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University of Technology, Jamaica
• ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
Page 39
At the end of the training General Electric launched their
‘Illuminate an Opportunity’ Competition”; students and
educators at the UWI, Mona Campus, UTech, Ja. and
HEART Trust NTA participated. CSEII worked with the
lecturers and students to register a strong proposal
for the competition. The department encourages
inter-institutional interactions through forums and
competitions like these to challenge students, foster
innovation and establish meaningful networks.
The Associate Vice President, Sustainable Energy also
participated in a public forum on the New Caribbean
Energy Professional for the New Energy Paradigm
hosted by UWI. Through the BRIDGE project, the GIZ
donated five Mobile Training Tool (MTT) systems for
stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) systems to be shared
between UWI and UTech.
OAS MOU
UTech, Jamaica signed a MOU with the OAS in 2014 to
provide technical expertise on Sustainability Life Cycle
Assessment Projects (LCA) and the Legal Biofuels
Framework, in support of the execution of the Projects.
Under this agreement the CSEII offered ongoing advice
and guidance on the work of the Partner Organizations
implementing the Projects.
Included in this agreement was the hosting of two
national workshops, one on Life Cycle Assessment in
the Sugar Industry, and the other, in collaboration with
the OAS, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
and MSTEM on Bio-energy and Food Security (BEFS)
Rapid Appraisal Tool Training .
Over 30 participants benefited from this capacity
building training; including a number of lecturers from
UTech, Jamaica. The LCA software Simapro will be
handed over to the CSEII for its Innovation Lab at the
end of the project in July 2015.
European Union (EU) co-funded Hydrogen Project
The research project, “The Application of Solar-Powered
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Electrolysers for
the Sustainable production of Hydrogen Gas as fuel
for Domestic Cooking”, completed its second year of
work. The aim of the project is to produce hydrogen
gas from water using solar-powered electrolysis, thus
reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The project is being
implemented by FENC through CSEII-SGSRE.
Year two of the project focussed on completing the
modifications to the cylinders and stoves to safely store
and burn hydrogen gas. The final phase of the project
will involve field trials and will then culminate with an
International Conference to be hosted in Jamaica by
UTech, Ja.
Lead Researcher, Dr Earle Wilson in discussion at a Focus Group on
Hydrogen Use for Cooking.
UTech, Ja./JPS- Solar Project - 100kw Solar PV System
Admiring the newly unveiled UTech/JPS Solar Project sign located at the
front field of UTech’s Papine campus from left, are Ambassador the Hon.
Burchell Whiteman, OJ, President (Acting), UTech, Dr. Ruth Potopsingh,
AVP, Sustainable Energy, Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Innovation
Institute, UTech, Mrs. Kelly Tomblin, President and CEO, JPS and Hon. Julian
Robinson, MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Mining. The sign which is powered by solar energy was unveiled on July
10, 2014 at UTech’s Papine campus.