Renewable Energy Implementation in the Land and Building Sector for Trinidad and Tobago

Makaya Howard, Sandra Maharaj, Donnie Boodlal, Rean Maharaj — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The adoption of Renewable Energy (RE) technologies is a key approach required for transitioning towards a renewable energy future and sustainable urban planning and development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Trinidad and Tobago (TT). RE sources come from naturally replenishing resources that will never run out. This research aimed to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for RE implementation in the Land and Building Development Sector (LBDS) in TT. To address this issue, a study was conducted using a survey instrument and Likert type scale approach which were validated by peer reviewers, subject matter experts and industry stakeholders. The CSFs identified were: the availability of financial incentives and access to investors for RE projects; training and availability of skilled professionals in RE technologies; administrative hurdles and lack of local building policies for land and building development; limited public information available/accessible on RE technologies which affects awareness of benefits and savings that can be gained; incentives for property owners and tenants for RE and technology designeddevelopments in the form of building certification, retrofitting building allowances and policies facilitating the increase in property value. The study showed that practitioners are willing to adopt RE technologies within their projects if business models are revised to include RE technologies to aid lower income customers. Practitioners have also indicated their willingness to participate in current or future RE based workshops for LBDS projects as well as workshops on marketability and business model designs. Implementation of these CSFs in TT will facilitate the adoption of RE in this sector, aiding in the reduction of GHG emissions and the heavy reliance on fossil fuels for power generation - thus promoting sustainable development in TT.

Renewable Energy System Design for a Commercial Facility in Trinidad and Tobago

Steffan Randol, David Alexander, Donnie Boodlal, Rean Maharaj — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this study is to design, optimize and evaluate an appropriate renewable energy (RE) system for a commercial facility in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). An energy load profile was developed and utilized in HOMER Pro software to generate simulated models. Sensitivity analyses were conducting varying subsidy and sell back rates. The analysis showed that the facility had an associated electrical consumption of 56644 kWh/yr. with emissions of 39651 kgCO2/yr. In terms of possible scenarios, an optimized 15kW system grid tied PV system without grid sell back at an unsubsidized rate of 0.12 US$/kWh, performed with a 34.2% RF, 0.11 US$/kWh LCOE, 26720 kgCO2/yr emissions and has an IRR of 8.83% with 9.44 years simple payback. A 58kW grid tied PV system using the unsubsidized rate of 0.12 US$/kWh and sell back rate of 0.0865 US$/kWh was favorable with a RF of 77.4%, 15884 kgCO2/yr. emissions and has an IRR of 7.5% with 10.46 years simple payback. The LCOE was 0.0587 US$/kWh, almost equal to subsidized grid power cost of 0.06 US$/kWh. The results clearly demonstrated that RE systems such as grid tied PV are relevant in TT if systems such as Net Metering, Net Billing or sale of surplus electricity is factored and supported through regulation changes such as subsidy reductions in TT’s energy policy.

International Scientific Survey Journal

Renewable Energy Implementation in the Land and Building Sector for Trinidad and Tobago

Renewable Energy System Design for a Commercial Facility in Trinidad and Tobago