C O N T E N T S

From the Energy Manager’s desk 1

Regional News 2Briefly (PICAPP Conference) 2

National News 3Technology - Harnessing Ocean Energy 6

Pacific Islands Petroleum News 7

Make Your Own Solar Chimney 8

Meetings/Workshops 10

Number 2May 2000

FROM THE ENERGYMANAGER’S DESK

SOPAC*

Telephone: (679) 381139/381377

Fax: (679) 370040/384461website: www.sopac.org.fj

P EN - PacificEnergy NewsEE

*SOPAC Member Countries include: Australia; Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fij; French Polynesia (Associate);Guam; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Nauru;; New Caledonia (Associate); New Zealand; Niue; Papua New Guinea; Samoa; Solomon

Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

SOPAC 29th Annual Session27 September - 06 October, 2000Tarawa, Kiribati.

This year’s Science, Technology andResources Network (STAR) willfocus on the theme: “The role ofgeoscience in reducing vulnerabilityof Pacific communities to climatevariability; energy, coastal and oceanissues”.

For those intending to presentpapers, an abstract is required andto be send to email:john.collen@vuw.ac.nz OR by Faxto John Collen +64 4 4635186.

More details are available from theSOPAC Homepage(http:\\www.sopac.org.fj).

It is really quite hard to believe thatnearly 50% of the year has alreadypassed. Any way, we hope that youcontinue to enjoy reading ourpublications of the PEN and welook forward in the future toreceiving some local contributions,in particular, from our membercountries.

I would like to take thisopportunity to formally welcomeAnare Matakiviti to the SOPACEnergy Unit as Energy Adviser.Anare’s profile is on page 2 of thisissue of the PEN. During theperiod we also farewelled ShaunProdanuk who had a short sixmonths attached to the Energy Unitand assisted in the preparation of atechnical information database.Shaun also assisted the Coastal Unitin the preparation of an aggregatespaper for Pohnpei in the FederatedStates of Micronesia.

In makingacknowledgmentsI would alsolike to thank Rupeni Mario, ProjectOfficer with the Energy Unit, whohas been responsible for thecompilation and formatting of thePEN ready to meet the deadlinesfor issue. It is Rupeni’s echo forarticles that I reiterate above. Also abig vinaka vakalevu to Rupeni forhis ongoing patience andperseverance with his continuingactivities of modifying the individualcountry energy databases andreinstalling them into membercountries along with providingtraining on energy data collection,inputting and management. If youhave not received this assistance yet,be assured it is on its way. Wealways love to hear from you, so ifyou feel a little neglected out theredrop us a line, we too some timesfeel neglected.

As we head towards the half waymark of the year the SOPACSecretariat becomes involved inthe arrangements for the 29th

Annual Session. In light of thefocus of this years Annual sessionbeing on the role of geoscience inreducing vulnerability of Pacificcommunities to climate variability,energy, coastal and ocean issueswe would like to see our energyofficers prepare papers forpresentation at the Annual Session.Since the Energy Unit’s transfer toSOPAC on 1998 we have movedfrom convening a joint Water/Energy TAG in 1998 toconvening a small Energy TAG in1999 with one energy paper beingpresented in STAR. Therefore in2000 we hope to see a biggerTAG and an increased number of

ENERGY papers presented inSTAR.

One of our main tasks at themoment through the EnergyWorking Group is the preparationof a regional paper forCommission on SustainableDevelopment (CSD) which will beholding its 9th meeting in April2001. Since the CSD9 haveproposed that this session focus onenergy we are taking theopportunity to ensure that lead upactivities in the region can be usedas opportunities to help in reinforcethe region’s position from theperspective of developing countriesand small islands developing states.A separate request in respect to thisactivity seeking country inputs to aregional position paper will becirculated shortly. It is proposedthat the draft paper will bediscussed at a Regional EnergyMeeting prior to the SOPACAnnual Session.

ps. Don’t forget to stay in touch.

page 2

Pacific Energy News ............ Number 2 May 2000

REGIONAL NEWS

BrieflyA three member consultancy teambased at the Riso NationalLaboratory in Denmark were in Fiji(March 2000) to beginwork on the developmentof a wind energy project.The project comprises thedevelopment of acurriculum at theUniversity of the Souththe Pacific’s School ofPure and AppliedSciences. The curriculumwill enable USP to offer apost graduate degreeprogramme in windenergy.

The programme fundedby the Danish government throughUNEP is being coordinated by theSOPAC Energy Unit. While in Fijithe team met with regional andinternational organisations in theregion to determine other potentiallinkages for the wind energyprogramme at USP and otherprogrammes in the region. One ofthe main areas of interest is howcapacity building of differentprogrammes can enhance the

Capacity Building in Wind Energy for the Pacific Island Countries

UNEP Consultants with Paul Fairbairn (2nd right) andAnare Matakiviti (1st left) of SOPAC.

effectiveness and benefits of thewind energy program and viceversa.

