Virgin Inslands road map to a future of clean energy
EDIN-USVI has produced a brochure that provides an overview of the clean-energy deployment process and progress of the Energy Development in Island Nations U.S. Virgin Islands pilot project road map, including over-arching goals, organization, strategy, technology-specific goals and accomplishments, challenges, solutions, and upcoming milestones. It can be found here.
EDIN-USVI Partners to Host Community Clean Energy Workshop Sept. 15 at UVI–St. Croix
The Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) partners will meet with members of the U.S. Virgin Islands Energy Action Team, project working groups, and local clean energy champions for a Community Clean Energy Workshop on September 15 at the University of the Virgin Islands – St. Croix campus. The purpose of the workshop, which is the fifth since the EDIN-USVI project was launched in February 2010, is to involve the community in building on the momentum that has been generated by recent progress, including the solar installation at Cyril E. King Airport and the energy efficiency upgrades that are under way at 11 local schools.
Having developed an Energy Road Map based ontechnical analyses performed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), EDIN-USVI Directors Hugo Hodge Jr. and Karl Knight, along with founding partners the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the VI Energy Office (VIEO) and the VI Water and Power Authority (WAPA), are encouraging community-wide involvement in the project. Interested community members will have an opportunity to collaborate with active project supporters representing local businesses and non-profits, including VIenergize Partners Quality Electric Supply (QES), Asencios Construction, Luis G. Huertas, Horizon Energy Systems VI, Silva Energy and AARP, in breakout sessions focused on implementing key strategies that have been identified for achieving a 60 percent reduction in fossil fuel consumption in the USVI by 2025.
The workshop, which is open to the public, will provide a forum for government, utility, education and businesses leaders; environmental groups; clean energy advocates and developers; and others to present progress reports, data analyses and lessons learned, as well as engage in collaborative planning. The focus of the workshop is on moving from the planning phase into the implementation phase of the territory-wide transition to a clean energy future.
Experts from the NREL, DOE, DOI, and the private sector will report on feasibility studies and analyses that have informed the development of the USVI Energy Road Map. Project directors, partners, and working group leads will consult with stakeholders and interested local business leaders and community members on projects aimed at promoting energy efficiency, transportation improvements, education and workforce development, and renewable energy generation in the USVI.
EDIN is an international partnership focused on addressing the unique energy challenges islands face by advancing the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The USVI was selected as EDIN’s first U.S. pilot project. The purpose of the project is to support the USVI’s goal of reducing fossil fuel consumption in the electricity and transportation sectors 60 percent by 2025.
In June 2010, EDIN-USVI announced the formation of five integrated working groups focused on specific challenges: Education and Workforce Development, Policy and Analysis, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Transportation. The working groups are comprised of USVI-based project partners and technical advisors with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The quarterly EDIN-USVI workshops provide an opportunity for the working groups to report on progress, network, and engage in face-to-face planning sessions.
For more information on EDIN-USVI, or to subscribe to the EDIN-USVI Clean Energy Quarterly newsletter, please visit edinenergy.org/usvi.html.
There is no registration fee for this workshop being held in the Great Hall; however, advance registration is required to ensure adequate seating and food service. Please RSVP to Laurie Thomas-Jacobs at laurie.thomas-jacobs@eo.vi.gov or 713-8436 ext. 3604 by September 2.
Energy Stimulus Projects on Target
The Virgin Islands Energy Office reports that one program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has been completed successfully, another one nears completion, and others are on track to meet their goals.
The Energy Star appliance rebate program ended on August 15. Over 940 residents received rebates totaling $446,846.46 at the end of July. Another 1,540 rebates have been approved with checks totally $379,921.01 in the process of being issued.
Rebates for renewable energy components are continuing and will continue as long as money is available. The Energy Office, up until the end ofJuly, had given $184,525.78 to residents in rebates for renewable energy projects. Another 86 applications are being processed which will result in checks totally another $232,739.41 being issued.
