Professor Anthony Chen, Member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which shared the 2007 Nobel Prize with former US Vice President, Al Gore and Professor of Applied Atmospheric Physics, UWI, Mona will lead the team of academics and industry experts in the modular Alternative Energy course. The course consists of three one week modules and runs from July 12-30, 2010. It is designed to introduce and interest various stakeholders in renewable energy as an alternate to fossil fuel and to improve the understanding of the operations and applications of various forms of renewable energy. In addition, the course will increase the competence of industry practitioners and enhance domestic and commercial applications of alternative energy.

Each module will include theory based information and practical application and discussion sessions with industry practitioners to expose participants to real life scenarios and is structured around nationally relevant alternative energy sources in Jamaica. Module One provides an introduction to alternate energy sources and the basics of solar and wind energy. In addition it also discusses Energy management and Audits. Module Two features other alternate energy forms namely: hydro-power, biomass and biofuels and nuclear energy and examines current trends and applications of these energy sources. Module Three is especially geared towards industry practitioners and provides practical application in procedures, protocol of utilizing alternate energy for medium and small scale purposes. Additionally, it covers the legal and regulatory frameworks for installation and operation of alternate energy in Jamaica.

The course is being offered by the Department of Physics at UWI, Mona in collaboration with the Scientific Research Council, Environmental Foundation of Jamaica and Alternative Power Sources. The Department of Physics also offers an undergraduate degree programme in Alternative Energy and Electronics Engineering.

For more information interested persons may telephone 927-2480 or email: physics@uwimona.edu.jm