Journal of Smart Science and Technology

Evaluation of a Renewable Energy System for Residential Purposes in Rural Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

Aviesha Baksh — 2025-09-30

As Trinidad and Tobago (TT) navigates the complexities of transitioning its energy mix, the interplay between global climate commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement, combined with efforts to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with the electricity sector has become increasingly crucial. This case study evaluates the role of Renewable Energy (RE) resources in reducing GHGs in the residential electricity sector of TT. Energy data was utilised to create a simulated load profile of a base model using Hybrid Optimisation Model for Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) Pro. The base model conducted comparative load analyses simulating various grid-tied and stand-alone RE systems and examined economic and environmental impacts via sensitivity analyses. The simulated 94.9% RE hybrid grid-tied system with a 3 kW wind turbine, 0.96 kW photovoltaics (PV) and 0.69 kW converter performed the best, with the potential to reduce GHGs by 50% (670.535 kg CO2 per year). Simulations incorporating grid sellback and unsubsidised grid purchase prices required larger PV capacity (12 kW) and reduced wind capacity (3 kW), resulting in net CO2 emissions of 682.536 kg CO2 per year). Simulated stand-alone systems require significantly higher RE capacities coupled with energy storage and thus are not financially viable for TT. Lastly, the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) analysis showed that wind turbines have the greatest impact on GHG savings. These findings are crucial and highlight the potential of RE to reduce GHGs, achieve TT’s NDCs and enhance energy independence, and play a vital role in informing policy.

IoT Based Smart Flood Home Detection System

Dhakshyani Ratnadurai — 2025-09-30

This project aims to develop a system that detects home floods using IoT, alerting residents to evacuate. In Malaysia, flooding is a common occurrence that causes damage to homes and often affects homeowners. There is a risk of electrical appliances or wires getting damaged, which raise the risk of electrocution. A flooded manhole causes the sewage/drain pipes to overflow with wastewater. This flows back into the homes, causing an increased danger of airborne diseases. Hence, a prototype monitoring and alerting system is designed and simulated in a home setting using Arduino UNO and ultrasonic sensors to mitigate floods in homes. This system alerts the residents audibly and visually to evacuate when flooding occurs. As a precaution, the electricity breaker is automatically switched off, and a solenoid valve placed in the drainage pipes, is closed to prevent worst-case scenarios. Information from the device is displayed in an app called FloodA. This system provides a clear visualisation of water levels through a mobile app interface. A notification is sent out when the flooding becomes severe, as an extra means of alerting the users. This reduces the flood risk faced by the residents. This research aligns with sustainable goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action).

Optimisation of a Geothermal Reservoir: A Case Study for Parryland Field

Melissa Ragoobar — 2025-09-30

The increasing global demand for energy and the pressing need for sustainable resource utilization have compelled societies to seek cleaner alternatives due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concerns. Despite having benefited substantially from its fossil fuel resources, the country of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has fallen behind other Caribbean Nations in its transition to cleaner energy. Geothermal resources can be leveraged using existing infrastructure through the transformation of abandoned oil and gas wells into geothermal wells as an innovative, low cost means of advancing sustainable energy initiatives. This study focuses on optimising this transformation, using the abandoned Parryland Field in Southwestern TT as a case study. The initial geothermal reservoir model, constructed using the Computer Modelling Group (CMG) software, underwent key sensitivity analyses involving well spacing, injection rate, and the selection of working fluids. These analyses led to the development of an optimised model with the implementation of a retrofitted geothermal system, consisting of 3 injector wells and 3 producer wells which yielded 184.8 GWh of electricity over a 30-year period. In terms of the economic viability, the optimised configuration generated a positive Net Present Value (NPV) based on a deterministic cashflow model, which also predicted a favourable investment risk profile when subjected to Monte Carlo Simulations using the Crystal Ball software application by Oracle. Furthermore, harnessing the geothermal energy for power generation resulted in a reduction of 157.1 MMlbs of CO₂ emissions when compared with electricity produced using natural gas. This reduction is projected to occur over a 30-year period, facilitated by the utilization of 5.254 billion BTUs of enthalpy.

