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MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 

Justin Bishop

A technical feasibility study of the adoption of photovoltaics by a remote suburban community

Justin Bishop

A technical feasibility study of the adoption of photovoltaics by a remote suburban community

Barbados continues to nurture and maintain a non-native, unsustainable, fossil-fuel based economy, with half of all imports directed to the generation of electricity. The ever decreasing supply of this non-renewable resource will eventually leave Barbados in a desperate state. A one megawatt solar photovoltaic scheme, PV1, is proposed as a move towards Daly’s quasi-sustainability. A system performance assessment guides where the scheme is located to yield the greatest electrical grid benefits. An energy, environmental and economic investigation completes the technical case. The success of PV1 however, is dictated by its sustainability within the context of Barbados. Thus, the holistic system design concludes with a discussion of non-technical issues. This approach is taken to ensure that the final result is not just a successful display of traditional hard engineering, but an exhibition of engineering for sustainable development.
Subject: 
2005-06

Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.

 

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