Castries, Saint Lucia, September 10th, 2019: The Caribbean Electric Utility Corporation (CARILEC) is advancing plans for the staging of the 2019 CAREC Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Conference and Tradeshow in Miami Florida at the InterContinental Hotel from the 15th – 19th September. With resilience an imperative for a global energy sector being redefined by changes in climate and related factors, the conference will further this ongoing discourse, under the theme “Rethinking Resilience in an Era of Disruption”. Over the course of five days, an a list of influential energy leaders and professionals from around the globe will critically discuss the challenges of minimizing disruptions, explore new opportunities and innovations in the smart-grid sector and examine possible solutions.
The accompanying tradeshow offers firms and institutions in the renewable energy sector the opportunity to display and observe new technologies, exchange information and network. Of particular interest for small island developing states participating, will be trends and opportunities in smart grid technology. A number of global leaders in this arena will participate in the tradeshow, among them Tantalus, Sensus a Xylem Brand, and Aggreko Microgrid and Storage Solutions.
Mr. Andrew Thorington, Technical Services Manager of CARILEC
According to Mr. Andrew Thorington, Technical Services Manager of CARILEC, investment in smart grid technologies is a logical track to sustainable development because of the heightened efficiency factor, both relating to the power system and the power consumption. “Electric utilities in the Caribbean region must continue to explore the frontier of emerging and innovative technologies, and implement solutions that include renewables, storage, smart grid, and microgrids, which have fundamental characteristics that make them uniquely capable of enhancing the resilience of power systems”. Mr. Thorington said.
Renewable energy plays a key role in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for developing countries like those of the Caribbean, which is known for its enormous renewable energy resources. As such, timely adoption will minimize disruptions, enhance resilience and bring countries closer to their 2030 targets for SDG 7 which is Affordable and Clean Energy.
Investment in large-scale electricity storage is being touted within the energy sector, as a solution to boost the deployment of renewables. In that regard, a battery storage workshop is also carded on the conference agenda for the final day -the 19th of September. The workshop will be sponsored by ABB (ASEA Brown Boveri), the Swiss-Swedish Multinational Corporation and technology leader operating in robotics, power, heavy electrical equipment and automation technology areas. “While large scale storage is a relatively small part of the electrical power industry, investment in it is logical for utilities, because it solves the problem of intermittency which comes with wind and solar output”, Mr. Thorington explained.
The CARILEC Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Conference and Tradeshow is a draw for a diverse range of participants ranging from regulation, ICT, energy, finance, research, academia, as well as donors, thought leaders, experts and students.
Partnering with CARILEC to stage the 2019 CAREC Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Conference and Tradeshow are CARICOM, Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), Clinton Foundation, Rocky Mountain Institute and Women in Renewable Energy Network (WIRE). Lead sponsors are ABB, Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor (BWSC), Sensus a Xylem Brand, Tantalus, SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH, and Electronic Power Design (EPD). ). In addition, BMR Energy will be the Breakfast sponsor on Wednesday September 18th for the Women in Renewable Energy Network (WIRE).
About CARILEC:
The Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) is an association of energy solution providers and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean. CARILEC was established in 1989 with nine (9) members as part of an electric utilities modernization project funded by USAID and implemented by NRECA under a five-year “Co-operative Agreement.” Currently, CARILEC comprises a total of one hundred and seventeen (117) members. This includes thirty-four (34) Full Members that are electric utilities, and over eighty (80) Associate and Affiliate Members that are companies involved in some aspect of servicing the electric utility business.
For more information contact:
Alana T. Raymond
Manager, Marketing and Member Services
Phone: 758 452 0141/0
Email: [email protected]
