scholarly journals Integrating Renewable Energy in Pacific Island Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Marie Marconnet
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Electricity Markets ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Portfolio Analysis ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Pacific Island Countries ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Electricity Systems

<p>The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the entry of renewable energy technologies into Pacific Islands' electricity markets, with particular focus on a new technology: the Pelamis, a wave energy converter. Pacific Islands are endowed with various types of renewable energy resources, yet they remain highly dependent on expensive fuel imports for their energy requirements, using little renewable energy. This paradox is investigated by studying the characteristics of Pacific Islands' electricity markets, including a case study on the entry of a new renewable energy technology, the Pelamis, into the electricity market of Hawaii. The integration of renewable energy technologies into Pacific Islands' electricity systems is then analysed from the point of view of an energy planner. The recent application of portfolio analysis to energy planning has provided a new framework to evaluate the different electricity generating options available to energy planners. Taking both the generating cost and financial risk of each technology into account, portfolio theory has been applied to various European countries, by comparing actual generation portfolios to an efficient frontier showing the trade-off between energy security and the cost of electricity generation. This framework has clear relevance to Pacific Island Countries. However, the characteristics inherent to Pacific Island Countries have important implications on the operation of their electricity systems, which are not necessarily taken into account in portfolio analysis. In particular, geographical isolation inhibits these countries from connecting to larger intercontinental grids, which emphasizes the importance of reliability of supply. This thesis presents a mathematical model which establishes a method for computing an optimal intertemporal path for introducing renewable energy into a pre-existing electricity system. The model explicitly allows for the cost of maintaining reliability of supply as intermittent generators are integrated. The framework also incorporates concepts from Integrated Resource Planning and portfolio analysis. Finally, policies for accelerating renewable energy development are reviewed, and a discussion is provided on the policies which are likely to be most suitable to Pacific Islands. One of the main conclusions of this thesis is that the amount of backup capacity for renewable energy can be optimally minimized by diversifying the mix of renewable energy resources in each island. In practice, this would require studying the complementarities and loading curves of the various renewable resources available, and comparing their total potential production, and the variability of this production, to electricity demand. This would allow energy planners to model the inclusion of a maximum amount of renewable energy using a minimum of backup capacity to maintain system reliability, potentially leading to a more efficient implementation and formulation of policies aimed at developing renewable energy generation in Pacific Islands.</p>

scholarly journals Integrating Renewable Energy in Pacific Island Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Marie Marconnet
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Electricity Markets ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Portfolio Analysis ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Pacific Island Countries ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Electricity Systems

<p>The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the entry of renewable energy technologies into Pacific Islands' electricity markets, with particular focus on a new technology: the Pelamis, a wave energy converter. Pacific Islands are endowed with various types of renewable energy resources, yet they remain highly dependent on expensive fuel imports for their energy requirements, using little renewable energy. This paradox is investigated by studying the characteristics of Pacific Islands' electricity markets, including a case study on the entry of a new renewable energy technology, the Pelamis, into the electricity market of Hawaii. The integration of renewable energy technologies into Pacific Islands' electricity systems is then analysed from the point of view of an energy planner. The recent application of portfolio analysis to energy planning has provided a new framework to evaluate the different electricity generating options available to energy planners. Taking both the generating cost and financial risk of each technology into account, portfolio theory has been applied to various European countries, by comparing actual generation portfolios to an efficient frontier showing the trade-off between energy security and the cost of electricity generation. This framework has clear relevance to Pacific Island Countries. However, the characteristics inherent to Pacific Island Countries have important implications on the operation of their electricity systems, which are not necessarily taken into account in portfolio analysis. In particular, geographical isolation inhibits these countries from connecting to larger intercontinental grids, which emphasizes the importance of reliability of supply. This thesis presents a mathematical model which establishes a method for computing an optimal intertemporal path for introducing renewable energy into a pre-existing electricity system. The model explicitly allows for the cost of maintaining reliability of supply as intermittent generators are integrated. The framework also incorporates concepts from Integrated Resource Planning and portfolio analysis. Finally, policies for accelerating renewable energy development are reviewed, and a discussion is provided on the policies which are likely to be most suitable to Pacific Islands. One of the main conclusions of this thesis is that the amount of backup capacity for renewable energy can be optimally minimized by diversifying the mix of renewable energy resources in each island. In practice, this would require studying the complementarities and loading curves of the various renewable resources available, and comparing their total potential production, and the variability of this production, to electricity demand. This would allow energy planners to model the inclusion of a maximum amount of renewable energy using a minimum of backup capacity to maintain system reliability, potentially leading to a more efficient implementation and formulation of policies aimed at developing renewable energy generation in Pacific Islands.</p>

Renewable Energy Load Matching for Continental U.S.