The team consultants: Mr Juan Zak,Senior Energy Scientist UNEPCollaborating Centre on Energyand Environment; Jens CarstenHansen, Senior Scientist RisoNational Laboratory and PerNoogard, Senior Engineer/ProjectManager Riso National Laboratory.The mission met with SOPAC,SPC, PPA, USP, EU, PICHTR(Pacific International Centre forHigh Technology Research).

The mission also took theopportunity to visit the NabouwaluHybrid power supply system inVanua Levu, Fiji Islands tofamiliarise themselves with workcarried out in the region on windenergy.

Mr AnareMatakiviti ofthe FijiIslands has

recently joined SOPAC as theEnergy Adviser. Anare, has aMasters of Engineering in EnergyPlanning and Policy, University ofTechnology (UTS), Australia.Anare has worked in the FijiIslands Government Departmentof Energy for over ten years. Hewas instrumental in theformulation and implementationof the Fiji Islands RuralElectrification Policy. Prior tojoining SOPAC, he was Managerof the Rural Electrification Unit(REU) in the Fiji IslandsDepartment of Energy.

NewEnergyAdviser

Anare Matakiviti

Shaun Prodanuk

CanadianIntern Leaves

has completed his 6 monthsattachment with the SOPACEnergy Unit. During his 6 monthsat SOPAC, Shaun was involved inthe formulation of the EnergyInformation Database which willbe installed in memeber countriesduring regular energy missions afteran initial trialing period.

Mr ShaunProdanuk (aCanadian Intern)

Linking Science and Policy

Pacific Islands Conferenceon Climate Change, ClimateVariability and Sea LevelRiseRarotonga, Cook Islands, 3-7 April2000

The prime objective of theConference was to develop aregional framework that will assistthe countries in their efforts tounderstand and respond to climatechange, climate vulnerability and sealevel rise.

The presentations and the sidemeetings at the Conferenceprovided an overview of the workcarried out by SPREP under thePICCAP programme and moregenerally on the other climaterelated activities implemented overthe past decade. One of the mainfocuses of the Conference was toestablish the linkages betweenscience and policy.

As a result of the Conference adraft Pacific Islands Framework forAction on Climate Change, ClimateVariability and Sea Level Rise hasbeen distributed by SPREP toSPREP National Focal Points,SPREP Institutional Focal Points,CROP Agencies, PICCAPCoordinators and the Pacific IslandsClimate Conference Participants.

The deadline for comments on thisdraft is the 1st September 2000.

http://www.sopac.org.fj/eng/The “PEN” is availablein our web page.

Visit our Website

Pacific Energy News .................. Number 2 May 2000

page 3

NATIONAL NEWSCook Islands

Fiji Islands

Energy Supply/DemandDatabase

SOPAC conducted a week-longworkshop, 10-14 April, to assist theFiji Department of Energy (DOE)in updating its energy database.Participants where from the BritishPetroleum South West Pacific Ltd(BP), Bureau of Statistics, DOE, FijiElectricity Authority (FEA), FijiMeteorological Department (MET)and the Public Works Department(PWD).

DOE has appointed two of itsScientific Offices to carry out thenecessary updates with the view ofreviving the publication of theEnergy Statistics Yearbooks.

Tangi Tereapii, EnergyPlanner at the Ministry

of Works Energy Physical Planning,visited SOPAC on 13-16 March.The primary objective of Tangi’svisit was to discuss petroleum issuessuch as quality standards and oil spillcontingency mearsures, etc;electricity tarrifs; energy policy;energy supply/demand databaseand other energy related issues withthe relevant authorities.

26 APR 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) -An overseas company has won thebid to supply additional power tothe Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA),which holds the monopoly in theenergy sector.

A Radio Fiji report said thecompany will install dieselgenerators to help FEA cope withincreasing pressure on electricitysupply.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC)and Tropic Woods were alsopreferred bidders to assist FEA.FSC in their bid reportedly said itwould use biomass to produceelectricity while Tropic Wood said itwould use pine chips.

Foreign company wins bid tosupply “extra” power to Fiji

Electricity Authority

The FEA’s invitation for assistancecame in the wake of recent powerblackouts on the main island of VitiLevu. The power cuts were relatedto the extra demand being put onFEA’s generators.

According to Radio Fiji, FEA haswritten to the successful bidder,whose name is yet to be madepublic. FEA’s Chief Executive,Nizam-ud Dean did not want tocomment on the bid.

Meanwhile, FEA is planning toinstall two new six megawattgenerators at its power station inKinoya, outside Suva, to cater forthe extra demand for electricity.The Wartsilla generators will costabout FJ$9.5 million (US$4.68million)….PNS (ENDS)

Windmill eases water worriesNavai Primary School in theinterior of Seqaqa, Vanua Levu haswarmly welcomed the donation ofa windmill by the Vatulele Resortgeneral manager, MartinLivingstone, and a guest.

