-
Digitisation For A Sustainable and Resilient Trinidad and Tobago
The 10th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD), where the theme was Sustainable Development, was held in September. TTGBC member and now Board member,
Continue reading -
Driving Energy Efficiency Through Sustainably Designed and Constructed Buildings
Within the past decade, energy has emerged as a global issue and a priority for governments and organizations around the world, particularly as unsustainable energy supplies and increasing demands…
Continue reading -
Green Building Lighting
Written by Khaleel Ali (Manager, Regional Business Development)
Continue reading -
Getting Ready for Electric Vehicle Charging in New Building Designs
Bosch® Installation In Dominican Republic Are we Ready for Electric Vehicle Charging in New and Existing Buildings? The wave is coming. By 2040 it is expected that over 55% of vehicles worldwide will be electric. BMW has said that by 2023, they will have more than 25 electric models, Volkswagen will have over 27 by 2022, and Volvo will have an electric variant of all its models by 2025. China is electrifying cars at lightning speed. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are a fast-growing market and there is now a need to consider the requirements of providing EV charging for new and existing buildings. Fortunately, in most cases, there may already be spare capacity in most designs. The Trinidad & Tobago Government and various market stakeholders have already started addressing the issue but much more public awareness is needed. EV Charging will be a major area in future building requirements. CHARGING RATE AND CONNECTORS There is a myriad of EVs in the market, however, when it comes to charging, the equation is somewhat unaddressed. Two things need to be taken into account: Charging rate There are three (3) levels of charging rates and would be dependent of the actual vehicle: Level 1 – Usually for home use at 110V and with the charger provided with the EV. Connects to a regular house socket and the charge time is usually about 10 – 12 hours Level 2 – Either home or commercial. For the home, an aftermarket charger is provided for the home with a 220V connection with an electrical installation required. Commercial is virtually the same but sometimes with a chargeback mechanism using an RFID card or app on your mobile phone. These commercial versions could also be seen at offices and apartment blocks. Typically, the charge time is 4 – 5 hours. Level 3 – Also called DC Fast Charging (DCFC), it is usually commercial or for fleet owners, providing up to 50 KW of power, with a charging rate of 30 minutes to take a battery from 20 – 80% and additional 30 minutes to get to 100%, however not all EVs will support this charging speed. Chargeback method is usually the same as with Level 2. It should be noted that charging time will be dependent on the current level of the battery, vehicle charge rate and vehicle battery capacity. (2) Charging connector. The predominant charging connector is the J1772, also called the J plug, and is standard on most cars with a few exceptions. J1772 is usually used with Level 1 and 2 charging. Level 3 charging connectors is dependent on the manufacturer. They include: Chademo (Charge-de-Move), used by Nissan and Hyundai in some markets CCS Combo (Combined Charging System), used by many European and American cars, as well as Hyundai in some markets Tesla SuperCharger, used only by Tesla. Tesla can also use the CCS or Chademo with a convertor. The next level of charging is only now becoming available to up to 350 KW and will provide full charge in less than 10 minutes. The next generation of EVs will support this level of charging. COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS For all intents and purposes, both commercial and residential requirements for Level 2 is virtually the same except for any NEMA code requirements. Level 2 chargers are usually available in 30 or 40 amp variants at 220V. Installation can be done by any certified electrician and can either be wall or pedestal mounted. Pedestal are usually sold by the EV Charger manufacturer and can be costly. Level 3 chargers are quite different given that it delivers much higher power for quicker charging, and specific manufacturer instructions are required. They tend to be 3 Phase 277V/480V at about 70 amps or more. They are usually ground mounted on a concrete base. They also need significantly more planning especially when the building is existing, given the location of breaker panels in relation to the proposed EV Charger installation site. External chargers are usually IP65 rated for outdoor use. Some can support management by a network, which requires an Ethernet (Category 6) connection, or SIM card from a cellular service provider. ELECTRICAL CODE REQUIREMENT The Ministry of Public Utilities, in conjunction with the Electrical Inspectorate Division and Trinidad & Tobago Electricity, has issue guidelines for the installation of Level 1 and Level 2 chargers and are developing guidelines for Level 3 chargers. All EV Charger installations need to be approved by the Electrical Inspectorate. The existing guidelines can be found at: https://ttec.co.tt/default/electric-vehicles-3 A NOTE ON SOLAR POWER The proliferation of the solar power solution worldwide is increasing, and in many cases, EV Chargers are powered by a solar power system that includes storage batteries. We hope to address this in a future article. SUMMARY EVs are here and it stands to reasons there will be a desire for charging. All stakeholders including the Government, Automobile Dealers, Electricity Providers, Public Transport and even the Construction Industry must be prepared to deal with the coming wave. Level 2 Charger (Leviton®) Level 3 Charger (Tritium®) Written by Khaleel Ali, (Manager, Regional Business Development)
Continue reading -
Green Speak – Hydropower
