I AM Secondary School-Green Building Challenge

Competition Code #3003

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A MODEL FOR USING RENEWABLE ENERGY

IN FOOD PRODUCTION

Team Members (l-r) Shiva Balliram, Brendon Pasea, Keilon de Leon , Leonardo Latchman, Jaden Jaggan

According to the International Energy Agency , “energy efficiency is a way of managing and restraining the growth in energy consumption. Something is more energy efficient if it delivers more services for the same energy input, or the same services for less energy input.”

IRENA-International Renewable Energy Agency “ For many renewables such as hydropower, solar and wind, power generation is assumed to take place with 100% efficiency. Fossil fuel power plants incur significant energy losses in the conversion from primary fuel to final electric energy”

In an article cited in the Trinidad Express newspaper dated 30th November 2012, The Honourable Minister of Energy Kevin Ramnarine revealed that “The World Bank has ranked Trinidad and Tobago as one of the worst energy-efficient countries in the world”

According to Oilprice.com, a leading source for oil and energy news, Trinidad and Tobago has been ranked the 3rd biggest energy glutton in the world. This country is the leading producer of oil and natural gas in the Caribbean region but consumes 15 691 kg of energy per person ( figures derived from the World Bank)

Trinidad and Tobago A CASE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

In 1994, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force with the ultimate objective being the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.

The UNFCCC was later complemented by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol under which member countries are committed to reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an average of 5% by 2012 against 1990 levels1. Trinidad and Tobago is a ratified signatory to the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Renewable Energy (RE) development is one of the strategies being adopted to mitigate the impact of climate change and investments have been significant and growing over the last decade.

The threat of climate change is very real for small island states like those of the Caribbean where serious negative socio-economic implications could result from an event such as rising sea levels depending on its severity. This is because of their limited size, geographical location, high exposure of infrastructure and limited adaptive capacity.

Renewable energy development would promote energy security and the sustainable development of these states.

A two tank aquaculture system which is driven by a ½ horsepower pump is present on the farm compound at #3003 Secondary School. The pump is a major component of the aeration mechanism for the population of red and silver fingerlings which are reared in the tanks. The aeration mechanism is comprised of a pump, an intricate system of ¾ inch PVC pipes and overflow pipes. The tanks are uncovered and are present in an area which is fully exposed to sunlight

Due to the high stocking rate of fish and the very vibrant algae population which serves as a very important sources of food, the oxygen content has be maintained throughout the day and the night. Fluctuations in oxygen content can affect fish growth, reproduction rates , diseases and in extreme cases death of the entire fish population.

The pump works on a continuous basis

IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

Figure 1- Picture showing the two tank aquaculture system present at 3003

Secondary School

Click icon to add picture

Figure 2-Picture showing the pump associated with the aquaculture unit

This pump is powered by electricity derived from T&TEC

( Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission). In Trinidad and Tobago, electricity generation is primarily from natural gas. This natural gas fuel is burnt and the heat energy released is used to produce steam. This steam is then used to turn a steam turbine which is connected to an electrical generator to produce electricity.

At the power plant, the burning of natural gas produces nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, but in lower quantities than burning oil. Methane, a primary component of natural gas and a greenhouse gas, can also be emitted into the air when natural gas is not burned completely. Similarly, methane can be emitted as the result of leaks and losses during transportation.

IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “. Methane's (CH4) lifetime in the atmosphere is much shorter than carbon dioxide (CO2), but CH4 is more efficient at trapping radiation than CO2. Pound for pound, the comparative impact of CH4 on climate change is over 20 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year period.”

IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

The students would be involved in improving energy efficiency by powering the pump of the aquaculture unit during the night with electricity generated from solar panels. The end result is food production utilizing a green/renewable source of energy.

This project is going to be implemented at the school on a trial basis. If proven to be successful, this model can be adopted by large scale by commercial farmers who are involved in aquaculture. This technology is ideal for farmers with land areas that are not connected to T&TEC gridlines but require electricity to drive the pumps associated with fish farming. It means that farmers can have now have access to marginal lands in remote areas and use these areas for food production.

