(From left) Professor E Nigel Harris, Vice Chancellor, University of the West Indies (UWI) in conversation at the launch of the Promoting Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Buildings project, with Professor Anthony Clayton; Dr Camille Bell-Hutchinson; Edu Hassing and Professor Tara Dasgupta
BUILDINGS which generate as much or more power than they consume.
That is the future for Jamaica
Have you been monitoring your energy consumption with a view to reducing monthly bills?
Yes, I have installed energy saving devices 40.38%
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Somewhat, every so often I try to cut down on my energy use 38.5%
No, I still have to pay whether or not I use it 21.13%
Read more:
Have you been monitoring your energy consumption with a view to reducing monthly bills?
Yes, I have installed energy saving devices 40.38%
|
|
Somewhat, every so often I try to cut down on my energy use 38.5%
No, I still have to pay whether or not I use it 21.13%
Read more:
APPLIANCE Traders Limited (ATL) has expanded into the alternative energy business.
ATL Energy Solutions will add solar water heaters, photovoltaic panels and other devices for revewable power to the appliance retailers energy-efficient product line.
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Shani Duncan (right), business development manager of energy solutions at Appliance Traders Limited (ATL), shares some literature on energy efficiency with State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Julian Robinson (left) at the Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo held at the Pegasus on Monday.
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The division will also provide technical consultancy on assessing, designing and implementing scalable energy-saving solutions for businesses and homes.
“We want to demystify the alternative energy space for our customers making it easier for them to determine the best path to reducing their energy consumption,” said Paul Grey, ATL’s energy and engineering manager.
The introduction of the industrial giant’s new division comes after months of extensive research and analysis of global alternative energy providers to identify the best solutions for the Jamaican market according to the division head.
“Record energy prices in Jamaica as well as in the international marketplace have heightened the need for sustainable alternatives. Expanding into the energy business is a natural progression for ATL given our history of providing advanced engineering and industrial solutions for major projects in Jamaica and the Caribbean,” said Grey. “Our mandate with ATL Energy Solutions is to provide our customers with a comprehensive resource centre to assess, design, implement, and service energy-saving technology and equipment that will reduce consumption patterns and ultimately energy receipts.”
ATL already has solid footing in the alternative energy space executing a joint $8.6-million initiative with eco-innovation leaders Panasonic.
The project saw the construction of a prototype eco-villa at Sandals Montego Bay, the first of its kind in Jamaica.
The luxury suites are fully powered by Panasonic’s photovoltaic systems as well utilise all inverter appliances and electronics. Additionally, the company inked an exclusive arrangement with leading Israeli solar technology company Nimrod Industries Limited to distribute its solar water heaters as well as implemented its own Eco-Smart seal to earmark ‘green’ electronics in its product line-up.
“We are at a transformational period in the Jamaican energy sector that requires us to either heavily curb our existing consumption patterns or look to alternative sources of power,” said Grey. “Our strategic partnerships enable us to offer a gamut of solutions across a range of applications for both our commercial and residential customers. From LED light bulbs which can last over 50,000 hours to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels which can last up to 25 years or even inverter appliances which save up to 60 per cent on power bills, we have solutions for the energy-mindful consumer.”
ATL also provides detailed energy audits from which customers can readily evaluate their savings.
APPLIANCE Traders Limited (ATL) has expanded into the alternative energy business.
ATL Energy Solutions will add solar water heaters, photovoltaic panels and other devices for revewable power to the appliance retailers energy-efficient product line.
|
Shani Duncan (right), business development manager of energy solutions at Appliance Traders Limited (ATL), shares some literature on energy efficiency with State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Julian Robinson (left) at the Jamaica Alternative Energy Expo held at the Pegasus on Monday.
|
The division will also provide technical consultancy on assessing, designing and implementing scalable energy-saving solutions for businesses and homes.
“We want to demystify the alternative energy space for our customers making it easier for them to determine the best path to reducing their energy consumption,” said Paul Grey, ATL’s energy and engineering manager.
The introduction of the industrial giant’s new division comes after months of extensive research and analysis of global alternative energy providers to identify the best solutions for the Jamaican market according to the division head.
“Record energy prices in Jamaica as well as in the international marketplace have heightened the need for sustainable alternatives. Expanding into the energy business is a natural progression for ATL given our history of providing advanced engineering and industrial solutions for major projects in Jamaica and the Caribbean,” said Grey. “Our mandate with ATL Energy Solutions is to provide our customers with a comprehensive resource centre to assess, design, implement, and service energy-saving technology and equipment that will reduce consumption patterns and ultimately energy receipts.”
