Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Projects

1.1 Biofuels

• CNO & WVO – MRC has completed a study on the use of Coconut Oil (CNO) and waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) as substitutes for diesel oil. Both short-term (i.e. emissions tests) and long-term (i.e. engine wear & tear) were carried out. The positive results will be disseminated publicly shortly. There are several organisations (including a prominent hotel resort) and individuals who are already using WVO as an alternative liquid fuel in Mauritius. MRC will use its scientific results to further promote the recycling of WVO as a biofuels, with immediate target groups being hospitals (Ministry of Health & QOL) and hotels. The report will be released shortly.
• Islands of Agalega – MRC is working in close collaboration with OIDC to investigate the alternative use of CNO as a biofuel to generate electricity. Projects are in the pipeline to (1) generate electricity using various mixtures of CNO/diesel, and (2) production of biodiesel from CNO. These projects fall under the umbrella project ‘Energy self-sufficiency of Agalega – biofuels and solar energy’. MRC has already carried out a field trip to Agalega to investigate the prospects of using CNO and PV for electricity generation.
• Jatropha Biofuel Feasibility Study – MRC has carried out an economic feasibility study of Jatropha biofuel on behalf of the Ministry of Industry, Small & Medium Enterprises, Commerce & Cooperatives. The study investigated two scenario: (1) the cultivation of Jatropha on marginal land in Mauritius for biodiesel production; and (2) the importation of raw materials (vegetable oil and/or Jatropha seeds for biodiesel production in Mauritius.
• Biofuels Committee – MRC is the co-Chair of the Biofuels Committee (and Chair of the Technical Sub-Committee) set up by Cabinet to propose policies – covering technical, legislative and pricing mechanism(s) issues – for the introduction of biofuels in Mauritius. The findings of the committee will complement the Energy Policy that is being worked out by EU consultants for Mauritius.

1.2 Renewable Energy Resources Assessment

Solar and wind are two of the most established renewable energy resources that can benefit of economies of scale, and are suited for local climatic conditions. However, the potential for solar (solar thermal and PV) and wind energies (farms and Distributed Energy Systems) have not been estimated to date for Mauritius. The single, most important reason for this is the lack of raw data that is required to undertake such estimations. Obviously, it would not be possible to develop a consistent and coherent Renewable Energy Policy if the potential of renewable energies could not be calculated.

The MRC, together with other stakeholders, has taken the lead to develop atlases of wind and solar energy resources for Mauritius. The first wind tower has already been deployed in the field.

A later stage of this project will include 3D topographical modelling of wind energy resources.

1.4 Renewable Energy Policy

MRC, in conjunction with the main actors in the Energy Sector, has prepared a Synthesis Report on Renewable Energy that can be found online at http://www.mrc.org.mu/Projects/REReport.pdf. The recommendations culminated through broad discussions and consensus by participants to a two-day workshop – see presentations at http://www.mrc.org.mu/WREPresentations.htm. This document has been used as input, through UNDP, to the forthcoming Energy Policy for the Republic of Mauritius.

1.5 Pilot projects

MRC has recently embarked on a pilot project to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of grid-connected, small-scale wind energy applications. Typical size of wind turbines will be 1-10 kW. The aims of this project are numerous, including among others:

• Technical demonstration of grid-connected RETs. This will include definition of a grid code to connect RETs, as well as developing a policy for net metering;
• To investigate the legal framework required to facilitate grid connection of RETs, and
• Study the economic and financial structures of RETs.

The aim of this project falls squarely within the policy framework suggested by MRC that Distributed Energy Systems are one of the key avenues through which to promote the use of RETs in Mauritius.

The collaborating institutions are Ministry of Public Utilities, CEB, Meteorological Services, Ministry of Environment and NDU, Ministry of Education and Human Resources, and other private organisations.

A logical extension of this project will be to carry out pilots of PV systems.

1.6 Bio-acclimatised building guidelines

This project will be carried out in collaboration with Agence Régionale de l’Energie Réunion (ARER), and local stakeholders. The project will constitute MRC’s flagship project on Energy Efficiency.

The main objective of this project is to develop generic building guidelines based on the various micro-climates that exist in Mauritius. Modeling will also be carried out on energy savings that would accrue to Mauritius both in terms of embodied energy (i.e. fixed energy budget) and current electricity use (i.e. variable energy budget) through the implementation of proposed bio-acclimatised building guidelines.

1.7 Energy Sector Modeling

MRC has also taken the lead to institutionalise the Threshold 21 (T21) modelling tool in Mauritius. Capacity building on the use of T21 and development of an Energy Sector model for Mauritius is expected to be completed within the first half of 2008. Build a T21-Energy model for Mauritius that would include Scenario Analysis of Renewable Energies, including biofuels.

An energy model for Agalega to fill the current gap in the National Energy Policy that is being outlined can also be developed following capacity building in T21.

Institutionalising T21 would provide Mauritius with the key capabilities to develop alternative Futures for Mauritius that could then be used to guide policy decision making. More information can be found at http://www.mrc.org.mu/T21.htm

1.8 Seaweed Biomass

This research is still at its infancy, and it aims at developing a seaweed industry in Mauritius. However, the thrust will be on the production of bio-fertilizer from the sap of the seaweed, and the generation of electricity from the combustion of the remaining biomass. A number of studies are underway to test the hypothesis and the initial findings are indeed promising.

1.9 School Footprinting Initiative

MRC, together with UTM, MIE, Shell Mauritius Ltd, British Council and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, has delivered an innovative project in 12 secondary schools allowing students to quantify the ecological impact of their schools activities. An Ecological Footprint calculator has been tailored for Mauritius that allows the consumption and waste generation patterns of an individual or group of individuals (household, organisation, community or country) to be measured. This tool also allows the Carbon Footprint to be measured. The longitudinal measurement of Ecological Footprint can be used to measure behavioural / lifestyle changes, the effect of Energy Efficiency programmes, and the impact of shifting from a fossil-fuel-based economy to a sustainable one based on renewable and indigenous energy sources.

School Footprinting Initiative - Teacher Manual
School Footprinting Initiative - Student Introduction Pack