The Energy Office Discretionary Grant Program under ARRA is also nearing completion. The official deadline for accepting applications from non-profit agencies for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects was Sept. 10. The Energy Office has already given approval to 10 projects with a value of $492,639 and expects the million dollars allocated to this program will be obligated by the end of this month.
The Energy Office this year has also been administering a program giving rebates to residents who have purchased fuel efficient vehicles. In this program, which has $260,000 allocated, the Energy Office has already paid out $119,000.
The Energy Office in recent months has been shifting its focus to its Sun Power Loan program. Under this program residents are able to purchase a solar water heater with no upfront costs. The Energy Office rebates 50 percent of the cost of the solar water heater and, then, in conjunction with the Economic Development Authority and the Water and Power Authority, oversees a loan for the remaining costs. Only one percent is being charged on the loan.
As of August 31, the Energy Office has received 224 applications from residents to be part of the program. One hundred and thirty seven loans have been closed and 134 rebate checks have been issued. Loan disbursements as of that date equaled $318,440; the value of rebate checks cut equals $296.331.
As this program is completely new to all agencies involved, the Energy Office asks that residents and dealers be patient as all the wrinkles are worked out.
For additional information, contact the Energy Office at 713-8436, St. Croix, or 714-8436, St. Thomas .
Governor moves on study of possible inter-island connection
Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr. recently executed an agreement between the Virgin Islands Energy Office and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to conduct a feasibility study of an inter-island electrical connection.
The execution of the agreement is part of the administration’s strategy to assist WAPA in expanding its energy portfolio options in order to reduce the territory’s almost sole reliance on fossil fuel for the production of electricity and potable water. “The feasibility study will evaluate whether the creation of an interconnection between Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, and even linking to the British Virgin Islands is practical and can assist us in mitigating rate increases that impact our residents”, de Jongh said.
The grant is funded by $475,750 from a Congressionally Directed Project through the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory and $118,938 in matching funds from WAPA.
The Water and Power Authority will study the feasibility of inter-connecting the power grids between St. Thomas and St. Croix, between St. Thomas and Puerto Rico and between St. John and the British Virgin Islands. The study would select the appropriate submarine cable types, ensure the feasibility of high voltage direct current (HVDC), analyze the required power system’s new configuration, provide inter-connection preliminary cost estimates and conduct a benefits analysis that will evaluate such factors as the system’s reliability, operating costs, future capital investment needs, and any other potential benefits of an interconnected system.
A Request for Proposal has already been issued for release this week.“Inter-connecting one or more of these grids provides opportunities for WAPA to reduce its fuel consumption through four strategic approaches. By inter-connecting the grids, WAPA could reduce its spinning reserves, buy power from Puerto Rico at a rate lower than it can produce, purchase wind power from the British Virgin Islands and begin to increase the electricity grid that would allow for a higher amount of renewable energy to be incorporated into its generation mix,” according to WAPA Executive Director Hugo Hodge. Reducing WAPA’s fuel consumption would not only provide a measure of price stability for rate payers, but would help the territory move towards meeting the goals that the governor recently announced as part of the Energy Development in Island Nations (“EDIN”) initiative.
“The potential benefits of increased reliability and lower electrical cost make the pursuit of grid interconnection without neighbors a very attractive venture,” said V.I. Energy Office Director BevanSmith.
“We have great partnerships on this project with the federal government who view this as possible the first link in a Caribbean-wide power grid.”In executing the agreement the governor said, “The collaboration between the Delegate’s Office and my office on energy issues; the ongoing partnership between WAPA and the Energy Office and the financial and technical assistance from the federal government has made this study possible. Through these relationships, we are already reaping dividends for the people of the territory for years to come.”Hodge also said Monday that officials of WAPA will participate in various meetings in Washington, D.C. in mid-July as the Authority seeks funding for the inter-connect project. Meetings are scheduled with officials of the U.S. Department of Commerce; Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner; Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We are committed to improving the reliability of our system both for normal and emergency operation. The interconnection of these two grids will improve stability and add fuel diversity for the Virgin Islands,” Hodge added.
Government Projects
to Save Energy
Governor John P. deJongh Jr. has executed four Memoranda of Agreement to use over $9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding for energy efficiency initiatives in the government.