The school currently has a pumpwhich is expensive to operate as itrequires petrol, an expense theschool could barely afford. Eventhe solar backup system was neverreliable.

The windmill costs $9000 withtransportation and installation costs$3000. All were borne by VatuleleIsland Resort.source: “Fiji Times” 26 April, 2000

Energy Sector NationalDevelopment Plan

The Fiji Government is developingan Energy Sector Plan for theperiod 2000 –2004. This five yearEnergy Plan is part of a NationalPlan developed to reflect thesentiments of the presentgovernment. The Energy Plan isbeing developed by a committeeconsisting of resource people fromboth public and private sectors.SOPAC is also represented in thecommittee.

Niue

Niue is looking atestablishing a wind

turbine to generate electricity. TwoDanish engineers were on Niuediscussing the value of wind as apossible source to generateelectricity for the island. Thismission follows on fromdiscussions held during a FEDmeeting in Denmark in November1999 on the Island of Aoere.

According to a report in the NauruEconomic Bureau (NER), one windturbine could produce up to 15 percent of the island’s electricity whichis currently supplied from twodiesel generators. Niue has beenmonitoring wind conditions on theeastern side of the island for thepast three years.

The engineers say wind generation isa proven technology and areplanning to seek funding for one200 kW turbine from the DanishGovernment and the EuropeanUnion.

This initiative has developed as aresult of an earlier 2 year windenergy resource assessment andwind feasibility study funded fromSmall Energy Projects Programme(SEPP) and coordinated by theRegional Energy Programme.

Fuel Prices Rise - Fiji Times 12May

The new fuel prices are as follows:

- motor spirit (unleaded) - $1.14,up by 4 cents;

- pre-mixed outboard fuel - $1.12,up by 4 cents;

- kerosene - $0.74, up by 7 cents;and

- diesoline - $0.93, up by 8 cents.

The rise in prices are due to theincrease in the landed cost ofproduct caused by increases inoverseas crude oil.

The Prices and Incomes Board saidthat other countries had alsoincreased their prices. In Fiji, theprices may vary because ofdomestic cartage and delivery costs.

to page 4 .......

page 4

Pacific Energy News .............. Number 2 May 2000

because data compilation is anongoing process.

The more energy data you have thebetter your planning capacity.

The Department of Petroleum andEnergy has so far managed tocompile data on the NationalCapital District, Central andNorthern Provinces.

When compiling an energydatabase, supply and demand islooked at.

On the supply side there is theproduct used to generate theenergy, while with demand sideinputs that identify the individualconsumer groups; for example,domestic, commercial, industrialand government.

Although power blackouts may beaccepted as a way of life in PNG’surban centres, and energy may notbe a strong word in the books ofpolicy makers, the Government hasgained by embarking on a programthat has got integrity, and is reapingdirect benefits, even if the results areshowing in a somewhat round-about manner.

Welcome to the South PacificApplied Geoscience Commission(SOPAC), an independentintergovernmental, regionalorganization established by theSouth Pacific nations in 1972.

SOPAC is dedicated to providinggeotechnical services to thecountries it serves. Located in Suva,Fiji, its mission is to improve thewell being of the peoples of thePacific Island member countries(PNG is a member) through theapplication of geoscience to themanagement and sustainabledevelopment of their non-livingresources.

SOPAC maintains a regional datacentre and provides informationservices, technical and field servicesfor specific project work. Specialistknowledge is accessible underresource development, be itmineral, water or energy,environmental scienceencompassing coastal, hazardassessment, ocean, as well asnational capacity development,linkages and field and supportequipment.

In addition to the membercountries, supportinggovernments are Canada, France,Japan, Korea, People’s Republicof China, Taiwan and UnitedStates of America, EuropeanUnion, the Commonwealth Fundfor Technical Co-operation andthe United Nations.

SOPAC representatives PaulFairbairn, Energy Manager andRupeni Mario, Energy ProjectOfficer were in Port Moresbyconducting a two-week

workshop on energy database andenergy data modeling and energyplanning that ended last Friday.

Held at the Energy Division of theDepartment of Petroleum andEnergy in Gabaka Street Gordon,

Energy Saving TipsLighting

Lights are likely to use theleast of your energy dollarbut there is still room forsavings.

* replace normal bulbswith fluorescent tubes –you can save up to 75%of your energy dollar.Savings is greatest in thehigh use areas such as thekitchen, lounge and livingareas;* turn off lights when leaving aroom – can save a further 30-60%of your lighting bill;

* keep reflectors and lamp shadesclean;

* use 60W or 75W bulbs toreplace 100W bulbs where possible.

from page 3 ...

Workshop Participants

NATIONAL NEWS continues

Papua New Guinea

In April 500 million people willvoice the call for action onenvironmental issues, especially theneed for clean energy.

This day will highlight theimportance of efficiency, renewableenergy and related issues, whichwill focus on the need to changehow energy is generated andused in the world.

