Renewable Energy at the Hands of Juan dela Cruz:

The Convenient Solution on the Looming Energy Crisis and the Green Answer for a

Worsening Global Climatic Change in the Philippines

A Research Paper

Presented to

the class of Mrs. Digna C. Tugade

Colegio San Jose de Alaminos (High School Department)

in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Subject

English IV

by Mark Martin C. Celino

January 4, 2010

Table of Contents
I. Renewable Energy (RE): An Introduction ………………………………………..1

A. Purpose of the Research …………………………………………...……...2

B. Significance of the Study …………………………………………..……..2

II. Climate Change and the Energy Crisis in the Philippines …………………...…...3

III. An Eye on the Renewable Energy in the Philippines ……………………...……..4

A. Main sources of renewable energy ……………………………………….4

1. The heat of the sun ………………………………………………..4

2. The heat coming from the earth’s depths …………………………6

3. Wind Power ………………………………………………………7

4. Hydro Power ……………………………………………………...8

5. Agricultural residues ……………………………………...………8

B. Clean Energy Potential ……………………………...…...……….…..….9

IV. Renewable Energy Revolutionaries in the Philippines ………………………..….9

A. Development Efforts ……………………………………………………...9

B. Scientific Efforts…………………………………………………………..9

C. Government Initiative …………………………………………………...10

1. Goals ……………………………………………………….……10

2. Roadblocks ………………………………………………………11

3. The Renewable Energy Act ……………………………………..11

 4. Progress ………………………………………………………….12

V. Constraints and Opportunities …………………………………………………...12

A. Availability and reliability ………………………………………………13

B. Environmental, social and legal considerations …………………………13

1. Land area required ………………………………………...…….13

2. Hydroelectricity …………………………………………………13

3. Wind farms .............................................................................…...14

4. Longevity issues …………………………………………………14

C. Diversification ……………………………………………………..…….14

VI. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………15

BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………….16

I. Renewable Energy (RE): An Introduction

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight,

wind, water, geothermal heat, and agricultural wastes which are naturally replenished.

Renewable energy, or the so called clean energy, refers to energy sources that can be
obtained from continuously recurring energy processes and cycles in the natural

environment. In its various forms, it derives energy directly from the sun (solar), or from

the heat generated deep within the earth (geothermal). It also includes electricity and heat

generated from flowing water (hydro power), from ocean tides, from the wind, from

waste materials (biomass), and from biofuels derived from renewable resources.

Heralded today as power alternatives, these renewable energy sources has caught

the attention of many heads-of-state, scientists, inventors, economists, and

environmentalists for seeking answers and solutions to the twin issues of a heightening

global climatic condition and of a distorting energy crisis. It has then extensively elevated

international efforts on the attempt to stop and reverse the diversity on the existing global

climate patterns.

Energy has been a necessary factor for the dawn of the civilizations. Since then,

humans have improved their way of life paving their way to the Industrial Age. Now,

humans have seemingly forgotten their responsibilities as stewards of this beautiful

garden called Earth. The civilized age has laid in their hands intolerable abandonment

towards the environment. They treated Mother Nature in a way synonymous to the word

destruction. Now they suffer the consequences.

A. Purpose of the Research

The researcher purposely wrote the research entitled “Renewable Energy

at the Hands of Juan dela Cruz: The Convenient Solution on the Looming Energy Crisis

and the Green Answer for a Worsening Global Climatic Change in the Philippines”, to go
in a quest for the realization and discovery of one’s role in the challenging essay posed by

the consequences of climate change and the widespread energy crisis. He wanted to

reveal the dangers imposed by humankind’s insensibility, irresponsibility and attitude on

the looming energy disparage - wasting energy and paralyzing the global climate.

In this research, energy was anchored as a very basic necessity that we

greatly rely on. He has tried to introduce the readers to an eye-opening discussion of the

environmental and the energy crisis in the Philippines. Finally, the researchers curtained

the development of renewable energy and turn it to become the future’s chief catalyst for

a sound energy future and a more sustainable environment.

B. Significance of the Study

The study attempts to awaken the consciousness of all, the government

and citizens alike in a global scale, regarding climate change and the energy crisis

presenting Renewable Energy as a prominent solution against these pressing economic

and environmental concerns. The researcher is very hopeful that in one way or another he

has indicated RE as a significant footprint towards an energy-efficient and greener future.

More than that is the realization of one’s stewardship to a beautiful home

God has entrusted to all.

