”

Checks by the Sunday Finance found that the National Housing Trust (NHT) offers loans to for solar water heaters to existing mortgagers with a maximum funding of $250,000.

But, if you have already got a loan from the NHT, you would have to wait 10 years before you can access the maximum $1.5 million funding for solar panels.

Nonetheless, there are some less pricey options, which are common to most households.

People with up-to-date energy style appliances will use less power than those without.

So, if you are not too sentimental, you could think about doing away with your 30 year old refrigerator and cash in on a newer model.

Gas stoves get the energy savings nod of approval rather than an electric stove.

Overtime, old appliances lose efficiency and consume more power.

You could even place a timer on your refrigerator that shuts it off after a number of hours.

The average fridge runs 11 hours per day.

In addition, you should repair loose magnetic rubbers of the refrigerator door, it allows the cool air to leave, using up more power.

Don’t keep your fridge too close to the wall, the heat coil at the back needs enough room for sufficient circulation.

As for lighting, there’s LED. Though this is more expensive to buy than fluorescent bulbs, switching could reduce your power usage by 50 per cent.

But, Parkins said this is most necessary for businesses that need the use of light for longer periods.

Do you think the time has come to getting power on your own? Well, Parkins crunched the numbers for the Sunday Finance.

According to him, a household user who spends on average of $4,500 per month wouldn’t spend roughly half a million dollars on alternative energy.

As for the average Jamaican household that he said spends on average $12,000 per month, they can get an alternative system for $2 million.

What’s more, you don’t have to completely abandon the JPS, you could opt to make a particular room solar.

Read more:

Electricity JPS News

JPS promises lower April bills

April 12, 2013

THE Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says its customers will see a five per cent decrease in their electricity bill this month, despite the continued devaluation of the Jamaican currency.

This decrease, the light and power company said last night, is due to a reduction in the cost of the fuel used to generate electricity.

“Each month, the fuel charge on electricity bills changes, depending on the cost of the oil that JPS and other power-generating companies buy to produce electricity,” JPS said.

“The fuel & IPP cost on bills for April is $24.35 per kWh, compared to the charge of $26.54 per kWh applied to March bills.

“This means that a residential customer who consistently uses 200 kWh will be paying about $400 less for his/her bill this month, compared to what he paid last month. This customer will pay $7,518 for the 200 kWh of electricity used, as against the $7,918.55 that was paid in March for the same usage,” the company said.

The JPS, however, urged customers to continue their conservation efforts as the final bill amount will depend on total electricity used.

Read more:

Electricity Government JPS

Work to Begin on 360-Megawatt Capacity Plant This Year

April 8, 2013

 

altGovernor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen inspects the guard of honour before delivering the 2013/14 Throne Speech during the State Opening of Parliament held on Thursday, April 4, at Gordon House.

Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, says the much anticipated construction of a 360-megawatt electricity capacity plant will commence this calendar year.

 

The Governor General, who was delivering the Throne Speech to mark the opening of the 2013/14 Parliamentary Year at Gordon House on Thursday morning, April 4, said the new facility will replace

Electricity JPS News

LETTER OF THE DAY – Energy Consumers Cry For Help

April 5, 2013

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS with deep regret that I complain the nth time about the Jamaica Public ‘Scalping’ Co. Mr Editor, the five of us have scaled down by now living in much smaller accommodations since our children no longer live with us, and we have adjusted to pensions and far less space and equipment.

In 2011, my light bill was $4,000, plus a month. In 2012, I moved to a one-bedroom apartment and the bill came to $7,500, plus a month and I use the same old computer, television, radio, washing machine, and small refrigerator. The five of us fussed, decided against lying down on the steps of JPS, New Kingston, and planned to further cut our energy usage. We cut the use of fans, cut the time on the heater, cut out the microwave, plugged out the refrigerator and other plugged-in equipment when we leave the house. Three of us cut the cable service for it had moved up from $3,000 a month for seniors. The hurtful part of this is our having to watch the same two stations with the very same news.

Anyway, we received our new ‘JPScalp bill’, and we are all devastated because we tried to cut. Our bills have moved from $7,000, $8,000, $9,000 to $11,000, $14,000, $16,000, plus a month, and we all have to pay by April 12. This is outrageous and we are sitting ducks!

We have served our time very well, and we should not be fleeced in this manner. Is there any court that will address us? There’s a little water settling on my brain at this time, so I’m breaking away from the others by not going to any of the old basins like OUR and HPA (Hear Paulwell Announce).

