Sustainable and Renewable Energy Project Incubator (SREPI)

An overview of incubation policy and practice in the effort to create a Sustainable & Renewable Energy Innovation Ecosystem 22.10.2014

Sustainability Agenda

• Sustainability has become a more central agenda with increased commitment by global governments for sustainable practices, including that of the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, (GORTT). This is evident since GORTT‟s adoption of the Agenda 21 document in 1992 at the Rio Summit.

• One objective of Agenda 21 stipulates the promotion of energy efficient technology particularly for human settlements (Agenda 21, 2014). This objective specifies that escalated employment of energy efficiency is a main priority “in any action taken to protect the urban environment” (Agenda 21, 2014).

International Agenda

• The World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank provides assistance to Caribbean countries, including T&T, by funding projects which are geared towards energy efficiency and sustainability (Meckereth, 2014).

• It is an accepted precedence that sustainable practices will be mainly “market-driven and championed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with government buy-in occurring afterwards” (TTGBC, 2011).

Rationale

• The rationale for this project is that is necessary for the entire world in general and the Caribbean in particular to move away from fossil fuel use and into new forms of energy. This will have three main high level impacts:

• Sustainable Economic development• Sustainable Job Creation• Environmental Stewardship

Strategic Objective

To create an energy efficiency industry in T&T and the wider Caribbean

Vision & Mission

• Vision• The vision of this project is to develop an energy efficiency and

renewable energy technology sector in the Caribbean which provides sustainable job creation and positive economic impact.

• Mission• The mission of this project is to improve the international

competitiveness of people and organizations in the Caribbean through the development and support of emerging markets such as energy efficiency and renewable energy technology through business incubation supported by education, training, consulting and research. To change the culture of energy inefficiency in Trinidad and Tobago.

Electricity Consumption Per Capita

CO2 Emissions Per Capita

Key Elements

To create an energy efficiency industry

– By creating a cadre of qualified energy efficiency experts/engineers

– By fostering the creation and execution of projects aimed to source renewable energy

– By creating and developing national efficiency systems

How?

Legal, Administrative & Cultural

Networks

Waves of Adoption

Sample Student Projects

• The implementation of a Grid connected Renewable Energy Solar Photovoltaic Supply

• A pilot study to determine the socio-economic feasibility of separation and characterization of residential recyclables

• Plan for Plastic Bottle Recycling in Tobago• Tire Recycling Facility in Trinidad and Tobago

Concluding thoughts

• Our school continues to be at the forefront of supporting the change that is required in the culture of energy consumption. We recognize the challenges of the future and continue to provide support to our students who we believe can and will make a difference.

Thank You