Unexpected yet understandable…Unexpected yet understandable…

Bermuda as seen from the International Space Station (NASA, 2008)

Development as a barrier to renewable energy in Bermuda

Acknowledgements:- Interview participants- Dr Andrew Peters- Dr Mark Guishard- Wedco, BELCO, Rubis- Bermuda Dept of Energy- NGO’s (Greenrock/BEST)

Research BackgroundResearch Background

PhD studies between 2008 - 2014

On-island research between 2009 -2010

Original thesis title “Role of renewable energy towards sustainable development in Small Island States”

Bermuda used as a case study

PhD studies between 2008 - 2014

On-island research between 2009 -2010

Original thesis title “Role of renewable energy towards sustainable development in Small Island States”

Bermuda used as a case study

Founder’s Building, Royal Holloway University of London

(CC Image courtesy of Minh Minh3 on Flickr)

Research BackgroundResearch Background

PhD studies between 2008 - 2014

On-island research between 2009 -2010

Original thesis title “Role of renewable energy towards sustainable development in Small Island States”

Bermuda used as a case study

PhD studies between 2008 - 2014

On-island research between 2009 -2010

Original thesis title “Role of renewable energy towards sustainable development in Small Island States”

Bermuda used as a case study

Founder’s Building, Royal Holloway University of London

(CC Image courtesy of Minh Minh3 on Flickr)

Research Context - Bermuda’s emphasis on sustainable development

Research Context - Bermuda’s emphasis on sustainable development

Alex Scott(CC Image courtesy of plpleader on Flickr)

Research Context- Key considerations of sustainable development

Research Context- Key considerations of sustainable development

Research Context - Vulnerabilities of Small Island States

Research Context - Vulnerabilities of Small Island States

Geographical

- small in size, isolated

Political

- less politically stable, easily influenced by external and internal forces, colonial legacies

Economic

- rely on importation of food, fuels, etc., prone to monopolies, sensitive to global price fluctuations

Social

- impacts of crime, disease, etc. more pronounced

Environment

- less resilient to environmental change, lack power to mitigate against global environmental forces, vulnerable to climate change effects

What is sustainable development?

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development can mean many different things to different people.

Defining sustainable development is rather difficult as its meaning can differ depending on who is defining it and what their intentions may be (Redclift et al. 1994; Adams 2009).

Consideration of spatial and temporal dynamics are also significant in determining “what is sustainable and to who” (Forsyth 2003).

Problematic is how often flagrant contradictions can exist between what is sustainable development, who it is important to and why (Swyngedouw in Krueger & Gibbs 2007).

Sustainable development can mean many different things to different people.

Defining sustainable development is rather difficult as its meaning can differ depending on who is defining it and what their intentions may be (Redclift et al. 1994; Adams 2009).

Consideration of spatial and temporal dynamics are also significant in determining “what is sustainable and to who” (Forsyth 2003).

Problematic is how often flagrant contradictions can exist between what is sustainable development, who it is important to and why (Swyngedouw in Krueger & Gibbs 2007).

Development that meets the needs of the future without compromising the needs of future generations.(Bruntland Commission 1987)

Development that meets the needs of the future without compromising the needs of future generations.(Bruntland Commission 1987)

Research ContextResearch Context

Bermuda as an ‘urban and developed’ Small Island State

Bermuda as an ‘urban and developed’ Small Island State

Framing the results- Energy security dimensions

Framing the results- Energy security dimensions

Dimensions of energy security (Kruyt et al, 2009)

Dimensions of energy security in relation to sustainable development across the geographic scale (Author’s own, 2014)

Research MethodsResearch Methods

Research MethodsResearch Methods

Findings - Social AccessibilityFindings - Social Accessibility

How is energy differently accessible to people and society based on social identity such as demographic differences? How does social phenomenon such as energy use behaviours play different roles in people’s lives?

