Hybrid systems that could work in CNMI

The Aquaculture Science and Self-Reliance project is researching ways to use hybrid systems to improve self-reliance. Most people are familiar with the Toyota hybrid car that uses a combination gas engine with an electric motor. Saipan Southern High School is using a hybrid system of solar panels and a wind turbine. These systems both have advantages over using a single system; for example the solar panel/wind turbine can produce power when there is no sunlight as well as when there is no wind.

The Aquaculture Science project managers believe the CNMI is an ideal location to consider a number of other hybrid systems that have the potential to develop self-reliance. Currently Pedro Arriola is using a modified system to provide oxygen to his fish tank while he is waiting for funding for solar panels. To save electricity he uses a pump that is too small to provide enough oxygen by itself, but by supplementing the filter return water with falling water, and by adding plants his tanks have adequate oxygen. Pedro also uses a hybrid system for his protein needs by using his home aquaculture system along with his fishing boat.

Saipan has two main resources that can be tapped for self-reliance: wind and sun. The amount of sun energy we receive can be seen in the suntans, faded street signs, and faded cars, as well as the heat that is soaked up in our cement houses. The wind is not as strong as in many other areas, but it is more consistent than landlocked places. That is because the ocean stores solar energy during the day and releases it at night. Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth. The sun warms the air, causing it to rise, producing a low pressure area. The low pressure area is then filled with cooler air—a movement called wind.

In landlocked areas the wind is strong in the morning and in the evening, but often nonexistent throughout the day. This is because when the sunlight hits the land it warms quickly and therefore air rises quickly causing the cooler air to move in at a fast rate. In the evening when the sun goes down the land cools quickly, causing the heavier air to rapidly flow to lower pressure areas.

On Saipan, the ocean absorbs the heat from the sun in the morning resulting in a gradual increase in temperature so the wind is slower, but is continuous as the water heats. In the evening after the sun goes down, heat is released from the water resulting in slower cooling and so the air cools slower and the wind is slower, but more consistent.

The following are potential hybrid uses of our sun and wind resources:

-Fishing boats that use sails and gas powered engines.

-Experiment with kite board-type sails for shipping. In particular, smaller shipping vessels for sending goods to Tinian (where it costs as much to send a container from Saipan as it does to bring that container to Saipan from the states).

-Make a rain cover using transparent material for drying clothes. The heat from the sun and air from the wind will quickly pull out most of the moisture. For complete drying, the clothes could be put in a gas dryer.

-A fixed rail transportation system with computer operated airfoils and solar panels.

-Solar ovens with LP gas assist.

Besides the power consumption benefits of using hybrid systems, the quality of life will improve as families work together and enjoy each others company as they make their different ideas and systems work. As Pedro Arriola said before his Saturday fishing trip. “This is my time to talk with my son. If we catch any fish, that is just an added benefit.”