Global Drive for Renewable Energy in Light of Dwindling Hydrocarbon Reserves Implications for Trinidad & Tobago & CARICOM

Global oil production and its hydrocarbon products are now experiencing a massive downturn in financial profits, worldwide. As the world move towards the twenty-first century countries worldwide are beginning to experience the effects of global warning with concomitant climatic changes and health problems. Trinidad and Tobago is not well advanced in the preparation process in looking for and making use of alternative sources of renewable energy. This may be due to fact that Trinidad and Tobago is a hydrocarbon-based economy. This approach if not changed would lead to serious economic hardships, ill health and decreased environmental quality. It would therefore be prudent for us to critically reflect and to take the necessary action on renewable energy sources as alternatives to fossil fuels as sources of energy in order to save our economy, health and the environment, not only for our generation, but for all future generations.

Introduction
The big question of when global oil production will reach its limit and how fast it will decline afterwards has marginalized energy experts for quite some time. The latest record-low oil prices have rekindled the debate (EIA 2003a).

For years, both sides have held their ground. Some believe that, given our reliance on petroleum, dwindling oil reserves would at the very least send shocking ripples through the global economy. Others believe it a bit further, predicting widespread economic collapse and even the onset of "a post-industrial stone age." We are yet to fully experience the truth of this predicament (EIA 2003a).

In the reality of dwindling oil reserves, all time low oil prices worldwide, threats of ozone depletion and climatic changes, countries worldwide, including countries in the Caribbean Region or CARICOM are forced to search for, develop and use alternative sources of energy, namely renewable energy. There is now a substantial body of evidence that suggests with or without the peak oil there is need for change in our present consumption of fossil fuels sooner rather than later (Sawin, 2003, EIA, 2008 and The Economist 2008). It is estimated that the global energy consumption to double by 2030. It would be therefore unwise to continue our energy consumption of fossil fuels as usual at the detriment of the environment, human health and safety (Wisner, Pickle and Eto, 1998).

The Problem:
The awareness of the destructive effects of fossils fuels and the economic hardships associated with its use is now becoming more and more prevalent, worldwide. The search for alternatives sources of energy have already been initiated in some developed and developing countries. Where does Trinidad and Tobago and the CARICOM Region fit into the scheme of things with regards to adopting and using more efficient and safer renewable sources of energy?

Renewable Energy Paradigm:
Renewable energy is defined as energy that is replenished by nature at a rate faster that its rate of consumption by human activities. Renewable energy plays an important role in the supply of energy for domestic and industrial purposes. When renewable energy sources are used, the demand for fossil fuels is reduced. Unlike fossil fuels, non-biomass renewable sources of energy such as hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar energy do not directly emit greenhouse gases, the major cause of ozone depletion (Swain, 2003 and Beattie 2005).

A transition to cleaner, more secure energy is necessary, but it will not happen overnight. Currently it is estimated by the International Energy Agency that 80 % of the current global energy comes from finite fossil fuels (Deyette, Clemmer and Donovan, 2003). Of this 80 %; 35 % comes from oil, 25 % comes from coal and 20 % comes from natural gas. It is only 11 % that comes from renewable sources such as biomass waste, 6 % from nuclear, 2 % from hydropower. Solar, wind and geothermal power make up less than 1 % of the global energy supply mix (EIA, 2003b and Sawin, 2003).
Our main concern as scientists and environmentalists is that if we know that we have finite reserves of fossil fuels and they have had a bad effect on the environment and our health and quality of life, why do we continue to use it so aggressively? This may be due to fact that fossil fuels may be more available and more economical in the final analysis Wisner, Pickle and Eto, 1998).

Renewable energy has generally been more expensive to use than fossil fuels. Renewable energy is often not available 24/7 in some instances and may be located in remote locations. The use of expensive infrastructure, equipment and human resources are required in order to make the use of renewable resources as a viable energy alternative to fossil fuels (Beattie 2005).
United Kingdom Perspective on Renewable Energy
Much support is being given to the use of renewable energy resources by governments worldwide (The Economist 2008). In the United Kingdom (UK) support for the use and development of renewable energy is provided in the 2003 Energy White Paper. It is prescribed in the 2003 Energy White Paper that 10 % of electricity generation should come from renewable sources by 2010 and 20 % by 2020. The UK government has set a goal of five percent of the total transport fuel must come from renewable sources by the year 2010. Additionally renewable sources of energy have been exempted from Climate Change Levy (Wisner, Pickle and Eto, 1998).

Review of the data obtained from the UK renewable energy generation for 2004, revealed that the major renewable energy contributors in descending order are: biomass (52 %), hydro (35%), landfill gas (28 %), onshore wind (12 %), municipal solid waste combustion (7 %), cofiring of biomass with fossil fuel (7 %), other biofuels (7 %) sewage sludge digestion (3%), offshore wind (1 %) and solar photovoltaics (0.03 %) (Deyette, Clemmer and Donovan, 2003).

United States Perspective on Renewable Energy
In the United States (US) renewable energy accounts for approximately 2 % of the total electricity produced. This is followed by 51 % nuclear, 21 %, natural gas, 17 % hydro, 6 % and 3 % other (EIA 2003a). There is now an increased number of State and Federal Energy Policy Acts (2002 and 2005) incentives that is expected to stimulate growth and use of renewable resources in the near future. Arising out of these Policy Acts are three main categories of incentives to promote renewable energy technologies (EIA 2008 and DSIRE, 2003). These are financial incentives, volunteer and outreach programmes and rules and regulations (DSIRE 2003).

