Energy, Environment & Econonmic Number 2 JUNE 2003
Greetings to All Readers INSIDE THIS ISSUE As our fellow country men and initiatives such as the proposed Regional News women battle for medals at the wind farm for the Fiji Electricity 2003 South Pacific Games in Authority; the commissioning of a Petroleum News Suva, Fiji Islands we again geothermal plant in Papua New National News present to you the second issue Guinea by LIHIR Gold Limited; • LIHIR Gold Harnesses of the PEN for 2003. This issue the continuing progress with Geothermal Electricity - PNG differs slightly from the previous coconut oil as bio-fuel in • Coconut Oil Industry - Vanuatu ones as the header for the front Vanuatu; the convening of a • Saipan to build OTEC Plant page has been revised to reflect series of training workshops on The Promotion of Sustainable the current partners involved in solar PV, hybrid Renewable Energy Programmes the publication. systems,renewable energy Should Not be a Joke resource assessment and The change reflects the World’s First Wave Energy substantive completion of the equipment testing by OPRET - Turbine Launched SPC PREFACE programme and Fiji DOE, SEC - Kiribati, SOPAC & Energy Efficient Homes - an the departure of Mr Solomone UNESCO. We would also like to essay in the 2003 Earth Day competition. Fifita who is now based in SPREP, congratulate the Cook Islands Samoa as the Chief Technical and Marshall Islands in getting Wave Gauge Deployment and their Energy Polcies adopted Multi-Beam Mapping near Muani Adviser of the Pacific Islands Village, Kadavu, Fiji Islands Renewable Energy Project through their respective (PIREP). We hope that Solomone Governments. Vacancies - USP Physics Department will continue to contribute As we head across the half way articles to the PEN from his new mark for the year it is notable Meetings / Conferences desk. that within the next couple of weeks/months there are Energy activities in the Pacific Programme (1-10 Sept) workshops/meetings/conferences region have escalated since the planned. These include the: • The SOPAC Annual Session begining of this year with the in Niue (19 - 29 Sept) following regional projects • Experts Meeting on Capacity commencing. Building and the Development of We would also like to take this opportunity to thank those • Demand Side Management SIDS Energy Sources in Niue (07 - who have contributed to the Project with the Power Utilities; 11 July) • Pacific Power Association production of the PEN through • Institutional Capacity Building articles, comments, etc. on Renewable Energy Training; Conference in Palau (28 July - 01 Aug); Please note that the next issue • Pacific Islands Renewable • Gender, Energy and is due for circulation in mid Energy Project; Sustainable Development in September. Please send your • Biomass Resource Assessment Nadi, Fiji Islands (04 - 08 Aug) news, updates and articles to Training; • Pacific Islands Forum Diesel [email protected] or fax: +679 In addition, there are national Maintenance Training 3370040 by 31 August 2003. REGIONAL NEWS - an update on some of the current Regional Energy Projects (as of June 2003)
Demand Side Management (DSM) Project • Project implementation SOPAC in collaboration with the Pacific Power Association (PPA) has approached the Power • Policy issues relating to biomass production Utilities in the Pacific region for their support and and use and linking this with environmental assistance in providing the baseline data needed considerations for designing DSM in-country projects. • Case Studies – The DSM project provides funding for 2 - 3 in- coconut oil, country demonstration projects. The selection of forestry Utilities for the implementation of these residues, demonstration projects will in part depend on the waste Utility’s level of committment and responsiveness treatment & to providing information for the designing phase. management A participant presenting her groups findings during the We would appreciate if completed questionnaires • A general workshop in Vanuatu. could be sent to the SOPAC Secretariat by the end introduction to of July. biomass energy – its role in the development process, its impact and other issues such as Please contact Mr Rupeni Mario at SOPAC on: [email protected]; or Fax (679) 3370040 for futher details. climate change and linking these with the various international agreements relating to Biomass Resource Assessment Project greenhouse gas emissions and climate The Biomass Resource change. Assessment Training Workshops have been The participants were able to identify some completed in the potential projects during the training and they following countries: included gasification projects using waste from Fiji Islands, Kiribati, saw mills, biogas digesters using pig manure, use of copra for coconut oil production and diversifying Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu During one of the Training and Vanuatu. Workshop sessions in Samoa tree plantation to increase income earning conducted by Dr Hemstock capacity of land owners. The training workshops were conducted by Imperial College, Please contact Mr Anare Matakiviti at SOPAC on: [email protected] Centre for Energy Policy and Technology or Fax (679) 3370040 for futher details. (ICCEPT) by Dr Deepchand and Dr Hemstock by a technical assistance consultancy. 