Development of Alternative Energy Science and Engineering in the Caribbean

摘要

This was the third phase of a project to develop the scientific and engineering capabilities of the universities and research institutes of the Caribbean and thereby to assist in the introduction of alternative energy solutions into the region. The project was conceived by the Science and Technology Commission of the Association of Caribbean Universities and Research Institutes. This part of the project consisted of a four day Solar Energy Utilization Workshop for the Caribbean Basin held at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The workshop was carried out by personnel from the Solar Energy and Energy Conversion Laboratory. It included the basics of solar energy conversion and utilization with presentations on specific problems found in the Caribbean Basin. It also included site visits to review solar hardware development and demonstration projects in the Gainesville area. All the major lectures were videotaped. A discussion workshop was held on the last day to develop specific plans to permit the strengthening of institutional capabilities to facilitate the search for solution to the pressing energy problems of the Caribbean. Based on the cumulative experience of this workshop and the two previous ones on wind energy in Dec. 1981 in Barbados and on biomass energy in Puerto Rico in Apr. 1982, a detailed proposal to implement cooperative projects is being prepared to be submitted to international funding institutions. The overall plan proposes, among other things, the compilation of a directory of Caribbean human and institutional capabilities and the creation of a Caribbean research endowment fund. In the education and training areas it provides for technical curriculum review, and energy auditors training program, etc.