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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| One town's bid to cut energy costs | One town's bid to cut energy costs |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Veronica Psetizki BBC Mundo, Suarez Solar power lights are more reliable and save energy and money | Veronica Psetizki BBC Mundo, Suarez Solar power lights are more reliable and save energy and money |
| This is not a typical town square in Uruguay. | This is not a typical town square in Uruguay. |
| The square, in the town of Suarez some 40km from the capital Montevideo, has gone over to solar energy and LED technology. | The square, in the town of Suarez some 40km from the capital Montevideo, has gone over to solar energy and LED technology. |
| The aim is to reduce electricity costs and at the same time light more streets. | The aim is to reduce electricity costs and at the same time light more streets. |
| If it works, the plan could serve as a model for other towns across the country. | If it works, the plan could serve as a model for other towns across the country. |
| In the current economic crisis and upward pressure on electricity prices, it should be a way of reducing energy costs. | In the current economic crisis and upward pressure on electricity prices, it should be a way of reducing energy costs. |
| Energy savings | Energy savings |
| "The energy crisis will continue to get worse and city councils and the state will have to deal with that," Leonardo D'Andrea of the local town council explained to BBC Mundo. | "The energy crisis will continue to get worse and city councils and the state will have to deal with that," Leonardo D'Andrea of the local town council explained to BBC Mundo. |
| TAKING THE PULSE OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY The BBC is Taking the Pulse of the Global Economy, looking at a range of subjects this summerFood prices - which remain a concern particularly in many developing economiesHighly volatile energy prices - which have been a major issue in the past yearThe plight of migrant workers - as the global recession takes hold in many economiesHousing markets - which have turned from boom to bust in many countriesRising unemployment levels - as firms cut back because of falling orders BBC World Food Price Index Taking the pulse explained | TAKING THE PULSE OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY The BBC is Taking the Pulse of the Global Economy, looking at a range of subjects this summerFood prices - which remain a concern particularly in many developing economiesHighly volatile energy prices - which have been a major issue in the past yearThe plight of migrant workers - as the global recession takes hold in many economiesHousing markets - which have turned from boom to bust in many countriesRising unemployment levels - as firms cut back because of falling orders BBC World Food Price Index Taking the pulse explained |
| "We decided to try out solar energy lamps in the town square and if it works, then we will apply it to all public lights in the town," he said. | "We decided to try out solar energy lamps in the town square and if it works, then we will apply it to all public lights in the town," he said. |
| "The lighting had been very unstable and a few years ago we installed sodium lights, which are more modern but use a lot of energy and are more polluting." | "The lighting had been very unstable and a few years ago we installed sodium lights, which are more modern but use a lot of energy and are more polluting." |
| "Each lamp costs $30 a month (£18) and we know that with LED lamps we would save between 70% and 90% on energy costs." | "Each lamp costs $30 a month (£18) and we know that with LED lamps we would save between 70% and 90% on energy costs." |
| Light emitting diodes (LED) are semi-conductors which give bright light but use very little energy. | Light emitting diodes (LED) are semi-conductors which give bright light but use very little energy. |
| They can be charged with solar energy as well as electricity and can give light for up to four days. | They can be charged with solar energy as well as electricity and can give light for up to four days. |
| "These lamps are very expensive if you buy them from China, Taiwan or Japan," says Juan José Marchelli, director of Uruled, the local firm which proposed the experiment. | "These lamps are very expensive if you buy them from China, Taiwan or Japan," says Juan José Marchelli, director of Uruled, the local firm which proposed the experiment. |
| Locally made | Locally made |
| This is why he decided to import the diodes but manufacture the bulbs locally. | This is why he decided to import the diodes but manufacture the bulbs locally. |
| It is hoped that new jobs will be created | It is hoped that new jobs will be created |
| "We recycled lamp posts which had fallen into disrepair." | "We recycled lamp posts which had fallen into disrepair." |
| "Instead of glass, we put in anti-vandal polycarbonate and we adapted lamps that were made in Uruguay." | "Instead of glass, we put in anti-vandal polycarbonate and we adapted lamps that were made in Uruguay." |
| "Then we introduced solar panels into the supports," he said. | "Then we introduced solar panels into the supports," he said. |
| The authorities are examining how cost-effective they are. | The authorities are examining how cost-effective they are. |
| If they prove worthwhile they will buy equipment to make the lamps in Uruguay. | If they prove worthwhile they will buy equipment to make the lamps in Uruguay. |
| "The idea is to manufacture the lights in Uruguay and replace high energy lighting with these low energy ones. At the same time we'll create jobs in the community," says Mr Marchelli. | "The idea is to manufacture the lights in Uruguay and replace high energy lighting with these low energy ones. At the same time we'll create jobs in the community," says Mr Marchelli. |
| Savings | Savings |
| Nicolas Vilaro, director-general of public works in Canelones said: "With electricity prices continuing to rise, we are trying to find alternatives, however small the scale." | Nicolas Vilaro, director-general of public works in Canelones said: "With electricity prices continuing to rise, we are trying to find alternatives, however small the scale." |
| The city council's energy bill comes $400,000 and about 70% of that is for street lighting. | The city council's energy bill comes $400,000 and about 70% of that is for street lighting. |
| "For that reason we are keen to make even the smallest of energy savings so we can free up money for other projects," says Mr Vilaro. | "For that reason we are keen to make even the smallest of energy savings so we can free up money for other projects," says Mr Vilaro. |
| "We are going to install some 20 columns with solar panels and energy accumulators to test out their efficiency," he says. | "We are going to install some 20 columns with solar panels and energy accumulators to test out their efficiency," he says. |
| "Maybe in a few years' time you won't see single posts with a bulb - they'll all have solar panels behind them." | "Maybe in a few years' time you won't see single posts with a bulb - they'll all have solar panels behind them." |