2003 Earth Day Activity in the Pacific Islands The Biomass Resource Assessment training is The activity for this year’s Regional Earth Day was part of an overall regional programme designed a “Poster and Essay Competition for Schools” to facilitate the development of SOPAC member throughout the region with the theme “Energy for countries’ biomass resources in order to provide Life”. The focus for the competition was “Energy alternative options of meeting the countries Efficient Homes” and builds on last year’s team st energy needs. More specifically the training competition called “Energy Wizards of the 21 course covered areas such as: Century” that focused on energy auditing and energy saving in schools. • The biomass fuel production chains Page 7 & 8 provides two of the entries that have • Types of biomass resources e.g. energy been recieved for the 2003 Earth Day Competition. crops, residues and wastes (including The competition winners will be announced at a municipal, animal, human and industrial later date and published in the next PEN. wastes) Please contact Yogita Chandra at SOPAC on: [email protected] for • Methodologies for measuring biomass futher details. resources
Pacific Energy News (Number 1 - March 2003) page 2 Institutional Capacity Building on Renewable Energy Training PETROLEUM NEWS SOPAC in consultation with UNESCAP and the Below is a recent BBC article which gives us Pacific Power Association developed a one aspect of the 'other side' of the reality of questionnaire and a methodology for the high fuel prices. Renewable Energy Training Needs Assessment. BBC World News 1 May 2003 The questionnaires have been distributed to energy contacts in SOPAC & UNESCAP member countries and other institutions. Exxon Profits Triple At present the contents of a pilot training Exxon Mobil, the world's programme on Solar Photovoltaic Project biggest oil company, has Development is being prepared. It is envisaged announced a threefold that the pilot training programme will be jump in profits, implemented in November 2003. Under a similar crediting a sharp rise arrangement USP will also run a pilot training in global crude oil programme and opportunities are being looked at prices. to link these together. The company said pre-tax profits for the first Regional Workshop on Gender, Energy and three months of 2003 came in at $7.04bn Sustainable Development (£4.4bn ; EUR6.3bn), up from $2.1bn dollars 4 - 8 August, 2003 - Nadi, FIJI Islands during the same period last year. The proposed workshop will help facilitate the The result was Exxon's best ever over three consultation process and bring together relevant months, beating its previous record of $5.2bn stakeholders from the energy sector, donors, and in the final quarter of 2001. partner organisations within the region and lead Shares in Exxon - which sells fuel under the to the development of a better understanding of Esso brand - were up 1.3% at $35.66 in early gender issues in the energy sector and how to trade on Wall Street. adopt a fully integrated gender crosscutting approach to existing and future energy projects. Supply uncertainty The Regional Workshop on “Gender, Energy and The company's strong performance reflected a Sustainable Development - A Working Strategy” recent rally in crude oil prices amid fears that aims to develop regional strategies and national the war in Iraq, an oil workers' strike in action plans that will assist in creating awareness Venezuela, and civil unrest in Nigeria would and identifying barriers on gender issues in the disrupt global supplies. energy sector. Exxon's bottom line received a further boost These strategies will build and further expand on from the sale of its stake in German natural the relevant components of the strategic plan of gas distributor Ruhrgas AG. the Pacific Islands Energy Policy and Plan (PIEPP) Exxon's revenues for the first three months of endorsed during the Regional Energy Meeting in the year also rose sharply, climbing to $63.8bn Rarotonga in July 2002. from $43.4bn one year ago. The workshop is supported by the following Other oil companies have also benefited from organisations: the rally in world oil prices, with the UK's BP Energia, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, SOPAC, unveiling a record first-quarter profit of $3.7bn Taiwan ROC, UNDP and UNESCO. earlier this week.
