Energy Saving Archives - Page 15 of 16

No Word On Bidders For Renewables Project

October 17, 2013 Webmaster

Up to yesterday, there was still no word from the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) on the security bond from the three selected preferred bidders for the 115 megawatts of electricity-generation project using renewable energy-based power-generation facilities on a build, own and operate basis.

On October 1, the OUR announced that it had selected three companies which would supply 78 megawatts of the required amount. They had until this past Tuesday to provide the OUR with the applicable proposal security.

The named preferred bidders were Blue Mountain Renewables LLC, to supply 34 megawatts of capacity from wind power at Munro in St Elizabeth; Wigton Windfarm Limited, to supply 24 megawatts of capacity from wind power at Rose Hill, Manchester; and WRB Enterprises Inc, to supply 20 megawatts of capacity from Solar PV through facilities in Content Village, Clarendon.

The proposed delivery price to the national grid for these projects ranged from US$0.1290 to US$0.1880.

Jamaica Gleaner;

Alternative Energy Electricity Energy Saving Government JPS News Solar Energy

OUR Names Preferred Bidders For 115MW Electricity-Generation Project

October 2, 2013 Webmaster

The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has selected three preferred bidders for the supply of up to 115 megawatts of electricity-generation capacity from renewable energy-based power-generation facilities on a build, own, and operate basis.

In a release yesterday, the OUR said from the proposals for energy-only, the evaluation panel recommended three entities as preferred bidders with capacity amounting to 78 megawatts. These comprise two projects offering energy from wind, amounting to 58 megawatts; and one offering solar, amounting to 20 megawatts.

The preferred bidders are Blue Mountain Renewables LLC, to supply 34 megawatts of capacity from wind power at Munro in St Elizabeth; Wigton Windfarm Limited, to supply 24 megawatts of capacity from wind power at Rose Hill, Manchester; and WRB Enterprises Inc, to supply 20 megawatts of capacity from solar PV from facilities in Content Village, Clarendon.

The proposed delivery price to the national grid for these projects ranged from US$0.1290 to US$0.1880.

The preferred bidders have been directed to provide the OUR with the applicable proposal security by October 15.

The OUR said on June 3 that it had received 28 bids from 20 interested entities, which submitted proposals to supply renewable energy electricity generation of greater than 100 kilowatts and up to 115 megawatts to the national grid.

The bids were tendered by both local and international entities, with eight proposals received from local companies. Two proposals were received for wind, one for biomass, and 25 for solar energy.

Jamaica Gleaner;

Alternative Energy Electricity Energy Saving Government News Solar Energy

PV Production Grows Despite a Crisis-Driven Decline in Investment

September 30, 2013 Webmaster

Global production of photovoltaic (PV) cells grew by 10% in 2012 in comparison to 2011 despite a 9% decline in solar energy investments according to the annual “PV Status Report” released by the European Commission‘s Joint Research Centre. Europe remained a leader in newly installed capacities accounting for 51.7% (16.8 GW) of the 30 GW installed worldwide.

Abundant solar resources in combination with zero emissions from solar installations have attributed to PV energy systems a key role in the transition to a low carbon energy supply. This potential has driven development of more efficient PV modules and transformed the sector into one of the fastest growing industries. Production of PV cells and modules has gone from 46 MW in 1990 to 38.5 GW in 2012. Statistically documented cumulative installations worldwide accounted for almost 100 GW in 2012 placing the EU in the lead position with its share of over 69 GW.

Within the EU, Germany has kept its leading position in PV installation with an additional 7.6 GW in 2012, while Italy‘s newly installed 3.5 GW have allowed it to reach an electricity production covering 7.3% of the total electricity demand during the first seven months of 2013.

A steep, 80% drop of solar modules prices between 2008 and 2012, triggered by an overcapacity of production, created serious financial problems for manufacturers, but led to a consolidation of the industry and fuelled an extensive growth for the PV market in Asia: 60% in 2012 and a projected 100% in 2013. The rise in annual production has resulted in China and Taiwan to accounting for 70% of the global production.

Even with the on-going difficult economic conditions, the number of the new PV markets is increasing. This, along with rising energy prices and the pressure to stabilise the climate will maintain a high demand for solar power systems. Electricity production from PV modules has already proved that it can be cheaper than current conventional consumer electricity prices in many countries. In addition, renewable energies which are not fuel-dependent, are, in contrast to conventional energy sources, among the technologies to offer the prospect of a reduction in prices.

Science Daily;

Alternative Energy Electricity Energy Saving Government News Solar Energy

China Funding Street-Light Project In Dominica

September 19, 2013 Webmaster

Dominica is implementing a US$34-million solar street-light project with assistance from China, Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmore has said.

He said the 33-month project would involve installation of 4,851 solar street lights across the country, and that Beijing would be providing 2,500 of those lights.

“The prime minister has been able to use his good office to seek funding and assistance from The People’s Republic of China. We are in the process of launching a comprehensive national street lighting project that will seek to bring solar lights to all our main roads in Dominica, including urban areas,” he said.

Blackmore said the project would be executed in separate phases.

