04/27/2011 | 08:20 AM
In the wake of continued increases in prices of fuel, the government has started taking steps to wean public utility vehicles from fossil fuels, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Departments of Energy and Transportation and Communications have made the first step with tricycles.
“Yan ay priority measure, 'di maaring magpatuloy ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon na masyado tayong naliligalig sa pagkaroon ng volatility of oil price movement," he said in an interview on dzXL radio.
He noted they are starting the program with some one million public utility tricycles in the country.
The government will use a grant from the Asian Development Bank for this, he said.
“Ang unang programa natin, ang pinaka-basic transportation na ginagamit, ang tricycle. Ang objective natin alisin totally ang dependence ng tricycle sa oil at magkaroon ng electric tricycles," he said.
Coloma said that once this is completed, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will set their sights on other public utility vehicles such as jeeps and buses.
Many buses already use other forms of energy such as compressed natural gas (CNG) while some taxis and jeeps have been modified to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“As for other forms of public transport, the DOTC and DOE are firming up specific measures," he said.
Power sector slightly affected
Meanwhile, Coloma noted the energy situation was not too affected by the rising prices of oil since only nine percent of electric power is sourced from fossil fuel.
He said only nine percent of electric power is generated through fossil fuel and the 91 percent is sourced from geothermal, hydroelectric and coal.
“Di tayo masyadong apektado, 9 percent lang ang fuel-related," he said. — LBG, GMA News
Friday, April 29, 2011
Gov't mulls converting jeepneys to LPG
04/15/2011 | 02:45 PM
The rising fuel prices caused by the flaring unrest in the Middle East have put Philippine government officials on the edge because of the specter of higher costs of transport and commodities.
To cushion the effects of the price increases on ordinary Filipinos, the transport sector has begun to promote alternative fuel sources for public transportation that would make the country less dependent on fossil fuels.
According to government officials from the environment and energy departments, the Philippines has to be more aggressive in using greener transportation technologies and alternative fuels to make it less sensitive to the volatility of the crude oil market, which is reaching record high levels due to the recent instability in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Demand for oil is also expected to go up because of the recent natural catastrophes in Japan.
MOU with jeepney operators
The Department of Energy (DoE) and various jeepney operators have signed a memorandum of understanding to encourage jeepneys to switch to auto liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas (CNG) engines from diesel-run machines.
By diversifying the country's fuel sources, the country will be less reliant on imported oil and petroleum products, the DoE said.
According to the DoE, auto LPG systems turned out to be more cost-efficient, as seen in the examples of taxis. They are also cleaner than diesel or gasoline, the DoE said.
“As of March 17, 2011, pump prices for diesel hovered between P40.25/liter to P42.55/liter, and gasoline was priced between P48.50 and P50.30 per liter compared with auto-LPG which was priced only between P27.74 and P30.12 per liter," the DoE said.
CNG is priced even lower. There are currently 12,000 auto LPG converted vehicles nationwide. On the other hand, the country’s first foray toward the utilization of CNG was through the Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT) of the government.
Those who signed the March 2011 MoU with the DoE were Liga ng Transportasyon at Operator sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Makati Jeepeney Operators and Drivers Association (MJODA), Public Transport Workers Foundation (PTWF), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and United Transport Coalition (1-UTAK).
Support from Congress
Senator Edgardo J. Angara, chair of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology (COMSTE), expressed support for the eco-jeepney program, saying it complements COMSTE's promotion of alternative fuels for the transport sector.
“The Philippines is one of the most oil-dependent countries in Asia. This puts us in a vulnerable position as the country’s demand for energy can only be expected to grow as households, transport and factories multiply," Angara said.
Citing COMSTE data, Angara said the Philippines imports 94 percent of all its crude oil needs. The country's oil consumption is expected to rise by 10 percent in the next decade.
COMSTE urged the government and private sectors to look into the mainstreaming of alternative fuels such as biofuels and the development of new technology that can produce more efficient, low cost batteries and new electric vehicle design initiatives.