Please contact Yogita Chandra at SOPAC on: [email protected] for However, world oil prices are expected to fall futher details. in the months ahead as Iraqi output returns to normal, taking some of the shine off the oil sector's financial results.
Pacific Energy News (Number 1 - March 2003) page 3 NATIONAL NEWS
benefits for future generations. And we will be PAPUA NEW GUINEA using less fossil fuels, reducing the impact on the environment,” he said. The company anticipates considerable cost savings as a result of the LIHIR Gold Harnesses Geothermal Electricity reduction in its use of fossil fuel. “Based on last The miner to launch PNG’s first geothermal year’s spending on heavy fuel, we expect to save power generating plant on Sunday over US$2 million a year following the LIHIR Gold Limited is turning its vast geothermal commissioning of the geothermal power station,” resource into an opportunity. In April, the he says. The company hopes to generate a company started commissioning a 6MW significant amount of its power requirements geothermal power station, the first in Papua New from the geothermal plant. Guinea to use natural geothermal energy for the generation of electricity. The power station will be VANUATU officially launched on Sunday. Based on Lihir Coconut Oil Industry in Vanuatu Island, all of Lihir Gold’s gold reserve is, to some degree, in geothermal zones. The company has Coconut oil production in Vanuatu successfully managed Lihir’s geothermal resource is a thriving industry. In Port Vila so that mining is feasible in areas once considered there are two companies that are too hot and, now, following extensive studies, it is involved in coconut oil production. using geothermal steam for power generation. They are Motor Traders and Four steam wells, initially drilled for the purpose Vanuatu Sea Transport Ltd (VAST). of cooling and de-pressuring the mine, will Both companies are provide the steam required for the power station. trialling the use of coconut The Lihir power plant requires over 100 tons of oil as a substitute diesel steam per hour to operate at maximum capacity. fuel for the transport The 6MW produced represents about 10 per cent industry. Public transport of the gold operation’s total power needs. (buses and taxis) are Equipment for the power station was sourced running on coconut oil in Port Vila. VAST which is Onesua School diesel generators: run worldwide, with the turbines manufactured by off VAST coco oil. 1000 l/month cf 2300 General Electric in the USA and the steam producing about 4000 litres l/month straight diesel. Filters must be changed regularly. gathering systems designed and constructed by of coconut oil per week is Century Resources in New Zealand. Local currently using its coconut oil for running two contractors have been closely involved inter-island vessels. Each vessel has a thousand throughout construction. Four power plant litre tank carrying capacity. personnel from Lihir Gold travelled to New Further work is being Zealand in early February to gain first hand planned for the use of experience in operating the steam gathering coconut oil for plant, valves and control systems. Lihir Gold electricity production. managing director Neil Swan said the EU is providing funding development of a geothermal power station to carry out a feasibility would bring benefits not only for the company study for using coconut but also for Lihirians, Papua New Guinea as a oil for electricity whole and the environment. “It is a win-win production and CIRAD situation all round. The company has harnessed a The VAST vehicle which has been awarded the low-cost, renewable power supply. Local runs on coconut oil tender to carry out the businesses have been employed in the feasibility study in Olry construction of the power station. Papua New Village, Santo. Guinea has gained new technology that will have
Pacific Energy News (Number 2 - June 2003) page 4 SAIPAN IN BRIEF Saipan to Build OTEC Plant From UNDP & UNESCO - Apia, Samoa Tokelau SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Mar. 26) - Governor Tokelau Juan N. Babauta has signed a memorandum of The “Grid-connected Photovoltaic Electricity understanding with a Maryland corporation, Sea Solar Supply on Tokelau” project is in the final stages of Power International, to pave the way for the preparation. Currently the EIA and the technical construction of a $50 million ocean thermal energy specifications are being finalized and tender is conversion facility in the CNMI. expected to take place soon. The Government of Under the memorandum of understanding, Sea Solar Tokelau executes the project. The project is co- Power will build and operate what will be the largest funded by the Government of Tokelau, ocean thermal energy conversion, or OTEC, plant in Government of New Zealand, Government of the Pacific outside the United States. France, UNESCO Apia and UNDP Samoa. The OTEC plant will produce approximately 10 Cook Islands megawatts of “net electricity power” and 3 million Technical assistance (TA) to promote the gallons per day