II. Climate Change and the Energy Crisis in the Philippines

 From our appliances, equipments, and even machines from plants and factories,

gasoline and oil are definitely our basic necessities. Nevertheless, we are facing a major

crisis in petroleum supply.

The global economy was shattered at this looming energy crisis that hit the world

a few years now. No country, developing and highly-developed alike, was excluded with

the alarming phenomenon of the peaking of the world’s primary energy resource – the

oil.

It has been quite a long time since when the energy demands of the world relies

mainly on petroleum products as the common source of energy. The Philippines, for

instance, is greatly dependent on fossil fuel and natural gas imports. This made the state

vulnerable to the effects of the energy crisis as well as to the dangers of climatic change.

As one of the large importer of petroleum product in the world, Philippines is

certainly in deep trouble of declining its economy in a vast. For this reason, the

government should take its action in resolving this threatening catastrophe of our nation.

One possible solution is getting an alternative source of energy, which can minimize or

further substitute oil (Ocbina, 2008).

The peaking of this primary energy sources was a result of too much utilization of

the natural resources on our part leading them to a problem of an alarming global

warming. Our booming energy demands have led us to a more serious problem of climate

change. Taking this into consideration, there is a need for us to harness clean energy in

return.

III. An Eye on the Renewable Energy in the Philippines

 It is only very recently that the Philippines exerted efforts for a way to develop

and improve the harnessing of its renewable energy resource as a powerful alternative to

oil much as eyeing its springing renewable energy potentials as the most convenient

solution to the current energy and environmental crisis.

A. Main sources of renewable energy

Undoubtedly, the Philippines is blessed with rich renewable energy

resources. This fertile archipelagic island in the Pacific is gifted with robust wind energy

potential, ideal solar conditions, and an abundant hydro and biomass resource. Also as a

country that lies in the Pacific Rim, volcanic activities are active thus providing one

powerful clean energy source in geothermal heat. Tides and ocean waves in the coastal

areas of the country is also a strong potential to tap energy.

Indeed, the Philippines is flourishing in several renewable energy sources

that can be tapped for alternative use. Examples of these energy sources being developed

and eyed in the country are the following:

1. The heat of the sun

The sun is regarded as the main source of energy. Energy

developed from sunlight is called solar energy. Lately, solar energy is receiving intensive

research in the Philippines because of the large amount of power it potentially offers.

Being located just above the equator, the Philippines has a vast

potential for various solar energy uses. Taking PAGASA’s weather data, the country’s

average solar radiation based on sunshine duration is estimated to be 161.7 W/m 2, with a

range of 128-203 W/m2.

 Almost 4,000 systems of various solar-powered applications are

located in the country with an equivalent capacity of 567 kilowatt-peak (kWp). These

installations are mostly due to the initial efforts of the Philippine – German Solar Energy

Program (PGSEP), which started in the 1980’s. Most solar-powered systems (almost

3,500) are Solar Home Systems (SHS) that have been installed in various locations in the

country. More than 100 SHS are being utilized for relay stations of telecommunications

companies. Over 200 systems are used by communal battery charging stations, vaccine

refrigerators, for hatching chicken and duck eggs, streetlights, and even lighthouses. A

newly commissioned 28 kWp centralized solar plant provides electricity to 200

households of Pangan, an Island in Cebu Province.

Solar battery charging stations appear to most convenient for many

economically depressed localities since most rural people own a battery and have it

recharged in the nearby town. One battery supplies sufficient power for a fluorescent tube

for a couple of weeks before it needs to be recharged. Powering a small television set by

battery is an even more popular application in the rural areas.

Aside from being revolutionary, the sun is also described as a

powerful energy source, setting a major role on the flow of our renewable energy sources.

Nowadays, almost all of our energy applications are powered by the sun. As a whole,

solar energy has a fair bright future in the Philippines if not for certain economic factors.

2. The heat coming from the earth’s depths

 Geothermal energy is derived from the heat of the earth’s interior.

Its high temperature heats up water supplies from deep beneath. By drilling wells inside

this zone, released steam is used to operate turbines which generate electricity.

In the Philippines, geothermal energy accounts for almost nine

percent of the country’s energy supply. Historically, among the country's indigenous

resources, it is the largest supplier of electricity and by the following years it will

continue to be a significant source of energy for the country. Based on 2002 data,

geothermal generation accounted for 26% of the total electric energy consumed for the

whole year. Our active geothermal plants are situated in Makilikng-Banahaw in Laguna;

Tiwi, Albay; and Tangonan, Leyte. While construction of other prospective sites for

potential geothermal energy are being initiated.

