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Pilot Projects

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA) continues to create an enabling environment for Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) through provision of incentives, review of the legislative and regulatory environment, revision to the National Electrical Code, development of technical and product standards, capacity building and awareness creation. In addition, the Government has taken the lead through a number of Pilot initiatives involving the nation’s community centers and schools.

Community Centers Project

The RE and EE in Community Centres Project is a pilot involving the installation of PV lighting for the exterior of 15 Community Centres to satisfy the primary exterior lighting needs of these buildings, promote public sensitization and support the use of these buildings as disaster relief centres. This Program was officially launched in 2013. Nine (9) centers have already been outfitted under the MEEA’s Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and a further six (6) are currently being undertaken by the National Gas Company.

Below is the list of community centres where the external solar lights were installed.

 

North/ East Zone

 

  • North Manzanilla Eastern Main Road, Manzanilla
  • Duranta Gardens (North Eastern) Lantana Terrace, Duranta Gardens, Sangre Grande
  • Samaroo Village Off Mendez Trace, Samaroo Village via Arima
  • Upper Malabar Malabar Main Road, Malabar
  • Malabar Phase IV Holly Betaudier, Avenue, Malabar

 

 

Central/ South Zone

 

  • Roystonia Caryota Drive, Couva North
  • St Johns Village Cipero Road, San Fernando
  • Sister’s Road Corner Nuckcheddy & Sister’s Road, New Grant
  • Palo Seco, Los Charos SS Erin Road, Palo Seco

 

The MEEA with the assistance of the National Energy Corporation (NEC) and the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) plans to include another fifteen (15) community centres in a further installment of the programme in 2013/2014.

 

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Education Pilot Project

 

The National Energy Policy Green Paper of Trinidad and Tobago which is currently being finalized, recognizes the importance of clean energy production and energy efficiency in promoting the Nation’s sustainable development. Consistent with this Policy, capacity-building through education and training is one of the critical success strategies. As such, the Renewable Energy Committee (REC) initiated a 1-Year Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) Education Pilot Project, targeting twenty-five (25) secondary schools distributed across the eight (8) educational districts of Trinidad and Tobago. The range of benefits to be derived include: support to the schools serving as disaster-relief centers, and provision of a power source for public address (PA) systems, and students’ laptop charging stations. The technologies are being introduced to support the learning process, and are not intended to substitute the electricity supply at these institutions. Implementing the Project will increase the cadre of trained professionals in the area of RE and EE technologies, as well as sensitize the academic community and the general public to the benefits to be derived from utilizing RE and EE technologies.

The goal of the Project is to increase the knowledge and competencies of citizens in the sustainable use of alternative sources of energy, through a comprehensive education programme for secondary school students. Students will gain practical knowledge, skills and abilities, through lessons that integrate RE and EE technologies, with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Education, as well as activities in Science and Technology Education, utilizing related technologies installed in schools.

Home Energy Self Sufficiency (HESS) Program

 

The Home Energy Self Sufficiency (HESS) Program is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs, The Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago (PowerGen Co.), the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC), the Ministry of Public Utilities, Petrotrin and the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) . Under this initiative, PowerGen Co. has undertaken a pilot initiative involving the installation of a 2kW Photovoltaic grid integrated system and wind turbine of similar capacity at the Islamic Home for Children, Gasparillo on August 10, 2012. This project is of great significance in the context of the National Public Awareness drive and has provided this institution with the opportunity to reduce their energy bills by generating their own electricity with renewable energy technologies.

 

Part III of the National Electrical Wiring Code in PV Systems

The Electrical Code Committee (ECC) has undertaken a pilot project utilizing PV systems with different grid tied inverters to test operating conditions. . Systems have been installed at the UTT Omera Campus & T&TEC Mt Hope.

Solar Industrial Development Plan

A private sector led initiative is exploring the potential for establishing a local solar photovoltaic manufacturing capability. To this end, a 40-week feasibility study was recently completed by an international consortium led by SITEK and facilitated by INVEST T. It involves the development of a solar focused manufacturing cluster that would include elements such as silica or sand conversion to metallurgical grade silicon; refining of this metallurgical grade silicon to ultra-pure polysilicon; glass manufacture; and module manufacturing.

Pilot Projects to Introduce RE/EE Technologies – New Government Housing Programme in East Trinidad

The government desires to lead by example in the promotion of RE and EE in its buildings. Consideration is therefore being given to introducing RE technologies in housing estates, hospitals, and schools.