“What we intend to do is first of all address our main roads. During the first phase, we intend to install 2,500 solar street lights. That will significantly improve the security and safety of our roads for pedestrians and persons who use the road,” he added.

Jamaica Gleaner;

Alternative Energy Electricity Energy Saving News Solar Energy

Is Going Solar the Answer to Our High Electricity Bills?

August 2, 2013 Webmaster

Solar might just be the answer to our energy problem, but in order to know, we need to ask ourselves a few simple

1. Do I know exactly what JPS is charging me for?

2. Do I know the exact amount of energy my appliances are consuming?

3. Does my house meet the requirements for the installation of a solar system? For example; is my roof in good condition? Is part of the roof shadowed at any time during the course of the day?

4. What is the cost of a solar/ photovoltaic (PV) system?

5. How am I going to get funding for the project?

6. Which system would be more cost effective and better suited to my situation; a stand-alone system where I am independent of JPS or a grid-tied system where my photovoltaic system is synchronized with JPS and both work in tandem.

We at Solar Buzz Jamaica do believe that Solar is one of the best and cheapest alternatives presently available to us here

in Jamaica. However, we have noticed that in some cases it is not cost-effective for small homes and businesses to go solar. Based on the investments incurred for a solar system, the monthly JPS bill just may be cheaper, in other words the payback period may take years. Therefore, we recommend that no one should go blindly into installing PV systems without a proper energy assessment done on their home or building.

If we back track in November 2012 to the advice of the first official net billing JPS customer Mr. Gordon Lawrence, who

has had his solar system installed since 2008. He said,

Alternative Energy Energy Saving Government JPS LNG News Oil

VIDEO: ‘Let go off oil’

October 2, 2012 jrobinson

THE country cannot continue to depend on oil if the island intends to make meaningful progress with its economy, a leading energy engineer has said.

Certified energy manager and energy auditor, Owen Gunning, who is also president of the Jamaica Society of Energy Engineers, wants a full-scale effort to be made to reduce Jamaica‘s dependence on oil as its base fuel and insists that a ‘more action, less talk’ approach should be adopted.

Observer Monday Exchange guests (from left) Alando Terrelonge, partner at Bailey Terrelonge Allen; Edison Galbraith, general manager, loan origination, Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ); Christopher Brown, energy project co-ordinator, DBJ; and Owen Gunning, certified energy manager, certified energy auditor and president of the Jamaica Society of Energy Engineers, continue the discussion on energy efficiency following the end of the Exchange yesterday at the newspaper

Alternative Energy Energy Saving News Pumps Solar Buzz Featured

Pool Pump Initial Cost & Electrical Cost 5 yr. Analysis

September 17, 2012 Webmaster

Cost Analysis of the 4 most popular pool pumps in the Jamaican market.

This analysis hopes to provide the readers with a better understanding of the costs associated with the purchase of varying pool pumps. This study takes into account the approximate initial cost of each pump along with the installation expenses and electrical costs associated with the operation of the pump over a five (5) year period.

Why choose an Inverter Pool Pump?

Solar Buzz Variable Speed Inverter pool pumps are enjoying rapidly increasing popularity in the swimming pool industry in Jamaica. These pumps offer many benefits over traditional pool pumps since they regulate the speed of the electric motor. This is done by the pump controlling the amount of power delivered to the motor

Energy Saving News

Cayman hosts the 1st Caribbean International Electric Car Show

September 3, 2012 jrobinson

The first Caribbean International Electric Car Show was launched at the Cayman Motor Museum in West Bay in Grand Cayman.

There it was officially announced that regulations allowing electric cars to be registered in the Cayman Islands had been approved.

A number of different models were on display, including the popular Wheego; a two-seater zippy vehicle that will be one of the cars available for purchase in the Cayman islands.

http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/cayman-hosts-1st-caribbean-international-electric-car-show

Energy Saving News

Solar-powered farming – Local firms get backing for renewables, farming mix

August 24, 2012 jrobinson

RENEWABLE energy and technology could go a long way towards improving food security.

Aside from conservation, innovation can also boost profitability and productivity of the Caribbean‘s agricultural sector.

Backed by Inter-American Development Bank‘s (IDB) funding, at least three local companies, which have already set out to mix alternative energy and farming, will be better able to do just that.

The Family Garden, Caribbean ESCO Limited and Echos Consulting will get US$200,000 ($18 million) apiece, as well as technical and business development support, to implement or scale up their ideas.

They were awarded for their proposals, which embrace “innovative energy efficiency or renewable energy solutions that have local or regional benefits, provide jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, under the IDB’s 2012 IDEAS Energy Innovation contest.

For the Harpers

Energy Saving News

Solar/Wind Hybrid Systems

June 28, 2012 jrobinson

A hybrid renewable energy system utilizes two or more energy production methods, usually solar and wind power. The major advantage of solar / wind hybrid system is that when solar and wind power production are used together, the reliability of the system is enhanced. Additionally, the size of battery storage can be reduced slightly as there is less reliance on one method of power production. Often, when there is no sun, there is plenty of wind. In comparison to solar modules, wind turbines can offer a more favourable dollar per watt ratio.

You want to consider a hybrid system when you

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