How do windmills work?
Energy is generated via windmills as follows. The wind passes
through the windmill blades and makes the mill turn and the generator that is connected to the mill will generate electricity. The
generated electricity then transported via cables in the tower of
the windmill to AQUALECTRA’s distribution system.
Solar energy
In 1995 KODELA installed her first grid integrated solar panel on
the roof of their office at Dokweg. At the end of February 2000, the
then KAE installed the photovoltaic system, or simply the system
for generating electricity by means of solar energy, on the roof of
its office.
Solar energy can still not compete with fossil energy due to low
efficiencies and high investment costs. The advantage of solar
energy is the much lower environmental impact.
The implementation of the photovoltaic system was meant to:
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gain experience with a grid connected PV (Photovoltaic) system ;
gain experience with the civil aspects of the PV as a roof replacement;
create awareness for sustainable energy;
get insight into the economic viability.
The PV system installed at Mundo Nobo has a peak capacity of
20,000 Watts. The system is connected to the grid, but operates
also as a stand-alone. The system at AQUALECTRA produces an
average of 75 kWh per day. With this, an estimated 5 households
can be supplied with electricity. In 2003 AQUALECTRA installed a
new Solar installation at its water reservoirs on the Tafel berg. This
installation has a capacity of 38000 Watt’s and operates as astandalone system powering the complete reservoir operations and
lighting.
How do the photocells work?
The process by which a solar cell works is called photovoltaic conversion: the conversion of light into electricity.
The most widely used solar cell is made from silicon and consists of
two layers. By means of chemical additives, a difference in voltage
is created on the separation, comparable to the plus and the minus
of a battery. Under the influence of light, extra electrons are
loosened and electric current starts running between the connections of both layers. A photovoltaic system consists of a number of
solar panels. Each solar panel is built up of a number of linked
solar cells.
AQUALECTRA, the Pioneer of sustainable energy
in The Caribbean.
Aqualectra is Curacao’s utility company. We are responsible for the
production and distribution of power and water as well as delivery of
accompanying services. We service approximately 69,000 households
and companies through 130,000 electric and water meters. Aqualectra’s
workforce includes 700 dedicated workers who provide the framework for
the delivery of quality products and services to our customers.
Sustainable energy
When speaking about sustainable energy, we are referring to energy
from natural and durable energy sources, such as wind, sun and sea;
resources that are abundant in Curaçao.
A part of the objectives of AQUALECTRA’s Utility Plan 2020 is lowering
the environmental impact of its operation, energy
security and less dependency of crude oil. In order to achieve these
objective, sun and wind energy projects in Curaçao are promoted and
investments for further expansion will be considered.
In addition to the fact that, sustainable energy production is environmentally friendly, it also offers benefits for the socio-economic development
of Curaçao. There is a strong correlation between the socio-economic
development of Curaçao and energy supply. The influence on the economy is accentuated more strongly, because, as an island with no energy
resources of its own, the energy sector is completely dependent on
import and international market developments. In view of the available
technology, sustainable energy must be able to become economically
viable on Curacao and, thereby making the island less dependent on fluctuations on the international oil market. The economy can benefit from
this by realizing more stable and on the long run lower cost and, with
this, improve its competitive position with respect to the region. In
addition, it will be possible to reduce foreign exchange outflow, when
one’s own energy resources are used in a correct manner.
Wind energy
In 1985 the first wind turbine a NEWEC 25 Stork wind turbine, was
installed and taken in operation by KODELA.
This wind turbine was in operation until the beginning of 1991.
TThe main reason for installing this wind turbine was to give
KODELA the possibility to evaluate if this was something they could
consider in their production mix in the future, and at the same time
educate their workers to operate wind turbines.
There were only four of these wind turbines build of which this one
stayed in operation the longest. Due to rapid development in new
turbines, it was difficult to get service for the first wind turbine and
the decision was taking to abandon operation.
The experiences gained with this turbine were the basis for further
expanding the use of wind in islands production mix.
In 1993, KODELA constructed its own wind park at Tera Korá. This
wind farm consisted of 12 x 250 kW turbines totaling 3 MW. In
2001 a second wind farm was constructed at Playa Canoa with a
capacity of 9 MW consisting of 18 wind turbines of 500 kW.
In the mean time now AQUALECTRA has decided to replace both
wind farms with new up-to-date utility grade wind turbines from
Vestas totaling 30 MW consisting of two wind farms of each 5 turbines with a capacity of 3 MW each.
Wind energy can be competitive when applied on a large scale. The
advantage is that it replaces fossil fuel, so emissions are reduced
and therefore it is much more environmentally friendly.
At first, the wind energy project was used as a pilot project to research the technical feasibility of connecting the wind turbines to
the distribution system of AQUALECTRA. From the investigations, it
appeared that connecting the wind turbines to the distribution system of AQUALECTRA is technically and economically feasible.
Therefore, AQUALECTRA considered the expansion of the wind
park. It does so in cooperation with Delta Caribbean N.V. or other
IPPs.
Wind energy will never be able to completely replace the conventional systems of generating energy. Sustainable and conventional
forms of energy generation will rather complement each other.
At present, the wind parks at Tera Korá and Playa Kanoa produce
an average of 7 MW. With this, an estimated 4,000 households can
be supplied with electricity.
At present, the wind parks at Tera Korá and Playa Kanoa produce
an average of 7 MW. With this, an estimated 4,000 households can
be supplied with electricity.