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Avoiding Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Improving Capacity For Avoiding Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Improving Capacity for Sustainable Management Operations at Half Moon Caye Natural Monument (HMCNM) Through the use of Renewable Energy February 2011 Organization Leader of the Project: Contact Name: Amanda Acosta Telephone: 501-223-5004 e-mail: [email protected] Other Members of the Group: Contact Name: Shane Young Telephone: 501-223-5004 e-mail: [email protected] 2 Index Cover 1 Contact Information 2 Index 3 Executive Summary 4 Background and Context 4 Project Description 4 General Objective 5 Specific Objectives 5 Expected Results 5 Expected Results and Impacts Indexes 6 Activities 6 Activities Schedule 7 Project Management 7 Resources for the Project 8 Costs and Financing 8 Plan for Budget Execution 9 Annexes i) Audit Balance Sheet and Income Statement 10-13 ii) Consultant Resume 14 iii) Quotations of Equipment and Services 15 3 Executive Summary This project aims to install renewable energy power supply to support research and monitoring activities by utilizing a solar powered energy system that will meet the energy needs of staff and researchers, and possibly other users, participating in the management of Half Moon and Blue Hole Natural Monument (HMCNM). The present situation is inadequate and with a new building the energy needs of HMCNM has not been met. The new power supply will not only provide energy for HMCNM but also reduce the carbon footprint of personnel on the island as well as make the research station more sustainable. Background and Context Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is rich in both biodiversity and history. In 1982 it became the first Marine Protected Area in Belize and later the first protected area (Natural Monument) under the National Parks System Act Chapter 215. The site is not only of national importance but also of international significance as in 1996 it was designated part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) World Heritage site. The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) has actively advocated for the conservation of this special site. Its integrity is being preserved; and, BAS as the co-manager is responsible for the day to day management of the caye. In order to meet the demands of managing such a site, BAS has full time staff stationed out at HMCNM. The staff at HMCNM implements vital day to day functions such as monitoring and patrolling of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. In order to secure the long-term conservation of HMCNM and safeguard its functional role BAS has increased its institutional capacity by increasing its staff eight fold: a marine biologist, park director, assistant park directors, and 2 coxswains. This increase has required the upgrading of staff facilities by the construction of a warden post. While preparing for increased levels of monitoring and research, additional staff needs to be accommodated with appropriate facilities that are environmentally viable in every facet this project would address the (carbon) ecological footprint of facilities. Project Description This project aims to install renewable energy power supply to support research and monitoring activities by utilizing a solar powered energy system that will meet the energy needs of staff and researchers, and possibly other users, participating in the management of Half Moon and Blue Hole Natural Monument. The present situation is inadequate and with a new building the energy needs of HMCNM has not been met. The new power supply will not only provide energy for HMCNM but also reduce the carbon footprint of personnel on the island as well as make the research station more sustainable. It is evident renewable energy is the only suitable option. Thus there is a need for the procurement and installation of the hardware, plus the required structures in place that will ensure that components such as solar panels, batteries, inverters, controllers, and 4 other equipment are safely housed, protected, and monitored. BAS also proposes to have staff trained in the proper maintenance of the system, the latter a necessary requirement for Half Moon Caye due to the isolation of the natural monument, which is the most Eastern point of Belize (55miles from mainland Belize). In building staff capacity to deal with the solar technology, a significant contribution will be made to the overall sustainability of the protected area. Completion of the staff building and fitting it with a renewable energy source will ensure positive environmental effects to the Caye and surroundings contributing to the overall sustainability of the protected area. This project will address the technical, capacity and management issues that are necessary to ensure a sustainable solar power system for the HMCNM. As a leader in environmental protection in Belize, the Belize Audubon Society continues to seek opportunities to attain the objective of “balancing people and the environment”. To this end, BAS continues to move towards reducing its carbon footprint within and around the protected areas under its management General Objective To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from HMCNM while making the facility on the HMCNM a more self-sustaining unit. Specific Objectives 1. This project aims to install renewable energy power supply to support research and monitoring activities by utilizing a solar powered energy system that will meet the energy needs of staff and researchers, and possibly other users, participating in the management of Half Moon and Blue Hole Natural Monument. The project will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions emitted from activities at HMCNM and make the entire facility a more sustainable venture. 2. Train staff in the maintenance and use of the complete solar system. This will ensure that the project is sustainable and long lasting. Expected Results Outputs/Benefits derived from the completion of this project include: 1. Avoidance of Green House Gas emissions by using clean energy technologies 2. Improved Capacity for responsible stewardship of HMCNM 3. Creation of environmental awareness/education opportunity through demonstration of avoidance /mitigation of green house gas emissions 4. Building capacity among staff in maintenance of clean technologies 5 Expected Results and Impacts Indexes Expected Results Indicators Units Installation of Solar The successful installation of one solar system. System Capacity to Install 3000 Kilowatts (kW) Economical, Social and Units Environmental Impact Indexes 1. Economic Savings US $ 702/year 2. Cleaner Production 590.52 liters of gasoline/year 3. Reduction of Greenhouse Gasses 1.384 Tons of CO2/year (ton/CO2) Activities 1. Procurement and installation of the necessary solar panel(s) and ancillary equipment. Procurement will be for: o 20 each 130W Solar Panels o 2 each L16 Deep Cycle Batteries, allowing for 3 days shade o 3000W Inverter Center for Marine Environment o MPPT Charge Controller o Wiring o Mounting 2. Train staff members to repair and maintain the solar energy system 3. Upon the load analysis it was highlighted that several pieces of equipment are not suited for attachment to the grid and would thus have to run on diesel generators. Since the desire to be fully solar and reduce our emissions footprint procurement of these items is essential DC Refrigerator with adequate sized freezer 6 Activities Schedule Activities 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1. Work with consultant x x to finalize the design of Solar System 2. Purchase Required x Equipment 3. Receive all necessary x Solar Equipment 4. Partner with supplier x for set-up and installation of Solar System 5. Staff training on x proper use and maintenance of the Solar System 6. Submit final Project x Report Project Management The project will overseen by the Executive Director with the site manager implementing the project. BAS has successfully managed much larger projects in the last 25 years and understands the logistics and planning that is needed for a successful project. In addition, BAS will liaison with the supplier in the procurement, installation and training of staff in the maintenance and use of the system. Resources for Project Human: The proposed site for this project currently has seven full time employees which will be trained in the use and maintenance of the equipment as well as assist in its’ construction and installation. The employees at HMCNM have jobs that already require 7 a lot of physical labor and additional help will most likely not be needed. If extra labor is necessary BAS is will be hiring temporary workers. Technical: The technical knowledge for this project is being provided by consultant. We have three quotes as provided in the document Southern Solar Solutions (SSS) of Toledo District, Belize was the best priced. SSS has a long history of designing and installing solar systems in Belize and will provide the best available advice at the lowest price. Mark Miller, the Executive Director has a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and has been working within the field of solar system designs for an extended period. Financial: BAS currently manages an annual budget of $800,000US. The proposed site for the project just had a large capital investment with the construction of a new warden house. BAS is willing to put up all the necessary finances to make the project both successful and sustainable. In addition, the project will free additional money as BAS will no longer having to supply fuel for the generator currently in use. This money will be used to enhance our conservation efforts.
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