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by the University of the West Indies and supported by a
It is expected that the results of the project will provide number of its partners. This effort seeks to determine the
further insight into the technical details of large scale requirements for actual implementation of the proposed
implementation. More specifically, a more robust power generation chain, thereby setting the platform for a
understanding of the longer term implications associated potential regional adoption.
with the blend use and its influence on power plant heat
rate, reliability and maintenance schedules are key focus REFERENCES
areas. This information will allow for a further refinement of 1. The Energy Information Agency. (2013, June 28). International Data.
the cost estimate models, and consequently allow for a Retrieved from The Energy Information Agency International Data :
more precise assessment of the feasibility of the proposed http://www.eia.doe.gov/ International Energy Statistics_cfm.html.
biofuel/methanol fuel blend. 2. Hertzmark, D. (2006). OECS Energy Issues and Options. Washington
D.C: Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme.
3. The Energy and Security Group. (2006). Background Data Collection
CONCLUSION on Bio-Energy in the Caribbean and Central America. The Energy and
A novel fuel blend comprised of biofuel and methanol Security Group for the United Nations Biofuels Initiative.
has been investigated. The blend can potentially serve as 4. Kromah, M., Thomas, S., &Dawe, R. A. (2003). Transporting Natural
an alternative fuel for the Caribbean region. A preliminary Gas Around The Caribbean. West Indian Journal of Engineering, 25,
18 – 32.
phase of research showed thatthe fuel blend is feasible 5. Olah, G.A., Goeppert, A., & Prakash, G.K. (2006). Beyond Oil and
in the Caribbean context. Results from tests to assess its Gas: The Methanol Economy. Weinheim, Germany: WILEY-VCHVerlag
performance in a single-cylinder diesel engine, indicated GmbH & Co.
that the fuel blends had similar and even better engine 6. Seko, T., & Kuroda, E. (1998). Methanol Lean Burn in an Auto-
performance than diesel fuel at high engine loads. Ignition DI Engine. Society of Automotive Engineers technical paper
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7. Mitchell, W.L., Litzinger, T.A., &Santavicca, D.A. (1991). Neat methanol
An economic assessment indicated that the proposed combustion in a D.I diesel engine using catalytically coated glow plugs.
energy chain associated with the fuel blend is potentially Society of Automotive Engineers technical paper series(912418), 1-9.
feasible, and could give power generation costs that 8. Ramadhas, A. S., Jayaraj, S., &Muraleedharan, C. (2004). Use of
are lower than the current subsidized electricity prices in vegetable oils as I.C engine fuels – A review. Renewable Energy, 29,
most countries of the Caribbean. Further, there exists the 727 – 742.
possibility of even lower power generation costs, based on 9. Haldar, S.K., Ghosh, B.B., & Nag, A. (2008). Studies on the
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engine using three degummed non-edible vegetable oils. Biomass &
the results indicate that the proposed blend is feasible, Bioenergy, 33, 1013-1018.
potentially leading to significant savings for the regional 10. Murray, R. J., & Furlonge, H., I. (2009). Market and Economic
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research programme that is now being spearheaded

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