New LED sensor.
To recap just a bit, the piezoelectric effect occurs when certain materials are placed under strain, for example when you step on them. The effect can also occur when materials are vibrated, as in the piezoelectric
Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell (standing) and Joan Spencer-Ernandez, Board Chair of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), bear witness as CMI Executive Director Fritz Pinnock and Jamaica Public Service Company Chief Executive Officer Kelly Tomblin sign an agreement to retrofit existing street lights with light-emitting diode (LED) units. The manufacturing and assembly of the lights are to be done locally by engineers and technicians at the CMI.
THE EDITOR, Sir:
This is an open letter to Local Government Minister Noel Arscott.
I read of your plans to reduce our street-light bill by $1 billion, and I support your effort.
I remind you that under our two recent political regimes, much work was put into establishing and documenting a memorandum of understanding between the local authorities and the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to govern the method of charging for street-light service.
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) was the facilitator, and the Association of Local Government Authorities (ALGA) represented the parish councils in the negotiations.
I suppose JPS would not be averse to you starting all over again, since that would allow them to continue overcharging us.
Minister, the OUR, along with the JPS and surely ALGA, has much information on the way forward. You don’t even have to go that far, as the real workers in your ministry who were party to the deliberations would also have the information.
The document was awaiting the signature of JPS or the ruling of the OUR, and you should be able to bring about a final position shortly.
Please pursue this matter for us, the payers of property tax.
MILTON C. BROWN
Former President, ALGA
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THE EDITOR, Sir:
This is an open letter to Local Government Minister Noel Arscott.
I read of your plans to reduce our street-light bill by $1 billion, and I support your effort.
I remind you that under our two recent political regimes, much work was put into establishing and documenting a memorandum of understanding between the local authorities and the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to govern the method of charging for street-light service.
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) was the facilitator, and the Association of Local Government Authorities (ALGA) represented the parish councils in the negotiations.
I suppose JPS would not be averse to you starting all over again, since that would allow them to continue overcharging us.
Minister, the OUR, along with the JPS and surely ALGA, has much information on the way forward. You don’t even have to go that far, as the real workers in your ministry who were party to the deliberations would also have the information.
The document was awaiting the signature of JPS or the ruling of the OUR, and you should be able to bring about a final position shortly.
Please pursue this matter for us, the payers of property tax.
MILTON C. BROWN
Former President, ALGA
Read more:
Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer
With the high costs now associated with the use of electricity, consumers will now be happy to know that Samsung Electronics has unveiled in Jamaica a new refrigerator with a digital inverter that is guaranteed to save energy, automatically levels the power fluctuation, has more durability and a higher cooling performance to keep food in top condition.
The digital inverter increases energy efficiency by automatically choosing between five-speed RPM in response to cooling requirements. According to Alvin Vanegas, Samsung sales executive for home appliances, opening the door frequently or putting a plate of hot food in the refrigerator can create changes in temperature, but the digital inverter compressor reacts quickly to provide cool air to slow or speed, reducing energy consumption.
“In the same way that technology aims to prolong the life of the refrigerator, Samsung reinforces its commitment to the durability of its products, offering consumers a 10-year warranty on the compressor,” Vanegas said.
With the new combi fridge freezer, Samsung brings powerful technologcal innovations into the home, empowering families to get more out of their appliances and run their households more efficiently. Advanced technology in Samsung’s new refrigerator delivers an overall unique design, complemented by special features that work together to maximise space efficiency.
“It comes equipped with unique resources that provide convenient storage options and efficient use of space, including a sliding tray to store and get food easier and a compartment door which is longer and deeper for bottles,” Vanegas said.
The refrigerator also has:
Auto Ice Maker
Ice max or ice packs, depending on the model, offering two ice compartments.
LED light which is high in efficiency and better at illuminating the interior.
Sophisticated design of the door providing easy opening.
Water dispenser at a height that eliminates the need to tilt the body to use.
‘Moistfresh zone’ which controls the airflow to maintain optimum moisture, creating the perfect environment for storing fruits and vegetables.
‘Cool pack’ keeps the cold in the freezer for eight hours in case of power failure, preventing food from spoiling in the event of an ice-melt.
For more information on the Samsung Digital Inverter Compressor refrigerator, visit:
We note Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell’s intention of reintroducing the scheme that gave households energy-saving light bulbs in exchange for incandescent ones.
We back the idea if the Cubans, who donated the first set of bulbs, do in fact have more to give, and if we can be assured that there will be proper oversight. For the last effort was not only an embarrassment to Mr Paulwell’s People’s National Party administration, but Jamaica, generally.
The minister’s then deputy, and others, were accused of siphoning off millions of light bulbs for personal benefit and of setting up dummy companies to manage the distribution. These allegations are still before the court.
Any new arrangement must be beyond suspicion.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.
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After years of work, LED lighting company have finally achieved their goal of producing a good replacement for the common 60-watt incandescent bulb.
Cree earlier this week released a bulb that mimics the light and shape of the conventional incandescent with aggressive pricing, ranging from just under $10 for a 40-watt equivalent to just under $14 for a 60-watt equivalent. (See,
THE Government is implementing a street light energy saving initiative, with the commencement of a pilot project, to be undertaken in three parishes over the next six months.
The initiative, being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, and the United States-based technology and engineering solutions firm, Green Energy RG LLC, is aimed at significantly reducing the cost to the budget to maintain the country’s approximately 93,000 street lights, which totals upwards of $2 billion per annum.
The Government has begun its pilot programme of introducing energy efficient street lights.
The programme, which kicked off on Tuesday, will see some $5,000 solar panels being installed in sections of Clarendon, Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. Catherine.
The initiative is aimed at reducing the government
Local Government and Community Development Minister, Noel Arscott (right), and President, Green Energy RG Caribbean Limited, Jonathan Burke, examine the features of a solar light emitting diode (LED) panel.
The Government is implementing a street light energy saving initiative, with the commencement of a pilot project, to be undertaken in three parishes over the next six months.
The initiative, being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, and United States-based technology and engineering solutions firm, Green Energy RG LLC, is aimed at significantly reducing the cost to the budget to maintain the country
