The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is helping the US Virgin Islands come up with strategies to achieve an agressive goal of reducing their fossil fuel use by 60% over the next 15 years.  Like most islands, the USVI are almost completely reliant on imported oil for electricity and therefore pay astronomical rates close to 50 cents per kWh.  To meet these goals and become more energy independent, they plan to “integrate every large portion of renewable energy into our system” according to Karl Knight, director of USVI’s energy office.  This may include technologies such as solar, wind, biomass, waste-to-energy, and a large rollout of energy efficiency measures. 

The article in Renewable Energy World emphasizes the need to employ several different solutions as well as to get everyone on board.  Knight further states, “we’ve been able to secure some good partnerships that have really put some effort into helping us achieve the goal.  Through the assistance of NREL, we’ve established local working groups, both public sector and private sector and the participation of non-government organizations.” 

It will be interesting to see how the USVI’s renewable energy portfolio eases its dependence on foreign oil, and if anaerobic digestion will be one of the technologies considered to meet the targets.  Hopefully they will succeed in their efforts, and as the article states, “assist other small island nations to curb their appetites for fossil-fuel derived energy and provide a model on the cost and investment return on the latest technologies.”