Renewable Energy Research, Education and Training at The University of the South Pacific Atul Raturi Sustainable Energy-Global Indicators Energy Intensity (1990-2013) Countries with RE policies and targets ( 2014) Fiji- among 10 top countries in terms of investment in RE relative to GDP ( REN21- GSR2015) RE Sector Jobs (2014) RE Sector Jobs “Difficult to Fill” RE occupations (ILO, 2011) Wind energy Project developers; service technicians; data analysts; electrical, computer, mechanical and construction engineers. Solar energy Photovoltaic and solar thermal system installers and maintainers; building inspectors. Hydropower Electrical, and operations and maintenance engineers; technicians; tradespersons; sustainability specialists. Geothermal Trainers; geothermal engineers. Bioenergy R&D and design engineers; service technician; trainers. Needs Assessment IRENA has identified the following key actions ( based on FAESP) for RE development in the Pacific Strengthen institutional frameworks in the energy sector Strengthen strategic energy planning Strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks Strengthen the collection and management of energy data Assess and monitor renewable energy resource potentials Assess grid stability for high shares of RE integration Harmonise technical standards for implementation of RE technologies Harmonisation of RE standards and certification systems for national and regional deployment of RE Capacity Development in Sustainable Energy at all levels Develop bankable renewable projects The USP Striving to develop a well-trained cadre of professionals for the Pacific region and beyond 12 Member Countries, 14 Campuses, ~27,000 students spread over 30 million sq.km USP Strategic Plan ( 2013-18) The overarching themes of the University’s activities are Human Security and Sustainable Development. Priority Areas Learning and Teaching Strategic Themes Pacific cultures and societies Student Support Pacific Oceans and Natural Resources Research and Internationalisation Human Capacity Building and Leadership Information and Communication Technologies Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Regional and Community Engagement Our People Economic Growth, Regional Cooperation and Integration for Sustainable Pacific Economies Governance, Management, Leadership and ICT and the Knowledge Economy Continuous Improvement. Government, Public Policy and Social Cohesion Renewable Energy Programmes @USP PG Programmes: • PG Diploma in Renewable Energy • Masters in Renewable Energy (Engineering/Physics) • Ph.D. in Renewable Energy (Engineering/Physics) UG Progarmmes: • Undergraduate courses in Renewable Energy Vocational Training RE research @USP Solar resource Solar PV-standalone, GC, EV charging Wave power Assessment Ocean Energy devices Wind Power assessments and turbines Hybrid System Opimization Standalone PV systems Design and performance Analysis Solar Resource Analysis Partial Shading Analysis, Temperature effects GCPV Systems • • USP/KOICA 45kW system One of the first GCPV systems in Fiji Design and performance Analysis Grid Interaction studies Banish the Kerosene Lamp Project • Testing and Characterization of Solar LED lights • Research on Microfinancing strategies for solar lighting Electric Vehicle Charging System • Investigate the viability of Solar Electric Vehicles in the PICs Fabrication and Characterization of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Gratzel Cells : Third Generation Solar cells that mimic Photosynthesis. We use flower dyes as sensitizers Kalyanasundaram & Gratzel Optimization and Analysis of RE Systems HOMER Control system design for RE hybrid systems Wave Energy Research • Orbital motion driven small Savonius rotors • OWC wave energy converters • Other Technologies: OTEC, Tidal Power Biofuels /Biomass Research • CNO Blends Development of Hybrid fuels with coconut oil as the main ingredient for diesel engines. • Ethanol from Cassava Viability studies for using locally grown cassava varieties. • W2E • Biofuel Testing Laboratory USP-FDOE collaboration - Regional accredited fuel test facility. USP- KOICA Renewable Energy Project Funded under the East Asia Climate Change Partnership- 2 M USD. Three components : 1. Renewable Energy assessment in all 12 USP member countries and establishment of a Data Bank at USP. 2. Renewable Energy Capacity Building in the USP region. 3. Establishment of a 45 kW grid-connected solar PV system at the USP Laucala lower Campus and development of a Renewable Energy Training Centre. Project Period: 2010- 2013 R &D Areas • Storage solutions: Pumped hydro, batteries etc. • Grid stability studies with higher RE (Wind and solar) penetration • Smart Grids and Control systems • Resource assessments and data analysis • Biofuel, W2E • Geothermal Energy • Energy planning and modelling • Establishment of a SE products testing laboratory USP-KOICA Renewable Energy Project: Capacity Building • The project funded 8 regional students to undertake a Master’s programme at USP. They are working on renewable energy resources assessment in their respective countries after spending initial 6 months (taking two courses) at USP. The seven students registered are from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Nauru. • Development of a Renewable Energy Training Laboratory – GCPV systems • 3-days GCPV training workshop - September 2012 RE Competency standards certification scheme USP has joined hands with the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of Pacific Islands ( SEIAPI),SPC and PPA to develop competency standards and accreditation for RE professionals ( designers and installers). The scheme was officially launched during the Pacific rollout of the International Year of Sustainable Energy held at USP in 2012. USP/ASU VOCTEC Programme USAID funded project: Train the Trainer and Technician Regional workshops on PV systems. 12 PICs with USP oversight . More than 30 trainers and 100 technicians have been trained so far. RE Research and Training Facilities • • • • • • • • • RE resource assessment equipment Dynamometer Calorimeter Wave Channel Wind Tunnel Solar PV characterization equipment Solar PV training Systems Biodiesel testing laboratory Demonstration RE projects USP Projects • Project DIREKT (2010-13) 1.2 million Euro ACP-EU funded project (DIREKT- small Developing Island Renewable Energy Knowledge and Technology transfer network): Strengthening the Science and Technology of Renewable Energy Systems in the PICs and other Small Island Countries. • Project L3EAP (2013-16) Life Long Learning for Energy Security: An ACP/EU EDULINK project that will develop programmes of study and a pilot teaching module in energy access, security and efficiency for universities and other tertiary institutions. Finally.. Trained Manpower is key to achieving the goal of Sustainable Energy for All. Applied research and appropriate technology development/adaptation will play a crucial role in building a sustainable future for the Pacific Islands region. USP is pleased to be able to assist the PICTS in their efforts. Thank you for your attention Clean Energy For All: It’s possible!