ATL already has solid footing in the alternative energy space executing a joint $8.6-million initiative with eco-innovation leaders Panasonic.
The project saw the construction of a prototype eco-villa at Sandals Montego Bay, the first of its kind in Jamaica.
The luxury suites are fully powered by Panasonic’s photovoltaic systems as well utilise all inverter appliances and electronics. Additionally, the company inked an exclusive arrangement with leading Israeli solar technology company Nimrod Industries Limited to distribute its solar water heaters as well as implemented its own Eco-Smart seal to earmark ‘green’ electronics in its product line-up.
“We are at a transformational period in the Jamaican energy sector that requires us to either heavily curb our existing consumption patterns or look to alternative sources of power,” said Grey. “Our strategic partnerships enable us to offer a gamut of solutions across a range of applications for both our commercial and residential customers. From LED light bulbs which can last over 50,000 hours to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels which can last up to 25 years or even inverter appliances which save up to 60 per cent on power bills, we have solutions for the energy-mindful consumer.”
ATL also provides detailed energy audits from which customers can readily evaluate their savings.
Energy efficiency services are attractive for solar companies
An energy efficiency project aimed at cutting energy costs in smaller hotels is to be implemented in Jamaica by the end of the year.
The project, which is called the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action Programme, has been successfully tested in Barbados and will be extended to The Bahamas and other countries in the region.
In endorsing the energy saving initiative, Jamaica
An energy efficiency project aimed at cutting energy costs in smaller hotels is to be implemented in Jamaica by the end of the year.
The project, which is called the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action Programme, has been successfully tested in Barbados and will be extended to The Bahamas and other countries in the region.
In endorsing the energy saving initiative, Jamaica
Cabinet has approved the introduction of policy standards for street lights aimed at reducing the cost of powering them.
The government said implementation of the policy will be underpinned by the requisite regulations, to enable the use of the most energy efficient and cost effective units.
The Cabinet has also authorised the exploration of feasible options for the introduction of light emitting diode or LED street lights on a wide scale across Jamaica.
There are over 93,000 street lights in Jamaica.
Projected cost for this year is some $2.8 billion.
JAMAICANS are being encouraged to pay keen attention to energy efficiency when purchasing home appliances and other devices that utilise electricity.
The appeal was made yesterday by officials of the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), which is spearheading a national project that seeks to promote the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation. The project also seeks to encourage Jamaicans to make greater use of renewable energy such as solar, particularly in small and medium enterprises.
In addition to funding from the DBJ, the US$807-million DBJ GreenBiz Energy Efficiency Project receives assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank.
According to DBJ officials, who were guests at the Jamaica Observer weekly Monday Exchange, a number of Jamaican consumers can be described as being penny wise and pound foolish when purchasing appliances such as television sets, air-conditioning units, light bulbs, and refrigerators.
Christopher Brown, energy project co-ordinator at the DBJ, cautioned Jamaicans to pay attention to what he cited as the life cycle cost of a product versus the up-front cost. “Although you spend X amount for a TV now, the cost of electricity for the TV should also be factored in. I know that in Jamaica we are driven by purchasing power, and so one TV might cost one and a half times another, and because of that high capital cost people don’t invest in it. However, at the end of the day, the person who bought the cheaper TV would have paid a lot more, over time,” Brown explained.
His point was endorsed by president of the Jamaica Society of Energy Engineers, Owen Gunning, who pointed to a major difference between the amount of energy consumed by an old refrigerator, as opposed to a newer one. “An old fridge for example would give you about 600 watts, a newer fridge would probably take you down to 250 watts,” said Gunning as he encouraged consumers to look for the energy star on appliances.
He added that the same principle applies to air-conditioning units, some of which continue to be dumped on Jamaica, despite their high levels of inefficiency. “You have what is referred to as an Energy Efficiency Rating and you have people dumping on us AC units that have energy efficiency ratio of 7.5, but you can get energy efficiency ratio of up to 18,” said Gunning, a University of Technology lecturer who explained that the higher the ratio, the less it will cost to operate the unit.
He also chided persons who continue to use electric water heaters and argued that they would save significantly on their electricity bills if they were to invest in solar water heaters.
Gunning also pointed to significant differences in the amount of energy consumed by older type television sets as opposed to LCD and LED televisions.
Meanwhile, the DBJ energy project coordinator explained that a marketing campaign has been launched to support the project. The campaign will appeal to all Jamaicans, but will target operators of small and medium enterprises and will also target school administrators, many of whom have been grappling with massive electricity bills.
Brown indicated that as part of efforts to promote the energy efficiency project a fair will be held on October 12 at Emancipation Park in St Andrew.
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