In search of the best option

Sep 28, 2010 Editorial

Fossil fuels, especially oil and its derivatives, became the main drivers of the modern industrial revolution and all the benefits that we now expect as part of the good life.
In the context of the fast disappearing reserves of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal, etc.), however, one crucial aspect of our national energy plan would be a coordinated approach towards the creation of sustainable alternative sources of energy. The payback of this quest, while possibly obvious, must be explicitly stated to keep us focused.
With the aforementioned exponential depletion, we can expect a corresponding rise in prices of fossil fuels. Because of our present total dependence on imported fossil fuels, alternative locally generated energy would decrease our fuel bill. Even when we begin to finally exploit our gas and oil reserves, the alternative energy sources developed in the interim would make available for export more of the fossil fuels and generate valuable foreign reserves.
We can divide alternative fuels or energy sources into two groups: renewable and non-renewable. The non-renewables – primarily of nuclear fission and geothermal energy — are not available to Guyana. In the renewable column, however, we have great opportunities. Wood/other biomass, hydro-electric power, solar energy, wind energy, wave energy, tidal power, and ocean thermal energy conversion are all available to us. The Holy Grail of fusion energy is still a dream for the developed nations, much less us. The first four are the most feasible for our situation.
Wood, of course, is our oldest fuel – our depleted forests are a testimony to the age-old thirst for energy – and exactly for that reason cannot be considered a viable alternative fuel. Ethanol, which can be produced from several agricultural crops, including sugarcane and corn, can be used as a source of energy.
Several heavy vegetable oils, such as palm oil, can be used as a substitute for diesel, and we must vigorously access the necessary technology for its utilisation. Closer at hand, there is the biomass that is the waste-product from our two largest agricultural products – rice and sugar – which can be burnt to produce energy.
The sugar plantations had always used their bagasse (the fibre of the sugarcane after the juice has been extracted) to stoke the boilers that fuelled their operations. The government should institute a policy that offers a tax credit to every facility that uses waste products to generate electricity.
Hydroelectric power generation necessitates the damming of rivers unless the river has a natural drop – waterfalls. In addition to the enormous costs, dams eventually will silt up, so only waterfall-generated energy is truly renewable. Our land of many waters is also a land of many waterfalls – and so possesses an enormous reservoir of hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power generation has been on the agenda since the seventies when then Prime Minister Burnham initiated tangible steps to begin the Mazaruni hydroelectric power scheme.
The reasons for its eventual demise were not only economic but also political – the World Bank and the Venezuelans played a large negative role. The Mazaruni scheme also involved the conversion of bauxite to aluminium. Over the years since, there have been several proposals to initiate hydropower generation but none except the Moco Moco operation has been taken to fruition. The many issues surrounding the Amaila Falls project have not provided much encouragement.
Solar and wind energy are naturals for Guyana – we certainly have enough sunlight and wind here. Especially on the Coast the north-east trade winds are a constant. We have used solar and wind power in small quantities for some time in Guyana, and these are the most viable in the near term. Solar power cells are already in use in several remote communities and can provide enough power for small appliances and cell phones, etc.
While the initial outlay may appear high for solar power, the requirements of transmission from generators are eliminated and should be factored into the equation, especially for our hinterland communities. Wind power is a large component of several developed nations. This must be picked up immediately.

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