Is hydropower a potential Green Energy source for T&T? Hydropower is a green energy source. This is because we are able to harness electrical power by converting water into electricity. The use of hydropower dates back to ancient Greece and China when waterwheels were installed in rapidly flowing rivers to turn millstones and other equipment. Years later, this was used on other continents and right here in Trinidad & Tobago, used to power light sources at Asa Wright. Hydroelectric plants of today still use the same basic principles as the historical waterwheel with some variations. The difference is that we use the force of the power to push the turbine which in turn powers a generator thus generating electricity. For there to be a steady flow of power being produced, a dam has to be built to retain water. If there is a need for more power, the gates of the dam are opened so water can be released. During low water flow periods, the gates are closed. To ensure there is water at all times, some dams have recovery and pumping systems so that the water released can be reused and therefore recycled. There are issues with the use of hydroelectricity. Some claim that it poses a problem for fish and aquatic plants on both sides of the dam. Because the flow of water has been altered, the nutrient-rich silt which helps crops grow could be affected which is exactly what happened when the Aswan Dam was completed in Egypt. But there are ways to fix that and the bigger picture is that power produced from hydroelectric plants do not generate any emissions or waste which happens to be much better than operating a coal-fired power plant. Wave Energy Hydropower can also be generated from the sea. This is also known as wave power or wave energy. This uses changes in the air levels of sealed chambers to power turbines. When a wave rises into the chamber, the rise water pushes the air out which then turns a generator. Once the wave goes down, air flows into the turbine and back into the chamber through doors that are then closed. These chambers remain afloat on the ocean and how much power it produces varies. A number of wave generators are used on the western coasts of Scotland, northern Canada, southern Africa, Australia, and on the north western coasts of the United States. These systems are usually small and can power a warning buoy or a small light house. Tidal Energy Another form of hydropower is Tidal energy. The difference with wave energy is that when the tide approaches, the water is trapped in reservoirs behind dams. When the tide drops, the water behind the dam is released thus producing power similar to a hydroelectric power plant. For Tidal energy to work efficiently tides need to be at least 16 feet and since there are only a few places on the planet that can do that. Ocean Thermal Energy Lastly, you have ocean thermal energy. Here, you get power based on the different temperatures in the water. For this to work, the difference in temperature needed to be at least 38 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the warmer surface water and the colder deep ocean water. This is still being trailed in Japan and Hawaii. So what makes Hydropower a green energy source? It is safe to use once all conditions are respected, it work and it is renewable. Could we take advantage of Hydropower in Trinidad & Tobago? Let us have your thoughts here at the TTGBC. Marcia Cliffin VP PR TTGBC Email: vppublic@ttgbc.org
Continue reading -
Green Speak – Saving Energy at Work!
In celebration of World Environment Day on June 5th, TTGBC begins its series of Green Speak with some energy saving tips! Here’s how you can get started on your energy saving journey! 1) Switch off! Small changes in electricity usage not only help the environment and reduce energy bills but can also help make your organization become more environmentally conscious. Electric lighting can burn up to 25% of your average energy budget. Don’t hand it over to T&TEC. Simply turning off lights and other small devices when not in use will save you money on your utility bills. 2) Avoid hidden power usage Many devices have ‘standby’ settings that draw power — sometimes as much as 5 to 10 watts — even when they're turned off. These are sometimes called “vampire” loads because they suck on energy and you don’t even realise it’s happening. To make sure that your computer, monitor, printer, photocopy machine, television, etc. are all the way off, pull the plug rather than flipping the switch before heading out the door. To make it easier, try plugging devices into a power strip with an on/off switch (or a smart power strip). That way the entire desktop setup can be turned off with a flip of a switch. 3) Computer energy settings Set the computer to sleep mode when you are away for short periods of time. Do you know that your screensaver actually doesn’t save energy? It uses energy rather than saves it. You are much better off relying on the power management features to power down to lowest energy use, or sleep mode. A computer in sleep mode can save 60-70% of the power. 4) Go Green – Literally! Make your office literally green with plants! They absorb airborne pollutants (which are rampant with off-gassing office furniture) and emit healthy negative ions and oxygen into the air as well as making the office environment look more homely. Try Mother in Law’s tongue or a Peace Lily or ask at your local plant shop or ask a relative who knows about plants. 5) Monitor your energy usage One tip I always give that was given to me by a wise sage was: “what gets measured gets done”. Many simple “plug and play” devices are available at hardware stores and online which allow you to measure energy use. So measure or monitor to use less energy. 6) Be Energy Efficient If you’re using the office microwave to warm up lunch and forget it there – do you turn it on again for a quick blast of heat? Or boil the kettle for tea of coffee? Then only boil enough water for what you need to use. Be efficient with your energy use even if you are not paying for it. Every watt of energy we save takes some strain off the environment. 7) Go digital and print less We all like to feel what we write on but the greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital and paperless whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in filing cabinets. Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters. Also, software such as Greenprint helps eliminate blank pages from documents before printing and can also convert to PDF for paperless document sharing. Looking for a more structured program to demonstrate environmental stewardship and reduce utility costs at your organization? Contact us at info@ttgbc.org to learn about The Smarter Building Network Marcia Cliffin VP PR TTGBC
Continue reading -
Celebrate World Energy Conservation Day!