of “bulk fresh water.” utilization of renewable energy technologies in Hawaii has a similar facility which produces 5 the Cook Islands energy supply has been megawatts of electricity. approved. Detailed project design will be An ocean thermal energy converter is a machine undertaken during a mission in July/August 2003. designed to create electricity in warm, tropical waters. The TA it funded by UNDP Samoa and executed OTEC uses the warm waters to evaporate a liquid that by UNESCO Apia. boils at a very low temperature, such as ammonia or Samoa freon. The steam produced is forced through turbines A feasibility study for 24-hours power supply on to create electricity. The gas is then put in a storage Apolima Island co-funded by UNDP Samoa and tank where cold water from the ocean floor is brought up to turn it back into a liquid. Then the process starts UNESCO Apia was finalized in March 2003. Initial all over again. discussions with the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) and the Government of Samoa indicate “The Northern Marianas is considered as one of the support for the utilization of PV solar home most suitable sites in the world in terms of thermal systems (SHS) for the small island. If finally technology, and so the administration decided to go for this,” the governor’s special assistant for customs approved PV SHS will replace the old diesel and quarantine policy and research, Frank Taitano, generator currently supplying power to the told Variety yesterday. approximately 100 inhabitants. Taitano and Felix Sablan, Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente’s Regional PV Training chief of staff, were tasked by the governor to work UNESCO Apia funded the participation of a with Sea Solar Power personnel. representative from the Electric Power Taitano said the signing of the MOU was timely, Corporation (EPC), Samoa and the Tokelau Power noting the recent creation of the Governor’s Water System (TPS) to take part in an advanced PV SHS Task Force, which is headed by Benavente. training course in Fiji in May 2003. The Solar Taitano said the OTEC facility will be completed in Energy Company (SEC) from Kiribati organized three years. the regional training course. Sea Solar Power will identify a “suitable location” in For further information on the above and other energy the CNMI to build their plant, he said. issues in the context of UNDP Samoa and UNESCO Apia please contact Mr. Thomas Lynge Jensen at: Under the MOU, Sea Solar Power will also make [email protected] arrangements for the project’s financing, fund the environmental studies, conduct and pay for installation of a complete 10-megawatt land-based engineering studies, cost estimates, and final OTEC power and desalination plant, and secure a engineering plans. power purchase agreement. Sea Solar Power will also operate and maintain the March 26, 2003 plant, provide additional data related to the OTEC Marianas Variety: www.mvariety.com
Pacific Energy News (Number 2 - June 2003) page 5 THE PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMMES SHOULD NOT BE A JOKE By ‘Ofa-ki-Olohau Sefana1
It is often said that one of the major obstacles • A disconnected consumer must pay the to the promotion of sustainable solar total monthly fee owed and $20 for a electrification programmes is that rural reconnection of service and shall be made 2 communities know each other too well and/or months [60 days] after disconnection. are closely related to each other such that the • The HSEC’s PV components [panels, batteries disconnection of the electricity supply would and controllers] shall be removed from a be impossible. And so one’s uncle fails to pay consumer who fail to pay the monthly fee for the monthly electricity fee or tamper the a period of four continuous months. installation and gets away with the disconnection. One by one the community • The solar utility’s PV components [panels, finds out and then they take turns in saying, batteries and controllers] shall be removed “if he can get away with it, so can I.” from a consumer who show total disregard Maintenance time comes and one by one the for their safety and proper functioning. systems are abandoned, as there is no money 3. He got the HSEC to agree that the for the labour, transport and spare parts. “What management guideline should have this clause for a sour bunch of grapes”, said the fox. “What an its staff: inappropriate piece of equipment”, said the “Staff of the Committee is subject to be taken to community. And the finger pointing goes on Court in connection with any loss or any and on. dishonesty in regards to the execution of their The problem can therefore be easily described responsibilities.” as the lack of funds for the maintenance. How He then incorporated this clause in the do we address this same old familiar problem? employment contracts of the HSEC-recruited island Here is how it is being done in the PREFACE technicians: Ha’apai Solar Electrification Project in Tonga: “I accept the offer of employment and 1. He made it compulsory that each acknowledge