Energy may not be a populartopic in PNG, but that will soonchange when you begin to takenotice of its relevance to ourvery survival.

What happens in the world interms of energy generated and itsuses has a lot of bearing onPNG. A case in point is the 1997world oil crisis. Gas emissions intothe atmosphere is causing globalwarming that puts coastal areas,low lying islands and coral atolls indanger as well as changing weatherpatterns.

In order to be able to predictcyclones and other natural disasterswe’ve got to look at things that arecontributing to their cause, and theuse of energy is one of them.

The energy concerns of PNG havenever been seriously addressedthough.

The energy crisis in 1997, howeverprompted a knee jerk reactionfrom the PNG Government, andalternative energy was briefly takenup, only to be aborted.

Today PNG does not have anational energy policy but afterthree years of struggle, a draftpaper is nearing completion forgovernment scrutiny.

But without an energy databaseforecasting and planning isimpossible. In 1997 the task ofcreating PNG’s database wascommenced, but with fundingconstraints, this task may take up to15 years to complete.

But then again, that is only a start

Energy Policy NearsReality – by Barnabas

Orere - Post-Courier, Monday 14February, 2000

to page 5 .......

Pacific Energy News ................ Number 2 May 2000

page 5

the workshop looked at energydatabase and the various inputsrequired to enable theGovernment of PNG to moreeffectively plan and manage itsenergy sector.

Representatives of ELCOM andStatistical Office took part.

The database comprises threemain areas – petroleum sector,power sector, and new andrenewable energies such as solarphotovoltaic and biomass (fuelwood, mumu ovens etc). Theworkshop began with theintroduction of the databasestructure and data inputs required.

Then the structures of the keysectors were reviewed andmodified so as to best representPNG’s current situation.

The later part of the workshopfocussed on the practical sourcingof data and then the inputting it intothe database. The longer terminputting of data and datamanagement and energy planningwere looked at also.

Mr Fairbairn said that in the powersector, the workshop looked atkilowatt-hours generated (totalenergy generated) in Port Moresby,which includes hydro and thermalgeneration. In the C Centres, theylooked at thermal and dieselgeneration and hydro whereappropriate.

It was also necessary to look atpetroleum products used such asdiesel fuel, heavy fuel or fuel oil andlubricants.

In the petroleum component (10altogether) they had to look atwhether they were imported orlocally produced, and they includedpetrol, diesel, heavy fuel oils,domestic purpose kerosene Avgas,jet A 1, lubricants and solvents. Onthe new and renewable energy sidesolar and biomass were looked at.With solar you need to know thenumber and area of solar collectionand the yearly solar radiationwhereas with biomass you requirevolumes and weights of fuel woodused.

None of the countries in the Pacificare involved in research anddevelopment.

NATIONAL NEWS continues

Vanuatu

Electricity chargesin Vanuatu increase

(11 April - PACNEWS)

Electricity services in the countryare being provided by UNELCOpower company. The company’selectricity rates were recentlycriticised as being the highest in thePacific Islands region.

The increase in electricity chargeswas confirmed by the Minister forEnergy, Maxime Carlot-Kormanin parliament last week. Accordingto Korman, the hike in ratesfollows rising costs of fuelimports.

He said to level this costUNELCO needed to increasetheir rates by at least 4.4 per cent.However, he added the powercompany is only charging 2.2 percent more. Carlot-Korman said 60per cent of fuel imported in thecountry is being used in generatingelectricity. Another 20 per cent isused by vehicles while the rest isfor general use.

Further adjustment will be madeduring the third and final quarterof this year to cover for the other2.2 per cent. Korman also addedthat fuel prices for vehicles willincrease.

Website ListingRenwable Energy World on-line www.jxj.com/magsandj/rew/

Suppliers and ServicesDatabase www.jxj.com/suppands/renenergy/

Renewable Energy Bookswww.jxj.com/catofpub/complete_catalogue#renewableSolar Cookers and Rural WaterSystemswww.sungravity.com

Windmill Cleans ContaminatedSoil www.conorpacific.com

PV Energy Systemswww.pvenergy.com

Expenditure Approved forUndersea Energy Source

ProjectOn Thursday (13 April) the U.S.Senate authorised $47.5 millionover five years for theDepartment of Energy to studymethane hydrates - ice-likecrystals of methane said to havethe energy potential equal tomore than twice that of all fossilfuels combined. The Housepassed the bill earlier in themonth, it now goes to thePresident, who is expected tosign it. More at http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap.20000414/pl/frozen_gas_1.html

Technology in brief.........

Thin Film Modules hit theMarket

Siemens’ record-breaking 12.1%conversion efficiency thin film PVmodule is now available on themarket under the name“PowerMax”. The matt-blackpanels have anodised aluminiumframes and are likely to be anattractive option for architectsand designers of PV buildingfacades as well as stand-aloneapplications. Their performancein low light conditions and poorweather is particularly good, saythe manufacturers.