Established farms can implement this technology to reduce operating costs and reduce reliance on electrical energy derived from the burning of fossil fuels

PROJECT PROPOSAL

SITE CHOICE FOR ESTABLISHING SOLAR PANELS-

the adjacent roof area of the #3003 Secondary School ‘s

cafeteria is concreted, flat, gated, and fully exposed to

sunlight. Solar panels are expensive and require

positioning away from a high human traffic area. The area

is ideal since panels can be easily accessed for

maintenance.

RATIONALE

TILAPIA PRODUCTION- involves the rearing of fish for human

consumption in artificial ponds under strictly monitored

conditions.

Tilapia is a lean source of protein, cheap, and produced locally.

Local Tilapia production could lead to a reduction in the food

import bill for Trinidad and Tobago.

At #3003 Secondary School, the adult Tilapia (once they have

achieved market weight) are used in the Food and Nutrition

laboratory for students to conduct Student Based Assessment

Practicals.

With worldwide fish populations on a steady decline , due to

ocean acidification, increases in the temperature of water which

influence nutrient availability, poor fishing techniques such as

trawling , tilapia serves as a viable alternative

DEMONSTRATION UNIT TO SHOW STUDENTS AT

SCHOOL, HOW FOOD CAN BE PRODUCED BY UTILIZING

GREEN ENERGY-Students can become, entrepreneurs and

generate their own incomes without having to depend on society

for employment. Students could also be taught about healthy meal

options to prevent childhood obesity by using fish as a main

source of protein in their diet. They can also be taught the

components of a simple aquaculture system and how to access the

components such as solar panels.

ENCOURAGING SUSTAINABILITY AND FOSTERING LOVE

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT- students would be taught the need

to become “green” and changes that can make on an individual

basis to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Clean energy/Renewal source of energy

Reduction in Carbon Dioxide emission(greenhouse effects) reduces

the effects of global warming (a single photovoltaic cell prevents

30kg of CO2 from being emitted)

Trinidad is a tropical country experiencing the direct rays of the sun

throughout the year hence Solar Energy is readily available year

round

Cost of Solar Panels is subsidized by the government of Trinidad and

Tobago.

Reduction in the emission of Nitrogen and Sulphur Oxides (Primary

Pollutants) thereby reducing the incidents of smog and acid rain.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SOLAR PANELS

Ambient temperatures are well suited for Solar Energy not

much fluctuations.

Solar panels provide energy reliability since the rising and

setting of the sun is extremely consistent. The sun has the

potential to provide 23000 TW/year compared to petroleum

which is 240 TW/year

Solar energy would save the country and individual’s money.

Solar power creates jobs and encourages new business

opportunities.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SOLAR PANELS

The light energy from the sun goes into the solar panels on the

roof. The light energy is converted into electricity by the solar

cells in the solar panels. The electricity from the solar panels

travel down the wires (in pvc pipe)connecting to the water

pump and the batteries. The pump is powered by the electricity

from the panels during the day. The panels also charge the

batteries so that at night the pump will work to power the fish

pond. When the last person leaves the school they will flip a

switch to switch the power from the panels to the power from

the batteries that were charged during the day. Eventually ,

pumps can be fully powered by the solar panels.

HOW WOULD THE SOLAR PANELS WORK ON THE FARM?

Get Baking: Students were asked to donate cakes and cookies which were sold during break and lunch time.

Get Spelling: A spelling bee, using “environmental words” was held in which students were asked to donate a small sum of money to participate.

Get Selling: Students held an environmental oriented variety stall in which they sold ornaments, books etc., in

order to gain profits to implement the school’s solar system. Solar panels can cost from $2500.00 to $10,000.00. The are

many companies in Trinidad which sell solar panels for example SMART ENERGIES LIMITED, SOLARGRAY LIMITED.

HOW WOULD FUNDS BE GENERATED TO PURCHASE SOLAR PANELS ?

Drawing of schematic diagram showing how panels would be used to power pump for the fish pond

Model of proposed project