receiving the tool box and further household must apply to be provided with a agree that I should be sued in connection with any donor-funded solar system. The application loss or any dishonesty in regards to the execution form has this standard phrase which must be of my responsibilities.” signed to by the applicant: The PREFACE Ha’apai Solar Electrification project “I confirm that I will abide and fully has been operating for a year now. 11 systems have comply with the management guidelines been disconnected and reconnected in accordance of the Ha’apai Solar Electrification with the HSEC’s management guidelines There Programme, as attached. I also wish to has been one system removal. A loss of T$95 was confirm that I have no objection to the found when checking the receipt books of one of installation of the solar photovoltaic the technicians. After the failure of all the “soft” system at my premises.” and community measures to recover the money, he 2. He got his Board of Directors, in the form was sued and summoned to appear before the of a Ha’apai Solar Electricity Committee magistrate court for dishonesty. Justice Latu [HSEC], to adopt a management guideline with Mohenoa ordered that the money be paid back the following as its Disconnection Policy: immediately and gave a stern warning to all island • A consumer who fails to pay for his/her technicians not to abuse the community’s trusts. monthly fee for two continuous months This technician has been fired and another youth [60 days] shall be disconnected from has taken up the challenge of dedicating a year to service. the welfare of his community. to page 7
Pacific Energy News (Number 2 - June 2003) page 6 from page 6 ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME The Ha’apai fee collection has remained above 90%, as planned, and the consultations with the This is one of the entries to the 2003 Earth Day Essay communities on a raise of the monthly fee has Competition. Written by Krishnil Chand of Baulevu already started on a positive note. High School, Nausori, Fiji Islands, for the 16 years & over category. Almost every solar electrification project in the region has got some signed MoU or agreement A home has individuality when it expresses the on how the project is to be managed. Rules, personalities and lifestyle of those who live in it. guidelines and contracts are only useful when An attractive home is one that we enjoy seeing. A they are applied and enforced, otherwise, they useful home is comfortable and secure and it are just a bunch of jokes. permits many different kinds of activities. For more details, contact ‘Ofa Sefana at Most importantly the house should be energy [email protected] or Solomone Fifita at efficient. An energy efficient house according to [email protected] the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission is one which has: 1 Energy Officer, Energy Planning Unit, Tonga. Views expressed “Features that allow comfortable conditions to be are personal. maintained inside the house nearly everyday of the year with little or no requirement for cooling World’s First Wave Energy Turbine Launched or heating” (Newsletters, 2003) In order to achieve such comfortable conditions a by Quinn Miller (June 17 2003) lot of factors have to be looked into. The world’s first wave energy turbine was launched yesterday off the coast of Devon, UK. There are several questions that should be Coating £3 million, the turbine has been built into answered before one actually chooses a home the seabed about a half-mile off the shore of that is energy efficient. These questions are as Lynmouth. follows; is the home convenient for each member in the family? Are kitchens and bath facilities It is estimated that the turbine will produce adequate for everyone’s need? Does the windows, around 300 kilowatts of electricity, and its curtains, and colour of the house contribute manufacturers are hoping that it will lead to towards making the house energy efficient? further constructions around the country. They suggest that as much as 10 gigawatts of power, It is important to select proper windows in a which is about half of the existing nuclear home. Windows let in light and fresh air. It helps industry, could be produced through marine control the inside temperature and provide views turbines. of the outside world. Window coverings can play a. major role in regulating the temperature of a The marine current turbine is similar in principle house. It is essential that all windows have to a windmill, in that it draws energy from the currents of the water in the same way that a to page 8 windmill uses air currents. Major benefits in using the wave turbine are that ocean currents are more reliable than wind currents and are less obtrusive to the landscape. The blades rotate at about 20 revolutions per minute, so there is no danger to fish or other marine life. Financed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the European Commission’s energy programme, the marine turbine project is expected to be the first of many marine current turbines.