Anaerobic DigestionConverts City Waste to

EnergyA Dutch company has developeda unique concept for themechanical separation andanaerobic digestion of greymunicipal waste. A new plant inGroningen, which uses thetechnology, recently went on-stream. It handles 230 000 tons ayear, making this the world’slargest anaerobic digestion plantfor grey waste. The digestion unitgenerates 2.5 MW of power,enough to meet the plants energyneeds and to supply a further 1.2MW of ‘green’ electricity into thegrid.source: Renewable Energy World, Jan-Feb2000.

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Pacific Energy News ................. Number 2 May 2000

page 6

Harnessing Ocean EnergyFour companies, three British andone Swedish are engaged inexploiting Scotish Seas as arenewable source of electricitypower.

The long term plans range fromgenerating electricity from the wavesto harvesting power from the tide.

Pulled constantly by the moonsgravity and warmed by thermalcurrents, the ocean’s energy iscreated by winds whipping acrossits surface.

The greater distances involved, thehigher and longer the waves will be.

Energy is stored in the wavesuntil they reach the shoresand the beaches, sometimeswith destructive force.

If only two trillion watts ofelectricity could be harvestedfrom the sea it would be theequivalent to twice theworld’s energy productionfrom nuclear, oil, gas andcoal-fulled power stations.

One metre of a single NorthSea wave front is strongenough to power 50 electricheaters.

As a general rule, coastlineswith an ocean “fetch” greaterthan 400 kilometres (250miles) are suitable forexploitation but even greater energyresources are available fromlattitudes 30 degrees and 60 degreesin the northern and southernhermispheres.

Global warming and internationalconservation agreements to reduce“greenhouse gases” haveencouraged industry to investigatehow the oceans’ powerful energiescan be exploited economically.

In the United Kingdom, devolutionand suitable ocean conditions hasgiven the latest fillip to installation inthe Scottish waters.

The Inverness-based Wavegen isinstalling its 500-kilowatt Limpetturbo generator on the Scottishisland of Islay to provide electricityfor the residents of the InnerHebrides islands.

Consisting of a collector andoscillating water column, the Limpet

uses wave power to force air upthrough the collection chamber,spining the pneumatic turbinewhich is driven in the samedirection regardless of the air flow,sucking the air down and creatingelctricity as the waves subside.

The company, which has beenconducting successful experimentson the island for the past 10 yearsin collaboration with Queen’sUniversity, Belfast (NorthernIreland), expects to begin feeding

elecricity to the island’s gridwithin a year.

Wavegen turbines installed in theAzores are now supplying 400kWof electricity to the islands.

The installation was backed withEuropen Union funding and thecompany is developing a machinethat will float on the sea to generateelectricity.

Queen’s University ProfessorTrevor Whittaker, who researchedthe technology for the initial trials,said: “Limpet is the culmination of20 years of research that has beencarried out at the university.

It is very satisfying to be associatedwith its first commercialdevelopment which will contributeto clean energy and reduce thedependence of fossile fuels and thepollution they cause.”

Islay is the location for two Ocean

Power Delivery’s wave-energyconverters being installed under the1999 Scottish Renewable ObligationBill in 2001.

Called Pelamis and tested byLondon’s City University, the375kW units are similar to a floating“sausage” 12 metres in length and3.5 metres in diameter. Inside are 10steel drums connected by hydraulichinges which pump fluid back andforth as the “sausage” osicillates onthe waves.

The fluid pressure is used to drivethe generators.

Pelamis will create morethan 2.5 million kilowatts ofelectricity annually, enoughto power 150 - 200 homes.

The company is planningmuch larger units with a700-megawatt capacitycapable of supplying enoughelectricity for a small city.

A company called theEngineering Businessexploits the moon’s pull ontidal streams to createelectricity.

The company’s active watercolumn generator (AWCG)is similar to an upside-downcoffee cup slinding up anddown a verticle metal pole.

Positioned on the offshore seabedthe cup remains below the surfacewith its large angled wingsprotruding from either side.

The tidal current pushes the cupdown, trapping air that is squeezedout through apipe to the surface.

Rushing upwards at high speeds theair passes through a turbine whichdoes the same job as a windmill,turning movement into electricity.

When the cup reaches the bottomof the pole the wings flip over tobe forced upwards by the tidalcurrent sucking air in and generatinga continuous power supply for theturbine.

Capable of generating 300kW ofelectricity the AWCG can betopped by a wind turbine toharness extra power from theelements.

TECHNOLOGY

Wavegen’s 500-kilowatt Limpet turbine captures waveenergy and converts it into electricity

source: “Fiji Times” - 26 April, 2000

Pacific Energy News ............ Number 2 May 2000

page 7

Brief decline in fuel pricesThroughout 1999, world fuel pricerises were of a magnitude not seenin many years. In early March2000, prices on the Singapore spotfuel market finally peaked at aboutUS$ 38 (per bbl) compared withUS$12 just over a year prior. As at

mid-April, they had declined to theUS$25-29 range, largely due toannounced OPEC productionincreases. The graph shows trendsover the past few years.

