:New Jersey, USA--Renewable Energy International, Inc. (REI), a leading integrator of renewable energy technologies, announced today that it will design and install a groundbreaking renewable solar-hydrogen fuel cell energy system in a residential environment in the Cayman Islands – only the second such system in North America. The U.S. based company holds the distinction of developing the first prototype solar-hydrogen system near Princeton, New Jersey, USA, which was dedicated in October 2006 before international press coverage. This second installation in the Caymans will demonstrate the system's significant cost and environmental benefits in an island environment.

This unique renewable energy system provides complete energy production, indefinite storage, and delivery with no emissions or carbon footprint whatsoever. Unlike most hydrogen fuel cell systems, this one is powered only by solar energy, making it the cleanest hydrogen generation system in the world. 

“The installation of this solar-hydrogen system on the Grand Cayman will be the first carbon-neutral building in the Caymans.” noted Michael Strizki, inventor of the REI solar-hydrogen system.  “We will design a solar-hydrogen system for a 3,000 sq. ft. private residence on Grand Cayman Island.  Design stage commenced on June 4th and installation will follow”, said Strizki.  “This solar-hydrogen power system will demonstrate that the reality of a completely renewable energy system is no longer in the future, it is here now.  We have the ability to replicate this system for remote homes, commercial buildings, for backup storage for essential community buildings such as hospitals…and eventually entire communities. We hope to set an example here for all island communities to follow”.

REI’s design for this installation will closely replicate the prototype system in New Jersey. It will include a photovoltaic array that will produce electricity to provide for the home’s primary electricity load, as well as enough excess electricity to run an electrolyzer which converts water into hydrogen. The hydrogen produced will be reserved in a storage tank until needed, at which point it will be converted back into electricity through means of a fuel cell. To increase energy efficiency, the system will be integrated with a geothermal system that will provide for the home’s total cooling needs, as well as its domestic hot water. Energy efficient appliances will also be installed at the home to reduce the overall electricity load. Heat, although available, will not be required due to the climate in the Cayman Islands.  

The solar-hydrogen system will be designed to meet the home’s total energy needs without reliance on any external source of energy.  However, the home will remain grid-connected at the request of the homeowner, and with the support and approval of the Caribbean Utility Company (CUC).

 This installation is expected to be significantly more cost effective and energy efficient than the first solar-hydrogen system designed by REI, primarily due to the fact that it will be installed in a sunny island environment. As the Caymans receive an average of 345 days of sunlight annually, the system will require a much smaller solar array, as well as reduced hydrogen production and storage capability, bringing down system costs significantly. The system is expected to be completed for less than US $200,000.00, representing a cost reduction of 60% over the prototype system. Mr. Jim Knapp, owner of the residence on Grand Cayman where the system will be installed, pointed out that “The environmental benefits are important, but not the only consideration. For me, this is a financial play. The numbers work right now to make this a smart move.” 

Mr. Gian-Paolo Caminiti, COO of REI, explained the further significance behind the project: “The island environment is a perfect application of this technology; it is a remote location requiring imported fuel to generate power, has abundant solar power available, and no current systems in place to harness the energy. Installing a distributed (not connected to a central generation station) system here to generate power from a sustainable, carbon-neutral source makes perfect sense. One system does it all; total energy needs are met all year long and, in the event of a hurricane or other disaster, backup power without any supply line dependency or interruption is secured. The potential applications for this throughout the region, and the world, are enormous.”

Electricity production in island environments is both carbon-intensive and extremely expensive, at roughly three times the cost of electricity in the United States. Currently, the Cayman Islands import 100% of their electricity, which is produced by fossil-fuel based generation methods, consuming over 400 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually. As all of the electricity consumed is generated off-island and imported, additional transportation costs and adverse environmental impacts are incurred, including increased carbon dioxide emissions.  

The Cayman Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, whose government is now considering sweeping legislation to mandate sharp cuts in carbon emissions. Ms. Gina Ebanks-Petrie, Director of the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment commented favorably on the project. “Given the challenges posed by climate change for our islands, the Cayman Islands Department of Environment very much supports the use of renewable sources of energy. We are extremely pleased to see private individuals taking the initiative in this area. The Cayman Islands Government has recently signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, so a national discussion needs to take place in the very near future on, among other things, the appropriate mix between renewable and traditional energy sources in meeting the country’s demand for electricity. ”