Pacific Energy News (Number 2 - June 2003) page 7 from page 10 available that uses no extra heat to dry the Energy Efficient Home dishes. This feature can be used too when quick drapes, window shades, blinds or other window drying is not essential. coverings that can be opened or closed, let the For cooking, use stove or oven to save the energy sunlight in to warm a room, shut it out for of cooking food by woods. When using oven cook cooling. as much food irk it as it can hold. Wisely chosen Much heating and cooling energy is wasted appliances can save much of the energy that because of poor insulation. Proper insulation would be needed by the standard range. For controls heat movement in and out of the house. example, a microwave oven can be used to Adding insulation to walls, floors and ceilings is perform many cooking tasks. It is an energy saver when compared to a standard range. A microwave oven can save 50 to 75 percent of the energy used in convention cooking method. Furthermore, an average home uses only about 5 percent of its total energy consumption for lighting. This is not a great amount, but even here savings can be made. Use the lowest wattage light bulbs that will give adequate light and yet consume very little energy. This in turn will also keep the home cool. Colour is also defined in terms of its being warm or cool. Even though the temperature throughout a home is more or less the same, one may feel warmer in some areas than in other. This is often because of the colours used in decorating these areas. Red, orange and yellow are considered warm colours. They are called advancing colours because they appear near to a person. In order to make a room appear smaller than it actually is by Aaritaake Iraata, Church of God High School, Kiribati (Category: 16 years & over) one can use warm colours on the walls. On the other hand cool colours make objects in front of often a good long-term investment. them seem to stand out. Because blue and green suggest restfulness and quietness, they are often There are other ways to insulate dwellings used in bedrooms and in hospital rooms. against heat or cold. Properly placed trees, shrubs and vines can help insulate a home from sun and In addition the vegetation around a home plays wind and noise too. Caulking cracks, adding an important role in keeping a home energy putty around loose windowpanes and placing efficient. While too little vegetation can result in weather stripping around doors can keep cold air heating, too many can result in overcooling. No out. specific indication can be generally made as the level of vegetation entirely depends on the Moving further, the water heater is the second geographical location of the home. greatest energy user in a home. Therefore, it is important to be energy wise when using hot Therefore to have an energy efficient home, it is water. While it is a need to have hot water for very important to plan it very well. All the washing dishes, cold and warm water are often features discussed so far need a very critical just as effective as hot for laundering clothes. In analysis before being implemented. It is vital that addition, water that is very hot is harmful to all features complement each other to make a many fabrics. For dishwasher, wait until there is home energy efficient. Energy is a very important a full load before using it. It costs no more and element in any home and if harnessed properly it uses no more energy to clean a smaller load. can produce miracles for the home and its Many dishwashers now have air-drying features occupants.
