OP
BHB ScubaTroll
Contributor
How does an island supply its residents with electricity? Hell, I don't know, I'm just in IT, so I did some research...
In 2004 a fire destroyed the existing diesel power plant leaving Bonaire in the dark. They quickly rented diesel generators in the short term, but seized the opportunity to find a way to become completely self sufficient where electricity was concerned and provide 100% renewable energy!
The island is now home to 12 wind turbines with a total of 11 MW of wind power capacity, which contribute up to 90 percent of the island’s electricity at times of peak wind, and 40–45 percent of its annual electricity on average. They also have Battery storage to take advantage of available power in times of excess wind, and provide that stored electricity in times of low wind.
Bonaire also has 5 diesel generators that can run on bio diesel as well as diesel. They recruited GE to help solve some questions as well as provide the generating power and teach the local community about everything that needs to be done. GE is currently running the plant and instructing Bonaire to be self sufficient going forward.
The next phase is to create bio diesel using the local algae resources, grown in the large salt flats on the island, to create biofuel, which can then be used in the existing generators. This will allow Bonaire to operate a 100 percent renewable electricity system—with on average 40–45 percent from wind and 55–60 percent from biodiesel.
Bonaire is the first anywhere to take on this type of project... Go Bonaire!
In 2004 a fire destroyed the existing diesel power plant leaving Bonaire in the dark. They quickly rented diesel generators in the short term, but seized the opportunity to find a way to become completely self sufficient where electricity was concerned and provide 100% renewable energy!
The island is now home to 12 wind turbines with a total of 11 MW of wind power capacity, which contribute up to 90 percent of the island’s electricity at times of peak wind, and 40–45 percent of its annual electricity on average. They also have Battery storage to take advantage of available power in times of excess wind, and provide that stored electricity in times of low wind.
Bonaire also has 5 diesel generators that can run on bio diesel as well as diesel. They recruited GE to help solve some questions as well as provide the generating power and teach the local community about everything that needs to be done. GE is currently running the plant and instructing Bonaire to be self sufficient going forward.
The next phase is to create bio diesel using the local algae resources, grown in the large salt flats on the island, to create biofuel, which can then be used in the existing generators. This will allow Bonaire to operate a 100 percent renewable electricity system—with on average 40–45 percent from wind and 55–60 percent from biodiesel.
Bonaire is the first anywhere to take on this type of project... Go Bonaire!