The financial incentives include tax exemptions rebate programmes, grant programmes, loan programmes, and production incentives. Currently there are 200 financial incentives that promote renewable energy in the US (DSIRE 2003).
Volunteer and Outreach Programmes include programmes that involve pricing, certification and outreach. Currently there exist 201 volunteer and outreach programmes in the US (DSIRE 2003).

Rules, regulations, and policies include a wide range of public benefits. There are 216 rules, regulations and policies in the US that deal with renewable portfolio standards, contractor licensing requirements, engineering standards, equipment certifications, solar access laws, metering rules and generation disclosure rules (DSIRE 2003).

CARICOM Perspective on Renewable Energy
The Caribbean Region is also following this trend of renewable energy initiative and development. CARICOM or the Caribbean Community in 1998 established the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP). The main objective of CREDP is to increase the use renewable energy in the Caribbean Region by removing barriers to its adoption. But, the removal of these barriers has not been easy. Since it requires political will, financing, policy reform, information and human capacity. The use of renewable energy in the Caribbean Region is therefore met with varying degrees of success (CARICOM 2009).

In January 2008, The Government of Dominica signed a transnational partnership agreement with the Regional Council of Guadeloupe for the development of Dominica's geothermal energy. This agreement falls under the Geothermal Energy in the Caribbean Island Project (CARICOM 2009).
Similarly, Cost Rica has achieved a high level of success in the use renewable energy in the form of hydroelectricity, geothermal, wind and biomass as alternative energy sources to fossil fuels. In 1994, two pieces of legislation were introduced that provided the impetus for the development of geothermal, wind and biomass electricity production and the promotion of efficient energy utilization throughout the economy (CARICOM 2009).

Brazil, like Trinidad and Tobago is a petroleum-based driven economy that has achieved success with the use of renewable energy. Brazil has developed its sugar cane ethanol industry for production of vehicle fuel, which now replaces 40 % of Brazil's gasoline imports (CARICOM 2009).

Trinidad and Tobago Perspective on Renewable Energy
Trinidad and Tobago vision of renewable energy resources is to supplement renewable sources of energy with existing petroleum-based sources of energy in the promotion of sustainable development. This objective is being achieved through partnerships with various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, the Tourism Development Company Ltd, bpTT, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The outcomes of this objective would serve to guide the development of a national renewable energy policy and programme. Additionally, through the UNDP and its partnership with the Tobago Bed and Breakfast Association and the Trinidad Host Home Association engaged in a Small Grants Programme incentives to replace electric water heaters with solar water heater systems. This and other projects have already started since 2007 and are presently ongoing (UNDP 2009).

At present there exists no published energy policy regarding renewable energy in Trinidad and Tobago. But, it is hoped through the said initiatives that a national policy will soon be developed and be available. Incorporated in this policy would be the use of biofuels as alternative sources of energy from fossil fuels. Ethanol production has already started at Pt Lisas, Trinidad and exported to the United States for purification. The sustained futuristic development of biofuels may be challenging in Trinidad and Tobago since falling oil prices together with the global financial meltdown and the scarce availability of arable lands may place further hardships upon the population. New infrastructure in terms of factories and downstream industries would now have to be developed to sustain this new energy transition. Whether funding would be available in the near future would be somewhat doubtful and be highly competitive in light of other equally important issues such as health care, education and national security.

Conclusion
As a developing country, it is prudent that we utilize our resources in the wisest possible manner that would bring some measure of hope and security to the people, ensuring sustainable development, health and wellbeing. In keeping with the global drive for clean sustainable renewable energy Trinidad and Tobago is moving towards achieving this goal.

Reducing the dependency on the use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, natural gas can prevent devastating effects on the environment. There in an urgent need not only for Trinidad and Tobago to adopt this new culture of renewable energy, but for CARICOM and the rest the world in order to protect ourselves and our future generations from ill effects of global warming, climatic changes and threats to human, animal and plant life.

Trinidad and Tobago, like the rest of the Caribbean Community should seriously consider looking at all types of renewable energy such as wind energy, biological energy, fuel cell energy, hydro energy, solar energy, and ocean energy. The practicality of these various renewable energy sources should be thoroughly investigated and tested now to determine their suitability and applicability and to break the viscous cycle of dependence on dwindling hydrocarbon reserves (EIA 2003b). This would lead to a safer, healthier environment for all, including future generations.

References
Beattie, K. 2005. Engineering & Management, New York: Clarkson University.
CARICOM. 2009. Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme. http://www.caricom.org Retrieved on January 22nd, 2009.
Deyette, J, Clemmer, S and Donovan, D. 2003. Plugging in Renewable Energy, Grading the States. Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, MA.
DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy. 2003.
http://www.dsireusa.org. Retrieved on January 22nd, 2009.
EIA, 2003a. Annual Energy Review 2001: Energy Overview. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/overview.html. Retrieved on January 22nd, 2009.
EIA. 2003b. Electricity Restructuring Fact Sheets. http://www.eia.doe.gov. Retrieved on January 22nd, 2009.
EIA. 2008. Energy in Brief, How Much Renewable Energy Do We Use? Annual Energy Outlook 2008, EIA.
Sawin, J. 2003. "Charting a New Energy Future." State of the World by Lester R. Brown. Boston: Norton & Company, Incorporated.
"The Power and the Glory." 2008. The Economist :(6).
UNDP: Energy and Environment. http://www.undp.org.tt. Retrieved on 22nd January, 2009.
Wisner, R, Pickle, S and Eto, J. 1998. Details, Details... The Impact of Market Rules on Emerging "Green" Energy Markets. Berkeley, CA: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Dr Pattron is a Public Health Scientist and Scholar.