The news about bad energy and environment management on Saipan has already reached Germany: horrendously rising energy prices and regular power outages. I understand that burning oil to produce energy with low efficiency machinery is absolutely no solution and should be penalized. It's a waste of resources and environmentally unsustainable. But just going on with this and raising prices without offering a better alternative is unacceptable. Since energy is a basic need, high energy prices will affect the whole island for the worse. People have to pay more money for electricity and will have less money to spend on other things. But it's not the electricity bill alone that negatively affects Saipan's economy and living conditions. Manufacturers, service providers and shops also have to pay higher bills, with the effect of making products and services more expensive. Last but not least, Saipan's tourist industry will also suffer: hotels need energy, making it even more expensive for tourists and the possibility of power outages also doesn't sound like a tourist attraction. So why not go for a vacation in Guam, Hawaii, Okinawa, Korea or the Philippines?
Something has to be done, but something constructive. I have heard that there have been quite a few suggestions of some people on Saipan about investing in alternative and sustainable energy such as wind or solar power generation, using biomass, ocean currents or geothermic energy. But there also have been critical voices saying that it will be impossible for this or another reason like “typhoons will destroy the solar panels and wind generators” or “the necessary investments will be too high.” These objections are true, and engineers are aware of the dangers heavy storms may have on wind energy generators. But they are also trying to find solutions to the problem . Solar panels are still quite expensive and their usage for conserving energy is still limited (but progress in nanotechnology may bring some solutions). So it may be difficult, but not impossible. But given the vegetation on Saipan, investing in ways to make use of biomass for energy production may be worth a try . And it is not only the aspect of energy production. Through the use of newer and better technology, energy consumption can also be reduced while not forfeiting efficiency and output. Investing in new technology and progress will pay off-at least in the long run.
Saipan is a small island with relatively few inhabitants and no mass industrialization, lots of sun, wind, currents and biomass. So in my view it provides an excellent test field for trying out concepts of regenerative, environmental-friendly and sustainable energy generation. Saipan's position also makes it ideal for cooperative projects together with Japan, South Korea, China and the Philippines that may even attract investors and revive the economy.
If the energy policy remains in status quo, the energy crisis will quite certainly become worse, and there is a next to zero chance that it will get better. Something has to be done, and everything else is better than burning oil, using old and low efficiency technology, paying high electricity bills, and just sitting in the dark. Just get together and figure out constructive solutions. Get in touch with research groups, universities, the industry and other supporters. Ideas should be communicated and preserved. So how about creating a (virtual) idea-forum (maybe via the Internet)?!
Yes, Saipan needs a vision to get ahead into the 21st century (that has already arrived as some of you may hopefully have noticed!).
Dr. Miriam JS Leis
Germany
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1 http://www.mhi.co.jp/tech/pdf/e393/393E101.pdf#search=%22wind%20generator%20typhoon%22
2 http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter10.html
http://www.viridiandesign.org/notes/451-500/00470_clutching_at_straw.html
3 http://www.power-technology.com/projects/north_luzon/
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