Findings - Social AccessibilityFindings - Social Accessibility

Fuel imports (barrels per year)Fuel imports (barrels per year)

Bermuda Government Department of Energy, 2009

Bermuda Department of Statistics, 2009

Population density (persons per km2)Population density (persons per km2)

Electricity sales - Bermuda (kWh)Electricity sales - Bermuda (kWh)

Bermuda Government Department of Energy, 2009

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

BermudaCubaCyprusJapanUSUK

Electrical power consumption (kW/h per capita)Electrical power consumption (kW/h per capita)

Author’s own compiled using various sources, 2014

Findings - Technical AccessibilityFindings - Technical Accessibility

Technical aspect of energy underpins social accessibility.

Many SIDS do not have a well developed technical infrastructure.

Positive - act as a blank slate for (technical) energy reform like renewable energy integration.

Bermuda - urban and developed - places constraints on potential for change and reform

Urban and developed nature exacerbates space constraints.

Technical aspect of energy underpins social accessibility.

Many SIDS do not have a well developed technical infrastructure.

Positive - act as a blank slate for (technical) energy reform like renewable energy integration.

Bermuda - urban and developed - places constraints on potential for change and reform

Urban and developed nature exacerbates space constraints.

How is energy differently accessible to people and society based on aspects of technology and technological considerations?

Findings - Technical AccessibilityFindings - Technical Accessibility Energy disconnectedness Energy user ‘grounded-ness’ suffers as a result

of our urban and developed nature- shilling meter - direct point of use --> Dial meter

and meter man --> Digital meter and meter man --> ‘read at a distance’ meter

--> Online monitoring- Acts a barrier to our sensitivity to energy use

and thus as a barrier to energy reform.- Renewable energy actually may help as it

brings the energy point closer to home.- Whose data?

Energy disconnectedness Energy user ‘grounded-ness’ suffers as a result

of our urban and developed nature- shilling meter - direct point of use --> Dial meter

and meter man --> Digital meter and meter man --> ‘read at a distance’ meter

--> Online monitoring- Acts a barrier to our sensitivity to energy use

and thus as a barrier to energy reform.- Renewable energy actually may help as it

brings the energy point closer to home.- Whose data?

Findings - Technical AccessibilityFindings - Technical Accessibility Vulnerable user groups - disabled, elderly

(technical illiteracy), small businesses (taxis) How will renewable energy benefit or work for

them?

Vulnerable user groups - disabled, elderly (technical illiteracy), small businesses (taxis)

How will renewable energy benefit or work for them?

“My scooter requires charging daily (usually). However, if I didn't venture out too far the previous day, I won't charge it.” (Quote 3.3.1 - Extract from an e-mail interview with a resident with disability [RESI 1D].)

She saw energy as what is provided by BELCO (Quote 3.3.10 - Extract from researcher’s notes during an interview with a resident [10H], 23/12/09).

Respondent stated that when she thinks of the word energy she tends to think of electricity. She said she also thinks about ‘spiritual energy’. (Quote 3.3.11 - Extract from researcher’s notes during an interview with a resident [11H], 23/12/09).

“I tend to think about my own personal energy. I never think about ‘lectrics’ (electrics). I think about my own energy – how am I feeling today, etc.” (Quote 3.3.12 - Extract from an interview with an elderly expat long-term resident [12H], 23/12/09).

Findings - Technical AccessibilityFindings - Technical Accessibility

Findings - Economic AccessibilityFindings - Economic Accessibility

Greater affordability - greater access - greater diversity of choice

Small island states more expensive - imports and lack of economy of scale

Suggestion is that renewable energy is more affordable in SIS due to high energy cost

$90 million was spent in both 2007 and 2008 to import fuels for the production of electricity and for use in transportation.

Greater affordability - greater access - greater diversity of choice

Small island states more expensive - imports and lack of economy of scale

Suggestion is that renewable energy is more affordable in SIS due to high energy cost

$90 million was spent in both 2007 and 2008 to import fuels for the production of electricity and for use in transportation.

“The cost of electricity in Bermuda. No matter how we tried to cut back, the bills were not coming down. With the surcharge they add to your bill you have no control of that or the price of oil. We are coming up to retirement and on fixed income. It was a no-brainer. We wanted to forward plan.” Quote 3.4.5 - Extract from an interview with a resident with a renewable energy system installed [RESI 2], 23/12/09).

