New Solar/backup generator system

People on the lagoon side out "shelling"

The new Solar/backup generator system was recently commissioned.

The solar system along with the battery bank was installed as a secondary source of power for the School. The diesel generator was installed as a backup/supporting, generation source. The solar panels and inverters were installed in the first phase of installation. Then a couple of months later the Multicluster controls & battery bank and the backup generator were shipped to the school. Both systems came as self contained systems in cargo containers. They were assembled and tested at the supplier and then shipped to Tarawa for site installation. The complete electrical system is designed to be fully automatic with little to no operator input. The solar system was sized at 125kW to meet full load demand during School hours. On bright sunny days, weekends and holidays it produces more than is needed. The generator is sized to 200kW and can handle the full load of the School grid easily. The order of priority is the PUB, then the solar source, then battery source, then diesel generator source. All the sources of electrical energy are tied together through the Multicluster control system. Each source can be isolated from the School grid system.

On the left are the old backup generators which are no longer functioning. They have been given away to the PUB for spare parts. The PUB will try to have them removed by June.

This is the battery room and Multicluster control system. The battery inverters have a continuous power rating of 72kW and can supply 96kW for 30 minutes and 115kW for 60 seconds. If the load is below 60kW then the Multicluster system can supply the school from the batteries for 2 - 3 hrs before it tasks the generator to start based on a low battery request.

This is the backup generator. It has a 200 kW maximum continuous output. Our maximum school load is about 100 kW. It is a Cummins Diesel which burns about 50 liters of fuel an hour.

The backup generator has capability of its own automatic controls, but since it is tied to the solar power source it is controlled by the solar system controls.

This is the Multicluster master controller.

These are the cluster control boxes that control the inverters.

This is the auto switch to tie in PUB grid (Public Utilities grid) power.

In normal operation the PUB grid power passes through the Multicluster system and supplies the electrical load to the school. During the daylight hours the solar inverters are connected into the grid and help to lower the school load on the PUB grid. In the middle of the day when the sun is brightest the solar inverters can provide up to 100% of school electrical needs. In the mornings, in the evenings, and on cloudy days the solar output is low, so the PUB grid makes up for electrical load. At night the PUB provides for school needs and recharging batteries.

If there is a loss of PUB power source then the Multicluster system transfers instantly to battery backup mode and supplies power from the batteries to the school. If the load is greater than 60 kW then the Multicluster system is programmed to start the backup generator. After a 1 minute system check the generator starts and has a 1 minute warmup time. After the warmup time the generator relay closes and becomes the source of power for the system to handle load and charge the batteries. When PUB becomes available again the system monitors the PUB source for 1 minute to insure stability and then shuts off the generator and closes in the PUB source.

If there is a phase imbalance or there is a loss of one or 2 phases from the PUB then the PUB grid is disconnected and the whole system shuts down. This is a safety feature to protect the Multicluster control system. The solar system goes through a restart. This takes about 4 minutes to complete. During this time the school is without power. After the restart, the solar system starts up and restores power to the school. Once the PUB is restored the Multicluster system monitors it for 1 minute to insure stability and then switches the system back to PUB grid power.
So for the last few weeks we have been running on the new system. There have been a few issues and bugs we had to work out but the system seems to be very reliable. For me it has been enjoyable to work with the supplier and the Church Engineer in helping them commission this new system.

Interhouse competitions, Area Office visits, new CITVS program start.

 These boys found some sacrament cups and were using them as eye glasses. The things kids do never change regardless of where you are.

I have been attending the different district meetings, which are held on Wednesdays, to train the Elders on bicycle maintenance. After a recent district meeting the Elders and I went to a local restaurant called Titarbakki (pronounced Starbucks). It is one of only 2 places on the island that you can get a hamburger, when there is hamburger available.

Wall map of the Kiribati part of the mission including the outer islands. Kirtimati island assignments are not showing up. They are to the right of the picture.

One of our other duties is bicycles. This is a picture of our truck loaded with new bikes. We had a large influx of new missionaries but didn't have enough bikes to supply all of them.

We also are responsible for missionary housing. If the landlord cannot fix it then I do it for them. Things that the missionaries damage I fix. This was a door that a missionary punched. We can't just replace many of these doors because they are homemade with their own dimensions. I had to take the door off, put a new hardboard face on it, and then reinstall the handle.

