Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter
THE TARGETED reduction of the consumption of energy within the public sector last year failed to meet the announced objective, falling short by two thirds.
Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell told
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.
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.
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The average Jamaican household (that spends on average $12,000 per month on electricity bill) can spend $2 million on alternative energy.
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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.
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THE EDITOR, Sir:
I would like to condemn the recent theft of the 53 batteries from the solar-lighting system along the Highway 2000 corridor.
The solar-powered lights are the latest state-of-the-art upgrade that was introduced to help reduce Jamaica’s cost of generating electricity. The wholesale theft of these solar batteries is a handicap to modernisation in Jamaica.
I propose that going forward:
1. The Government should explore purchasing units that don’t stick out as solar-powered lights.
2. They should not publicise the installation of additional units.
3. If possible, they should embed tracking devices within these units to trace them if they are stolen.
4. Provide effective police patrol in areas where these lights are installed.
5. In addition, the courts should throw the book at anyone caught and convicted of stealing these batteries to send a strong message that this will not be tolerated.
We can deter future theft of these energy-saving units, which Jamaica desperately needs to help wean ourselves off of petroleum addiction.
PATRICK CALLUM
patrickcallum@yahoo.com
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Sacha Walters-Gregory, Staff Reporter
National power supplier, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), is relinquishing power to its customers by venturing into retail, with its new e-Store which sells devices designed to cut customers’ energy costs.
“It’s really to put knowledge and information in our customers’ hands. As you look at our products you’ll see that a lot of our products are designed to do just that,” said Kelly Tomblin, president and CEO of JPS, at the official opening of the first store last Thursday.
The power company, often dogged by customers’ complaints of high energy costs, is selling devices to save energy, protect electrical equipment and monitor electricity usage, which will ultimately allow consumers to reduce energy consumption.
Located at the power company’s Ruthven Road Customer Service Office, at 23 Ruthven Road, St Andrew, the store is one of four stores to be opened this year.
“The products really help our customers to say, this costs me that and unfortunately when you get a bill at the end of the month for activity done throughout that month there’s nothing you can do about it at that time, but we’re going to give them information along the way so they can afford that energy bill and then after that we’re going to talk about how you decrease your usage,” said Tomblin. She further explained that energy conservation needs to be more relevant to customers.
REAL CONSERVATION
“The reason we believe that these kind of products and stores are necessary is that we’re finding although we give conservation a lot of lip service we haven’t got passionate about it. I think it’s because we haven’t made it real, conservation and show a bill before and after. So we’re hoping that along with the government we can lead the way to show real decreases in energy prices,” she said.
One of the products available in the store is the Digital Energy Timer, invented locally, which can be attached to a variety of electrical devices, allowing owners to automatically turn these devices off when not in use by way of a timer or by way of the Internet. It can be applied on a small scale in homes or larger scale in businesses. According to a release from the company, “the timer, which also comes with an energy meter that measures power consumed, can be installed at distribution panels, electrical enclosures and specific zone areas and is particularly useful in determining energy usage of one section of a factory or a tenant in a rental situation. ”
Other products include LED lights which can reduce energy costs by approximately $3,000 per bulb per year; an Energy Saving Kit ($2,900 including GCT), which includes a low-flow shower head that allows you to use 0.5 less gallons of water, a timer to alert you when you’ve reached the optimal time for a shower, a sensored night light and three energy-efficient bulbs and surge protector devices.
Customers can also access the devices available at the eStore, at JPS branches islandwide.
sacha.walters@gleanerjm.com)
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell (left), addressing the energy efficiency and conservation workshop for the Ministry and its agencies at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, on March 27. Looking on is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hillary Alexander.
Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, says individual behavioural changes are critical in the fight to conserve energy and reduce the country
JAMAICA Public Service Company (JPS) will next month begin to roll out retail stores that will sell energy-saving products.
The light and power company says the initiative will kick-start a more ’empowering’ engagement with its customers going forward.
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Nicolette Hind shows off some of the eStore products during a promotion. |
“It’s actually the first time we are venturing into anything like this. We always supported and encouraged; what we are doing now is investing in empowerment, so we are going further,” Winsome Callum, JPS’s head of corporate communications, told Caribbean Business Report during an exclusive interview at the firm’s Ruthven Road, Kingston, outlet on Wednesday.
The new retail stores, branded “eStore”, will be located inside existing JPS customer service offices, with the first store scheduled to be opened on April 4 at the Ruthven Road outlet.
JPS will initially offer up to 40 different energy-savings products, including a variety of power efficient gadgets, timers and sensors, said the company’s director of sales and marketing, Garth McKenzie.
“Our products will fall into three major categories: equipment that will save energy, equipment that will protect your investment and equipment that will help you to understand your usages,” said McKenzie, noting that the company is targeting both the residential and corporate markets.
JPS has partnered with a number of overseas and local suppliers, including Nicorp Limited and its brand of surge protectors.
While items will be on sale, the stores will primarily focus on teaching consumers about energy consumption and how to save, McKenzie said.
“We will be consumed with looking for those things that can help people to change their habits and improve their energy efficiency. Energy efficiency has to be more than just wishing it; it needs some education, tools and gadgets,” said the sales and marketing executive.
JPS, which has 15 offices islandwide, will officially launch up to four ‘eStores’ before the end of the year, but will be offering the new services at all the locations. The company did not disclose how much money was being invested in the venture.
“We will be dressing up about two or three more locations (after Ruthven Road) by the end of the year. For the other dozen or so that won’t be dressed up, we will be branding the space to let people know that there is an eStore operation there,” McKenzie said.
JPS, for years, has had an uneasy relationship with the Jamaican public, who have become increasingly frustrated with high electricity bills and accuse the company of being rapacious. The relationship hit a low point two years ago when a wide cross-section of Jamaicans, including a government senator and an Opposition member of parliament at the time, joined a social network campaign and wore black in protest against exorbitant electricity bills from the energy provider.
McKenzie said the ‘eStore’ initiative is aimed at improving the company’s relationship with customers.
“We recognise that the value that JPS is giving is not matching up with the cost and this is an attempt to improve that value proposition,” McKenzie said.
“What people are unhappy with is the apparent lack of control that they have over their electricity bills,” he continued. “We are a business so we expect to earn money, but more importantly we need to have customers that are more empowered so that they are less disgruntled.”
JPS announced earlier this week that customers will see a 10 per cent hike in their electricity bills this month, largely due to higher fuel costs and the depreciation of the Jamaica dollar.
Against this background, Callum noted that different macroeconomic factors have made it now even more critical for Jamaicans to focus on energy savings. JPS wants to help consumers realise this goal, she said.
“People say they have tried conservation and they don’t see the results, so we want to help them to actually see results,” Callum noted.
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