"The future is in clean, renewable energy, which is predicted to be one of the biggest industries by 2014. It is a vital step we must take in order to harness and develop the abundant alternative energy resources that our country possesses, to benefit both present and future generations," Angara added.
Gov't also eyeing electric tricycles
One of the alternative vehicles that the government is currently promoting is the electric tricycles. According to Juan Miguel Cuna, director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, some 30 e-trikes from the Asian Development Bank have been given to areas like Mandaluyong City last year as part of the agency's program to make the country's transport sector more efficient and cleaner.
In a statement this week, the ADB said it has completed the Phase One of the E-trikes project, where they donated some 30 e-trikes to various cities.
As part of the pilot project, ADB said it will put four charging stations in Mandaluyong City, which will be able to charge the e-trike batteries to 50% capacity in less than 30 minutes. One of the charging stations will use solar energy.
The DENR and the ADB said the e-trikes are less noisy than the diesel-run tricycles. They are also cleaner and will lower the country's carbon emissions.
80% of Manila air pollution from cars
According to the DENR and the ADB, emissions from the transport sector currently represent 30% of all pollution in the country, and approximately 80% of air pollution in Metro Manila.
A significant proportion of vehicle emissions are attributable to inefficient public transport, particularly from tricycles, jeepneys and buses, the ADB said.
“Working together, we can give Manila cleaner air, bluer skies, and a more livable environment," said Kunio Senga, Director General of ADB's Southeast Asia Department.
"The Philippines is assuming a leading role in Asia in supporting green transportation alternatives, and if e-trikes are followed by new fleets of electric buses and jeepneys, the effect could be transformative."
According to the ADB, over 3.5 million motorized tricycles are currently operating in the Philippines, producing more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide and using close to $5 billion of imported fuel each year.
Motorized tricycles - which are motorcycles with sidecars - are popularly used as low-cost public transport for short distances.
Millions of dollars in fuel savings
"Every 20,000 e-trikes that are introduced to Manila's streets will save the Philippines 100,000 liters of foreign fuel imports each day, saving the country about $35 million annually," said ADB's Principal Energy Specialist Sohail Hasnie.
"This initiative not only benefits the environment, but it also supports the Philippines' drive to become more energy independent," Hasnie added.
The ADB-supported e-trikes are powered by lithium ion batteries, which are similar to the ones used in laptop computers and mobile phones. The batteries can be recharged approximately 2,000 times, in contrast to lead acid batteries used in older e-trike models that need to be replaced every two years.
The ADB said the Philippines has the local manufacturing capacity and technical skills base to build and maintain a large e-trike fleet. Once thousands of e-trikes begin to be manufactured, many new jobs could be created, the agency said. — TJD, GMA News
The rising fuel prices caused by the flaring unrest in the Middle East have put Philippine government officials on the edge because of the specter of higher costs of transport and commodities.
To cushion the effects of the price increases on ordinary Filipinos, the transport sector has begun to promote alternative fuel sources for public transportation that would make the country less dependent on fossil fuels.
According to government officials from the environment and energy departments, the Philippines has to be more aggressive in using greener transportation technologies and alternative fuels to make it less sensitive to the volatility of the crude oil market, which is reaching record high levels due to the recent instability in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Demand for oil is also expected to go up because of the recent natural catastrophes in Japan.
MOU with jeepney operators
The Department of Energy (DoE) and various jeepney operators have signed a memorandum of understanding to encourage jeepneys to switch to auto liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas (CNG) engines from diesel-run machines.
By diversifying the country's fuel sources, the country will be less reliant on imported oil and petroleum products, the DoE said.
According to the DoE, auto LPG systems turned out to be more cost-efficient, as seen in the examples of taxis. They are also cleaner than diesel or gasoline, the DoE said.
