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

Suva joins Earth hour campaign

On 29th March Suva will be among 20 cities around the world celebrating Earth Hour by switching off its lights. This is an initiative by WWF to create awareness about Climate Change and energy Efficiency .
I recently wrote an article on this topic which was published in a local newspaper. You can read it here

Hail-The return of the Sun movie

Watch an interesting short film produced by German solar-power company Solon AG.It graphically illustrates the enormous amount of energy available from the Sun.

Hail: The Return of the Sun

Tata Nano- Volkswagen Beetle reincarneted (smarter and greener)

The cheapest car in the world can actually help reduce the number of traffic accidents and also mitigate pollution (it conforms to Euro IV standards) by cutting the number of two and three wheelers on Indian roads.

Tata motors is also going to produce a zero-emission (at the 'tail-pipe) car which runs on compressed air.Watch a BBC newsclip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oSwlTqaM1oA

"Papua New Guinea helps save Bali climate talk": CNN Video

For those who missed the emotionally charged finale of Bali climate meeting:

Rotary Water Foundation hands over first project

Tuesday (12th December)was a day to remember for 400 odd residents of Solevu village on Malolo Island, 25 km off Nadi .For the last 20 years the villagers had ferried their drinking water from the mainland on barges. Water from the local wells is not fit for drinking and the rainy season lasts only for 3 months.

Rotary foundation funded drilling of 4 boreholes while the villagers themselves provided the pipe system.Approximately 100,000 L/ day water will be supplied to the 7 communities , one school and the health center.
Google Map:Resina, Photo : Fijitimes
Read a newspaper report here.

Fake Climate Change Conference Scam

A friend of mine recently received an invitation to attend a conference on Climate Change (GWCC)being organized by "International Development Organization". The letter says in part:
"This is just to invite you that the registration for the 3rd
International Development Organization (IDO) Conference is now open.
The 3rd International Conference on Global Warming and Climate Change (GWCC 2008) will take place in London on February 22-25,2008.....
IDO has set up an Access Fund to support the travel costs and all-round air fare cost for participants who are unable to raise sufficient funds on their own.
All participants,however will be expected to fund raise for their hotel bills in the UK, which will not be waived. "

This is to let everyone know that this is a scam - there is no conference by this name .This is a typical so called 419 Scam mail. For more details check
http://www.joewein.net/419/419-fake-conferences.htm

Cyclone Daman update

Cyclone Daman has finally left the shores of Fiji Islands. Miraculously ,there was minimal damage as this Cat 4 cyclone steered clear of populated islands of Fiji group.One of the smaller islands, Cikobia of Lau group did get a hit and there was some structural damage. The cyclone is now weakning and headed towards Tonga

Solar power and Hollywood

In a 1938 film "You can't take it with you" Jimmy Stewart tells Jean Arthur about his vision of replicating photosynthesis to produce energy.



They'd be pleased to know that its no more a dream- Dye-sensitized solar cells do just that.

Daman Update

According to Fiji Met forecast Daman would pass over Vanua Levu leaving Viti Levu (the main island) alone. Life in Labasa and other centers on Vanua Levu is at standstill with people taking refuge in shelters. Hopefully there won't be much loss of life and property.

Bracing for Cyclone Daman

Fiji is gearing up to face Tropical Cyclone Daman which is expected to hit Fiji group in next 24 hours.Its very quiet here in Suva but things could change by tomorrow morning. The North Western parts of Viti Levu and Rotuma are likely to be more affected. This would be a big test for the newly commissioned wind farm at Sigatoka.However, the turbines can be lowered quickly if situation arises.Will keep you posted.