EPIC Grant Funds Renewable Energy Systems lab at UWI

WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE 2025, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Energy Engineers (TTAEE) officially launched its Renewable Energy Systems Laboratory (RESLab) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) last Saturday, marking a significant milestone in renewable energy education and community empowerment. This initiative was made possible through a TT$150,000 EPIC grant provided by the Digicel Foundation in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago.

The RESLab is part of the Renewable Energy Training Centre for Community Service Learning projects within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UWI. The laboratory features wind (5kW) and solar (2kW) energy systems, installed specifically to train students in setting up renewable installations for marginalized communities. Through this facility, students will receive hands-on training in the installation of wind and solar energy systems, guided by TTAEE supervisors. The training covers system sizing, component selection, installation procedures, and adherence to relevant standards, equipping students with practical skills and knowledge to demonstrate how these systems operate and to guide stakeholders on their usage.

This project aims to foster community knowledge transfer, addressing the current lack of awareness and skills needed to develop renewable energy solutions locally. It also seeks to bridge the skills gap necessary for implementing renewable energy projects in rural and underserved areas. Additionally, students developed a website that enables beneficiaries to calculate their energy requirements and receive tailored recommendations for the most suitable systems. In the long term, TTAEE will continue to provide training and support real installations by students in rural communities, ensuring lasting impact and advancing the adoption of renewable energy solutions across Trinidad and Tobago.

Business Development Director, Thomas Jackson emphasized that the RESLab will serve as a foundational element in developing sustainable communities nationwide. The strategic partnership between TTAEE and UWI ensures that awareness and education coupled with community outreach will have a powerful impact on rural and underserved communities.

Vaughn Mieres, Senior Asset Management Advisor at Shell Trinidad and Tobago shared “This Renewable Energy Systems Lab is more than a technical facility; it is a catalyst for change. By equipping students, farmers, and community innovators with the skills to understand, deploy, and maintain renewable energy technologies, we are investing in a generation that will help transition the Caribbean from energy vulnerability to energy resilience. It is a bold step toward empowering people not just to adapt to the future but to shape it.”

Speaking at the event, Penny Gomez, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, expressed, “Together, with our partners Shell Trinidad and Tobago, we continue to plant seeds of possibility. Today, we are witnessing those seeds take root and grow. These initiatives are part of a broader effort involving 160 EPIC projects across Trinidad and Tobago, representing a significant investment of TT$8.6 million that directly contributes to vital global development goals.”

Dr. Arvind Singh, head of Department Electrical Engineers,shared - the students involved are likely to become future implementers and policymakers driving the adoption of renewable energy technologies. This model of integrating student-led community projects into academic programs not only benefits local communities but also instills a sense of national service and responsibility in students, allowing them to witness firsthand the transformative potential of renewable energy.