Performance Study on Modified Asphalt Cement Using Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) as a Polymer Modifier

Shiva Ramlal — 2025-09-30

Asphalt binders play a crucial role in pavement performance by providing the necessary viscoelastic properties to withstand traffic loads and environmental stressors. This study investigates the rheological characteristics of Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) blended with penetration grade (PEN 60/70 and PEN 160/220) binders to assess suitability for road applications. Using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) test, this study evaluates efforts on varying TLA concentrations as influencing key parameters such as complex shear modulus and phase angle across different temperatures and frequencies. The results demonstrate that increasing TLA content enhances rutting resistance by increasing stiffness, but it also impacts fatigue resistance. These findings contribute to the optimisation of asphalt formulations for improved pavement performance under diverse traffic and climatic conditions.

Autonomous Streetlight Brightness and Angle Adjustment System for Enhanced Road Safety and Energy Efficiency

Esham Shukery Samsudin — 2025-09-30

An increasing number of road traffic accidents (RTAs) and the limitations of traditional streetlight systems have prompted the development of more intelligent, adaptive lighting solutions. This paper introduces an autonomous streetlight system that adaptively modifies brightness and angle coverage in response to environmental conditions and the presence of vehicles. The system incorporates a Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W microcontroller, Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) sensors, piezoelectric sensors, and MG995 servo motors to enhance energy efficiency and improve road safety. It also utilises Internet of Things (IoT) platforms such as Adafruit IO to facilitate fault detection with a status indicator, and GPS-based location tracking which enables prompt restoration, resulting in a reduction of energy consumption compared to conventional systems. Real testing has demonstrated the system’s reliability, addressing the limitations of conventional street lighting and setting the stage for smarter urban infrastructure.

Optimising Irrigation Intervals in Hydrogel-Amended Media: Effects on Growth Yield, and Physiological Responses of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Siti Sahmsiah Sahmat — 2025-09-30

This study investigates the effects of superabsorbent biodegradable hydrogel-amended planting media on Capsicum annuum L. under different irrigation intervals. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed with five irrigation treatments (T1–T5), ranging from daily to six-day intervals. Morphological traits, yield attributes, dry matter partitioning, leaf gas exchange, and cell membrane stability were evaluated. Results indicate that a one-day irrigation interval (T2) with hydrogel-amended media significantly improved plant height (126.9 cm), fruit yield (981.53 g), and dry biomass compared to longer irrigation intervals. Additionally, hydrogel integration influenced leaf gas exchange responses and contributed to maintaining cell membrane stability, as reflected in lower relative injury (RI) values under prolonged irrigation intervals. These findings provide insights into optimising irrigation scheduling and hydrogel application to sustain chilli plant performance under different irrigation regimes.

The Potential of Utilising Carbon Dioxide-Enhanced Oil Recovery Coupled with Carbon Capture and Sequestration in Trinidad and Tobago

Kendal Ramoutar — 2025-09-30

On a worldwide scale, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) produces less than 1% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the largest emissions stemming from its power generation, transportation, and industrial sectors. The EOR 26 reservoir was modelled using the Computer Modelling Group (CMG) software. Comparing the original oil in place (OOIP) from the IMEX model (1.83 MMSTB) to the actual OOIP (1.87 MMSTB) gave only a 0.04 MMSTB difference, which was close enough to match the model, injection and production data. The CMOST program in CMG was used to identify the parameters that significantly affected the model (using the Sobol Analysis). Simulations were conducted for each scenario, and a comprehensive data analysis and economic evaluation were conducted. Scenario 4 was the most favourable since it runs for 69 years (as opposed to 100 years), sequesters the most volume of CO₂ (85.6 MtCO₂), produces the most oil volume (1.4 mmbbls) and gives a positive NCF for a range of oil price sensitivities. The NPV of this project at a 15% discount rate was calculated to be 0.23 MMUSD and the payback period was less than 2 years. The economic evaluations can be improved by aligning costs and revenue closer to the T&T framework.

