NOU and GIZ host successful stakeholder consultation on draft National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP)

Thursday November 12th, 2020: The National Ozone Unit (NOU) in conjunction with GIZ Proklima held a very successful stakeholder consultation on the draft National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP). The virtual consultation saw over 30 participants reviewing the plan and presenting comments and suggestions for it’s enhancement and successful implementation.

The NCAP was developed from a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory that was completed for the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector in Grenada.

The virtual consultation saw participants looking at three key areas of the Plan: (1) Building performance standards, (2) Improving the energy efficiency of split air-conditioners and (3) refrigerants and new technologies. The NACP would form part of the countries mitigation actions for the RAC sector in the review of Grenada’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement

The feedback from the participants would be used to update the draft NCAP and would be validated in a second national consultation scheduled for the first week in December.

The full press release on the consultation can be found here:

ncap_press_release_final_november_2020-1Download

The NOU Grenada mourns the passing of the “father of the ozone layer”, Nobel Laureate, Mario Molina.

Mario Molina

Nobel, Mario Molina was one of the world’s leading researchers in atmospheric chemistry, coauthor, along with F.S. Rowland in 1974, of the original article predicting ozone layer thinning as a result of the emission of certain industrial gases, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) ), for which they got the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

His research and publications on the subject led to the United Nations Montreal Protocol, the first international treaty to effectively address a global environmental problem and anthropogenic origin. Molina always stressed international cooperation in this area, as an example in international climate negotiations.

Request for Proposal

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Consultant to complete the ODS Banks inventory in Grenada Consultancy
Grenada

Development of a complete ODS Banks inventory in Grenada

The scope of this service contract is determined by the Sustainable and climate-friendly Phase out of Ozone Depleting Substances (SPODS) Project, which is funded by the EU Commission and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and will be implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), supported via grants by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). All three organizations have substantial experience in providing technical assistance and expertise in the sector. Grenada’s National Ozone Unit (NOU) will work in cooperation with the implementing agencies on executing and local action with stakeholders.

The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to hire a qualified consultant (engineer, environmental management or waste management) with at least 5 years of experience in the RAC industry in Grenada or similar island context with knowledge of end-of-life ODS management initiatives on a short-term basis (30 days between November 2020 and February 2021) to develop a complete ODS Banks inventory in Grenada. This includes:

• –  Development of a comprehensive work plan for ODS Banks assessment
• –  Comprehensive inventory report on all ODS banks including legal and regulatory framework report
• –  Development of a concept for collection system
• –  Development of a technology feasibility report
• –  Concept development for the end-of-life treatment of ODS

GIZ requests eligible bidders to submit their expression of interest by sending a CV and an e-mail demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services to DO_inquiry@giz.de no later than October 9th, 2020. Please make the subject line of your e-mail communication: “EOI – ODS Banks inventory in Grenada.”

Please do not send any technical or price offer, nor other unrequested documents. Kindly note that the complete tender documents with all relevant information for the offer will only be sent to qualified consultants that expressed their interest.

GIZ will inform all companies that handed in expressions of interest about the end result of the evaluation process and whether they qualify as eligible contestants for the tendering process.

Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ann Isaac bids farewell to staff at the Energy Division

Mrs Ann Isaac who was assigned as the Permanent Secretary with responsibility forPublic Utilities and Energy just under a year ago, is now bidding farewell to the staff of the Energy Division as she prepares for her re-assignment to her substantive position as PS in the Ministry of Sports.

During a two hour meeting with the staff on Monday September 28th, 2020, PS Isaac related how much of an educational process it was for her, being intimately involved in so many energy projects. She thanked the staff for their co-operation and support and highlighted the ease at which she was able to communicate with the staff and the fact that quite a lot has been achieved, notwithstanding the limited amount of staffing and resources available.

Mrs Isaac will be replaced by Ms. Patricia Clarke as of Monday 5th October, who has served in this capacity before. The Energy Division would also return as part of the Ministry of Finance, Public Utilities, Energy, Physical Development and Economic Development

Local GIZ Office hands over laptops and Projector to Energy Division

PS Ann Isaac (left), Marion Geiss (GIZ, right)

Marion Geiss, Giz’s Deputy Head of Project in Grenada presented four (4) laptop computers and a projector to Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Public Utilities and Energy, Mrs Ann Isaac on Monday September 20th, 2020. The equipment presented was part of the equipment used for the recently concluded Grenada Reform of the Electricity Sector to support Climate Policy (GRESCP) Project, in Grenada.

Virtual Green Cooling Technology Roadshow Video Presentations

Click on the following links to view the video presentations of the six (6) companies that participated in the Virtual Green Cooling Technology Road show organised by the NOU and GIZ on September 16th, 2020, World Ozone Day.