Do you make an effort to conserve energy at home?

Do you make an effort to conserve energy at home?

Findings - Economic AccessibilityFindings - Economic Accessibility Also a barrier Technical lock in and economic lock in -

Utility doesn’t want to take such a high risk. Shareholders? Jobs? Support services?

Government taxes? High material benefit = Comfort over cost

Also a barrier Technical lock in and economic lock in -

Utility doesn’t want to take such a high risk. Shareholders? Jobs? Support services?

Government taxes? High material benefit = Comfort over cost

“The cost of electricity in Bermuda. No matter how we tried to cut back, the bills were not coming down. With the surcharge they add to your bill you have no control of that or the price of oil. We are coming up to retirement and on fixed income. It was a no-brainer. We wanted to forward plan.” Quote 3.4.5 - Extract from an interview with a resident with a renewable energy system installed [RESI 2], 23/12/09).

Findings - Economic AccessibilityFindings - Economic Accessibility

Cost of integration is a barrier Equipment, planning, insurance, batteries What is sustainable development and to who? Who would

benefit? Wealthy had more exposure to renewable energy so more likely

to integrate.

Cost of integration is a barrier Equipment, planning, insurance, batteries What is sustainable development and to who? Who would

benefit? Wealthy had more exposure to renewable energy so more likely

to integrate.

Interviewer: What was your rationale for installing the system - cost savings, environmental considerations, etc.?“Well it certainly makes NO financial sense to do this.  In a few years time, given the near exponential price / performance curve of PV, it will make a lot more sense. (Company name removed), like all such companies, gave us various models and projections on how we'd save money.   That at worst the system would pay for itself in 15 years.   This is BS though, as 1) they idealize the amount of power you generate.  2/3 of the day there is no useful sunlight, even in summer!   They also forget about the cost of money ... a lump sum given to them today has a time-value growth of at least 5%, which they typically discount completely.   The cost of our system was in the region of 250K, more than most because of our desire to make it aesthetically pleasing ” (Quote 3.4.23 - Extract from an interview with a resident with a renewable energy system installed, [RESI 3], 23/12/09).

Do you know anyone with a renewable energy device?Do you know anyone with a renewable energy device?

Income categories: Lower class Ğ $0 to $30,000; Middle class Ğ $30,000 to $50,000; and Upper class Ğ >$50,000.

Findings - Environmental AccessibilityFindings - Environmental Accessibility

Environmental geography - Space! Environmental geography - Space!

Findings - Environmental Accessibility

Findings - Environmental Accessibility

Urban and developed nature - NIMBY more pronounced Utility forced to use less efficiently engines due to space

constraints. Urban and developed islands - ecosystems are more

susceptible to change / less space / less buffer / less resilient Climate change - greater susceptibility Influences building choices - less adaptable to renewable

energy integration

Urban and developed nature - NIMBY more pronounced Utility forced to use less efficiently engines due to space

constraints. Urban and developed islands - ecosystems are more

susceptible to change / less space / less buffer / less resilient Climate change - greater susceptibility Influences building choices - less adaptable to renewable

energy integration

When do we need energy?When do we need energy?

BELCO Energy system discussion 2006BELCO Energy system discussion 2006

Solar irradiation over the year w/m2

Solar irradiation over the year w/m2Wind energy over the yearWind energy over the year

Solar irradiation over the day w/m2

Solar irradiation over the day w/m2

Solar irradiation w/m2 - selected months

Solar irradiation w/m2 - selected months

Findings - Political AccessibilityFindings - Political Accessibility

Findings - Political AccessibilityFindings - Political Accessibility

Key FindingsKey Findings

- ‘Urban and developed’ island - unique sustainable development challenges

- Role of renewable energy needs to be considered before claiming it is a pathway towards greater energy security and thus SD

- Vulnerable user groups must be considered.- More research required…

- ‘Urban and developed’ island - unique sustainable development challenges

- Role of renewable energy needs to be considered before claiming it is a pathway towards greater energy security and thus SD

- Vulnerable user groups must be considered.- More research required…

Thank you…Thank you…