OpenPV Visualization from NREL

A very interesting project from NREL that maps all existing PV installations within US and includes a host of other data. It will be great to have this map expanded to include the gloabl PV status.



OpenPV Visualization

A small solar-wind hybrid street lighting system at USP

On Friday we commissioned a small solar-wind lighting system on USP campus. This project was funded by the Embassy of France in Fiji. The main idea behind this initiative was to create RE awareness among campus residents & visitors while providing hands-on training to 60-70 annual intake of our RE courses. Our students come from 12 Pacific Island Countries and we hope that they will help build RE based community systems on their return to their island homes.

The project was formally commissioned by Prof. Chandra, the Vice Chancellor of USP and Mr. Maizret , the Cooperation Counsellor from French Embassy.

I appeared on Radio Australia's 'In the Loop' programme to talk about RE developments at the USP.Click here to listen.

Sun Powers IT lab in South Africa

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) bridges the digital divide for rural students in the remote Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, using a solar-powered computer lab and wireless Internet access ( Renewable Energy Weekly 14 Oct 2009)

Watch a related video here

PV in the PICs

Five PICs( Nauru, Niue, FSM, Palau and RMI) have recently set-up a number of grid-connected and stand alone PV sytems thanks to the REP-5 under EU's EDF-9 initiative. Some of the main projects are
i) a grid-connected 100kWp for Palau's Capitol complex

















ii)20kWp grid-connected system in Niue













iii)Grid-connected 40kWp at Nauru college in Nauru
















iv)2 mini-grid and 5 grid connected systems in FSM

















It will be interesting to monitor the performance of these systems in the coming years but it is defenitely a great step in the right direction.

All photos and details: http://www.rep5.eu/

Carbon Trading Ceremony in Papua New Guinea Highlands

Apenda Village Sing Sing 2nd. August, 2009 from Jeremy Dawes on Vimeo.

Check the following sites to get an insight into REDD activities in PNG:

carbonwontok

and

Overmatter

and check the comments section below

the Masalai Blog


I am sure there is much more to come.

Rotary Trip to Monasavu and beyond

Last weekend we joined the Rotary Club of Peninsula on a 4-wheel road trip . The trip took us up to Monasavu dam which provides most of hydroelectric power ( ~80MW) available in Viti Levu. We climbed down to Raki Raki for a night stop before returning to Suva next day via King's road.



On our way to the dam, we stopped in a village (Lasi Levu) to distribute some books and other goodies from our clubs. There was a traditional Kava welcome - you can watch Champak-President of RCP enjoying his cuppa.



The kids in the village had had a good time too. Ankita managed to capture their mood.

Renewable Energy Symposium at the USP

The Environmental engineering and Renewable Energy research group hosted a two day International Renewable Energy Symposium here at the USP. A number of papers were presented with a main focus on ocean and wind energy. My talk was on the general status of energy scene in the PICs and stressed the need to develop/apply appropriate technology according to the variable requirements of individual Island countries- from PNG ( population ~ 7 million) to Niue (population ~2,000).

Fiji TV covered part of the action in their evening news. You can watch it here:

Public lecture

Last week I presented a public lecture on RE and CDM prospects in the Pacific Island Countries. Check it out here.

Solar mirrors to line border in Rann of Kutch - India

Solar mirrors to line border in Rann of Kutch - India - NEWS - The Times of India

At risk from rising seas, Tuvalu seeks clean power | Reuters

At risk from rising seas, Tuvalu seeks clean power | Reuters

Science Plan on sustainable energy

The International Council of Science (ICSU )Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific has brought out a report entitled " Science Plan on Sustainable Energy". This report was prepared by the Planning Group on Sustainable Energy of which I am a member.My main contribution was on efficient lighting and capacity building.

You can download the report from:

Here

Carbon conmen selling the sky

Carbon conmen selling the sky

Solomon Islands Solar: A New Microfinance Concept Takes Root - Renewable Energy World

Solomon Islands Solar: A New Microfinance Concept Takes Root - Renewable Energy World

Rotary Water for Life Website

Rotary Water for Life

A Historic Moment for Rotary Club of Suva East

Courtesy: The Suva East Bulletin

On Monday January 26th, our weekly luncheon fellowship was bursting at the seams, and with good reason. DG Jack Davies presided over the meeting which was also attended by members of the press, honored guests, and nearly all 34 of our members.

The special occasion: all Suva East members were honored with the Rotary Foundation’s highest commendation as Paul Harris Fellows. Named for the founder of Rotary, the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition is presented to Rotarians who have demonstrated commitment to outstanding service to their communities and who have contributed significantly to the Rotary Foundation. This was a truly unique occasion, as it is the first time in the history of our district that an entire club has been honored with Paul Harris Fellow recognition. The awards were made possible by Suva East’s significant fundraising and frequent donor points collected over many years. We have all played a part in the humanitarian work and fundraising that lead to this significant achievement.