The execution of the agreements between the Virgin Islands Energy Office and the Department of Public Works, Water and Power Authority, Port Authority and Waste Management Authority are part of our overall strategy to reduce energy use,” de Jongh said. “They are also part of our efforts to improve our approach to managing government affairs by achieving energy efficiency in government buildings and facilities, consistency and management of our street lighting, and implementing a gas-treatment system at one of our landfills. The availability and access to ARRA funding has enabled us to be creative and to implement programs that will have a direct impact on government costs and our approach to energy conservation.” The Department of Public Works will install traffic signal LED bulbs, LED street light bulbs, solar lights in bus shelters, and solar lights on the Christiansted Boardwalk. These projects will cost $964,955 and save the Virgin Islands government about 820,060 kWhs per year. LED or light emitting diodes use half the power that compact fluorescent bulbs utilize and have twice the lifecycle.
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority will purchase and install a street light management system and replace high-pressure sodium street light fixtures with LED fixtures. This project will utilize $2.5 million of ARRA funds. It is estimated that this project will save WAPA 700,000 kWhs per year.
The Waste Management Authority will install a landfill, gas-to-energy, gas-treatment system at the Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas at an estimated cost of about $3 million. The work will include the installation of generating equipment to use the landfill gas to produce electricity at the Bovoni Landfill. The gas for the generators will be collected with a gas collection system already in progress prior to the grant award. This project is estimated to produce 1.5 million kWhs per year.
In the fourth project, the V. I. Port Authority will receive $2.9 million to purchase and install a 335 kW PV solar system at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas. This is expected to produce 485,925 kWhs per year for Port Authority use. At the current electric rate this will save the Port Authority $170,073 annually.
Overall, the savings anticipated from these projects will be about $2.1 million per year. “This is a significant milestone in our efforts to achieve the objectives of our comprehensive energy strategy. These government agencies are leading by example as we begin to reduce energy costs and promote clean energy use,” said Bevan R. Smith, Jr., Director of the Energy Office.
Smith said it is also the office’s objective to increase efficiency of energy use and production and increase fuel diversity and reliability, therefore, by this summer the central government and large commercial ratepayers will benefit from a long-term, self-sustaining energy demand reduction plan to decrease electricity and water consumption by 46 million kWh and 230 million gallons by 2013. This plan is expected to reduce utility costs in the Virgin Islands at current prices by almost $20 million annually beginning in 2013.
Governor De Jongh
Signs Energy Contract
Virgin Islands public facilities should become more environmentally friendly, energy efficient and cheaper to operate as a result of recent action begun by Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr.
Energy conservation work will be done at 11 public schools to demonstrate the development of clean-energy technologies in the Virgin Islands.
“We are starting the important work of making our government and public institutions energy efficient, an environmental and economic imperative for our territory. By taking advantage of stimulus funding, we will implement clean technologies and energy efficiency measures that will guide us into the next decade and beyond,” de Jongh said.
Energy Systems Group will do the work through recently-signed, energy-saving, performance contracts with the government. The work will reduce buildings’ energy consumption. The savings captured from reduced consumption will be used to repay the investments made in renewable energy generation and conservation.
This work focusing on the Department of Education is funded by $6.9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
This action is just one of several strategies taken by the government to help the Virgin Islands reach the goal set by the governor to reduce Virgin Islands dependency on fossil fuel by 60 percent by 2025.
For any additional information please call Miguel Quinones at 714-8436.
"VIenergize” Your Home for the Holidays
The holiday season is quickly approaching and the Virgin Islands Energy Office, (VIEO) the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA), and its Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) partners are urging you to “VIenergize (pronounced VY-energize) Your Holidays!” According to WAPA’s Executive Director, Hugo V. Hodge, Jr., and Bevan Smith, Energy Office Director, the EDIN-USVI initiatives, including the VIenergize campaign, are part of a movement towards energy sustainability and self-sufficiency in the Virgin Islands.