Industry feeling is that the priceswill eventually fluctuate betweenUS$20 to US$24 per bbl. In theshort term, however, demand stillexceeds supply, world fuel stocksare still declining and we can expectprices to remain high for a fewmore months.

Opportunity for price formulareviewIn most Forum Island Countries(FICs), the various price regulation

Pacific Islands Petroleum News High Fuel Costs to Stay : Careful on Quality

systems have struggled to keep upwith the magnitude of the pricerises. Some governments, correctly

and responsibly, have queried themagnitude of the rises beforeapproving them.

Other governments have prudentlyused this opportunity to call for awholesale review of their priceregulating systems to determinewhere savings could be made in thelong term. As our work hasshown over the past two years, thisaction is warranted and could leadto substantial country savings.Fuel company returnsFuel companies supplying thePacific would want me to pointout that they are subject to thesame rise in fuel prices as

Article #11 - 2 May 2000

experienced by the general public.Their margins are squeezedbetween rising fuel re-supply costs

and the necessity to recover thesecosts through government priceregulation systems. They alsoremind us that given their capitalinvestment and long termcommitment to supplying theislands, they need to show a fairreturn on that investment.

In a market with rising fuel cost, aprice regulation system means thatoil companies experience a delayedcost recovery associated withimporting continually moreexpensive fuel. This naturally leadsto a reduction in company margins.Where steep rises or long periods

to page 9 .......

We acknowledge Alan Bartmanovich’s, Petroleum Adviser, Pacific IslandsForum Secretariat , contribution to “PEN” and hope that Petroleum Newswill feature on a regular basis in our future issues.

Pacific Energy News ............ Number 2 May 2000

Try this at Home- Make Your OwnSolar Chimney

What is a Solar Chimney?It is a type of power station thatbases its electricity generation on thesimple principle that “hot air rises”.

A solar chimney is designed tocreate a high pressure system, andto extract energy from the rising air.When sunlight passes through theplastic roof of the greenhouse andis absorbed by the ground. Theground heats up which also causesthe air just above its surface to heatup. The plastic roof traps the hotair so that it can only rise through achimney, and in doing so the risingair sucks in cooler air from the sidesof the greenhouse. This rising aircauses a turning effect on theinternal turbines which in turngenerate electricity.

A solar chimney therefore uses thesun to create wind which generateelectricity. It is a ‘renewable’resource that does not pollute theatmosphere.

How to make a SolarChimney?

What you need* a sheet of thin cardboard for thechimney;

* a large cardboard box for thebase;

* plastic wrap and some tape;

* a fine metal wire for the axle ofthe turbine;

* two small beads that act asbearings for the turbine;

* a sewing needle and 2 rubberbands;

* a knife to cut the cardboard; and

* a paint brush and some blackpaint.

What to do1. Roll the thin cardboard sheetinto a tube and bind it with tape -dimesions: 50cm high and 10cm indiameter.

2. The base of the chimney (theregion that absorbs the sunlight) ismade from the large cardboardbox. The larger the area of the boxthe more opportunity there is toheat heat the air - dimension: say,50cm deep.

3. Paint the internal surfaces of thebox black and cut long flaps in thesides of the box so that cool air canenter the “greenhouse”.

4. Position the chimney at thecentre of the box, raised oncardboard supports. Ensure thatthere are large holes at the base ofthe chimney for warm air to enter.

5. Cover the top of the box withthe transparent plastic wrap. Sealthe plastic with tape - ensure thatthe box is completely sealed so thatall of the rising air flows into thechimney.

The solar chimney is now ready tobe put out in the sun.

6. Shape a small piece ofcardboard to form the turbineblades (1.5cm by 8cm) and a thinmetal wire for the axle. Make a holethrough the centre of the blade andthread the wire through.

7. Thread the 2 beads onto thewire and tie a knot in the wire sothat the turbine rests on the beads.Ensure that the turbine is of theright profile so that it turns in thewind.

8. The turbine can be mountedinto the chimney by looping eachend of the wire around the rubberbands stretched horizontally acrossthe chimney.

Testing the Solar ChimneyPlace the setup in a calm sunnylocation and investigate itsperformance with the followingexperiments.

(i) Observe the direction of airmovement with smoke from anextinguished match (or an incensestick).

(ii) Count the spins per minute ofthe turbine under differentillumination levels.

(iii) Test how long the turbine spinsafter the system is taken out of thesun - note the delay before theturbine stops. In real solar chimneysthis delay is used to produceelectricity during the night. Where isthis extra energy stored? How canthe time the turbine runs aftersunset be extended?

