Historically and traditionally, long-term planning has not been a priority in this community, but it is extremely important for maintaining the quality of life we all desire. To plan for our future electricity needs, it is necessary to examine the energy options available to us.
We all know that being dependent on external sources of energy weakens our control We do not have vast deposits of fossil fuels or uranium. Generating electricity from fossil fuels or uranium puts the CNMI at a serious disadvantage over which we have no control. It therefore becomes obvious that we must look for and develop sources of energy over which we have control. What are our options?
The technology for producing electricity from sources over which the CNMI would have control are available to us RIGHT NOW! We have the sun. We have prevailing winds. And we have the ocean thermal energy currents.
Generating electricity for a community requires turning a large coil or a number of large coils of wire within an electromagnetic field. This was discovered by a man named Michael Faraday over 100 years ago. These devices which produce the flow of electrons, which is what electricity is, are called generators. The wind, the sun, and the ocean can provide the source of power to turn these generators.
For future reliable, affordable electricity over which we have control we must examine alternatives to nuclear or fossil fuel powered generators. It has always been my dream that the CNMI could make a quantum leap over the fossil fueled-powered manufacturing type of economy directly to a quality of life oriented society. I think we have that capability now, but we must learn how to produce plans and implement plans that will take us to that goal. Internal bickering is a waste of time and frankly it bores me.
How do we get electricity from the sun? The simplest way, but expensive, is utilizing photovoltaic panels. These panels can take direct sunlight and convert it into the flow of electrons, i.e. electricity. This electricity is then stored in deep-cell batteries as direct current. You could build a house that would run on direct current, buying appliances that do so, but that adds even more expense. Or you can use a device that converts direct current to alternating current of the type that is used in our houses now. For individuals or businesses that can afford this luxury, it provides not only community control, but individual control.. I like the idea of not depending on anyone or any agency for my electricity. P.L. 15-23 allows persons to pursue this avenue, but the government of the CNMI has been extremely slow in promulgating the regulations needed to implement this “smart meter” approach. The law is over two years old. To the best of my knowledge these regulations are still languishing in the Attorney General’s Office. Why?
How do we get electricity from the wind? If you live in a location that has relatively constant winds, it’s simply a matter of purchasing one or more wind generators. The wind turns the blades. The electrons flow into a bank of batteries and are converted to AC to run your household lights and appliances.
Both wind and sun generated electricity appeal to me because they are under my control. But that’s just my idiosyncrasy. ..For those who wish the electricity just to come to your house so you can use it and only be responsible for paying for it, wind farms and large photovoltaic installations are probably not cost-effective methods for supplying our island community and they take up too much space which we don’t have.
How about electricity from our ocean? Recently, I met and formed a friendship with a professional engineer by the name of Brian Horst. As a retired environmental science teacher, I taught about ocean thermal energy conversion as a means of generating electricity, but I must admit, I thought it was a bit too futuristic and expensive for the CNMI. Brian has changed my thinking. He explained mist lift OTEC and showed me affordable designs for generator installations to produce megawatts of power within a mile of our shores to give us island wide power for less than 15 cents per kwh. The magnificent aspect of OTEC is that there is no cost for fuel and the installation would be under our control. In addition, these plants could be designed to give us a dependable supply of fresh water. I am not an engineer, so I will not attempt to explain the installation and operation. I know Brian would be more than happy to explain the details to our planners. However, mist lift OTEC definitely needs to be included in the long range planning for locally controlled, affordable, reliable electrical power for the CNMI.
ROGER LUDWICK
Sadog Tase, Saipan