Hodge and Smith announced earlier this year that their two agencies have joined with the U.S Departments of Energy and the Interior, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to meet the territory’s goal of reducing fossil fuel usage by 60% in the electricity and transportation sectors by 2025. The VIenergizecampaign, which officially launches the work of the EDIN-USVI Education and Outreach working group, is aimed at keeping the importance of energy conservation and efficiency at the forefront of the minds of V.I. residents of all ages. A cross section of the community--residents, workers, businesses, schools, churches, civic organizations, legislators, tourists, and others—are encouraged to work together for a true energy revolution in the territory, Smith and Hodge explained.
“Urging Virgin Islands residents to VIenergize for the holidays is a great way to continue our message,” said Hodge. “They will enjoy the celebrations knowing they can save money while decorating their homes and businesses with energy-saving LED Christmas lights and using practical and proven tips for conserving energy during the holiday season.” Smith agreed, saying, not only can residents save money, but they can reduce the increases in carbon emissions that occur when more people are lighting up their homes, cooking big meals and driving toholiday festivities. “VIenergizing is the right thing to do for our environment,” said Smith.
Virgin Islands residents are urged to VIenergize their holidays by doing the following:
Use mini-lights for home and tree decorating. They use up to 70 % less energy than the larger bulbs and last 65 percent longer. At present WAPA rates, it will cost about $64.80 to burn three strands of the traditional bulbs for 6 hours/day for 30 days and just $4.22 to burn 150 mini-lights for the same period.
L.E.D. holiday lights are even better. A 150-bulb set of light-emitting diode bulbs at 2 watts per set consumes 99% less energy than a typical bulb set and can last up to 200,000 hours. At today’s WAPA rates, the cost for a month’s usage at 6 hours a day will be only 76 cents!
Battery-operated holiday lights are also a very good energy saving idea.
Using timers to reliably turn off holiday lights when no one is around to enjoy them can further reduce energy costs. When retiring for the evening, reduce costs and increase safety by unplugging all lights at the wall outlet.
For outside lighting, install a motion sensor that turns lights on automatically when somebody walks up, and turns them off automatically after 1-5 minutes. Use mirrors or tinsel around indoor lights to heighten their effect.
Always purchase Energy Star labeled products for holiday decorating and for gift giving.
When doing holiday cooking use a microwave oven as often as possible. Microwave ovens use up to 75% less energy than conventional ovens. When using conventional ovens don’t open the door to peek at what’s cooking as it lowers the temperature inside, increases cooking time, and wastes energy. Keep refrigerators and freezers well stocked. A full refrigerator or freezer saves energy by reducing the recovery time when the door is opened. If the refrigerator or freezer are only partially full, store one gallon bottles of water to help keep the temperature regulated.
WAPA also encourages its customers to stay safe. Do not overload electrical circuits. Only use UL or FM labeled extension cords. Do not place outdoor lights near power lines. Never use electric lights on old metal artificial trees and keep all light strings out of the reach of small children. Repair or replace sockets, plugs, or cords that look defective.
In June 2010, the EDIN-USVI collaborative announced the formation of five integrated working groups focused on specific challenges: 1) Renewable Energy, 2) Energy Efficiency, 3) Transportation, 4) Education and Workforce Development, and 5) Policy. Members of each working group represent a broad cross-section of the public and private sectors and meet regularly to discuss and take action on initiatives to meet the mandated goal of reducing fossil fuel usage in the territory by 60% by the year 2025.
To find out more about the EDIN-USVI energy revolution and how you can be part of the solution, visit, www.edin.org.usvi/html
Help EDIN, Take Energy Survey
The Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) United States Virgin Islands Energy Efficiency Working Group is beginning to make significant progress. Several local business owners have become active in the group recently and it is developing its action-items and goals for 2011. One of the top priorities is collecting actual energy use data from residents on the island. The group has posted a survey that can be completed anonymously, or printed and submitted to the USVI Energy Office. If you are willing to take a few minutes to help us in our efforts, please:
If you need to mail in your survey, please send to:
USVI Energy Office
Attention: Miguel Quinones
4605 Tutu Park Mall, Stuite 231
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
EDIN Blog
Up to date links to information on what EDIN working groups are working on can be obtain by clicking on this blog site.
