The University of Trinidad and Tobago, also known as UTT, is a state owned university in Trinidad and Tobago established in 2004. Its main campus, currently under construction, will be located at Wallerfield in Trinidad. Presently, its campuses are an amalgamation of several former technological colleges throughout the country.It is one of three universities in Trinidad and Tobago, the others being the University of the West Indies and University of the Southern Caribbean..
ABSTRACT Battery‐electric bus (BEB) dispatch reliability in hot climates is limited by day‐to‐day variability in energy demand and by uncertainty in auxiliary loads and charging access. We develop a telemetry‐anchored digital twin workflow that converts a calibrated MATLAB/Simulink longitudinal energy model into reliability‐based dispatch guidance using day‐aware splits (DayID) and day‐weighted evaluation. Using telematics from two BEBs operating in Belize (131 bus‐days; 1341 exported segments; 1187 QC‐passing segments and 674 segments used for fitting and scenario simulation), the calibrated model achieves median absolute day‐level noncharging energy errors of 11.3% (train), 12.4% (validation) and 13.5% (test), with median filtered‐power RMSE of 7.6–7.8 kW across splits. We define shortfall risk via p ‐quantile ‘safe distance’ thresholds computed from simulated range‐to‐reserve and estimate conservative envelopes using day‐bootstrap lower confidence bounds. Out‐of‐sample quantile‐transfer diagnostics show pooled p10 thresholds transfer close to nominal shortfall frequencies, whereas the long‐duty regime requires conservative treatment. Scenario sweeps over temperature, reserve SoC (0.10–0.25), HVAC efficiency and usable capacity indicate that battery‐only feasibility tightens sharply under heat stress; temperatures above the observed telemetry window (≈ 23.8°C–31.5°C) are treated as scenario‐planning stress tests (e.g., pooled reserve limit declines from 0.17 at 28°C to 0.11 at 32°C and becomes infeasible at 35°C within the tested reserve grid). Crediting observed opportunity charging (median 22–64 kWh/day depending on day type) expands feasible reserve envelopes and converts residual gaps into minutes‐scale charging requirements under typical charger powers; this ‘with‐charge’ case is an upper bound unless comparable charging access can be ensured operationally. The resulting dispatch charts and temperature‐binned reserve rulebook provide an operational interface from calibrated energy modelling to reliability‐based planning, with explicit flags where reserve policy alone is insufficient.
Road-transport decarbonisation in small island developing states hinges on import-driven fleet dynamics and the policy instruments that shape technology uptake. Using Jamaica as a case study, this paper analyses a vehicle-import microdataset and an aggregate fuel-consumption series for 2014–2023 to characterise market structure, trace early electric-vehicle (EV) adoption, and evaluate short-run disruptions and predictive performance. Lorenz–Gini analysis reveals strong concentration in import values (Gini = 0.84), consistent with a market dominated by used internal-combustion vehicles. HS-code profiling shows that EV-related imports are nascent but expanding across a small set of product codes. An interrupted time-series model with a 2020 intervention identifies a statistically significant pre-pandemic upward trend in annual vehicle imports but finds no significant level shift or post-2020 trend change. For short-horizon forecasting of annual imports, Auto-ARIMA outperforms naïve and linear-trend benchmarks (MAPE ≈ 6.5
This study investigates the formulation of a natural cosmetic product using pigment derived from annatto (Bixa orellana) seeds, which is widely utilised as a natural colourant in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. The objective was to optimise pigment extraction using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and evaluate its suitability for cosmetic formulation. Extraction was performed using supercritical carbon dioxide and ethanol as a co-solvent over a range of operating conditions to identify parameters that provided high pigment recovery. High extraction yields were obtained under several operating conditions, with favourable performance achieved at relatively low temperature, pressure, and flow rate. The annatto pigment extract was incorporated as a colouring agent into a naturally derived lipstick formulation containing beeswax and plant-derived oils. The developed formulation demonstrated satisfactory performance and appearance, confirming the suitability of annatto-derived pigment. Colour analysis indicated that processing conditions influenced extraction yield but did not significantly affect pigment colour or final product appearance. Overall, the results support the use of annatto pigment extracted via SFE as a viable and sustainable option for natural cosmetic product development.
This study evaluates the impact of Grenada’s import-duty incentives on vehicle imports, fleet composition, fuel demand, fiscal revenues, and supply-chain resilience. Analysis of available customs data from 2010–2025 reveals distinct import trends: internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles-maintained dominance, with import values peaking near XCD 70 million in 2023, shifting towards higher-value models. Hybrid vehicle imports increased sharply from negligible levels in 2020 to 175 units valued at approximately XCD 35 million by 2024, capturing 32% of the vehicle market due to reduced import duties. Despite aggressive incentives, electric vehicles (EVs) remained limited at 53 units in 2024, primarily luxury models from the UK and China, underscoring persistent affordability and infrastructure barriers.Fuel imports rebounded significantly post-pandemic, increasing from XCD 60 million in 2020 to nearly XCD 100 million by 2023, driven by continued reliance on an ageing ICE vehicle fleet averaging 9–12 years old. Vehicle parts imports also grew steadily, reaching over XCD 14 million by 2024, reflecting rising maintenance demands linked to older vehicles. Fiscal vulnerability emerged as import taxes from ICE vehicles declined dramatically from 77% to approximately 40% of declared import values between 2020 and 2024, without sufficient compensatory revenue from hybrid or EV imports.To address these challenges, this paper recommends integrated policy actions, including tiered import duties favouring affordable hybrids and EVs, stricter import-age limits, weight-based vehicle duties, accelerated ICE retirement programs, targeted affordability incentives, diversified supply chains, enhanced renewable-powered infrastructure, and strategic fiscal restructuring. Implementing these measures would support Grenada’s electric mobility targets, ensure fiscal stability, improve environmental outcomes, and enhance energy security.
