energy independence

by William A. Manchester
(Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)

My name is Arthur Manchester, a graduate technologist with a keen interest in alternate energy and the environment. As a citizen of this country living in Canada I regularly follow news from home. It came to my attention that your government is formulating a national energy policy. Presented below is a list of technologies and companies that my be of interest in your pursuit for energy independence.
I am aware of Nevis's programs for geothermal and wind. Because electrical energy generated from wind is unpredictable, the technology that is being pursued at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is Golden Colorado could offer a solution of hydrogen production from water electrolysis, with the compressed gas stored in a tank. A simple conversion from an existing generator-set using natural gas should prove feasible, with no pollution, or foreign hydrocarbon feed stocks required.(www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/proj_wind_hydrogen.html)
A more predictable source of energy generation is offered by the ocean surrounding our island nation. Wave power machines permit energy producers to predict future levels of energy generation capacity days in advance, with the availability of satellite weather data. These devices can also double as navigation buoys, channel markers, and even gather oceanographic data.(www.oceanpowertechnologies.com) Another option is to utilize ocean tides or currents. This technology however is in its infancy, with the most efficient and robust design yet to be determined.(www.nspower.ca/en/home/environment/renewableenergy/tidal/projectoverview)

The use of ethanol derived from sugar cane has gained widespread acceptance in Brazil. This would be the best option for the island nation to gain energy independence due to the fact that we have experience growing and processing sugar cane. Brazil could offer technological expertise in the production of ethanol by providing an appropriately sized turnkey facility. As the government you can mandate, by law, that every drop of gasoline sold on the island should contain a certain percentage of ethanol. The government can therefore become the exclusive producer and distributor of the fuel and generate a reliable source of revenue for the nation.(http://english.unica.com.br)
It is my hope that the ideas and technologies presented prove to be helpful. It is my hope that they will be given serious consideration and thoroughly investigated as to their feasible application for our national energy strategy. Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

William A. Manchester