Interschool sport competitions were earlier this year than last year. The kids all had a great time at the Bairiki Sports complex cheering on their teams. As I mentioned last year the teams are named after different prophets.

We had Pacific Area Office visitors come to do some training. The first week we had our TVET manager, Ameet Kumar come with Oto ? from Tonga. Oto oversees the MIT curriculum we use for our CITVS (Certificate In Technical Vocational Skills) program. They came to see how the program is going here at Moroni. They also did some training while they were here. We had a lot of questions on implementing the new program which they answered and clarified what was expected. We also had additional training on Lesson Plans.

This is Oto. He was a very knowledgeable and nice man.

Oto and I at the Relief Society birthday party.

Susan and the other Sisters dancing.

Susan cutting the cakes with the traditional plastic spoon

The feast afterwards

The next week we had the Area Coordinators for the ITEP/TVET programs, Elder & Sister Holbrook, come to visit us along with Jonathan Warwick the Area Curriculum Manager. Being from the USA the Holbrooks wanted to see the US war Memorial here on Tarawa.

They held an all day training for the teachers with several breakout workshops. Here Jonathan is using a chainsaw as a prop to teach the concept of always needing to sharpen our tools to accomplish the work needed.

We went to dinner the last night and had a nice meal and visit.

The new CITVS program exposes students to 4 different vocations and teaches them basic skills in those areas. It is a 2 year program taught in 4 semesters. At Moroni the 4 areas are Form 4 students learn Automotive and Hospitality. Form 5 students learn Horticulture and Carpentry.

Here are some form 4 automotive students

Here are some form 5 Carpentry students working on the drawings & plans module.

The new miter saw and stand.

Along with implementing this new program we are working on establishing a partnership with the Kiribati Institute of Technology, aka KIT, to provide a TVET learning stream for our students. By completing the CITVS program it provides a path for the students to pick a specialized field to go into at KIT. After they complete CITVS they can choose Carpentry or Automotive to specialize in. Then in their Form 6 year they will take an advanced class in that area of study. Then in their Form 7 year KIT will allow these students to continue on in that field of study at their school. Because Horticulture is not a program offered at KIT we are in the midst of changing it to Electrical. That would give us 3 areas students could then choose to specialize in.
The Hospitality area of study is offered at the Marine Training Center. That school is where shipping and Cruise-line skills are taught. We will be meeting with them also to establish a learning stream into their program from our CITVS program.

I am excited for these and future students here at Moroni. This program will provide those students who do not go into an academic stream of learning an opportunity to go into a vocational stream of learning that also has the potential to continue on to a 4 year degree at a university in an area such as Construction Management or Business Management.

What a typical week is like

Last year I shared what a typical day/week is like. Now that we have been here for over a year I thought it would be fun and enlightening to do it again.

Monday :
Up at 5:30am to read scriptures. 6:00 dress in shorts and t-shirt to play tennis. First go out with my toddy knife and bottles and cut my toddy (aka Karevei) and bring back my toddy for the morning. Put the toddy in a bottle and into the refrigerator. 6:15 Grab my tennis racket and head back out for a round of tennis. Play tennis till 7:15. Take a shower, dress and go to the staff meeting at 7:45. 8:30 make my rounds to my assigned home rooms to insure the students and teachers are reading, (DEAR Program). 9:00 go back to the house and have some breakfast. 9:30 stop by the Service Center and check on equipment and supply orders. Talk with Vanessa about financial needs such as petty cash reimbursements, missionary housing needs, or any other Mission needs. Answer several calls from missionaries about housing or bicycle issues they are having. 10:30 go back to the school and visit TVET classes to do observations. Teach at 10:00 Form 4 MOS class. After class return home to eat lunch and answer more calls from missionaries. Visit classes until 3:30 school out. Susan goes to the computer lab to let the young missionaries email home and the Mission President. Go to the house and grab any tools needed to go do repairs for mission housing. Return by 5:30 pm to cut my toddy and then go to Family Home Evening at one of the Senior Missionary couples home. Get back home by 7:30. Eat dinner. Read until 9:30. Bed by 10:00.

