Renewable energy in Tuvalu
Encyclopedia
Renewable energy in Tuvalu is a growing sector of the country's energy supply. Tuvalu
has committed to becoming the first country to get 100% of its electricity
from renewable energy
sources by 2020. This is considered possible because of the small size of the population of Tuvalu and its abundant energy resources due to its tropical location. It is somewhat complicated because Tuvalu consists of eight populated islands. The program is expected to cost 20 million US dollars and is supported by the e8, a group of 10 electric companies from G8
countries.
Tuvalu's power has come from imported diesel brought in by ships. The large power station (2000 kW) on the main island of Funafuti
receives the fuel directly; however, for the small power stations on the outlying islands (20 - 70 kW each), fuel has to be transferred to 200 liter (55 gallon) barrels and offloaded from the ships. A small project to power the inter-island telecommunications systems by photovoltaics began in 1979 but was mismanaged.
The first part of the conversion to renewables was a 40 kW solar panel installation on the roof of Vaiaku Stadium
, which supplies 5% of the power needs of the capital, Funafuti
. Future plans include expanding this plant to 60 kW. A 46 kW solar installation with battery storage at the Motufoua Secondary School on Vaitupu
island was brought online on 27 November 2009.
At the date installation it was described as the largest diesel-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid electricity system in the South Pacific. Prior to the instalment of the system the school relied upon a diesel powered generator, which needed to be turned off during the night. The hybrid system systems saves thousands of dollars in diesel costs and provides the school with a 24-hour supply of energy, with up to 200 kW per day.
Wind power
is also mentioned as a future electricity source. A non-profit, Alofa Tuvalu, is promoting solar water heating
and solar ovens as well as investigating producing biogas
, biodiesel
and ethanol.
Tuvalu, barely about sea level at any point, is concerned over global warming
and sea level rise and see its use of renewable energy as a moral example for others whose influence is greater. Kausea Natano, Tuvalu's minister for public utilities and industries stated this as "We thank those who are helping Tuvalu reduce its carbon footprint as it will strengthen our voice in upcoming international negotiations. And we look forward to the day when our nation offers an example to all -- powered entirely by natural resources such as the sun and the wind."
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
has committed to becoming the first country to get 100% of its electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
from renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
sources by 2020. This is considered possible because of the small size of the population of Tuvalu and its abundant energy resources due to its tropical location. It is somewhat complicated because Tuvalu consists of eight populated islands. The program is expected to cost 20 million US dollars and is supported by the e8, a group of 10 electric companies from G8
G8
The Group of Eight is a forum, created by France in 1975, for the governments of seven major economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1997, the group added Russia, thus becoming the G8...
countries.
Tuvalu's power has come from imported diesel brought in by ships. The large power station (2000 kW) on the main island of Funafuti
Funafuti
Funafuti is an atoll that forms the capital of the island nation of Tuvalu. It has a population of 4,492 , making it the most populated atoll in the country. It is a narrow sweep of land between 20 and 400 metres wide, encircling a large lagoon 18 km long and 14 km wide, with a surface of...
receives the fuel directly; however, for the small power stations on the outlying islands (20 - 70 kW each), fuel has to be transferred to 200 liter (55 gallon) barrels and offloaded from the ships. A small project to power the inter-island telecommunications systems by photovoltaics began in 1979 but was mismanaged.
The first part of the conversion to renewables was a 40 kW solar panel installation on the roof of Vaiaku Stadium
Vaiaku Stadium
Vaiaku Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Funafuti, Tuvalu. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 1,500 people....
, which supplies 5% of the power needs of the capital, Funafuti
Funafuti
Funafuti is an atoll that forms the capital of the island nation of Tuvalu. It has a population of 4,492 , making it the most populated atoll in the country. It is a narrow sweep of land between 20 and 400 metres wide, encircling a large lagoon 18 km long and 14 km wide, with a surface of...
. Future plans include expanding this plant to 60 kW. A 46 kW solar installation with battery storage at the Motufoua Secondary School on Vaitupu
Vaitupu
Vaitupu is an atoll, which is part of the nation of Tuvalu.Vaitupu, the largest atoll of Tuvalu is located at 7.48 degrees south and 178.83 degrees west. The capital is Asau.-History:...
island was brought online on 27 November 2009.
At the date installation it was described as the largest diesel-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid electricity system in the South Pacific. Prior to the instalment of the system the school relied upon a diesel powered generator, which needed to be turned off during the night. The hybrid system systems saves thousands of dollars in diesel costs and provides the school with a 24-hour supply of energy, with up to 200 kW per day.
Wind power
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
is also mentioned as a future electricity source. A non-profit, Alofa Tuvalu, is promoting solar water heating
Solar water heating
Solar water heating or solar hot water systems comprise several innovations and many mature renewable energy technologies that have been well established for many years...
and solar ovens as well as investigating producing biogas
Biogas
Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas...
, biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
and ethanol.
Tuvalu, barely about sea level at any point, is concerned over global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
and sea level rise and see its use of renewable energy as a moral example for others whose influence is greater. Kausea Natano, Tuvalu's minister for public utilities and industries stated this as "We thank those who are helping Tuvalu reduce its carbon footprint as it will strengthen our voice in upcoming international negotiations. And we look forward to the day when our nation offers an example to all -- powered entirely by natural resources such as the sun and the wind."