MECHANISMS FOR THE USE OF

RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE

CARIBBEAN
BY; CELINE ROODAL, SHANNON BROWN, VISHTI MARAJ, LEIGH-ANN AMOROSO,
SHALINI RAMPERSAD, CHARLOTTE BABOORAM, SANJANA PERSAD, VAISHNAVI
MAHARAJ.
WIND ENERGY
WHAT IS WIND ENERGY?

Wind is air in motion which possesses kinetic energy.

Wind energy can be harnessed by converting this kinetic energy to electrical
energy in a series of processes.
Wind energy is proportional to the wind speed in a certain area
WIND TURBINES
HYDROELECTRIC
POWER
WHAT IS HYDROELECTRIC POWER?

Hydroelectricity involves use of gravitational force of falling water, where the

falling water is used to turn a turbine which is connected to an electric
generator
Gravitational potential energy of the water is transformed to mechanical
energy and then electrical energy

Hydroelectric power is currently being used in Dominica and Jamaica

HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATIONS
A dam is built where there is a natural source of water in a
valley and is used to hold the water so pressure increases
and more electrical power can be produced

Water flows through tunnels in dam walls with great

pressure due to the great height and turn massive turbines
which is used to turn electrical generators

The greater the volume of water and larger the

height difference, the more power generated as the
water possesses more potential energy
THE GENERATOR

Generator consists of the rotor and stator

Rotor rotates and has a huge magnet inside of it
Stator is covered in copper and is stationery
The rotor spins around the copper wire on the
stator producing an electric current which is
harnessed and used
ADVANTAGES

Renewable energy source: hydroelectricity uses the energy of running water, without
reducing its quantity, to produce electricity. Therefore, all hydroelectric developments,
of small or large size, whether run of the river or of accumulated storage, fit the
concept of renewable energy
Water can be stored to be used at peak times
It is a green process and helps to fight climate change: process produces very small
amounts of greenhouse gases. As it emits less of these gases than plants driven by
coal and oil, hydroelectricity can help retard global warming
DISADVANTAGES

It is dependent on precipitation
Building the dam is expensive and time consuming
Environmental consequences such as affecting fish habitats since these habitats
are shaped by physical factors such as water level, water velocity, shelter
opportunities and access to food.
TYPES OF HYDROPOWER PLANTS
Impoundment: a large hydropower system which uses a dam to store river water in a reservoir. The
electricity produced by the generator is activated by flowing through a turbine which spins the water.

Diversion: it channels a portion of a river through a canal or penstock. It does not always require the use
of a dam.

Pumped storage: it stores energy like a battery by pumping water uphill to a reservoir at a lower
elevation. When there is a high demand for electricity, the water is released back to the lower reservoir
and turns a turbine, generating electricity.
ISLANDS IN THE CARIBBEAN WHERE
HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS CAN BE FOUND
Jamaica
St. Vincent
Grenadines
Suriname
Dominica
Guyana