UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center and VI Energy Office hosts Energy and Sustainability Fair on both St. Thomas and St. Croix during Energy Awareness Month
Vendor and exhibitor fair on St. Thomas at the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
The VI Energy and Sustainability Fair hosted by the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) and the Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in October 2022, empowered Virgin Islanders to transition towards energy independence and become more resilient in their everyday lives. The events took place at the University of the Virgin Islands Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas on Oct. 15, and at the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix on Oct. 30.
Vendor and exhibitor fair on St. Croix at the Great Hall on the Albert. A. Sheen UVI campus.
This year’s inaugural Energy Fair connected the public and businesses to products and services that strengthen the robustness of their energy systems and increase their household resilience. Attendees were able to participate in a variety of activities. Workshops provided information on solar energy systems, energy efficiency, composting and recycling. Live demonstrations showcased electric vehicles allowing interested community members to speak to current owners and drivers and learn how electric vehicles can be affordable options in our island community and potentially transform the transportation industry. Panel discussions and a keynote speech educated us on the energy transition happening right now in the Caribbean and where we stand here in the Virgin Islands. The vendor and exhibitor fair allowed the public to interact with professionals and leaders in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability so that everyday people can become better educated on how to reduce their energy consumption and live more sustainably at home.
“I enjoyed the interaction with very knowledgeable people”
“The 2017 hurricanes and the recent increase in gas prices served as a wake-up call for the Territory. We realized the need to increase our energy independence, the robustness of our system, and our overall resilience,” said Greg Guannel, Director of Caribbean Green Technology Center (CGTC) in response to the motivation behind the Energy Fair. “Fortunately, we have plenty of sun and wind, so solutions exist that can help us at all times and fit all budgets. Energy efficiency equipment from off-grid or grid interconnected systems to solar-powered generators, or even solar cell phones chargers, provide many options that allow households and businesses to increase their ability to operate when small or large disturbances occur.”
Keynote speaker Martyn Forde addressing attendees at the Energy Fair
At the Energy Fair, attendees heard from distinguished keynote presenter Martyn Forde, an energy and knowledge management consultant, from Barbados, who connects island community leaders around the world to fellow subject matter experts, tailored research, and training opportunities. Mr. Forde alongside other panelists including a couple spokesmen from WAPA, the VI Energy Office, and energy engineers from the USVI and Puerto Rico provided an overview of the current energy landscape in the Caribbean.
“I liked the diversity of workshops and panel discussions”
In addition to panel discussions happening on the main stage there were smaller breakout session workshops in which attendees could explore topics in depth such as the Internet of Things, Household Tools and Tips for Energy Efficiency, Low-Cost Options for Powering Through a Blackout, Electric Cars, Circular Economy, Composting, Cistern Care and Maintenance, Water Desalination, WAPA & Renewable Energy and Residential Solar.
Brian Walden teaching a workshop on Residential Solar on St. Croix
Some of the more popular workshops included residential solar led by local solar installers. Attendees had a chance to learn the basics of system sizing and installation, what things to consider before contacting a solar installer for an initial quote as well as how solar can fit into your budget. This was complemented by the vendor and exhibitor fair which featured multiple options of local renewable energy companies engaged in the installation of solar photovoltaic panels for households and businesses.
“The Energy Fair provided an opportunity to learn more ways we’re saving our planet”
Here in the Virgin Islands, the majority of households utilize rainwater for their homes and many use this as their main form of drinking water as well. This means that the maintenance and water quality of your cistern is essential. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Caribbean Region, Environmental Engineer and presenter, Arielle Benjamin, provided household facts and figures on cleaning your cistern safely. She led a workshop on cistern care and maintenance where attendees learned the importance of filtration, if adding that cup of bleach to their cistern was the right thing to do and how much to add and how often. Residents learned about maintenance procedures, water testing, and about EPA’s plans to support the Virgin Islands.
Ayanna Simon of the VI Department of Agriculture answering questions about composting at home.
On St. Croix the composting workshop was headed by the VI Department of Agriculture and attendees were able to have a lively discussion regarding home gardening best practices and living more sustainably at home by not only reducing waste through composting but utilizing those materials converted into nutrient dense soil to grow our own food. St. Croix residents shared their experiences and got a chance to ask clarifying questions that supported resilience in their homes.
Decorating re-useable tote bags with the VI Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of St. Croix had solar powered cars for children to build and race.
The VI Children’s Museum on both St. Thomas and St. Croix was a big hit for the little ones who were able to build their own solar cars and color their own reusable tote bags. By engaging and involving children from an early age in a sustainable living we ensure that the planet continues to be livable not only for them but for many generations to come.
“The energy fair was a great event. Keep up the good work bringing people together and introducing them to the world of technology.”
The Virgin Islands Electric Vehicle Association North club members brought out their electric vehicles to the event and answered questions about their experiences driving on the hilly roads of St. Thomas and St. John.
The Energy Fair did not forget about the importance of energy in the transportation sector and included live demonstrations from EV enthusiasts and a chance to learn about the current actions being done to electrify the government fleet. A panel discussion on electric cars in the USVI included the announcement of the Transportation Electrification Roadmap by the Virgin Islands Energy Office.
The Roadmap was created in partnership with the Electrification Coalition, Bloomberg Associates, and Love City Strong with financial support from the Secunda Family Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Development of the Roadmap included engagement with local organizations, businesses, government entities, and the USVI Water and Power Authority. At the Energy Fair the roadmap was publicly announced at the beginning of an Electric Vehicle panel discussion that was moderated by the Kyle Fleming, Director of the Virgin Islands Energy Office. Director Fleming concluded the panel discussion by announcing, “As a result of strategic grant funding, Virgin Islands Energy Office possesses the first exclusively electric vehicle fleet within the Virgin Islands, and in the very near future, this historic milestone with become the norm across the territory.”
David Perri of BMR Energy during the tour of the Donoe Solar Plant on St. Thomas.
As part of Energy Awareness Month, the Caribbean Green Technology Center in partnership with BMR Energy organized an educational tour of the two solar facilities on both St. Thomas and St. Croix. The tours were run by David Perri, the Director of Engineering of BMR Energy who travelled to the Territory for this opportunity. Tour attendees learned about how solar power is produced from the plant and supplied to the WAPA grid through a substation, the different solar plant components, as well as the design and installation considerations necessary for developing utility-scale solar energy in a hurricane prone region.
“One of the strengths we have here in the Virgin Islands is that we are so connected to the topics of energy and sustainability since they are part of our everyday life. We are constantly thinking about electricity and water usage in our homes” said Ariel Stolz of the Caribbean Green Technology Center. “That’s why this Energy Fair was such an important event for people, because it opened the communication between the public, the vendors, the utility, the government and the University and gave everyone there an opportunity to learn something new and then go home and do something with that information.”
The Virgin Islands Energy Office and UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center would like to publicly thank the planning committee members, presenters, speakers, vendors, exhibitors and attendees that came together to help make this event a success. To learn more about the Energy Fair events and how you can be involved next year, please contact the Caribbean Green Technology Center at cgtc@uvi.edu, or visit www.cgtc-usvi.org/energy-fair.
This event is supported by the University of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Energy Office, the Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs, the Home Depot Foundation, BMR Energy, Freepoint Commodities, Barefoot Architects, ProSolar Systems, Silver Sun Solar, The Market & Moe’s Fresh Market, Algas Organics, the VI Waste Management Authority, Electric Factory and Ion Vehicle Technology, LLC.