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Short ◽  
Victor Diakov
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Energy Contribution ◽  
Load Matching ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Western Us ◽  
Geographic Diversity ◽  
Optimal Mix

The variability of wind and solar energy technologies is perceived as a major obstacle to employing otherwise abundant renewable energy resources. Based on the available geographically dispersed data for the continental U.S. (excluding Alaska), we analyze to what extent the geographic diversity of these resources can offset their variability. We determine the best match to loads that can be achieved with wind power and photovoltaics with no transmission limitations. Without storage, wind and PV can meet up to 50% of loads in Western US. It is beneficial to build more wind than PV mostly because the wind contributes at night. When storage is available, the optimal mix has almost 75% as much nominal PV capacity as wind, with the PV energy contribution being 32% of the electricity produced from wind. With only 40 GW of storage (twice the pumped hydro storage capacity that already exists in the continental US), up to 82% of the load can be matched with wind and PV, while at the same time curtailing less than 10% of the renewable energy throughout the year.

Energy Efficient Strategies and Renewable Energy Technologies for Desalination

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph G. Jacangelo ◽  
Joan A. Oppenheimer ◽  
Arun Subramani ◽  
Mohammad Badruzzman
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Energy Resource ◽  
Produce Water ◽  
The Cost

Energy is often the most significant factor in the affordability and sustainability of treating various different source waters with reverse osmosis membrane facilities. More than 33% of the cost to produce water using reverse osmosis (RO) technology is attributed to electrical demands. The largest energy-consuming component of the overall treatment are the high pressure pumps required to feed water to the process. Because of the high energy burden and production of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energy is being increasingly considered for desalination projects. The selection of the appropriate renewable energy resource depends on several factors, including plant size, feed water salinity, remoteness, availability of grid electricity, technical infrastructure, and the type and potential of the local renewable energy resource. The cost of desalination with renewable energy resources, as opposed to desalination with conventional energy sources, can be an important alternative to consider when reduced environmental impact and lower gas emissions are required. Considering the proposed climate protection targets that have been set and the strong environmental drivers for lowered energy usage, future water desalination and advanced water treatment systems around the world could be increasingly powered by renewable energy resources. In addition to renewables, energy optimization/minimization is deemed critical to desalting resource management. Methods employed include enhanced system design, high efficiency pumping, energy recovery devices and use of advanced membrane materials.

scholarly journals Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Technologies in the Post-fukushima Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunil Park
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Energy Technologies ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Structural Connections ◽  
Developing And Developed Countries

In 2011, the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred, and this had a strong effect on public perceptions of energy facilities and services that relate not only to nuclear energy, but also renewable energy resources. Moreover, the accident has also considerably affected national energy plans in both developing and developed countries. In South Korea, several studies have been conducted since the accident to investigate public perspectives toward particular energy technologies; however, few studies have investigated public perceptions of renewable-energy technologies and tracked the transitions. Therefore, this study examines the trend of South Korean public’s perceptions of renewable-energy technologies. Based on data collected in 2016, we validated the structural connections and determined that trust, benefits, risks, and attitude were key determinants of the public’s desire to adopt these technologies; specifically, public attitude was found to be the greatest determinant of this desire. Based on the results, both implications and limitations are examined.

scholarly journals Indonesia’s Foreign Policy in Pacific Island Countries during Joko Widodo Era 2014-2019: An Adaptive Action?

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Vrameswari Omega Wati ◽  
Stanislaus Risadi Apresian ◽  
Elisabeth A. Satya Dewi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Adaptive Policy ◽  
Adaptive Action ◽  
Pacific Island Countries ◽  
Leadership Changes ◽  
Papua Barat ◽  
The Look

Istilah ‘Pacific Elevation’ muncul pertama kali ketika penyelenggaraan Pacific Exposition pada 2019 lalu di Auckland, Selandia Baru. Konsep baru ini diperkenalkan oleh Menteri Luar Negeri, Retno Marsudi sebagai istilah yang merujuk pada era baru kemitraan yang lebih kuat antara Indonesia dengan negara-negara Kepulauan Pasifik. Kegiatan yang dimanfaatkan untuk membahas berbagai peluang kerja sama ini merupakan salah satu bentuk realisasi kebijakan ‘Look East’ oleh Indonesia dengan memberikan perhatian lebih melalui berbagai keterlibatannya di negara-negara Kepulauan Pasifik. Kajian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui studi literatur dan diskusi kelompok terarah. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan memaparkan realisasi kebijakan luar negeri Indonesia di negara-negara Kepulauan Pasifik merupakan tindakan adaptif sebagai respons dari perkembangan yang terjadi di lingkup eksternal. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan bahwa perkembangan di negara-negara Kepulauan Pasifik seperti seringnya pergantian kepemimpinan yang terjadi, manuver politik Gerakan Persatuan Pembebasan untuk Papua Barat, dan disuarakannya isu Papua oleh beberapa negara di Kepulauan Pasifik dalam sidang PBB mendorong pemerintah Indonesia mengeluarkan kebijakan adaptif untuk mengatasi potensi ancaman yang diterima dengan cara meningkatkan keterlibatan yang lebih intensif di kawasan Kepulauan Pasifik.Kata-kata kunci: Kebijakan luar negeri, Adaptif, Papua, Kepulauan PasifikThe term 'Pacific Elevation' first appeared in the Pacific Exposition event in 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, introduced this new concept as a term that refers to a new era of stronger partnerships between Indonesia and Pacific Island Countries (PIC). The activity used to discuss various opportunities for cooperation is one of the realizations of the 'Look East' policy by giving more attention to Indonesia's various engagements in the PICs. This study employs a qualitative method with data collection techniques through literature study and focus group discussions. This article aims to analyze and explain that Indonesia's foreign policy in PICs is an adaptive action in response to developments in the external environment. The results of this study indicate that developments in PICs such as frequent leadership changes, political maneuvering of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua, and voicing the issue of Papua by several PICs in the UN forum encouraged the Indonesian government to issue an adaptive policy to overcome the potential threats received by Indonesia by increasing more intensive involvement in the region of Pacific Islands.Keywords: Foreign policy, Adaptive, Papua, Pacific Islands