Cooler Air In

Warmer Air Out

Cooler Air In

Chimney

TurbineBlades

Greenhouse

Please let us know should you aresuccessful in the constructing andtesting your model solar chimney.

contact: Paul Fairbairn, EnergyManager. Tel: (679) 381 377; Fax:(679) 370 040; email:paul@sopac.org.fj ; Postal address:SOPAC Secretariat, Private MailBag, Suva, Fiji Islands.

source: Solar Progress, March 2000,Volume 21, Number 1

page 8

Pacific Energy News ............ Number 2 May 2000

from Page 7 ........

page 9

between adjustments are involved,this can result in oil companiessuffering profit decline and in severecases, short-term losses.

We are told that this decline inprofitability endangers continued oilcompany capital investment in somePacific countries based on acorporate need to successfullycompete for capital with projects inother countries. Some companieshave even hinted that given theopportunity, they would considerexiting Pacific Islands markets.

Prior to taking this type of decision,however, oil companies shouldremember previous good years,such as 1997 and 1998 when priceswere constantly declining. Sales intothese same regulated, fixed pricedresulted in windfall returns.

ENERGY COMPANIES CREATE PROJECT TO REDUCEGREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Washington, D.C. — Seven global energy companies announced lastweek they have joined forces to conduct R&D on advanced carbondioxide separation and geologic storage technology.

The goal is reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. BP Amoco,Chevron, Norsk Hydro, the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of companies,Statoil, Suncor Energy, and Texaco will all take part in the $20 million,three-and-a-half year Carbon Dioxide Capture Project (CCP). Thecompanies said BP Amoco will act as project coordinator.

According to the American Petroleum Institute, project partners aim todevelop effective methods to capture significant amounts of carbondioxide emitted from power generation and industrial sources and storethe gas in geologic formations under the earth’s surface. Success with theproject could lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissionsacross a wide range of industries. In a joint statement, members of theCCP said, “We share society’s concern over the issue of climate change.While each member company is actively working to manage its owngreenhouse gas emissions through a portfolio of initiatives, this projectunderscores our joint commitment to developing innovative ways toaddress the climate change issue. Pooling our technical and financialresources in this way will give the project added impetus.”

Company spokesmen said the purpose of separation and geologicstorage of the gas is to prevent man-made emissions from reaching theatmosphere. The oil industry has extensive experience in the handling oflarge volumes of carbon dioxide, which is injected into approximately70 oil fields worldwide to enhance oil recovery.

CCP scientists will conduct comprehensive research on separationmethods, develop procedures and guidelines for monitoring andverifying storage of carbon dioxide, and encourage policies to furtherthe technical and economic viability of carbon dioxide capture andstorage. In a drive to make the project a collaborative effort betweenindustry and government, participation in the project will also be soughtfrom government agencies in North America and Europe.

Let us also recall that in addition toprice-regulated markets, oilcompanies have additional, oftensubstantial sales into un-regulatedcontract markets. These markets,although fiercely competitive, canbe quite profitability. Regulatedmarkets provide oil companieswith a base business. Contract fuelvolume can then be marginallycosted, in effect providing a typeof cross-market subsidisation.

It is for those reasons that weencourage oil companies tocontinue to take a long termregional perspective and notnecessarily be blindly guided by theinternational corporate need tosatisfy short-term profit objectivesin any given market segment.

Fuel adulteration problemsidentifiedHigh fuel prices have intensified thesearch for ways to reduce transportcosts. Some operators in variouscountries have opted for the illegalpractice of fuel adulteration, whichinvolves mixing genuine motor fuelswith other, lower cost materials.

Problems arise with this practice formany reasons, the first being that themixtures could inhibit performanceand in extreme cases, damage motors.

Mixing fuels can alter their physicalcharacteristics, making some non-flammable material such as diesel fuelhighly inflammable, thereby increasingthe potential of dangerous incidents.

Fuel distributors involved with mixingfuel after receiving oil companydeliveries violate their obligations toboth customers and their supplier tosell quality branded products.

Fuel mixing amounts to defraudinggovernment of tax, which is a veryserious offence attracting heavy finesand in some cases, prison sentences.Typically, the mixing materials arecheaper because of lower taxes andduties according to their designatedend use.

In two recent Australian incidents, fueldistributors have been charged,prosecuted and sentenced to prisonterms under laws prohibiting exciseevasion. One incident in Fiji is underinvestigation and is expected to bebefore the courts in the near future.

On this issue, we commend all themajor oil companies for theirresponsible approach to this seriousissue and their demonstratedwillingness to work together withgovernment to find ways to eliminatethis illegal and unethical practice.

It is the responsibility of all parties inthe fuel industry to ensure thatgovernment regulations are upheldand that quality fuel is supplied to allmarket segments.

We welcome comments andfeedback to:Petroleum Adviser, Forum Secretariat, PrivateMail Bag, Suva, Fiji Islands.fax : (679) 312 226 or

e-mail: alanb@forumsec.org.fj

Pacific Energy News ............ Number 2 May 2000

The 8th International EnergyForum, ENERGEX 2000

Will be held in Les Vegas, Nevadaon 23 – 28 July 2000.