EDIN Project Has Goals for U.S. Virgin Islands
To reduce its dependence on fossil fuel 60 percent within 15 years, the U.S. Virgin Islands will take steps to increase energy efficiency and deploy renewable energy technologies.The United States of America's U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) pilot project is charting the course toward a secure, sustainable, clean energy future for the USVI and the Caribbean. Through energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy development, this Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) project will drive the transition to a clean energy economy and support the USVI's goal of a 60% reduction in fossil fuel-based energy consumption by 2025.
To go to the projects website click here.
Progress on Energy Issues Noted at EDIN Conference Held on St. Croix
For copies of the conference presentations click here.
Energy Revolution: We are the Solution was the theme as Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) convened on St. Croix with members of the U.S. Virgin Islands Energy Action Team, the EDIN-USVI project working groups, and local clean energy advocates this week.
Adam Warren PhD, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado and EDIN team leader, said Tuesday about the 15-month-old project. “We have been working with the utility and the government to reduce Virgin Islands dependency on fuel. Our goal is the goal of Gov John de Jongh Jr., reduce Virgin Islands dependency on fossil fuel by 60 percent by 2025.”
This workshop, the third in a series of energy workshops organized by EDIN this year, was the first one on St. Croix.
Bevan R. Smith Jr., Director of the Virgin Islands Energy Office, said, “Over the course of two days EDIN brought together its steering committee and work groups such as those for Policy and Analysis, Education and Workforce Development, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Transportation for discussions to lead us to practical solutions. Real progress was made toward our goals.”
In his Tuesday presentation, Smith pointed out that progress had already been made in cutting fossil fuel consumption because of Energy Office programs such as its rebate programs for alternative energy systems and solar water heaters and its grant programs.
Hugo Hodge Jr., executive director of the Water and Power Authority and co-director with Smith of the EDIN-USVI alliance, assured the attendees that the utility “definitely supports integrating renewables into WAPA's generation mix” and is actively moving to do so at many levels. Hodge said, many projects, including the underwater transmission study to determine the feasibility of creating a Caribbean grid and, the soon to be released, request for proposal for solar energy generation, have great potential for the VI's energy future. Hodge expressed appreciation for EDIN's involvement in the process now underway as its technical expertise is of great value to the territory.
Paul Chakroff, executive director of St. Croix Environmental Association, made a presentation Tuesday on the Virgin Islands potential for using biomass and biofuels. He said about the conference. “It has been very substantive. We have covered a broad spectrum of Energy issues and it tells me that progress is being made on energy issues here in the Virgin Islands.”
Early on Monday Cassandra Dunn, of the Water and Power Authority, and Aminah Saleem of the Energy Office, unveiled what is going to be called the VI-Energize (pronounced vyenergized) Campaign.
This campaign with its new logos and tagline – Energy Revolution; We are the Solution – will take various avenues to educate the public about energy efficiency and alternative energy. Saleem, who coined the new word, explained, “It is a new and powerful word which incorporates the "VI" for Virgin Islands and the word "energize" which means “to give energy or power to something or someone. Getting VIenergized is a call to action for all Virgin Islanders to meet our energy challenges together and become part of the solution.”Besides the local presenters at the conference there were presenters from NREL, from Harvard and from University of California, Berkeley. David Hall also gave a presentationon the University of the Virgin Islands proposed Caribbean Green Technology Center.
To read about in the Daily News.
To read about it in the VI Source.
For a photo album of the event click here.
EDIN Brings NREL to St. Thomas
A workshop to establish groups in the Virgin Islands to address energy policy was held June 14 through June 16 on St. Thomas.
Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. said the U.S. Department of Energy supported the program through its Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) partnership. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted it with assistance from the V.I. Energy Office and the Water and Power Authority. “As co-directors of the Virgin Islands Energy Action Team, Bevan Smith, Jr., Director of the Virgin Islands Energy Office and Hugo Hodge, Jr., Executive Director of the Water and Power Authority extended invitations for representatives of several community organizations and public agencies to participate in the workshop being held at the University of the Virgin Islands,” de Jongh said.