According to the Philippine Department of Energy that apart from

providing a substantial amount of electricity, geothermal resources, at the same time, help

the country save huge amounts of foreign exchange through the displacement of a large

fraction of imported fuels.

To sum up, the fact that geothermal energy does require the burn

of fuel, it is environmentally clean while it also reduces our fossil fuel demands. With the

presence of geothermal energy, the burden of the energy crisis and the headaches of

climate change are reduced. In fact, a country like the Philippines situated in the Pacific

Rim and belted in an enormous archipelago of volcanic activities, geothermal energy

potential is in high hopes.

3. Wind Power
 Wind power is the harnessing of wind for energy needs. Presently,

as the cost of electricity increases, wind is being tapped for energy substitute. In terms of

this, the Philippines is not left behind. As a matter of fact, the Philippines has made

breakthroughs on tapping the country’s abundant wind energy – the first to name in

South-east Asia.

Being situated on the fringes of the Asia Pacific monsoonal belt,

the country exhibits a good potential for wind energy. The Philippine Atmospheric,

Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) data showed that the

national average mean wind power density is about 31 watts per square meter. The data

indicated that Regions I, III, V, VI, and CAR have good potentials for wind energy

application, with Region I topping the list. Known to all, the famous 25-megawatt (MW)

Bangui windmills located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte mark a new era in power generation of

the 21st century. This leading project caught the attention for renewable energy

development in the country.

Still, there are three other places in the Philippines where wind is

consistently blowing throughout the year. These are Basco, Batanes; Cuyo, Palawan; and

Iloilo City, Iloilo which have a mean annual northeast prevailing wind (Ragotero, 2003).

Blessed with strong winds all-year round, the Philippines’ using

wind energy will be able to save billions of dollars it uses to import oil.

4. Hydro Power
 The country is abundant in water resources that can be utilized for

hydroelectric power plants and have resulted in the trend of putting up mini- and even

micro-hydro power plants (with a capacity less than 100 kW).

Due to its archipelagic nature, the country’s ocean resource has a

total area of 1 000 square kilometers. Based from a study, the potential capacity for this

resource is theoretically estimated to be about 170 000 MW. However, there are no

efforts to harness this potential resource yet.

5. Agricultural residues

Biomass Energy are burnable fuels which are made from organic

matter. Being an agricultural country, the Philippines has a potentially high supply of

biomass resources generated by extensive agriculture, livestock, and forestry industries.

Biomass can be obtained from wood wastes, bagasse (sugarcane residues), coconut and

rice residues, animal wastes, and municipal solid wastes. The geographical consideration

on biomass supply reveals that there is an abundant supply of bagasse in Regions III, IV,

VI, and VII. Coconut residues abound in Regions IV, VIII, IX, and XI. Ricehull is

abundant in Regions II, III, IV, and VI.

Biomass technologies range from the use of bagasse as fuel for

thermal plant boilers; rice and coconut husk dryers for crop drying; biomass gasifiers for

mechanical and electrical applications; fuelwood and agriwastes for oven, kiln, furnace,

and cookstoves, for cooking or heating purposes.

 While not all applications of biomass energy involve conversion to

electricity, energy derived from biomass technologies can help reduce the demand for

electric energy. Biogas can even help protect the environment. If a system similar to the

biogas is developed for our solid waste and even contribute to environmental protection.

B. Clean Energy Potential

Philippine’s renewable energy potential is promising. At present, only

10,000 MW of the country’s total Re potential are being tapped. RE potential of the

Philippines mounts to a total of 200,000 MW, which could power the country for many

years to come that even the future generations could highly enjoy.

IV. Renewable Energy Revolutionaries in the Philippines

A. Development Efforts

Recent energy demand forecasts here in the Philippines have revealed a

rising trend on the energy demands in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao over the years. The

unending need for energy supply and the preparation for future demands require a

continuous search and development of the energy resources the country has.

B. Scientific Efforts

Filipino scientists and inventors alike have recently been posting

significant efforts to improve the renewable energy industry in the Philippines. Scientific

studies and researches on clean energy potential and availability posted an increasing

hope in the harnessing of the natural resources as an alternative source of energy in the

country. Breakthroughs like this have lessened the burden faced by the country as
climatic change worsens with the current oil crisis that hit the global economy in general.