The conference will give anoverview of the most recentdevelopments in energytechnologies andcommercialization. Topics includedin the conference are RenewableEnergies; Clean Coal Technologies;Fossil Fuels; Energy andEconomics; Climate Change; etc.

1st World Conference andExhibition on Biomass for

Energy and IndustryA joint millenium event of the 11thEuropean Conference on Biomassfor Energy and Industry and theBiomass Conference of theAmericas.

Conference and Exhibition CentreSevilla, Spain. 05-09 June, 2000.

Contacts: Fax +39 055 573425www.etaflorence.it / www.wip-munich.de

World Geothermal Congress2000

Kyushu-Tohoku, Japan. 28 May -10 June, 2000.

Contacts: email: info@wgc.orgweb: www.wgc.or.jp

2000 International Workshopon Biogas Technology

Biogas Research & Training Centre(BRTC) Chengdu, China. 12-25June, 2000.

Contacts: Hu Rongdu; Tel: +86 285222658; Fax: +86 28 5230677;email: obrtc@shell.scsti.ac.cn

Solar 2000 Conference‘From Fossils to Photons’29 November - 01 December,2000, Brisbane, Australia.

38th Annual Conference of theAustralian and New Zealand SolarEnergy Society.

Early Registration Closes: 30 June,2000.

For more information contact:solar2000@icms.com.au

website: www.solar2000.aust.com

MEETINGS / WORKSHOPS

EuroSun 200019-22 June, 2000. Copenhagen,Denmark

Visions for the New Millenium -The Third ISES-Europe SolarCongress

Informations: email:info@danvak.dk; Fax +45 45 8776 77

For additional information contactDr Peter Catania, University ofRegina, Canada Tel: 306-585-4364 or Fax: 306-585-4855;email: ief@cableregina.com

Websites: www.GlobeEx.com;www.energysource.com/ief/updates; www.cableregina.com/nonprofits/ief/index.htm

page 10

SOLAR & WIND energy isnothing new.....The idea of generating energy fromthe buoyancy of hot air may seemfreaky, the three basic techniques bywhich the solar chimney operateshave been known and utilised.

Greenhouses were first used by theRomans almost 2000 years ago.The Romans used transparentsheets of thin mica stone rather thanplastic or glass.

Chimneys were believed to be thefirst used in Norman times in GreatBritain. Before them the innovativeRomans used hot air flues as partof underfloor heating systems.

The high-tech turbines used in solarchimneys today find their roots inwind energy devices that werebeing used as early as 200 B.C. Inancient Persia, simple verticle-axiswind turbines were used to providemechanical energy for grindinggrain. These devices use open-airbreezes. Possibly the mostromanticised and well known windenergy occurred in Holland.

HISTORY

source: Solar Progress, March 2000

5th. InternationalConference on GreenhouseGas Control Technologies

Cairns Convention Centre, 13 - 16August, 2000.

Contact: Colin Paulson Fax: 02-9490 8819 or email:c.paulson@det.csiro.au

share yourenvents / news!!

If you have an event youwish to publicize or thinkthat “PEN” readers wouldlike to know about,please contact: PaulFairbairn, EnergyManager, SOPAC; Tel(679) 381377, Fax (679)370040, email:p a u l @ s o p a c . o r g . f j ;Postal mail: SOPACSecretariat, Private Mail,GPO, Nabua, Suva, FijiIslands.

SOPAC Missions/Visits,Meetings & Workshops/Training todateCook Islands - Pacific IslandsConference on Climate Change,Climate Variability and Sea LevelRise.

Fiji Islands - National EnergySupply/Demand DatabaseWorkshop.

Japan - Palm 2000

Nauru - launching of Nauru’sNational Communications.

New Zealand - ApplianceLabelling, APEC Symposium

Papua New Guinea - NationalEnergy Supply/Demand DatabaseWorkshopProposed MissionsSolomon Islands & Vanuatu -Rural Electrification Policy andNational Energy Supply/DemandDatabase.

FEEDBACK.........FEEDBACK..........FEEDBACK....

The SOPAC Energy Unit would like to invite readers and in particular Energy Officers tocontribute articles on any Energy related activities in their respective countries for inclusion in“PEN”. Articles should preferably be typed in Microsoft Word and an electronic/disk copy alsobe made available. Where available photographs of interest should also be provided so we canscan them for inclusion with the text.

Please fill in the form and either post/fax/email to the address provided below

Attention: Paul Fairbairn Energy Coordinator

Postal Address: SOPAC SecretariatPrivate Mail Bag, GPOSuva, Fiji Islands.

Fax: (679) 370040 / 384461e-mail: paul@sopac.org.fj

Note: Our next issues will be published in August and then November 2000.And we would prefer to have the articles by the beginning of the previous month

i.e. July/October

Pacific Energy News ........... Number 2 May 2000

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