Pacific Energy News (Number 2 - June 2003) page 8 WAVE GAUGE DEPLOYMENT AND MULTI-BEAM MAPPING NEAR MUANI VILLAGE, KADAVU, FIJI ISLANDS A joint effort between U.S Wave Energy, SOPAC Ocean and Islands & Community Lifelines Programmes, and the Fiji Department of Energy. Team Members: Francois Enet (U.S Wave Energy), Robert Smith, Simon Young, Rupeni Mario (SOPAC), Intiyaz Khan and Taleshul Gani (Fiji Department of Energy)
The Fiji Islands, located between longitudes 1750 E to carry out a full feasibility study near Muani and 1780 W and latitudes 150 and 220 S, was one of Village. On the 03-06 June, U.S Wave Energy, the Pacific island SOPAC and the Fiji Department of Energy countries that deployed a wave gauge at coordinates 190 09× participated in the 52.16519Ø S and 1780 08× 40.5325Ø E, 1000m from Norwegian shore at 18m depth. Agency for The multi-beam mapping exercise provided a 3D International Digital Terrain Model (DTM), as in the picture Development below, of the seafloor fronting Muani Village (NORAD) funded viewed from the east. Off Muani Village there is a pre-feasibility fringing reef with a very steep fore reef slope study for wave The wave gauge ready to be power in the deployed South Pacific. The study did not automatically progress through to a full feasibility study and the development of a demonstration wave energy project as the Wave Gauge Site technology component of wave energy at that time was still under development and refinement. In 2002, SOPAC and U.S Wave Energy1 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Digital Terrain Model primary objective of expanding the earlier work carried out by the NORAD-funded programme. extending to depths beyond 800m. Two mass To date, U.S Wave Energy has reviewed the data slump scars are evident in the DTM. There is no from the significant terrace development at the crest of the earlier study fore reef slope except for the site where the wave and carried gauge was deployed which is a small knoll3 at a out depth of 18m (and 1000m from shore) located on performance the spur of the reef extending seawards. The base analysis for of the knoll is around 50m. their Wave Energy The Muani Village wave measuring exercise is Module scheduled to run for the next twelve months. (WEM). One During this time, U.S. Wave Energy will focus on of the engineering a 50kW demonstration WEM for promising potential deployment at the test site, as a sites precursor to implementation of larger systems identified was The location of the Wave Gauge (1MW). near Muani2 Village on the island of Kadavu, Fiji Islands. The 1 65 Pioneer Drive, Longmeadow, MA, 01106 USA. analysis by U.S Wave Energy showed a monthly 2 Muani Village consists of 59 households with a population of 213 as of May 2003. In 1996 a 15kVA diesel generator was installed at the Village to meet their lighting average power potential of 296kW near Muani requirements. The main source of income for the Villagers is by selling yaqona, dalo Village. and copra. 3 The sea floor at the knoll consists of rocks and corals. Given this potential it was considered appropriate
Pacific Energy News (Number 2 - June 2003) page 9 University of the South Pacific - School of Pure and Applied Sciences Physics Department - VACANCIES
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Physics active research interests in one, or more, of the (Re-advertisement) - Ref. FPH016 identified departmental focal areas and demonstrate a The Department of Physics, with specialist activities high research profile, with a strong publication record in energy, environment, electronics, communication, in internationally referred journals in his/her area. The nuclear and marine physics invites applications for a appointee should have proven record in consultancies three year appointment, with possible renewal. The and/or successfully procuring funds for research and appointee will contribute to the teaching of development especially in the context of developing undergraduate and post-graduate courses in energy, countries. The applicant is also expected to have environment, and other related courses. He/she will experience and interest in course/curriculum also be expected to take on supervision duties for development. Experience in multi-modal teaching will post-graduate students, as well as contribute to the be a strong advantage. Candidates with University research and consultancy programmes in the administrative experience, especially in a developing department. country will also be advantageous. The candidate should also be able to demonstrate his/her ability to Applicants must have a PhD in renewable energy work in multicultural environment, demonstrate sound with a proven record of teaching, research and