Two Key Messages from National Ozone Officer on World Ozone Day

In addressing the Virtual Technology Green Cooling Road Show organised by the National Ozone Unit and GIZ, National Ozone Officer of Grenada, Mr. Leslie Smith outline two key take away messages: https://youtu.be/l4O2bwTFbAU

Leslie Smith, National Ozone Officer, Grenada

1. Cooling is no longer a luxury: Increased global atmospheric temperatures is one of the main reasons for comfort cooling in poorer nations of the hottest regions in the world and;
2. We must get (sustainable) cooling right: It goes way beyond air-conditioning equipment and refrigerants. It has to take into account a wholistic approach with considerations for:

(a) Policy and regulations to reduce or avoid the need for cooling in buildings and to support energy efficiency and energy performance standards

(b) Increasing the thermal efficiency of buildings through design and construction

(c) Better urban planning and expansion of green spaces in cities

(d) Incentives for behavioural changes that would promote less use of cooling and greater uptake in energy efficient cooling appliances

(e) Smart investments and technology upgrades with improved energy efficiency

(f) New financing and business models that would encourage green cooling

(g) Training and capacity development of RAC technicians

(h) A robust public awareness and education initiative to inform technology choices

Full Video of Virtual Green Cooling Technology Road Show

View the entire Virtual Green Cooling Technology Road show (unedited) at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXYlUhkJTkQ

Successful Virtual Green Cooling Technology Road Show

September 17th, 2020. St. George’s, Grenada. The National Ozone Unit in collaboration with Giz Proklima under the Sustainable Phaseout of Ozone Depleting Substances (SPODS) Project successfully hosted a Virtual Green CoolingTechnology Road show as part of the activities held to commemorate World Ozone Day on September 16th, 2020.

The Road Show which featured six of the leading refrigeration and air-conditioning companies in Grenada was streamed on the major social media platforms and Zoom with a world-wide audience of over 4000 viewers (Facebook) .

Participants received insightful presentations from each of the companies on the green cooling technologies offered to their customers and clients.

Technology choices ranged from the ultra low GWP, Zero ODP natural refrigerant (R-290) to the low GWP HFCs (R-32) air-conditioning systems.

Many of the companies also highlighted the huge energy savings realised from replacement of conventional AC units with the higher energy efficient inverter type units.

Several questions were asked from the participants (viewers) at the end of all the presentations during which time specific issues were addressed.

World Ozone Day Message from the Hon. Gregory Bowen, Minister with responsibility for the National Ozone Unit

A Message By The Hon. Gregory Bowen; Minister For Infrastrurce Development, Public Utilities, Energy,Transport and Implementation, in Observance of World Ozone Day September 16th 2020

More recognition for Women in RAC in Grenada

The National Ozone Unit, Grenada, pays special recognition to the three (3) females out of the six (6) presenters representing their Air-conditioning companies today at the Virtual Green Cooling Technology Road Show. Women continue to prove themselves in the traditionally male dominated technical sectors. #watchmework#womeninrac

Natural refrigerants seen as Key to reducing GHG Emissions in Grenada

Natural refrigerants – in particular, propane (R290) – are key to reducing Grenada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris agreement, according to a new report. Read More here:

http://hydrocarbons21.com/articles/9744/natrefs_seen_as_key_to_reducing_emissions_in_grenada

GHG Emissions Inventory Report for Grenada Published

The National Ozone Unit publishes Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Sector. The publication is a product of the Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change (C4) Project implemented by Giz Proklima and executed by the National Ozone Unit. An Official presentation of a copy of the report was presented by Ms. Marion Geiss of GIZ to National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith during the 2020 World Ozone Day Celebrations at the Grenada Trade Centre on September 16th.The publication can be found at the following link:https://gov.gd/sites/default/files/docs/Documents/reports/report-ghg-report.pdf

No Changing of the Guard at the helm of the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Technicians Association (RACTA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

On Monday March 16, 2020, the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Technicians Association (RACTA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a general meeting for all RAC technicians on the island. Among the items on the agenda was the election of officers to serve on the new executive committee.

During the election of officers, the RAC technicians demonstrated their extended confidence in Mr. Gary Peters and re-elected him to serve as President of the association for another term.

Gary Peters is a Lecturer and Course Coordinator of the Refrigeration and Air conditioning programme at the Division of Technical and Vocational Education of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Community College for the past 26 years. He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Building Services Engineering and a Diploma in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineering.

Mr. Peters is also an international consultant and is responsible for preparing the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) for St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Additionally he is a certified United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Trainer in Good Refrigeration Practices and Alternative refrigerant technologies. He has conducted several training workshops for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians, Custom Officers and Custom Brokers in the handling of Refrigerants and Alternative technologies and is one of the pioneers in the advocacy and application of natural refrigerant technologies in the Caribbean.

Due to his passion for training and capacity development of technicians in the refrigeration industry, he is determined to see the standards and practices of RAC technicians in the field raised to the highest possible levels.

Mr. Peters has been the beneficiary of attending several training courses in Grenada on alternative refrigerant technology, particularly, Natural refrigerants. The National Ozone Unit of Grenada congratulates Mr. Peters and the entire executive and wish them a very successful tenure in office.

World Refrigeration Day 2020

Friday June 26th, 2020, marks the first anniversary and the second celebration of World Refrigeration Day. The theme for this year’s celebration focuses on the cold chain and is dubbed “Cold chain 4 life”.

Whereas, the National Ozone Unit, Grenada is unable to stage any major activities to celebrate this year due to the COVID pandemic, we join the rest of the world in celebrating this very significant day in the life of refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians.

World Refrigeration Day is of particular significance in creating greater awareness of the invaluable roles that RAC technicians play in ensuring comfort cooling, refrigeration of perishable foods and products and preservation of medicine. This has been very well articulated by David of carrier in his WRD message when he stated that, “…. one third of the food produced globally is wasted, when refrigeration is the answer…”.

Today we salute all RAC technicians globally. Happy #WRD2020.