Tuesday:
Up at 5:30 am to read scriptures. 6:00 dress in shorts and t-shirt to play tennis. First go out  and cut my toddy, bring it back and put it in the refrigerator. 6:15 Grab my tennis racket and head back out for a round of tennis. Play tennis till 7:30. Take a shower, dress and go to the TVET devotional meeting at 8:00. 8:30 make my rounds to my assigned home rooms to insure the students and teachers are reading, (DEAR Program). 9:00 go back to the house and have some breakfast. Either visit TVET classes or go to the Service Center to check on pending orders for TVET program. Teach at 11:00 Form 4 MOS class. After class return home to eat lunch and answer any calls from missionaries.  Visit TVET classes until 3:30 school out. Go home for dinner. Often times we get calls from missionaries that need help with their house or bicycles. At 6:oo pm Go to the Music room and administer the SLEP test to any who show up. Finished at 9:00 pm.

Wednesday:
Up at 5:30 am to read scriptures. 6:00 dress in shorts and t-shirt to play tennis. Go out and cut my toddy, bring it back and put it in the refrigerator. 6:15 Grab my tennis racket and head back out for a round of tennis. Play tennis till 8:00. Take a shower, dress and go to the weekly student assembly at 9:00. After the assembly review TVET program files such as inventory or CITVS student files, or meet with Service Center on material orders sent and received. Lunch at 12:30. Teach at 1:30 the Form 4 MOS class. After class go to TVET review meeting with the VP. After the meeting go do any errands that need to be done, missionary apartments that need to be repaired, bicycles that need repaired, etc.

Thursday:
Up at 5:30 am to read scriptures. 6:00 dress in shorts and t-shirt to play tennis. Go out and cut my toddy, bring it back and put it in the refrigerator. 6:15 Grab my tennis racket and head back out for a round of tennis. Play tennis till 7:30. Take a shower, dress and go to the TVET devotional meeting at 8:00. 8:30 make my rounds to my assigned home rooms to insure the students and teachers are reading, (DEAR Program). 9:00 go back to the house and have some breakfast. Attend TVET and MOS classes till lunch. After lunch work with the TVET HOD on TVET material orders. Teach at 2:30 the Form 4 MOS class. 3:30 Attend ITEP inservice training class. 5:00 go home and eat dinner. From 7:00 to 9:00 pm teach the Form 7 MOS class.

Friday:
Up at 5:30 am to read scriptures. 6:00 dress in shorts and t-shirt to play tennis. Go out and cut my toddy, bring it back and put it in the refrigerator. 6:15 Grab my tennis racket and head back out for a round of tennis. Play tennis till 7:30. Take a shower, dress and go to the TVET devotional meeting at 8:00. 8:30 make my rounds to my assigned home rooms to insure the students and teachers are reading, (DEAR Program). 9:00 go back to the house and have some breakfast. Attend to any Missionary housing issues till lunch. After lunch work with the Service Center on TVET material orders. Work with the FM on any issues they may have need for help on. Meet with the other Senior Couples for dinner at 6:00. After dinner come home and watch a movie or read a book.

Saturday: Preparation Day (not)
This would normally be a day off to relax. But this mission is a busy one with few resources.
Up at 5:30 am to read scriptures. 6:00 dress in shorts and t-shirt to play tennis. Go out and cut my toddy, bring it back and put it in the refrigerator. 6:15 Grab my tennis racket and head back out for a round of tennis. Play tennis till 8:00. Take a shower. Go out and work on missionary housing issues and bicycle repairs. While out and about do a little shopping if needed. Get home by 5:00. Do Laundry and fix dinner. Prepare Sunday lessons. Read a little before bed.

Sunday:
Up at 6:30 am to read scriptures. 7:30 shower and fix breakfast. Review Sunday lessons. Sacrament meeting starts at 10:00 am. Church meetings finish at 1:00. Go home and make 2 loaves of bread while eating lunch. Go visiting around 4:00 till 6:00, Home Teaching or Visiting Teaching now called Ministering. 6:30 eat dinner. Review the events for the upcoming week. Relax and read till 9:30.

As you can see plenty of work to do along with any additional meetings called, or other requests made of our time. It is great to be actively engaged in the work. The days go by fast. I  included some random pictures to brighten up this dull blog.