“As of March 17, 2011, pump prices for diesel hovered between P40.25/liter to P42.55/liter, and gasoline was priced between P48.50 and P50.30 per liter compared with auto-LPG which was priced only between P27.74 and P30.12 per liter," the DoE said.
CNG is priced even lower. There are currently 12,000 auto LPG converted vehicles nationwide. On the other hand, the country’s first foray toward the utilization of CNG was through the Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT) of the government.
Those who signed the March 2011 MoU with the DoE were Liga ng Transportasyon at Operator sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Makati Jeepeney Operators and Drivers Association (MJODA), Public Transport Workers Foundation (PTWF), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and United Transport Coalition (1-UTAK).
Support from Congress
Senator Edgardo J. Angara, chair of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology (COMSTE), expressed support for the eco-jeepney program, saying it complements COMSTE's promotion of alternative fuels for the transport sector.
“The Philippines is one of the most oil-dependent countries in Asia. This puts us in a vulnerable position as the country’s demand for energy can only be expected to grow as households, transport and factories multiply," Angara said.
Citing COMSTE data, Angara said the Philippines imports 94 percent of all its crude oil needs. The country's oil consumption is expected to rise by 10 percent in the next decade.
COMSTE urged the government and private sectors to look into the mainstreaming of alternative fuels such as biofuels and the development of new technology that can produce more efficient, low cost batteries and new electric vehicle design initiatives.
"The future is in clean, renewable energy, which is predicted to be one of the biggest industries by 2014. It is a vital step we must take in order to harness and develop the abundant alternative energy resources that our country possesses, to benefit both present and future generations," Angara added.
Gov't also eyeing electric tricycles
One of the alternative vehicles that the government is currently promoting is the electric tricycles. According to Juan Miguel Cuna, director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, some 30 e-trikes from the Asian Development Bank have been given to areas like Mandaluyong City last year as part of the agency's program to make the country's transport sector more efficient and cleaner.
In a statement this week, the ADB said it has completed the Phase One of the E-trikes project, where they donated some 30 e-trikes to various cities.
As part of the pilot project, ADB said it will put four charging stations in Mandaluyong City, which will be able to charge the e-trike batteries to 50% capacity in less than 30 minutes. One of the charging stations will use solar energy.
The DENR and the ADB said the e-trikes are less noisy than the diesel-run tricycles. They are also cleaner and will lower the country's carbon emissions.
80% of Manila air pollution from cars
According to the DENR and the ADB, emissions from the transport sector currently represent 30% of all pollution in the country, and approximately 80% of air pollution in Metro Manila.
A significant proportion of vehicle emissions are attributable to inefficient public transport, particularly from tricycles, jeepneys and buses, the ADB said.
“Working together, we can give Manila cleaner air, bluer skies, and a more livable environment," said Kunio Senga, Director General of ADB's Southeast Asia Department.
"The Philippines is assuming a leading role in Asia in supporting green transportation alternatives, and if e-trikes are followed by new fleets of electric buses and jeepneys, the effect could be transformative."
According to the ADB, over 3.5 million motorized tricycles are currently operating in the Philippines, producing more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide and using close to $5 billion of imported fuel each year.
Motorized tricycles - which are motorcycles with sidecars - are popularly used as low-cost public transport for short distances.
Millions of dollars in fuel savings
"Every 20,000 e-trikes that are introduced to Manila's streets will save the Philippines 100,000 liters of foreign fuel imports each day, saving the country about $35 million annually," said ADB's Principal Energy Specialist Sohail Hasnie.
"This initiative not only benefits the environment, but it also supports the Philippines' drive to become more energy independent," Hasnie added.
The ADB-supported e-trikes are powered by lithium ion batteries, which are similar to the ones used in laptop computers and mobile phones. The batteries can be recharged approximately 2,000 times, in contrast to lead acid batteries used in older e-trike models that need to be replaced every two years.