leadership skills and be willing to work as part of a consultancy in this area. Candidates with a PhD in dynamic team. other areas of physics, but with demonstrated substantive experience in renewable energy may The degree courses include a mixture of classical and also be considered. modern physics, and there are applied courses in computer hardware, communications, electronics, Applicants for senior lecturership should also have energy, environmental and solid state physics. Current research supervision experience, substantive tertiary research interests include applied gamma-ray teaching experience and a good record of recent and spectroscopy, communications, electronics, relevant publications in recognised journals and environment, renewable energy and marine physics. proceedings in the field of renewable energy. The Physics courses are continually modified to meet Experience with curriculum development is highly new demands and the University is strengthening its desirable. The Department is active in distance and courses suitable for distance teaching. flexible course delivery hence experience in this area The current establishment is 12 full-time academic is also desirable. A formal qualification in teaching and 6 technical staff. At present there are 5 will be advantageous. Graduate Assistants engaged in postgraduate work. Experience in a developing country university will be The number of post-graduates is likely to increase in advantageous. the near future as more studentships become available. Lecturer: F$38 686 to F$50 902 per annum Professor: F$75 337 to F$81 445 per annum Senior Lecturer: F$52 940 to F$61 085 per annum (Inclusive of 15% Gratuity) (Inclusive of 15% Gratuity) The position is available for a term of three years and This position is available for a period of three years. may be renewed by mutual agreement. Closing date for applications 11 July 20032003. Closing date for applications 18 July 20032003. Professor of Physics (Re-advertisement) Enquiries and further information: Ref. FPH023 Associate Professor Mahendra Kumar, ph: (679) 3301648 The appointee will be expected to take lead in the or 3212419; fax: (679) 3308972; email: academic and research programmes of the [email protected] department, and it is expected that at some point in Two copies of your application, including full the future, will accept responsibilities as Head of curriculum vitae plus certified copies of academic Department, under the current system of rotating qualifications and transcripts must be forwarded to Headship. The appointee will also be expected to The Recruitment Manager, The University of the South teach postgraduate and undergraduate courses and Pacific, Suva, Fiji. Applicants must request three actively promote the Department‘s research profile. professional referees to forward signed reports (quoting Applicants must have a PhD in Physics, and tertiary reference number) to the above address by the closing level teaching experience at postgraduate and date. Candidates may send their application by fax: undergraduate levels. Applicants must also have (679) 3303437 while sending originals by mail..
Pacific Energy News (Number 1 - March 2003) page 10 SOPAC Science, Technology and Resource OECD Nations can cut Energy Use by 1/3 by 2010 - IEA Network LONDON - The world's rich industrial countries could slash nearly a third of their energy use by 2010 by using This year’s STAR will focus on the theme more energy-efficient electrical appliances, energy “Towards Linking Geoscience and Policy for watchdog the International Energy Agency said. Pacific Small Islands Sustainable Development”. Such a move by members of the OECD, the Organisation The host government, Niue, has asked that for Economic Cooperation and Development, would cut intending presenters focus where possible on the emissions of polluting greenhouse gases by the fresh water issues. equivalent of removing 100 million cars from their roads. STAR sessions (presentation of papers, posters Home appliances such as computers, fridges, mixers, and working group meetings) will be held during toasters, televisions and videos are the fastest growing energy users after automobiles in OECD countries and the evening of Friday 19th, and all day Saturday th st many of them consume power when switched off in 20 and Monday 21 September, 2003, prior to the stand-by mode. official opening of the Annual Session on Tuesday 23rd September,2003. For more information about Such devises account for 30 percent of OECD electricity SOPAC and the Annual Session of Governing consumption and 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, largely blamed for global warming. Council, contact the Secretariat or visit the SOPAC homepage