World Energy Conservation Day is celebrated on the 14th of December every year in hundreds of countries around the world. The intention of this day is to highlight the importance of all things ‘ENERGY’. Educating the global public provides the foundation to change our over-consumption behaviours. How important is it in our day-to-day lives? As humans, we have created a built environment to suit our needs. This requires energy to construct and/or maintain, such as roads, buildings, walls, lights etc. To connect ourselves to this environment, we’ve used energy to produce an energy-powered transport system. Whether driving a car or sitting at work on our computers, we all lead energy-dependent lifestyles hence we must all aim to conserve as much of it as possible for our future use. How much does it really affect climate change? Non-renewable fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum account for three-quarters of the world’s energy supply. Humans have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration by more than a third since the Industrial Revolution began, caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Atmospheric CO2 content is considered the most notable contributor to climate change today. For any country or city working towards becoming a leader in sustainable energy, a step in the right direction would include implementing and enforcing forward-thinking energy policies geared towards the expansion of renewable energy sources and advances in energy-efficiency. How can we use energy more efficiently and what are the alternatives that can be used? According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 2010, “At the current reserve to production ratio, oil and gas are expected to last an average of 45-65 years and coal an average of 200 years.” To this day, no other energy supply has proven to be as readily available and economical as fossil fuels. Developed countries are consistently exploring new avenues to attain energy, as reserves are quickly depleting and climate change impacts continue to worsen. Currently, there are seven main types of renewable energy sources available for human consumption, with hydropower being the most widely used among them. Recently, a shift has been seen in the automotive and construction industries. Countries are giving their citizens incentives to purchase alternative fuel vehicles (AFV), such as those using biodiesel, compressed natural gas and electricity. In the construction industry, a push towards sustainable building design has given rise to multiple methods of assessment and ‘green’ certifications to address this growing demand. For any country or city working towards becoming a leader in sustainable energy, a step in the right direction would include implementing and enforcing forward-thinking energy policies geared towards the expansion of renewable energy sources and advances in energy-efficiency. WE CAN ALL SAVE ENERGY! We all may not be able to influence energy policies in our countries or purchase an alternative fuel vehicle for our use, but there are simple things that we can all do to help conserve energy. A few of these include: Being frugal at home i.e. turn off lights and unplug electronics that are not in use. Do tasks manually on occasion. Eg. Wash dishes by hand or hang clothes to dry. Ditch the car and cycle or walk to work, where possible. Wash only full loads in your dishwasher and when doing laundry. Washing with cold water also helps save energy on water heating. Water-heating is one of the highest energy costs in a typical family home, think about investing in one that is suitable for your family’s needs. Solar water heaters are a widely used energy-saving option throughout the Caribbean. Replace your traditional incandescent light bulbs with light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs). These bulbs use an average of 75% less electricity and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Look for that Energy Star® certification on new home materials, appliances, and electrical office supplies. Energy Star® is a trusted, U.S. government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. There are countless ways we can save energy daily. Some ways are more difficult or time-consuming than others, but all are worth it in the grand scheme of things. By using energy-efficient products and using less energy, you will save money in the long run, save the environment in the short run and save energy for the future. Individual lifestyle changes to save energy can go a long way, especially if 7 billion people make them a habit. By using energy-efficient products and using less energy, you will save money in the long run, save the environment in the short run and save energy for the future. This article was written by TTGBC member Solange De Silva, BSc. Geography, BSc. Environmental & Natural Resource Management. Solange was also a recent participant at our LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation course.
Continue reading -
Sustainable Development in the OECS: A White Paper
Entitled “Sustainable Development in the OECS, an Antiguan and Barbudan Case Study”, Mr Colin Jenkins has agreed to share the white paper he researched and wrote. We would like…
Continue reading -
TTGBC Limelight October 2014 Issue
New Executive board, TTGBC invited to USGBC International Roundtable and more news! (more…)
Continue reading