Maldives aims for carbon neutrality by 2020, pilots Silvermere International Group’s renewable infrastructure

18 March 2010

US-based clean energy technology distributor and developers of clean energy projects in South Asia, Silvermere International Group, has partnered with sustainable design firm Perkins and Will to develop sewer, water and electricity utilities infrastructure using waste-to-energy technologies on three islands in the Republic of Maldives.

In an effort to become the first carbon-neutral nation by 2020 to combat rising sea levels, the Government of Maldives has entered into a public-private-partnership with Silvermere Group Energy Division to develop next generation sewer, water and electricity utilities on three residential islands, currently using just diesel generators and no water treatment.

In cooperation with the design firm of Perkins and Will, which designed the US Green Building Council’s new headquarters among other leading green facilities, Silvermere is designing a system of sewer, water and electricity utilities using anaerobic digestion technology to produce methane biogas from waste bio-solids in sewage and municipal waste. Biogas will power new generators and additional energy capacity will be transitioned to wind power and photovoltaics. The company said US manufacturers will be encouraged to offer quotations.

The Republic of Maldives is an independent nation made up of 1200 islands in the Indian Ocean, three metres above sea level at its highest point. Due to its vulnerability to rising sea levels, the president of the island nation, President Nasheed, said the Maldives will aim to become the first carbon-neutral nation by 2020.

The Silvermere pilot project will serve as a model for potential expansion to other islands in a national effort to transition the nation’s utilities toward carbon neutrality.

Copyright © 2010 NewNet

Tags: energy efficiency

This story was published on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 12:33 pm and is filed under Asia, companies, energy efficiency. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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