Mr Editor, how can I find Mr Michael Williams, if he has any gas left in him? What can we do by now and the 12th of April to relieve us of the taxation being imposed by these private barons of serfdom? Have you seen what the supermarket owners and the merchants are doing with the markup of old items? HELP!

MILLS BLAKE

Read more:

Electricity JPS News

LETTER OF THE DAY – Energy Consumers Cry For Help

April 5, 2013

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS with deep regret that I complain the nth time about the Jamaica Public ‘Scalping’ Co. Mr Editor, the five of us have scaled down by now living in much smaller accommodations since our children no longer live with us, and we have adjusted to pensions and far less space and equipment.

In 2011, my light bill was $4,000, plus a month. In 2012, I moved to a one-bedroom apartment and the bill came to $7,500, plus a month and I use the same old computer, television, radio, washing machine, and small refrigerator. The five of us fussed, decided against lying down on the steps of JPS, New Kingston, and planned to further cut our energy usage. We cut the use of fans, cut the time on the heater, cut out the microwave, plugged out the refrigerator and other plugged-in equipment when we leave the house. Three of us cut the cable service for it had moved up from $3,000 a month for seniors. The hurtful part of this is our having to watch the same two stations with the very same news.

Anyway, we received our new ‘JPScalp bill’, and we are all devastated because we tried to cut. Our bills have moved from $7,000, $8,000, $9,000 to $11,000, $14,000, $16,000, plus a month, and we all have to pay by April 12. This is outrageous and we are sitting ducks!

We have served our time very well, and we should not be fleeced in this manner. Is there any court that will address us? There’s a little water settling on my brain at this time, so I’m breaking away from the others by not going to any of the old basins like OUR and HPA (Hear Paulwell Announce).

Mr Editor, how can I find Mr Michael Williams, if he has any gas left in him? What can we do by now and the 12th of April to relieve us of the taxation being imposed by these private barons of serfdom? Have you seen what the supermarket owners and the merchants are doing with the markup of old items? HELP!

MILLS BLAKE

Read more:

Alternative Energy Electricity Government News

Government To Pursue Multimillion Dollar Hydropower Project

April 2, 2013

Energy minister Phillip Paulwell
Energy minister Phillip Paulwell

Energy minister Phillip Paulwell has announced that his ministry will be partnering with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to undertake a $109 million feasibility project at five potential hydropower sites.

The work is being carried out as part of the Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project, which is being funded through a 2011 loan agreement between the Government and the World Bank.

Under the agreement the World Bank has provided US$15 million to finance initiatives to increase Jamaica‘s energy efficiency and improve energy security.

Of this amount, $2.5 million has been allocated to the implementation of the hydro project.

The sites selected to participate in the project are the Rio Cobre River in St. Catherine, Morgan and Negro rivers in St. Thomas, Martha Brae River in Trelawny and Spanish River in Portland.

Paulwell has described the project as significant to his Ministry’s larger plan to develop Jamaica’s renewable energy industry.

The project will be carried out by SP Studio Pietrangeli, an Italian consulting engineering services firm.

Work is scheduled to continue until August 2014.

The Government has committed to having renewable sources supplying at least 20 per cent of Jamaica’s energy supply by 2030.

Read more:

Alternative Energy Electricity Government News

Government To Pursue Multimillion Dollar Hydropower Project

April 2, 2013

Energy minister Phillip Paulwell
Energy minister Phillip Paulwell

Energy minister Phillip Paulwell has announced that his ministry will be partnering with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to undertake a $109 million feasibility project at five potential hydropower sites.

The work is being carried out as part of the Energy Security and Efficiency Enhancement Project, which is being funded through a 2011 loan agreement between the Government and the World Bank.

Under the agreement the World Bank has provided US$15 million to finance initiatives to increase Jamaica‘s energy efficiency and improve energy security.

Of this amount, $2.5 million has been allocated to the implementation of the hydro project.

The sites selected to participate in the project are the Rio Cobre River in St. Catherine, Morgan and Negro rivers in St. Thomas, Martha Brae River in Trelawny and Spanish River in Portland.

Paulwell has described the project as significant to his Ministry’s larger plan to develop Jamaica’s renewable energy industry.

The project will be carried out by SP Studio Pietrangeli, an Italian consulting engineering services firm.

Work is scheduled to continue until August 2014.

The Government has committed to having renewable sources supplying at least 20 per cent of Jamaica’s energy supply by 2030.

Read more:

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