The workshop is a continuation of the discussions held at the NREL facilities in Colorado in February with a delegation from the Virgin Islands. At that time, deJongh established a goal of reducing fossil fuel derived energy in the Virgin Islands by 60% by 2025. For more information click here.
Four local working groups were established in the areas of Deployment of Renewable Energy, Utility Transmission & Distribution, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, and Energy Efficiency in Transportation. The working groups are to provide input and support in the execution of policy initiatives and also facilitate collaboration between public sector and private sector contributors. See short video of event below.
Governor De Jongh sets benchmark for reducing dependence on fossil fuel for electricity generation
In Golden, Colorado, Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. in February executed a Memorandum of Understanding which establishes the terms of the USVI’s relationship as part of the Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) project. The EDIN project includes the Virgin Islands in a global partnership that seeks to develop energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies within small island nations in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Assistant Interior Secretary Anthony Babauta signed the MOU on behalf of the Department of the Interior. Joe Garcia, Director of the Office of Economic Impact signed on behalf of the Department of Energy. DeJongh announced in April 2009 that the territory had been selected to participate in the EDIN pilot project. The Governor was in Colorado at the invitation of the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL).
During opening remarks at NREL visitor’s center, the governor set a goal for the territory of reducing the consumption of fossil fuel derived energy in the Virgin Islands by 60 percent by 2025. “There is no reason why the Virgin Islands cannot be the leaders in clean energy deployment in the Caribbean,” deJongh said. The Department of Energy has pledged to provide the technical assistance to the Virgin Islands for producing the technical and economic tools necessary to realize the goals of this initiative.
DeJongh pursued participation in EDIN Partnership as a resource in helping the Territory achieve the objectives of the Virgin Islands Comprehensive Energy Strategy developed by the Virgin Islands Energy Office. The U.S.V.I. EDIN Project is designed to bring about fundamental and sustained transformation in the way in which renewable energy and energy efficiency resources are planned and used in the Territory.
WAPA Executive Director Hugo Hodge, Jr., also attended the workshops and outlined several initiatives that are underway as part of the EDIN project including the deployment of distributed solar energy and grid interconnection with the island of Puerto Rico “We hope to have some significant wins via this partnership between the Virgin Islands, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy.”
Also present at the workshops were representatives of the Water and Power Authority, the V.I. Energy Office, the Public Services Commission, the University of the Virgin Islands, and various other public agencies, as well as Senate President Louis Patrick Hill and At-Large Senator Craig Barshinger.
Officials from Hawaii and Kodiak, Alaska were there presenting case studies on how their islands have approached deployment of renewable energy. Other workshops include promoting green jobs and industries; landfill gas conversion; financing strategies for renewable energy and energy efficiency; advanced vehicles and fleet planning; energy efficient building design, and energy savings performance contracts.
Goal of 60% Reduction in
Fossil Fuels by 2025 in Focus
According to officials attending the Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) Clean Energy Workshop Thursday and Friday at the University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas campus, the territory's goal of reducing fossil fuel use by 60 percent by 2025 is aggressive but can be accomplished.
Adam Warren PhD, who heads up the team attending the conference from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, said that if the territory continues on its present path it would burn 3 million barrels of oil a year by 2025. But if the territory keeps to the goal set by Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., when EDIN was formed over a year ago, it could cut annual usage to 1.2 million barrels.
Warren described how this goal could be achieved. The broad breakdown is that 38 percent of the consumption will be saved through energy efficient methods and 22 percent would come from renewable energy projects. In his presentation, Warren highlighted areas in which some progress has already been made on reaching these goals.
NREL officials also highlighted that we have already achieved reductions of over 10% from the 2009 baseline, primarily as a result of efficiency improvements by WAPA.
During his remarks, Governor de Jongh said that we are now "in an era of tremendous change," and he commended the participants in attendance for their dedication to working on these issues on a daily basis. He said, "We cannot continue to do what we have always done. It requires a mind change and a new path. Our new direction necessitates an energy revolution, which is driven by the increasingly high cost of energy, as well as our goals associated with economic diversification as relates to promoting renewable energy and reducing the territory's consumption of fossil fuels."