The ADB said the Philippines has the local manufacturing capacity and technical skills base to build and maintain a large e-trike fleet. Once thousands of e-trikes begin to be manufactured, many new jobs could be created, the agency said. — TJD, GMA News
More renewable energy projects sought in Mindanao
04/19/2011 | 05:41 PM
As oil prices continue to rise, proponents of alternative energy in Mindanao reiterated on Tuesday calls to aggressively increase power capacity from renewable energy sources.
Peregrino Fernandez of the Renewable Energy Developers' Caucus expressed serious concern over skyrocketing electricity rates due to continually rising oil prices.
"The rising cost of fossil fuel must be addressed by new paradigms and framework. Unless carbon-free solution is introduced to our energy situation, we are merely applying a band-aid solution to ur dependency on fossil fuels," said Fernandez, who is also president of the Montalban Methane Power Corporation.
Meanwhile, Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. chairman Ramon Abaya underscored the need for renewable energy projects in Mindanao due to a lack of adequate local fuel reserves.
"Government must look at an aggressive RE option to address the Mindanao brownouts fast," he said.
Tetchie Capellan, president of the Philippine Solar Power Alliance, pointed out that the Department of Energy recently received several applications for solar power service contracts.
As of this week, according to Capellan, there are some 43 applications totaling 230 MW. Some of these projects are located in Mindanao and may be deployed within the year.
"They (solar projects) are viable solutions to the expected energy crunch in Mindanao this year," Capellan said.
Joe Natividad, Sunwest Water and Electric Co. president and co-convenor of the RE Caucus, likewise urged the government to spur the development of the emerging renewable energy industry by reviewing the installation targets of major projects.
The department's indicative installation target for renewable energy is 830 MW (biomass, 250 MW, solar, 100 MW, wind, 220 MW, ocean, 10 MW and hydro at 250 MW) —which is 40 percent lower than what the industry demands.
The developers, on the other hand, propose an installation target of 1.5 GW (442 MW for biomass, 420 MW for solar, 340 MW for wind, 30 MW for ocean and hydro at 250 MW). — TJD, GMA News
As oil prices continue to rise, proponents of alternative energy in Mindanao reiterated on Tuesday calls to aggressively increase power capacity from renewable energy sources.
Peregrino Fernandez of the Renewable Energy Developers' Caucus expressed serious concern over skyrocketing electricity rates due to continually rising oil prices.
"The rising cost of fossil fuel must be addressed by new paradigms and framework. Unless carbon-free solution is introduced to our energy situation, we are merely applying a band-aid solution to ur dependency on fossil fuels," said Fernandez, who is also president of the Montalban Methane Power Corporation.
Meanwhile, Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. chairman Ramon Abaya underscored the need for renewable energy projects in Mindanao due to a lack of adequate local fuel reserves.
"Government must look at an aggressive RE option to address the Mindanao brownouts fast," he said.
Tetchie Capellan, president of the Philippine Solar Power Alliance, pointed out that the Department of Energy recently received several applications for solar power service contracts.
As of this week, according to Capellan, there are some 43 applications totaling 230 MW. Some of these projects are located in Mindanao and may be deployed within the year.
"They (solar projects) are viable solutions to the expected energy crunch in Mindanao this year," Capellan said.
Joe Natividad, Sunwest Water and Electric Co. president and co-convenor of the RE Caucus, likewise urged the government to spur the development of the emerging renewable energy industry by reviewing the installation targets of major projects.
The department's indicative installation target for renewable energy is 830 MW (biomass, 250 MW, solar, 100 MW, wind, 220 MW, ocean, 10 MW and hydro at 250 MW) —which is 40 percent lower than what the industry demands.
The developers, on the other hand, propose an installation target of 1.5 GW (442 MW for biomass, 420 MW for solar, 340 MW for wind, 30 MW for ocean and hydro at 250 MW). — TJD, GMA News
PHL needs weaning on renewable energy — PCCI
04/27/2011 | 09:50 PM
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Wednesday pushed for the gradual and calibrated introduction on the use of renewable energy in the Philippines.
