There are other options for energy

Monday, November 29, 2010

Antonio R. Gómez / Primera Hora

Puerto Rico has enough resources to generate all its energy from renewable sources, but the efforts and goals of the Government in this direction are timid and inadequate.

That is the opinion of experts on the subject, who insist that it is necessary to generate the will to make the change the country needs urgently.

The paper concludes that solar energy through photovoltaic systems, is the least intrusive and is available for the whole Island "in good quantity and with a proven technology." Estimate that, using only 65 percent of the roofs of the houses in the country, you can generate all the electricity generated on the island right now.

For wind power or wind, they say, the island has resources in the northern, southern and eastern. In addition, windmill farms to be built in the ocean, they say, "high potential for producing electricity in Puerto Rico." The areas identified are on the east coast and the south coast and "have the capacity to produce 13.725 megawatts of electricity," he stated.

The waves of the sea, said Irizarry, "provide a great source of energy. The costs are reasonable. We must test the devices that exist today to exploit that resource, "he advised.

The potential electricity production of this resource estimate what these scientists in 17 million megawatts per year, making it the largest natural resource for power generation for the island "Given the current development of these technologies, we recommend to pilot study involving the measurement of ocean waves and validation of technology ", point to recognize the environmental and social challenges posed by this activity.

The other resource that provides immediate potential is biomass. With it you can produce not only electricity, but oils and other products.

In this work, the ability to generate energy from microalgae. "It's extraordinary potential. We can produce all the demands of 2006, which was one of the worst years of electricity consumption, "says Irizarry. Here too, scientists recognize the challenge presented by the extensive use of land that is necessary to achieve this goal.

"We compared each of the resources, perform comparative analysis. When you examine and charges, we conclude that using only 10 percent each, coupled with an aggressive program of conservation and energy efficiency could meet the full production of 2006. "

Irizarry recognizes that this "can not make the overnight" but is convinced that "there is lack of resources or lack of technology. What is lacking is political will and energy policy. "

He said that "the costs are acceptable in all cases." Mature systems, he said, the cheapest is the wind. Both residential and industrial level can be sold at a cash cost in the wind compete with fossil fuel and wins. "

He added that "in the case of the photovoltaic panel, which is the other technology we are recommending, using the roofs of Puerto Rico can cover almost the entire production."

Irizarry claims that "the government's goal of reaching 15 percent (renewable energy) by 2020 is one goal shy, the more timid than I've seen. You have to define the endogenous sources we have and the savings, which is also endogenous. That 15 percent is easily achieved only with conservation, "he said.

"We have to change the management of the grid to add more and more renewable energy. It is a matter of starting. 60 years we dug the hole that we have today, oil dependency, and we will not exit in five years or 15 years. There are no magic solutions, no solutions of election cycles. Think it is a work of decades. There's no escape, no pauses gradually changing the attitude, mentality, using current technology, "he said.

 

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There is money for renewable energy

Growing worldwide investment in green technology

By Marie Custodio Collazo / mcustodio@elnuevodia.com
Monday September 27, 2010

The issue of sustainable energy is capturing the attention of investors around the world, as it emerged at the recent Sustainable Energy Symposium held at the University of Turabo.

Thomas Farb, executive director of Trust for Science, Technology and Research in Puerto Rico, noted that, in 2009, venture capitalists pumped $ 6.800 billion for renewable energy companies, of which $ 2.100 million was specifically for technology.

Myrna Rivera, president of International Advisory, quoted by Bloomberg financial guidance for 2010 on new energy sources which stated that "the continued priority on energy security, global warming, reducing pollution and creating of jobs will grow investment in the sector 25% to a record $ 2.000 billion in 2010. "

In terms of venture capitalists, the presentation of the president of Advisory showed that these have injected significant amounts of capital for development projects of next generation biofuels, such as those used as base of cellulose and algae.

While new technologies of photovoltaics (solar) and projects that help generate greater efficiency are the largest investors are investment risks.

Clean Energy, noted Rivera, had a 230% growth since 2005, led by the 20 most developed nations. Since the United States has the greatest capacity to generate clean energy, while China is more money being spent on that segment.
An analysis of the G-20, which brings together the 20 most developed countries, suggests that wind energy is getting more investment from the standpoint of asset financing and capital markets.

Rivera noted that investment professionals have begun to recognize that environmental and social elements affecting the performance of the portfolios, so they must take them into consideration. Even, some 800 organizations, representing $ 30 billion (trillions) in capital, signed the principles of responsible investment in the United Nations Organization.

The executive said the study "The Economic Value of Corporate Eco-Efficiency", 2005, found that increasing eco-efficiency operational performance and increases the valuation of the firm. To the extent that the portfolios of the most eco-efficient 6% were performing better than their less eco-efficient.

The results have led investors interested in both the users and solution providers of environmentally friendly technology.

Meanwhile, Farb used the occasion of the symposium, attended by some 250 people, to announce that, in 2011, the Trust will provide $ 150,000 to invest in energy technology projects are carried out in universities in the country.

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