Series Background
The Caribbean Electric Utilities Services Corporation (CARILEC) invites you to join the premiere of the 2020 Resilient Power Webinar Series where we showcase the energy leadership of Caribbean professionals in the electricity industry. In the last decade, the Caribbean has faced disruption at an unprecedented scale, such as pandemics, droughts, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Teams across the region are working to manage the risk of disaster and implement new technologies to build resilience. In the face of disruption, the series explores how we as Caribbean nations build back better in the electricity industry. The series objectives are:
- to prepare utilities for the 2020 hurricane season during COVID-19;
- to illustrate resilient power systems operation and critical infrastructure planning;
- to foster multi-sector collaboration and coordination for disaster risk management;
- to explore new business models and utility investments for grid modernization and renewable energy;
- to examine critical professional development opportunities in the Caribbean energy sector.
Episode 1 – Smart Grids & Energy Storage – Finding Solutions for Caribbean Electric Utilities in a Pandemic
Data-driven planning is necessary for establishing a resilient energy infrastructure. The Jamaica Public Services Corporation (JPS) will share how their smart grid is helping to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 as well as operational lessons from the utility’s new hybrid flywheel/Lithium-ion energy storage system commissioned in 2019.
In this episode you learn about:
- Planning and resilience with smart grid
- Smart grid and grid-scale storage contribution to resilience planning at utilities
- How utilities utilize resources for disaster event planning and analysis
- Utility knowledge sharing exercises for grid contingency management and planning
Episode 2 – Building Back Better – Reliability, Resilience and Energy Security in Caribbean Electricity Markets
In this executive-level panel discussion, our host Martyn Forde is joined by a panel of Caribbean leaders from the utility industry and the financial sector. Join us to explore what Caribbean utilities will need to build resilience into their electricity planning and disaster response and recovery process. In particular, attendees will be informed on:
- The top priorities for ensuring the reliability of electricity services in the face of disruption,
- Operational and financial lessons learned through disaster recovery of major hurricane events;
- The potential approaches needed for financing infrastructure and energy security in the Caribbean.
Episode 3 – Utility Preparations and Protocols for Hurricanes in Pandemics – The JPS Experience
Hurricane preparation and disaster planning are vital components of Caribbean utility operations. The COVID-19 Pandemic adds another layer of considerations for disaster preparation, response and recovery. Join the team responsible for implementing Hurricane protocols for the Jamaica Public Service Company. Join to learn:
- Utility protocols and procedures for hurricane events
- Planning for system outages and safety procedures
- Proposed options for safe response during COVID-19 pandemic
Episode 4 – Insurance Lessons to Support a Resilient Electric Power Industry
Building a portfolio of resilient infrastructure requires Caribbean utilities to understand the variety of insurance options and processes available. This webinar will feature the Barbados Light & Power Company (BL&PC), the Grand Bahamas Power Company (GBPC), Emera Inc, CGM Gallagher and the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). Panelists will explore:
• Challenges faced by utilities and considerations when negotiating insurance policies
• The types of insurance policies available for private and government-owned utilities
• New regional models of insurance in the face of climate change
• The impact of COVID-19 on the insurance landscape
Episode 5 – Hurricane Preparation Best-Practices for Electric Utilities, Lessons from the Turks & Caicos Islands
In November 2017, the Caribbean utility FORTIS TCI was able to recover in less than 60 days after the passing of Hurricane Irma. FORTIS TCI will share insights into how they are preparing their operations for the 2020 hurricane season in the face of COVID-19. Join the webinar to learn:
- Natural disaster challenges faced by FORTIS TCI
- Disaster recovery best-practices
- The impact of COVID-19 on system electricity infrastructure in the Turks & Caicos Islands
- Utility considerations for implementing greater resilience to generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure
Episode 6 – A Guide for Investing in Renewable Energy – The Barbados Edition
As a leader in sustainable energy investments in the region, Barbados is steadfast on its pursuit of energy independence towards a 100/100 vision by year 2030 with sustainable energy project throughput growing year over year. In recent days, the market has seen an uptick in activity by local and foreign investors alike wanting to support the advancement of sustainable energy projects in Barbados. In October 2019, a Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) program was established that set out policy for small and medium scale generation systems of various sustainable energy sources under 1 MW in capacity. Additionally, the Government of Barbados has indicated a willingness to increase the FIT capacity to 5 MW’s with systems greater than 5 MW’s requiring a Power Purchase Agreement subject to negotiation with the competent authority. This webinar will provide guidelines for future investors in the Barbados renewable energy sector, particularly solar photovoltaics, with a guide for how to develop a renewable energy project from conception to production. Main takeaways from the webinar are the following:
- Understanding the Barbados Renewable Energy Market
- What you need to know for Investing in Roof top and Ground Mount PV Systems
- How do I incorporate Resiliency in my System Design?
- Rules of thumb for Baseline Capacity Estimates
Episode 7 – A Guide for Investing in Renewable Energy – The Barbados Edition
CAREC welcomes the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited (@BLPC) to co-host episode 7 of the Resilient Power Series. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are essential to the renewable energy transition in the Caribbean. In 2018, BLPC installed utility-scale energy storage as a component of the 10 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) plant in the north of the island at Trent’s St. Lucy, Barbados. Join the BLPC to explore:
- Lessons learned in the implementation and operation of the BESS
- The technical design process and utility motivations and plans for energy storage
- Safety protocols for operation of a BESS
- System modeling to support regulatory application for cost recovery
Episode 8 – Battery Energy Storage Systems and Utility Operations – The Bermuda Electric Light Company Ltd (BELCO) Experience
CAREC welcomes the Bermuda Electric Light Company Ltd for Episode 8 of the CAREC Resilient Power Series. The BELCO Nolan Smith Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a 10 MW/5MWhr battery system on the island of Bermuda. Bermuda is in the transition process towards more resilient infrastructure. Join BELCO to gain a utility perspective on:
- Lessons learned from the design, implementation and operation of the BESS
- Bulk generation planning and risk assessment
- Utility operations planning beyond the BESS
- Stakeholder engagement process
- Future considerations for resilient infrastructure
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