Cayman Institute

This type of technology is very viable for small island developing states in areas of the world that receive lots of sunshine. Spain is a leader in solar power, as could be the Cayman Islands.

Wind turbines are an option that must be explored for small island developing states.

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs should replace all incandescent bulbs under 100 watts. They will in the long term save you money, although there is a front end cost incurred in purchasing them. Realize that you have to compare the cost of five years worth of incandescent bulbs to one compact fluorescent bulb. We will be posting a Excel spreadsheet shortly giving a calculation of the savings possible.

Electric vehicles are perfect for the Cayman Islands, they have all the features of any compact car with none of the negatives. Plug them in at night to charge and drive to work in silence in the morning bypassing the gas station!

2003 Honda FCX Highlights

    * The 2003 Honda FCX is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that produces electricity onboard the vehicle. A fuel cell combines hydrogen (stored in a tank) with oxygen in the air to make electricity (and water as a byproduct.) Electricity powers the electric motor, which in turn propels the vehicle.

    * Honda's FCX was certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in July 2002 making it the first fuel cell car in history to be certified for commercial use.

    * Unique Honda technology in the FCX includes the Honda designed Ultra Capacitor that stores energy generated by the fuel cell (and energy from regenerative braking) for quick bursts of power during acceleration.

    * The FCX uses technology from a variety of existing Honda products. The EV Plus electric vehicle (produced from 1997 to1999) provides the platform for the FCX and like the EV Plus, the FCX uses an electric motor for propulsion. Honda's existing research in electric vehicles (EV Plus), compressed natural gas vehicles (Civic GX) and Hybrid vehicles (Insight and Civic Hybrid) provide valuable real world experience in performance and safety issues related to gaseous fuel storage and high voltage safety in a vehicle.

    * The FCX provides good driving characteristics. The 201-lb.-ft. of torque produced by the FCX's electric motor is comparable to the torque produced by a V-6 engine. Overall performance is comparable to a Honda Civic.

The Stirling engine was invented in 1847, and was ahead of its time to say the least. No one knew what to do with it for a very long time, it worked, it produced energy from heat, but was a Victorian curiosity  until the United States Navy modernized it for use on submarines. Today Stirling Energy Systems are using this engine at the focal point of a solar reflector to provide motive power