Neglected RE systems

A large number of renewable energy projects in the developing countries fail within a very short time after they were commissioned with much fanfare and publicity. The root cause of this failure is lack of training and maintenance- and at times sheer neglect as is evident form the photo above (courtesy Sandeep). Sadly, this is not an isolated case - you can find similar pictures all over the world.Most of the system parts are usable but need a renewed push from the governments and donors toward raining and capacity building in these remote areas.

KL meeting

I am currently engaged in drafting a science plan for research and training in sustainable energy in the Asia pacific region. Last week attended a meeting at the Regional Office of ICSU in Kuala lumpur to finalize the draft.Photo shows the members of this group -Richard could not attend this time.

Fiji Sugar Corporation seals ethanol deal - Fiji Times Online

FSC seals ethanol deal - Fiji Times Online

Article-Sustainable development recipe

Sustainable development recipe - Fiji Times Online

Article on RE training and jobs opportunities

Fiji Times Online - Fiji News, Sport and Weather from the pages of The Fiji Times

RIL (India) to spend 25 Billion$ on PV power

R-Energy to draw power from sun,

Workshop on MFIs and Village Level Energy

Last month I attended an International Workshop on
Financing Village-Level Energy for Development in Asia Pacific. the workshop was organized by FDC , ADB and GVEP and was held at ADB headquarters ,Manila.The main agenda of the workshop was to look at the existing microfinance framework in the region and develop innovative strategies to make energy accessible to millions of people living in villages.The workshop coincided with the launching of "Energy for all"initiative by the ADB.
Opening remarks by Craig Wilson, FDC
ADB press release
One of the most interesting part of the workshop was a field visit to an LPG distribution center including a nearby community in need of a better cooking fuel. We also visited APPROTECH Asia Philippines' pilot project site for improved institutional cooking stove for food enterprises.

Light Up Papua New Guinea Project

Almost 90% people in PNG have no access to electricity and they spend more than 100 Million dollars annually on kerosene and batteries . There are about 1900 medical aid-posts spread over the rugged terrain and Islands that make PNG .These life-saving stations are also in dire need of suitable lighting. Now, a Canadian couple has decided to come to the rescue and will help light up all 1820 medical stations within the next 3 years. Dr. Tim and Sally Goddard have started this initiative in memory of their daughter Captain Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian female soldier to die in combat in Afghanistan. Nichola was born in Madang (PNG) where her parents were working as teachers. This work is being undertaken with the support of Light Up the World Foundation and will begin in July.
You can find more about this project here.

Lighting up the villages in Fiji

According to some estimates, people worldwide spend about 40 Billion dollars on highly inefficient kerosene lamps for their basic lighting needs. Solar based technologies are readily available to allow these communities switch to more efficient ,clean and sustainable lighting sources. The main hurdle is of course the initial capital payment for solar panels, batteries etc.
One community in the northern province of Macuata on the second largest island of Fiji Vanua Levu , has just moved into the era of efficient lighting. A women's group in Visoqo village ,Macuata Soqosoqo ni Marama (Macuata Women’s Association) with the help of GEF,Canada Fund and International Women's organization(IWA-Shikha is a member ),Suva raised funds to install several Solar Home Systems within the community.A local company CBSpowersolutions did the installation of SHS systems.

Small portable solar lanterns are a great substitute for hurricane lamps and ordinary torches.Photo below shows such a lantern ( Solar Navigator) recently introduced here in Fiji. It is a compact lantern with a 9W CFL, a built-in solar panel and a 6V battery. The battery can be charged by solar energy or any electrical outlet.This is a very well designed product and comes with a radio or a motion sensor.My students are currently running some tests on these lanterns as part of their mini project- the lanterns were presented to our RE lab by Ajay Prasad ,director of CBSPS, .



Photos:CBSPS

Cogeneration plant commissioned in Fiji

On 30th April 2008, Tropikwood Industries Fiji commissioned its 12 MW cogeneration plant. The plant cost 23 Million $ and will supply 72 GWh of electricity to the national grid. This is a major boost to the Fiji electricity authority's ambitious plans to be 100% renewable based by 2011. The plant uses bark, sawdust and wood residues from the mill at Lautoka. The company expects a revenue of 9 million dollars annually from this expanded version of their previous smaller plant.The equipment for this set-up was supplied by RCR Tomlinson and uses a Babcock & Wilcox Towerpak superheated steam boiler plant.
photo:rcrtom.com.au