16 July 2011, Fiji

A group of local researchers and renewable energy stakeholders were given a thorough grounding in the basics of applying for funding for renewable energy projects in the region at a workshop held at USP on Thursday. The Project DIREKT-organised workshop attracted some 40 participants from the local universities, government departments, NGOs and the banking sector.

Prof. Walter Leal Filho (Head of Research and Transfer Centre, Applications of Life Science Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany) and Dr. Vlasios Voudouris (Deputy Director Centre for International Business and Sustainability London Metropolitan Business School) are seeking contributons for a a new book with the title: "Global Energy Policy and Security." The book aims to represent a multidisciplinary perspective.

The seminar “Renewable energy: Technological Approaches and Solutions for Developing Countries” took place in Hamburg on 16th June this year. It was a total success.

80 participants attended to discuss with the presenters renewable energy approaches and solutions for developing countries. Topics were covered such as the wind power project in Morocco, renewable energy for small island states using the example of the Seychelles, and biofuels for developing countries: “The Pilot Project DIREKT”.

13 April 2011, Mauritius

After three successful project meetings, the fourth project meeting took place this year in Mauritius from 12th to 16th April at the University of Mauritius. All partners were present to discuss the work packages, results of activities as well as forthcoming steps like organizing the next project meeting, the conference 2012 and further activities which have to be fulfi  lled in order to adhere to the time schedule.

Under the DIREKT project, the “UK Energy Day: Sustainable Supply” was organized by the Centre for International Business and Sustainability (CIBS) at London Metropolitan Business School and therefore took place at this university on 11th April 2011 in London.

The Fiji Electricity Authority will depend on several new renewable energy initiatives to meet the peak demand of 217 MW (amounting to an energy output of 1045 GWh per annum) by 2015. It hopesto meet 90 % of this demand by renewable energy sources. This was revealed by FEA CEO Hasmukh Patel at the Renewable Energy Talanoa held at USP on Wednesday 23 March 2011.

A  DIREKT networking event was held on 25 February 2011 at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill during the period of Campus Research Week (21-26 February 2011).  The objective of the event was to build awareness of “The Small Developing Island Renewable Energy Knowledge and Technology Transfer (DIREKT)” Project by disseminating information to persons attending the event.

21 February 2011

The Small Developing Island Renewable Energy Knowledge and Technology Transfer (DIREKT) Project was chosen for the Award of best collaborative research project at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Research Day, 2011. The Award Ceremony marked the start of a five-day research exhibition hosted at the Campus, covering the period February 21-26, 2011.

The  DIREKT team at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, collaborated earlier this year with members of the International Network on Energy and Environmental Sustainability (INEES) to facilitate an international workshop entitled “Geothermal Energy Workshop”. This was held at the university in the Department of Physics from 17th to 19th January 2011.