Ammoniacal Nitrogen Removal via Dendrocalamus Asper Biochar-Activated Carbon

Sharifah Nadzirah Wan Hamid — 2025-09-30

The porous architecture and series of surface functional groups of bamboo-derived biochar have demonstrated promising potential for flocculation and coagulation in wastewater treatment applications. Dendrocalamus asper biochar (pyrolysed at 900 °C in N₂ for 5 hours) was subjected to additional carbonisation and chemically activated with KOH (5:1 w/w) in a furnace at 500 °C for 2 hours to produce activated carbon. The objectives were to determine the optimal mass dosage for ammoniacal nitrogen removal, quantify the adsorption capacity (Qₑ, mg g^-1), and characterise surface functional groups via Fourier‑transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR spectra of treated and untreated biochar revealed O–H stretching, aromatic rings, and C=C alkenes, indicating similar functional profiles. KOH-treated biochar achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 46.08 mg g^-1 versus 44.11 mg g^-1 for untreated biochar at an optimal contact time of 143 minutes. Increasing biochar dosage marginally decreased qₑ due to competitive adsorption–desorption phenomena, yet enhanced removal efficiency. The treated biochar exhibited only marginal improvements, achieving a 2.85% increase in removal efficiency and a 1.97 mg g^-1 increase in adsorption capacity. Kinetic analysis confirmed that ammoniacal nitrogen adsorption adhered to a pseudo-second-order model (r² = 0.9933–1.000), with rate constants (k₂) ranging from 1.827 × 10⁷ to 6.5828 × 10⁶ h⁻¹ and modelled qₑ between 55.49 and 59.41 mg g^-1. The results demonstrate that both treated and untreated bamboo biochars are effective in removing ammoniacal nitrogen with negligible performance disparity. It is suggested to optimise activation parameters, including duration, temperature, and impregnation ratio. Additionally, conducting proximate or ultimate analysis, measuring the BET surface area, and performing SEM characterisation are recommended for a comprehensive evaluation.

Optimising Capsicum chinense Growth in Cocopeat Media: The Effects of Pineapple Leaf Biochar and Trichoderma Biofertiliser

Suraiya Mahdian — 2025-09-30

The escalating demand for pineapples has led to a proportional increase in pineapple leaf waste, posing environmental challenges if not effectively managed. Numerous studies have explored the conversion of pineapple leaf waste into biochar to improve soil fertility. However, research on using pineapple leaf biochar (PLB) in cocopeat remains limited. Therefore, this study examines the effect of PLB and Trichoderma biofertiliser (TBF) on the growth, yield, and nutrient content of the Capsicum chinense plant grown in cocopeat media. Seven treatment groups were established: T0= Control, T1 = Commercial organic fertiliser, T2 = 100% PLB, T3 = 100% TBF, T4 = 75% PLB + 25% TBF, T5 = 50% PLB + 50% TBF, and T6 = 25% PLB + 75% TBF. The C. chinense was planted in a polybag filled with cocopeat, placed in a rain shelter, and equipped with a fertigation system. The parameters measured included plant growth, yield, and nutrient content. Destructive sampling was done five months after treatment. The findings showed T4 emerged as an alternative to chemical fertiliser, as the results were comparable to T0 which helped boost plant growth, yield (403.69 g), biomass (156.13 g), and nutrient uptake (N: 9.33%, P: 1.68%, K: 13.20%) of C. chinense plant. Therefore, T4 is recommended as an organic amendment for cocopeat media.

Evaluation of POME Sludge as Organic Soil Amendments on the Growth Performance and Yield of Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis L.

Zubaidah Yusop — 2025-09-30

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge is a nutrient-rich organic byproduct with potential application in sustainable agriculture. However, limited information about POME sludge deserves serious attention since its application in agriculture could enhance plant growth and productivity. This study assesses the effects of raw POME sludge and alginate-encapsulated POME sludge as soil amendments on the growth and productivity of Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis L. A field experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design with three treatments: control (no amendment), POME sludge, and POME sludge encapsulated with sodium alginate. Key agronomic parameters including plant height (cm), chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf width (cm), shoot and root biomass, total yield (g), and shoot-to-root ratio were measured at biweekly intervals. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and post-hoc least significant difference (LSD) tests at p < 0.05. The results indicated no significant differences in plant height, SPAD, or leaf width among these treatments. In contrast, yield, shoot biomass, and shoot-to-root ratio were significantly improved, with the highest values observed in the alginate-encapsulated POME sludge treatment. Yield increased from 154.00 g in the control to 340.16 g in the encapsulated treatment. Correlation analysis further supported strong associations between shoot biomass, yield, and shoot‑to-root ratio. The findings demonstrate that alginate-encapsulated POME sludge is an effective organic amendment for enhancing yield and biomass accumulation in Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis L. production.