Dr. Legena Henry, a Trinidadian scientist, has pioneered the world’s first automobile powered by renewable pure gasoline (RNG), which is created from a novel mix of sargassum seaweed, rum distillery wastewater, and Blackbelly sheep manure. This modern method not solely offers renewable power but in addition addresses seaside air pollution and waste administration challenges.
Educated on the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how (MIT), Dr. Henry embodies the college’s motto, “Mens et Manus”—“Thoughts and Hand”—by making use of scientific information to real-world points. In an interview with Trinidad Categorical Enterprise, she emphasised her dedication to utilizing science for the betterment of humanity.
The automobile was unveiled on September 17 on the Guinea Plantation in St. John, Barbados, and now serves because the flagship venture of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREE). Its branding, “Runs on sargassum,” highlights the potential to rework transportation within the Caribbean.
Barbados Vitality Minister Lisa Cummins recommended this development, noting its skill to reshape the area’s transportation panorama. Dr. Henry defined that the expertise for meting out this renewable gas will likely be just like that of compressed pure gasoline (CNG), guaranteeing it’s accessible and user-friendly. This innovation marks a major step towards sustainable power options within the Caribbean.
Dr. Legena Henry emphasised that the staff has been collaborating with Trinidadians to put in compressed pure gasoline (CNG) kits in automobiles, leveraging their in depth technical experience. The initiative started with the Sargassum Biofuel Analysis Group in the summertime of 2019 on the College of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, which included members McKenzie, Karyl Pivott, Kristen Lynch, Aria Goodridge, and Joshua Austin.
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Whereas the venture originated in Barbados, Dr. Henry careworn its broader significance, as sargassum is a world problem affecting areas equivalent to West Africa, Mexico, South America, and Florida. She famous that this initiative will assist Barbados in its formidable aim of changing into fossil-fuel-free by 2030.
Spearheaded by Rum and Sargassum Integrated and Supernova Lab of Future Barbados, the venture has already attracted over $1 million in investments. Dr. Henry described it as a major alternative for the transport sector, on condition that Barbados has round 150,000 registered gasoline automobiles that can want different gas sources by 2030. Whereas some homeowners might go for electrical automobiles, many will possible require a extra accessible resolution. Retrofitting present automobiles to run on renewable gasoline gives a sensible and promising enterprise mannequin.
She estimated that the venture may assist get rid of roughly 103,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions yearly in Barbados. “I consider in UWI for fixing questions and making the area a greater place,” Dr. Henry acknowledged, underscoring her dedication to leveraging schooling for regional enchancment.
