Islands In The Sun (and Sea and Wind)
An Alternative Approach to Energy
EnergyBahamas (the clean technology subsidiary of NetworkBahamas), as a green consultancy, alternative energy/clean technology integrator and financing resource, is uniquely suited to complement the ongoing efforts to forge a comprehensive energy policy for the Bahamas and Caribbean. We have proven our ability to work with key industry and government leaders within the region to articulate a sage and cost-effective alternative energy policy for the country, develop feasibility studies, draft and process RFPs, conduct due diligence and support the Bahamas in reaching an economically sound decision concerning its energy needs.
We continue to serve as an effective liaison between the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Bahamas Water & Sewerage, area alternative energy and clean technology providers and the various government and media services needed in Nassau as a result of the long-term political, business and social network of NetworkBahamas already active in the country. EnergyBahamas actively involves local and central government and utility concerns (i.e., Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Bahamas Water & Sewerage) to develop active public/private sector initiatives for the development of such programs in the region, (i.e. the discussed wind farm on the mainland of Eleuthera), so that the government-managed public utilities are not bearing the sole costs for developing alternative energy sources to support the various projects.
The electric utility's major goal is to serve the community and support the economy of the country by providing electric power at the lowest cost and the highest reliability as possible with a fair return to shareholders, taking into account environmental rules and regulations. Such utilities are currently operating with capital intensive assets pursuing a reliable and most cost effective power generation and delivery. Implementation of new technologies, which also need to be proven technologies, have to be embedded in technical economical feasible long term strategies, once those technologies have been identified as important to meet goals towards less dependency on fossil fuels and less burdening on the environment. We recognize that electric utilities are key energy players within the Bahamas market as they manage a significant portion of the region's overall needs, but we have also witnessed the development of effective alternative energy and clean technology resources in less-developed areas of the Bahamas. While electric utilities are integral to the management and oversight of fields of power supply, fuel issues, etc., demand has far surpassed supply these past several years, lending urgency to an immediate solution.
There is a wide diversity in the characteristics of the various islands in the Bahamas. These differences relate to the size of each individual island as measured in the area size, peak load, energy consumption, etc. as well as in the economic characteristics such as GDP per capita and economic growth. Furthermore, there are geographical differences which result in differences in power system configuration. In fact, there are both differences and similarities between the different Bahamian islands and their power systems that will have impact on the design and development of a suitable Energy Policy. The general energy issues will be similar whilst at the same time, there will be a need to consider differences and consequential variations in preferred policy as result.
The team.
Gerald J. Stuart, Jr. -- As an active member and eventual chairman of the board of directors for the Bahamas Telecommunications Company from June 2002 through June 2007, Gerald Stuart oversaw the implementation and engineering of BTC’s Digital Cellular Network, which involved the implementation and upgrade 7-digit to 10-digit dialing and complementary SS7 domestic upgrade. In the early to mid-1990s, Mr. Stuart worked with the engineering and deployment of the Bahamas II submarine cable system, and was directly responsible for the implementation of CCS7 class service for the Batelco network, i.e. caller ID, ISDN and overall digital network upgrade. Mr. Stuart has worked with Batelco since 1992, having studied electrical engineering technology at Chelmer’s in Essex, England; Florida International University; and being certified as a licensed project manager. Mr. Stuart’s continuing education has included several telecommunications seminars and conferences in Japan, England, North America, South America, Canada and the Caribbean. Mr. Stuart is also a successful serial entrepreneur with several commercial businesses on Eleuthera, Bahamas.
Kimberly King-Burns -- Kimberly King-Burns is a director of EnergyBahamas, EnergyCaribe and partner at NetworkBahamas, and heads up the digital media, telecommunications and alternative/green, clean technology energy practices at convergenz/solutions, which combines strategic communications and financial consulting for clients and projects around the world, including Kamehameha Environmental (Herhof® technologies), ROTEC Design, Atmospheric Water Resources, Apollo Energy, Sorensen WindJets, WePower, Verdant Tidal Energy, Philips Electronics and AgriPower. She recently served as president of Greenbridge Capital's green technology consulting groups in Los Angeles; co-chairs the Keiretsu Forum's angel investment alternative energy and clean technology task force; and serves as the executive director of The Briland Modem Fund, a community development foundation serving the Out Islands of the Bahamas. King-Burns was raised on Harbour Island, Bahamas, and has since launched several Bahamian and Caribbean community portals online. In addition to the top-rated Briland Modem, King-Burns developed CaribeNetwork.com and Wired Island Network, IT and digital media business development, information and education B2B resources for the Bahamas and Caribbean. She co-chairs the resources and recycling committee for the Caribbean ICT Virtual Community (CIVIC), a network of community technology centres throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean. King-Burns was educated at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English literature.
Oral LaFleur – Oral LaFleur has been active in the renewable energy and clean technology field for the past twenty years. LaFleur has been focused on active and passive solar and energy efficient building design, and has actively worked throughout the USA, African and The Bahamas. LaFleur served as the alternative energy project director at Texas Southern University in Houston for many years and trained students in design and building of solar energy systems. He also managed alternative energy research projects for the school and businesses, including NASA and the Houston Lighting and Power Company. LaFleur was one of the founders of the Houston Renewal Energy Group (HREG) and held top posts in the organization including the position of president. While working at the Bahamas Ministry of Housing in 2004, LaFleur coordinated urban renewal housing rehabilitation and repair, and was responsible in establishing guidelines and procedures for inspectors and site managers during subdivision construction. He continues to consult with and develop solar and wind energy system performance and electronic systems analysis training programs for business and educational resources in the Bahamas, including the College of the Bahamas. LaFleur earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Automated Manufacturing, Texas Southern University in 1998 and Master of Science (M.S.), Industrial Technology, Texas Southern University in 2000, and was awarded the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)’s PV Research Associate Program Award (1995-1998). He is a Certified International Project Manager (CIPM).