In a statement, PCCI president Francis Chua said the country needs “some sense of urgency" in installing base load plants to support solar, wind, and ocean power technology, which are “still in early development stages."
“The challenge is to determine how much more of renewable energy plants the country needs or should install to meet the goal of power security or self sufficiency and competitiveness," he said.
Chua also described as “wise, deliberate, and judicious" the decision of the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Board to set the installation capacity for renewable energy plants at 790 megawatts (MW).
“The 790 MW total should be sufficient enough to determine the viability of the proposed [feed-in tariff allowance] rates and to allow renewable energy investors/producers to recoup their investments while maturing their technologies and expanding their operations," Chua explained.
The Philippines already sources 3,291 MW from hydroelectric power plants, 1,953 MW from geothermal power plants, and 64 MW from renewable energy sources — which, on aggregate, comprises 34 percent of the nationwide renewable energy power mix, according the PCCI. —PE/VS< GMA News
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Wednesday pushed for the gradual and calibrated introduction on the use of renewable energy in the Philippines.
In a statement, PCCI president Francis Chua said the country needs “some sense of urgency" in installing base load plants to support solar, wind, and ocean power technology, which are “still in early development stages."
“The challenge is to determine how much more of renewable energy plants the country needs or should install to meet the goal of power security or self sufficiency and competitiveness," he said.
Chua also described as “wise, deliberate, and judicious" the decision of the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Board to set the installation capacity for renewable energy plants at 790 megawatts (MW).
“The 790 MW total should be sufficient enough to determine the viability of the proposed [feed-in tariff allowance] rates and to allow renewable energy investors/producers to recoup their investments while maturing their technologies and expanding their operations," Chua explained.
The Philippines already sources 3,291 MW from hydroelectric power plants, 1,953 MW from geothermal power plants, and 64 MW from renewable energy sources — which, on aggregate, comprises 34 percent of the nationwide renewable energy power mix, according the PCCI. —PE/VS< GMA News
Solar power group urges DOE to fast track projects
10/25/2010 | 06:01 PM
To cover the expected power shortfall next year, solar power producers want the Department of Energy to approve as fast as possible their proposed energy projects.
In a statement Monday, the Philippine Solar Power Alliance (PSPA) said its members can start operating solar farms by 2011 and supply 110 megawatts (MW) of electricity in Luzon, 35 MW in the Visayas, and 55 MW in Mindanao.
Luzon, according to the Energy Department, is expected to have a 300-MW supply shortage next year.
The Philippines has geographical advantage in solar power, PSPA president Tetchi Cruz-Capellan said, noting that investors are convinced of the Philippines’ solar energy potential.
The country is located in the world’s sun belt, she pointed out.
Capellan assured the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) that the alliance can deploy significant power capacity within six months, or immediately after service contracts are awarded to accredited solar companies.
Installers in rural areas are capable of providing construction support to utility companies and contractors planning to build solar farms, according to her.
Capellan said the Philippines has access to materials for building large solar farms because the world’s biggest solar power manufacturer, Sunpower, is based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Ramon Abaya, chairman of Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co., told NERB in a letter that “other renewable energy technologies need two years… to build their plants, but solar panels, on the other hand, only take six months to install."
He noted that any building, commercial establishments, and residential areas can install rooftop solar panels. “It also doesn’t require costly transmission upgrade or extensions. It is a perfect example of decentralized generation technology," Abaya said.
“It is the only technology offering automatic degression of rates," he said.
A mechanism adopted by developed countries to force innovation and efficiency, degression refers to energy rates that significantly drop with the onset of installed technology.
While solar energy entails high production costs at the moment, it is the only renewable energy technology that empowers homeowners and small businesses to produce electricity at daytime.
Thus, energy technology gives consumers a mechanism to directly benefit from the feed-in tariff — a premium rate paid for clean power generation — under the renewable energy law, the group said.