scholarly journals THE CURRENT STATUS OF MAPPING IN THE WORLD – SPOTLIGHT ON OCEANIA

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B4 ◽  
pp. 95-102
Author(s):  
John C. Trinder
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Island Countries

A summary is presented of the results of questionnaires sent to mapping agencies in Oceania, covering Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island countries, to investigate the status of mapping in those countries. After World War II, the Australian Federal Government funded the initial small scale mapping of the whole country leading to increased percentages of map coverage of Australia. Mapping at larger scales is undertaken by the states and territories in Australia, including cadastral mapping. In New Zealand mapping is maintained by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) at 1:50,000 scale and smaller with regular updating. The results of the questionnaires also demonstrate the extent of map coverage in six Pacific Islands, but there is little information available on the actual percent coverage. Overall there are estimated to be an increases in the percentages of coverage of most map scales in Oceania. However, there appear to be insufficient professionals in most Pacific Island countries to maintain the mapping programs. Given that many Pacific Island countries will be impacted by rising sea level in the future, better mapping of these countries is essential. The availability of modern technology especially satellite images, digital aerial photography and airborne lidar data should enable the Pacific Island countries to provide better map products in future, but this would depend on foreign aid on many occasions.

scholarly journals Public policy processes in the Pacific islands: A study of policy initiation, formulation and implementation in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Samoa and regional inter-governmental organisations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Muliagatele Ausiamanaia Potoae Roberts Aiafi
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Island Countries

<p>This thesis examines the manner in which public policies are initiated, formulated and implemented in Pacific island countries and regional organisations, and determines the factors which are most critical for their effective implementation. It employs narrative inquiry and grounded theory approaches, supported by the computer software Nvivo, to data collection and analysis of case studies from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, and key regional inter-governmental organisations. 128 semi-structured interviews were drawn from ten policy cases (three for each of the Pacific island countries and one from the Region’s Pacific Plan), together with a general narrative of the policy environment spread across all four contexts. A social constructionism worldview allows for the grounding of the research and its findings for both subject and context of the study. Participant voices are utilised as rich descriptions of policy processes, triangulation provided by documentary analyses and participant observation.   Motivating this inquiry was my observation of the lack of visibly significant improvements in service delivery in Samoa and other Pacific island countries. These perceptions echoed criticisms in the literature about the slow improvement of development performance across the region despite high levels of foreign aid. Yet, such assessments often lack a solid understanding about the actual processes of public policy in the Pacific islands. Prevailing theories of public policy have remained largely westernised, and lenses to development primarily ethnocentric.  Accordingly, this study’s findings shed light on the strengths and limitations of current public policy and development scholarships evident from Pacific public policy experiences. There are five key findings: First, policy processes have remained heavily top-down, shaped significantly by political and external interests, and where society has been the neglected element. In essence, the genesis of public policy has been insufficiently rooted in the context, problems and needs to which policies have been directed. This constitutes a significant democratic and development deficit that must be addressed in ongoing public policy development. Second, the use of evidence-based policy has been limited. While existing formal policies were often those transferred from elsewhere, and which do not fit well in the receiving context and culture, the practices were ad hoc, driven by various ideological or social constructions. Third, the success of policy and its implementation depends on mutually reinforcing factors of policy culture and stakeholder support, capability, implementation modality and leadership. These factors are critical for ensuring that participation, partnership, ownership, understanding and learning are built into policy processes. Fourth, the integration of these elements into ongoing public policy development of Pacific island countries and the region requires a fundamental shift of focus about the role of society, particularly the adaptive capability of indigenous systems to legitimise notions of public policy in state-society relationships. Fifth, following a meta-analysis and synthesis of the four (country) case studies, the overall findings are conceptualised into a (explanatory) model of public policy. This model is a heuristic one that could be used when thinking about adopting and designing public policies in the Pacific islands capable of effective implementation. The model could be applied to non-Pacific small island developing states.  Finally, the model provides a framework for discussing the normative implications of this study’s findings for public policy and development theory, practice and needed future research, and yielded five broad recommendations for future improvement: (1) the centrality of context; (2) societal needs incorporated into the public policy space; (3) focus on the political dimensions of further reforms; (4) international support that is more appreciative of context; and (5) needed changes to the way in which we think about development public policy.</p>

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