Getting green energy to the island of Tablas and to the RYE School in particular is a challenge.
Up to this point, we have been focusing on solar energy. Solar energy is a well documented solution that provides green energy the world over. Getting solar energy to Tablas presents several problems. For example, solar paneling should ideally face in a southerly direction, but the proposed site for the school faces merely faces in an approximately southerly direction. We'd also lose a two-to-three hours of sunlight every day as the sun sets and rises behind some nearby mountains. Getting the necessary equipment to the island would present logistical problems.
These challenges are not impossible, but will surely present some problems.
As a result, we are also looking in the possibilities of introducing a Picoyhydro system. Picohydro involves the use of a nearby river. The water is diverted into a pen-stock before being sent into a pipe that heads directly the mountain. The water drives a generator before being directed back into the river.The island is very mountainous and provides the perfect setting for a Picohydro system with its numerous rivers.
The Picohydro system has the advantage of requiring very few technical items - most notably a custom generator. All other materials required for constructing the system can be found on is island. It also runs 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
The disadvantage with the Picohydro system is that it requires a civil works project.
We are about to conduct a survey of the land around the school to understand better the feasibility of Picohydro.
Once we understand the land better, we'll be in the position of deciding between solar and hydro power.
Watch this space!