“No other technology has this advantage," the PSPA stressed.
Solar energy producers are confident they can help avert outages and offer consumers lower rates after two years of operation.
“All manufacturers are racing to penetrate the fast-growing markets [spawned] by the solar bandwagon. Prices are falling steeply at a faster pace because of this competition," Capellan said. — JE/VS, GMANews.TV
To cover the expected power shortfall next year, solar power producers want the Department of Energy to approve as fast as possible their proposed energy projects.
In a statement Monday, the Philippine Solar Power Alliance (PSPA) said its members can start operating solar farms by 2011 and supply 110 megawatts (MW) of electricity in Luzon, 35 MW in the Visayas, and 55 MW in Mindanao.
Luzon, according to the Energy Department, is expected to have a 300-MW supply shortage next year.
The Philippines has geographical advantage in solar power, PSPA president Tetchi Cruz-Capellan said, noting that investors are convinced of the Philippines’ solar energy potential.
The country is located in the world’s sun belt, she pointed out.
Capellan assured the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) that the alliance can deploy significant power capacity within six months, or immediately after service contracts are awarded to accredited solar companies.
Installers in rural areas are capable of providing construction support to utility companies and contractors planning to build solar farms, according to her.
Capellan said the Philippines has access to materials for building large solar farms because the world’s biggest solar power manufacturer, Sunpower, is based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Ramon Abaya, chairman of Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co., told NERB in a letter that “other renewable energy technologies need two years… to build their plants, but solar panels, on the other hand, only take six months to install."
He noted that any building, commercial establishments, and residential areas can install rooftop solar panels. “It also doesn’t require costly transmission upgrade or extensions. It is a perfect example of decentralized generation technology," Abaya said.
“It is the only technology offering automatic degression of rates," he said.
A mechanism adopted by developed countries to force innovation and efficiency, degression refers to energy rates that significantly drop with the onset of installed technology.
While solar energy entails high production costs at the moment, it is the only renewable energy technology that empowers homeowners and small businesses to produce electricity at daytime.
Thus, energy technology gives consumers a mechanism to directly benefit from the feed-in tariff — a premium rate paid for clean power generation — under the renewable energy law, the group said.
“No other technology has this advantage," the PSPA stressed.
Solar energy producers are confident they can help avert outages and offer consumers lower rates after two years of operation.
“All manufacturers are racing to penetrate the fast-growing markets [spawned] by the solar bandwagon. Prices are falling steeply at a faster pace because of this competition," Capellan said. — JE/VS, GMANews.TV
3 riders making 6,600-km tour for 'solar' Pinoy homes
04/25/2011 | 09:51 PM
Three motorcycle riders are making a 19-day, 6,600-kilometer tour from Tuguegarao to Zamboanga for a project that aims to bring solar energy to four million Filipino homes.
From April to May, two Filipinos and a Frenchman are embarking on the tour for a project called “Ride for Light 2011," an initiative of the Solar Energy Foundation (SEF), an international organization that promotes solar energy to reduce poverty.
Escorted by colleagues and local communities, the three riders — Frenchman and SEF board member Philippe Saubier, photographer Ibba Rasul Bernardo, and mechanic Antonio Villanueva — will donate portable solar home systems to community partners, allowing communities to enjoy solar energy in a sustainable manner.
The project aims to reach 40 remote communities in the Philippines, focusing particularly on indigenous groups.
Chaired by former Ayala Land president Jaime Ayala, the SEF has collaborated with telecommunications firm Globe Telecom to open the project for donations. Globe will allow users to make donations via GCash, its remittance service.
“Every hundred pesos they donate through GCash can light one night for a family living without electricity," said Rock-Li Kim of Hybrid Social Solutions (HSSi), SEF’s distribution arm in the Philippines.
The 40 communities that the three riders will visit belong to the 26.4-percent of the population that still has no access to electricity, and whose productivity usually drops with the absence of natural light in the evening.
