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Note: Savings costs of energy efficiency measures (US $/kWh) are based on a 10% discount rate. Generation costs <strong>and</strong><br />
tariffs are based on diesel prices of US $3/gallon.<br />
Figure 5.2.2: Viability of energy efficiency technologies in <strong>Turks</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong><br />
(Source: Castalia, 2011)<br />
Based on its review of the financial viability of energy-efficiency, Castalia (2011: 53-54) concludes that: all<br />
lighting technologies for residential, commercial <strong>and</strong> industrial customers are viable; magnetic induction<br />
lights are a viable option for street lighting; power monitors are a strong awareness tool for saving<br />
electricity through behavioural change (savings of 10%); all mechanical technologies, such as premium<br />
efficiency motors, variable frequency drives <strong>and</strong> efficient chillers are viable, particularly for industrial<br />
customers <strong>and</strong> hotels; all air conditioning technologies are highly viable, especially window systems for<br />
residential use; LCD computer monitors are viable, but already have high uptake; refrigeration technologies<br />
can save customers money, but only residential ones are economically viable.<br />
The assessment of renewable energy technologies that are economically viable found five that may be<br />
economically viable for both utilities. These are: l<strong>and</strong>fill gas to energy on a large scale, operated<br />
commercially (US $0.08 per kWh); solar water heaters on a small <strong>and</strong> commercial scale for homes <strong>and</strong><br />
businesses (US $0.12 <strong>and</strong> US $0.13 per kWh, respectively); wind (‘Class 1’ <strong>and</strong> lowerable/tiltable turbines),<br />
on a large scale operated commercially (US $0.12 <strong>and</strong> US $0.21 per kWh, respectively); waste to energy on<br />
a large scale operated commercially (US $0.12 per kWh 4 ); <strong>and</strong> seawater air-conditioning, on a large scale<br />
operated commercially (US $0.23 per kWh) (Castalia, 2011).<br />
One additional technology would also be economically viable in TCU‘s service area. That is concentrated<br />
solar power (parabolic trough), on a large scale operated commercially (US $0.26 per kWh), although if TCU<br />
were to switch from high-speed diesel plants to higher-efficiency medium speed diesel plants, the<br />
assessment would be similar to the one for PPC. Solar PV on a commercial <strong>and</strong> small scale <strong>and</strong> distributed<br />
wind turbines (10 kW) are commercially but not economically viable. Overall, the potential to use<br />
renewable energy in the isl<strong>and</strong>s is promising, <strong>and</strong> should be pursued on economic grounds alone.<br />
4 This cost is based on TCI-specific data, but looks low compared to similar plants <strong>and</strong> therefore warrants further investigation<br />
(Castalia, 2011).<br />
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