Judson J. Wilmott is a professional Construction Engineering Expert with hands on engineering design, construction administration and oversight, and project management as well as practical onsite construction oversight work experience in both Horizontal and Vertical Construction. His specific work experience entail the design and construction of bridges, as well as integrated construction and engineering participation in the design, planning, and construction of residential homes, commercial buildings, hospitality resort complexes, roads, wastewater plants, water and wastewater distribution systems, marine cofferdams and dolphins, as well as construction remediation/repair/rehabilitation works related to environmental construction projects. During the last 11 years of his work and educational experiences, he has had full responsibility for the development and execution of Construction Engineering and Management Tasks as well as oversight and responsibility of Project Management for construction projects in disciplines of building (multi-storey, commercial, high end residential, industrial), heavy highway, marine, environmental construction, Oilfield Gas and Oil Production in collaboration with and on behalf of Construction Engineering and Environmental Firms in the Bahamas, Caribbean, USA and the Philippines with as Halliburton Energy Services, Veolia Water North America, Consultec Engineering and Construction Management (Florida), EDSA Architecture and Planning, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), West Central Environmental Consultants (Minnesota), Globetec Construction, Skanska Construction, Shore Ports & Harbours, MIYA Water (Arison Group of Companies) & Maynilad Water Services (Manila), and Island Global Yachting, as well as local Bahamian Construction and Engineering Firms and the Bahamas Government. Wilmott earned his M.Sc in civil engineering at Iowa State University.
Trevor Basden – Trevor Basden is the Senior Deputy Director of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, and has been employed with the Department of Meteorology for the past 33 years. He is an active member of the Bahamas Hurricane Forecasting Team and regularly lectures on Hurricanes and Disaster Preparedness to schools, civic groups, and disaster preparedness officials. He is the primary meteorologist attached to the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Basden holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Hons.) in Meteorology (with Mathematics and Physics as subsidiary subjects) and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Meteorology, both from Reading University, Reading, England, U.K. Basden is a licensed Three-Phase Electrical Contractor and has participated in many major electrical installations in Nassau and Paradise Island, and over the past 20 years has prepared many Electricians for the Single-Phase and Three-Phase Electrical Contractors Licensing Examination through lectures given at the Electrical Institute. Basden is an experienced Computer Programmer and Computer Networking specialist.
Tal C. Finney provides a rare blend of legal, government, and energy industry experience. As a member of the Board of Directors of Iceland America Energy, Inc. (IAE), and one of Dongell Lawrence Finney LLP’s (DLF) founding named partners, Finney has served as a member of the Governing Board of the California Independent System Operator during the challenging days of California’s energy crisis, as the Governor’s Director of Policy and Director of Planning and Research, as a member of the California Public Utilities Commission, and as Director of the California Office of Administrative Law, Mr. Finney’s experience at the highest levels of public, energy, and legal policy provide an experienced and steady opinion that has been seasoned in crisis management. Finney has provided a number of services in the energy arena, having successfully negotiated, drafted, and executed power purchase agreements with utilities for renewable energy projects; assisted in the acquisition of local, state, and federal public funding for renewable energy projects; challenged and successfully represented its clients in regulatory and enforcement actions by FERC, state public utility agencies, and federal, state, and local environmental agencies; formed and administered new energy companies; negotiated, drafted, and executed leases for renewable energy projects; negotiated permits for renewable energy companies; negotiated, drafted, and executed legal documents associated with investment in and financing of renewable energy projects; and negotiated, drafted, executed and litigated a host of energy transactions including electricity and natural gas sales. Mr. Finney has successfully negotiated with state legislative bodies and executive offices to pass helpful energy-oriented policy and legislation, and served as a Special Counsel during his five year tenure in the California Governor’s Office, regularly conferring with the Governor’s legal affairs team on a wide variety of issues and matters. His relationships in the energy industry, the Federal Electricity Regulatory Commission, the California Independent System Operator, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Legislature and Administration, California local governments, the legislative and executive offices of other states in the U.S. and internationally, and the environmental community, and state and local labor unions further bolster his advocacy skills for IAE and DLF.
Elkanah J. Burns, Esq. is a partner and general counsel of convergenz/solutions, with experience in civil litigation, oil and gas, waste-to-energy project management, contract and entertainment law. Burns enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1960 and graduated with a B.S. in engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1966: upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1968 and served in Viet Nam in 1969 flying A-4 Skyhawks. Upon his return to the U.S., Burns flew AV-8A Harriers until he left the service as a Captain in 1973. He received his Juris doctorate from The Antioch School of Law in 1976 and founded the law firm of Canan, Burns & O'Toole in Washington, D.C. where he served as the managing partner of the nine-attorney firm until 1983.
In 1986 Burns relocated to Los Angeles, California and opened the Law Offices of Elkanah J. Burns. He has been active in theater, film, television and digital media since arriving in Los Angeles, and served as the chairman of the board of directors of The Alliance Repertory Company in Burbank, California for five years. Since joining convergenz/solutions in 1996, he has overseen the accounts of Herhof, Greenberg+Traurig CleanTech Forum, EnergyBahamas, Comdex, NetWorld+Interop, Seybold Seminars, Frank Wilson & Associates, Ziff-Davis Events, and the Global Association of Independent Television. He has been an active member of the Venice Interactive Community (VIC), Internet Professional Network (IPN), the Association of Internet Professionals (AIP), and the Media District Intellectual Property Bar Association.
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