With Luzon facing the threat of an energy shortage, another group — the Philippine Solar Power Alliance — last year pushed for its own energy projects before the Department of Energy. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204285/solar-power-group-urges-doe-to-fast-track-projects
A 2004 study by the National Statistics Office showed that over 87.6 percent of Filipinos depend on electricity for fuel, while over half rely on liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, and wood. — BC/PE/VS, GMA News
Three motorcycle riders are making a 19-day, 6,600-kilometer tour from Tuguegarao to Zamboanga for a project that aims to bring solar energy to four million Filipino homes.
From April to May, two Filipinos and a Frenchman are embarking on the tour for a project called “Ride for Light 2011," an initiative of the Solar Energy Foundation (SEF), an international organization that promotes solar energy to reduce poverty.
Escorted by colleagues and local communities, the three riders — Frenchman and SEF board member Philippe Saubier, photographer Ibba Rasul Bernardo, and mechanic Antonio Villanueva — will donate portable solar home systems to community partners, allowing communities to enjoy solar energy in a sustainable manner.
The project aims to reach 40 remote communities in the Philippines, focusing particularly on indigenous groups.
Chaired by former Ayala Land president Jaime Ayala, the SEF has collaborated with telecommunications firm Globe Telecom to open the project for donations. Globe will allow users to make donations via GCash, its remittance service.
“Every hundred pesos they donate through GCash can light one night for a family living without electricity," said Rock-Li Kim of Hybrid Social Solutions (HSSi), SEF’s distribution arm in the Philippines.
The 40 communities that the three riders will visit belong to the 26.4-percent of the population that still has no access to electricity, and whose productivity usually drops with the absence of natural light in the evening.
With Luzon facing the threat of an energy shortage, another group — the Philippine Solar Power Alliance — last year pushed for its own energy projects before the Department of Energy. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204285/solar-power-group-urges-doe-to-fast-track-projects
A 2004 study by the National Statistics Office showed that over 87.6 percent of Filipinos depend on electricity for fuel, while over half rely on liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, and wood. — BC/PE/VS, GMA News
Gov't to deploy e-buses in Makati
04/29/2011 | 06:57 PM
Following the launch of e-tricycles and e-jeepneys in the country, the Department of Energy (DOE) is now looking into rolling out e-buses.
Electric vehicles are a crucial element in the government's Alternative Fuels Roadmap, a basic policy framework that aims to diversify power sources for use in transport systems in the country.
In furtherance of this initiative, Philip Apostol —manager of Green Frog Zero Emissions Transport Corp. and son of Rep. Sergio Apostol— disclosed plans to acquire about 3,000 electric buses over the next seven years.
He said that his company plans to get an initial fleet of 38 e-buses from China this year. The 36-passenger buses are to be deployed along various routes in Makati City and will charge just P8 per passenger.
"The plan is to implement the project within 90 days after the signing of the MOA with the Makati LGU. This is a PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) with Makati," Apostol said.
Apostol expects the first shipment of ten buses to arrive within the next three months, and will be plying the Buendia route.
He added that charging stations will be set up in Makati, and the e-buses will be plugged in at night. The cost of charging each bus will run to just P60 for three hours, for a total range of 120km —the equivalent of 15 round trips on the Buendia route.
Green Frog also expects to earn income through advertising.
"About half of the revenues will come from advertising," Apostol said.
Green Frog director Servillano Batac said that the company is currently in talks with the government and potential financiers to implement a "tap-and-go" system for the e-buses.
"The idea is that you will be able to use your MRT cards to pay our electric buses, just like in other countries," Batac said.
Apostol declined to reveal the acquisition cost for the e-buses, but assured that talks are well under way for financing the first phase of the project.
"We hope to reach financial closure in a month," he said.
"If they (government) are serious about this, they should give incentives like duty-free importation of equipment," Apostol added. — TJD, GMA News
Following the launch of e-tricycles and e-jeepneys in the country, the Department of Energy (DOE) is now looking into rolling out e-buses.