The Governor also complimented Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, who was present at the workshop, for assisting the territory in support of these ambitious goals.
Bevan R. Smith, Jr., director of the Energy Office and local co-director of EDIN USVI Energy Action Team (EAT) with Hugo V. Hodge, Jr. executive director, of the Water and Power Authority (WAPA), followed up on these themes and presented an overarching summary of initiatives already in place and discussed the broader context for a new energy vision for the territory. In his presentation Smith demonstrated how financial incentives have already begun to benefit the territory via loans and rebate programs offered through the VIEO to raise awareness on the new energy consciousness and to incentivize the purchase of environmentally friendly products, such as solar hot water systems and energy efficient refrigerators and dishwashers. Smith also touched on some barriers that the Virgin Islands faces in cutting its dependency on fossil fuel and asked members of the EDIN working groups to come up with plans to overcome those barriers.
Warren and Hodge both touched on the rising cost of burning fossil fuel in the Virgin Islands, or oil. Warren said that predictions for the future of oil prices are alarming, and require an action plan focused on utilizing renewable energy and conservation systems.
Hodge analyzed the price of a barrel of oil over much of the last decade. He said it took five years from 2002 to 2007 to double in price from $25 to $50. Then in the next 18 months, that $50 price tripled to $150.
Hodge said that everyone knows that the Virgin Islands has abundant solar and wind resources, but bringing them onto the grid is a complex and costly endeavor. He assured workshop participants that the utility is making steady progress towards alternative lower-cost base generation, and will be incorporating renewable energy into WAPA's generation mix as soon as possible. With technical assistance from Warren and his team at NREL, WAPA will soon release a solar energy request for proposal, Hodge said.
The workshop was the fourth since the EDIN-USVI project was launched in February 2010.
After the opening remarks Thursday, the group discussed some of the more technical components, including the grid interconnection with Puerto Rico; available wind resources on the islands, and how much land would be needed for solar arrays.
The topics for Friday included the University's role in developing these plans, bringing energy efficiency to the Department of Education, and transportation solutions on these issues. Cassandra Dunn, spokesperson for WAPA and co-chair of the Education and Workforce Development group, gave a spirited presentation about EDIN's communication campaign based on the VIenergize theme. The campaign urges residents to be energy efficient.
Saturday is devoted to public participation, and the workshop will wrap up with a public forum that begins at 9:00 AM, also at UVI, St. Thomas campus. The public is invited to hear from experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S.Department of the Interior, the Virgin Islands Energy Office and the V.I. Water and Power Authority.
The event will take place in UVI room 145 in the Administrative & Conference Center. For more information about the EDIN-USVI initiative visit www.edinenergy.org/usvi.html
Virgin Islands Selected for EDIN
The designation of the Virgin Islands as part of the pilot project of the Energy Development in Island Nations (EDIN) project was at the U.S. Department of Interior’s Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands April in Hawaii.
EDIN is an international partnership that seeks to further the use of energy efficiencies and renewable energy technologies in island nations and territories. This project will allow the Virgin Islands to work with the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories to remove barriers to clean energy development, attract private capital for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, and the development of a knowledge base for industry through technical assistance and training. To go to the EDIN webpage, click here.
About the Partnership for Energy Development in Island Nations
Islands can be dependent on expensive imported fossil fuels for electricity and transportation, despite having abundant renewable energy resources.
An international partnership, EDIN aims to advance the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in islands across the globe.
By bringing together policy advisors, technical experts, and financial leaders, EDIN works to guide clean energy development and deployment in specific regions and islands.
Energy Resources
EDIN offers islands resources to help them develop
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Sound Policies
These policies can help remove barriers to clean energy development and create incentives for growth.
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Financing Resources
This assistance can attract private capital and project developers to islands for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
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Clean Energy Technologies
EDIN helps island industries develop a knowledge base through technical assistance and training, and by promoting the transfer of new renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies into the marketplace.