Electrical Transmission Potential

Trinidad: Guyana Link and

Guyana Hydropower (Presentation hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago

Chamber of Industry and Commerce, July 10, 2013)

David R. Hardy, M.C.I.P, R.P.P.,

President, Hardy Stevenson and Associates Limited

www.hardystevenson.com @hardystevenson

http://hardystevenson.wordpress.com/

Vision for Sustainable Energy

Future • Carilec, Trinidad, Guyana and others

envision sustainable energy future

• An electricity grid using marine cable will

be able to achieve many of the

sustainability goals:

Can resolve locked in power issues in

Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere

Cheaper electricity

Opportunity to diversify generation mix

Lowering of greenhouse gas emissions

Carbon credit opportunities and lowering

the carbon footprint in Trinidad

Significantly improved GNP for Trinidad

and Tobago and Guyana, and other

connecting countries

http://maps.grida.no/library/files/storage/sources_of_electricity_in_latin_america_and_the_caribbean_large.jpg

HVDC Marine Cable Benefits

• Provides choice of

generation source as it

creates energy market

• Dependable

• Anticipates future

Caribbean grid based

on marine cable

• Potential future

transmission

interconnections to

South American grid

Connecting Renewables into a Grid

• Waste to Energy

• Wind

• Geothermal

• Ocean thermal

• Biogas

• Hydropower

• Solar

• Ability to add renewables

as part of energy mix

Implications for Current Supply

• Current Trinidad fossil

generation can supply

increased load in Guyana

(mines or smelter etc.)

and/or can function as

peaking plants

• Ultimately, large Guyana

hydropower projects can

serve as sustainability

anchor

Guyana Hydropower

• Guyana has up to 7000 MW of undeveloped hydropower

• Both dam and run of the river energy generation is

possible so as to minimize environmental footprint

• Turtruba Rapids Hydropower project as an example:

1976 feasibility by Moneco

2005 Pre-feasibility study completed by Hardy

Stevenson finds that hydropower is indeed feasible,

more work to be done

Trinidad – Guyana HVDC

Marine Cable

• Proven technology

• Off the shelf converters DC to AC

• Distances long, but not breaking

records

• Guyana Trinidad link excellent start

to Caribbean grid

• Many islands already using HVDC

– Philippines, Hawaiian Islands

ATrans-Caribbean Grid is a Clean

Development Mechanism

• Helps to remove barriers to renewable energy development

• Supports a sustainable renewable energy industry

• Becomes a framework

to provide mutual

support for regional

and national renewable

energy projects

Cost

• Shore to shore 450/500 km = $ 700 +/- million estimate

• Depends on: 1) global price of metals; 2) length of run;

3) need for AC DC Converters

• Feasibility study of $1-2 million

• DC/AC converters at $100 m

• Engineering, design,

environmental studies

$25 million est.

HVDC Specifics

• Depth limitations of 1,600 to 1,700 meters.

• Deepest is 5,380 feet

• A long cable goes from Eenshaven,

Netherlands to Feda, Norway

at 500 km and 700 mw

• Trinidad to Guyana is in this range

• 200 meters depth and 450 to 500 km +/-

• DC can carry 1.4 x more power than AC

with fewer line losses

Risks • Results of environmental studies

still to be determined

• Route needs to be off shore

from Venezuela

• Coordinating energy and

economic objectives of Guyana

and TT essential

• Guyana’s economic opportunities

need to be demonstrated

• Multi-country public consultation

important

• Multi-government cooperation

Other Benefits of Grid

• Ability to share capital costs of new conventional and

renewable energy projects

• Creates economies of scale

• Allows countries to adopt technologies suited to larger

market and best generation technologies

• Security of supply

• Promotes energy integration

• Employment generation

Other Benefits of Grid

• Easier shutdowns of current system (particularly

diesel) for maintenance and scheduled outages

• Provides for shared risks and benefits

• Ultimately lower net total energy cost

Would significantly lower electricity cost in Guyana

based on natural gas based electricity

When electricity comes back to Trinidad as

hydropower it will lower the unsubsidized cost of

power in Trinidad

Conclusion • Biggest economic problem for the

Caribbean is cost of energy

• Trinidad – Guyana HVDC Marine cable provides diversity of supply and sustainability benefits

• Provides demand (outlet for locked in Trinidad fossil fuel generation)

• Supports economic development in Guyana

• Carbon trading benefits

• Lower energy costs and improved GNP for connecting countries