Electric vehicles are a crucial element in the government's Alternative Fuels Roadmap, a basic policy framework that aims to diversify power sources for use in transport systems in the country.
In furtherance of this initiative, Philip Apostol —manager of Green Frog Zero Emissions Transport Corp. and son of Rep. Sergio Apostol— disclosed plans to acquire about 3,000 electric buses over the next seven years.
He said that his company plans to get an initial fleet of 38 e-buses from China this year. The 36-passenger buses are to be deployed along various routes in Makati City and will charge just P8 per passenger.
"The plan is to implement the project within 90 days after the signing of the MOA with the Makati LGU. This is a PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) with Makati," Apostol said.
Apostol expects the first shipment of ten buses to arrive within the next three months, and will be plying the Buendia route.
He added that charging stations will be set up in Makati, and the e-buses will be plugged in at night. The cost of charging each bus will run to just P60 for three hours, for a total range of 120km —the equivalent of 15 round trips on the Buendia route.
Green Frog also expects to earn income through advertising.
"About half of the revenues will come from advertising," Apostol said.
Green Frog director Servillano Batac said that the company is currently in talks with the government and potential financiers to implement a "tap-and-go" system for the e-buses.
"The idea is that you will be able to use your MRT cards to pay our electric buses, just like in other countries," Batac said.
Apostol declined to reveal the acquisition cost for the e-buses, but assured that talks are well under way for financing the first phase of the project.
"We hope to reach financial closure in a month," he said.
"If they (government) are serious about this, they should give incentives like duty-free importation of equipment," Apostol added. — TJD, GMA News
ADB lauded for spearheading Green Transport System
AYA YUSON, GMA News
04/28/2011 | 06:36 PM The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was lauded today for co-hosting a recent forum entitled “Energy Efficient Electric Vehicles" together with the Department of Energy (DOE).
Senator Edgardo J. Angara, chair of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology & Engineering (COMSTE), noted that the country’s EV and alternative transport sectors are both gaining momentum. He also said that the government should fast track incentives for local designers and manufacturers of these vehicles.
A highlight of the said event was the appearance of two international vehicle experts, Dr. Shannon Arvizu and Mr. Robert Hall.
Dr. Arvisu is an expert on e-vehicles, market dynamics for public adoption thereof, and digital media in the clean technology transportation field. Mr. Hall, on the other hand, is a trained automotive engineer with extensive knowledge of battery capacity/performance and optimal vehicle design. The two experts shared innovative approaches to E-vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the Philippines.
COMSTE is working with the Electric Vehicle Alliance of the Philippines (EVAP) to develop industry standards and also to do extensive R&D into making longer lasting and more efficient batteries for the vehicles.
The ADB – in line with the government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy – is also funding an e-tricycle program whose aim is to replace conventional transport with environmentally friendly options.
"Working together, we can give Manila cleaner air, bluer skies, and a more livable environment," said Kunio Senga, director general of ADB's Southeast Asia Department. "The Philippines is assuming a leading role in Asia in supporting green transportation alternatives, and if e-tricycles are followed by new fleets of electric buses and jeepneys, the effect could be transformative."
Currently Makati, Puerto Princesa, Pasig and Mandaluyong have electric vehicle programs.
This Green Transport initiative and Electric Vehicle program was conceptualized by COMSTE and the Renewable Energy Research and Development Institute (RERDI).
It will be implemented in cooperation with the DOST and the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP). The project will promote the development of new technology that can produce more efficient, low cost batteries and new electric vehicle design initiatives.
Angara said that innovative Green transport systems such as electric tricycles, hybrid jeepneys & buses will help lessen pollution caused by conventional transportation.
The COMSTE model for Green Transport includes the use of renewable energy sources such as biofuels (like algae), which will charge the batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles.
It is hoped that this will eventually create a sustainable green transportation system. — TJD, GMA News
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