With these scientific efforts, the country continues to breathe on a sound growth and

development of its renewable energy future.

C. Government Initiative

The government has been taking up measures to the development of

renewable energy in the Philippines.

1. Goals

As an aggressive move to promote RE development and use, the

DOE has identified long-term goals, namely, to:

a) Increase RE-based capacity by 100 percent by 2013; and

b) Increase non-power contribution of RE to the energy mix

by 10 million barrels of fuel oil equivalent (MMBFOE) in the next ten years.

In support of these general goals, the government aims to:

(1) Be the world’s leading geothermal energy producer

(2) Be the leading wind energy producer in SE Asia

(3) Double hydro power capacity by 2013

(4) Expand contribution of biomass, solar and ocean

These goals serve as concrete benchmarks to advance its vision of

a sustainable energy system with RE taking a prominent role in the process.

 2. Roadblocks

To achieve development, however, the following major constraints

need to be addressed:

a) Insufficient fiscal and financial incentives;

b) Socio-environmental concerns;

c) Absence of commercially viable market for RE systems;

d) Lastly, relatively high cost of technology.

To address these barriers, the government is formulating programs

and projects to stimulate greater private-led investments in the sector, promote RE

technologies as competitive energy options and maximize the use of RE potentials.

3. The Renewable Energy Act

What has made RE a growing sector in the Philippines?

Rather slowly but consistently over the years, the Philippine

government has adopted several legislations to put in place a conducive environment that

attracts and promotes RE, including Executive Order 232/462 – the Ocean, Solar and

Wind Law; Presidential Decree 1441, an Act to Promote the Exploration and

Development of Geothermal Resources; Republic Act No. 7156 on Mini-Hydro;

Republic Act No. 9337 – the Reformed VAT Law and Executive Order 226 or the Board

of Investments Incentive Act.

 One major landmark law that was recently signed is the Renewable

Energy Act, which lays down specific policies and measures to accelerate the

development and utilization of RE.

As was the case with many countries that saw renewable energy as

a mainstream energy, the Philippines through the Renewable Energy Act, hopes to speed

up market development for RE. 

4. Progress

It has been remarkable years for renewable energy. Renewable

energy marked historic milestone last year, reaching US$71 billion investments in new

capacity. In terms of electricity generation capacity, a total of 240 gigawatts of electricity

were produced from renewable energy in 2007.

As renewable energy enjoys worldwide growth, the Philippines RE

sector has also progressed. Aims to achieve energy sufficiency through renewable energy

by 2010 have marked the growing independency of the country to costly oil imports.

Many projects have found their way in most of our RE sources such as biomass, solar,

hydro, wind and geothermal.

V. Constraints and Opportunities

Discussed as a potential energy and environmental solution, many of us still not

know the disadvantages brought by RE. Critics suggest that some renewable energy
applications may create pollution, be dangerous, take up large amounts of land, or be

incapable of generating a large net amount of energy.

A. Availability and reliability

There is no shortage of solar-derived energy on Earth. Indeed the storages

and flows of energy on the planet are very large relative to human needs.

B. Environmental, social and legal considerations

While most renewable energy sources do not produce pollution directly,

the materials, industrial processes, and construction equipment used to create them may

generate waste and pollution. Some renewable energy systems actually create

environmental problems.

1. Land area required

Another environmental issue, particularly with biomass and biofuels, is the large amount

of land required to harvest energy, which otherwise could be used for other purposes or

left as undeveloped land. However, it should be pointed out that these fuels may reduce

the need for harvesting non-renewable energy sources. However, extremely

high biodiversity and endemism of land are the only environmental drawbacks.

2. Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectric power provides far less expensive electricity than

generated from fossil fuels However, there are several major disadvantages of

hydroelectric systems. These include: dislocation of people living where the reservoirs
are planned, release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide at construction and flooding

of the reservoir, disruption of aquatic ecosystems and birdlife, adverse impacts on the

river environment, potential risks of sabotage and terrorism, and in rare cases catastrophic

failure of the dam wall.

3. Wind farms

A wind farm has one of the lowest environmental impacts of all energy sources. Studies

show that the birds are the ones severely impacted by fossil fuel energy which include

birds dying from exposure to oil spills, habitat loss from acid rain and mountaintop

removal coal mining, and mercury poisoning.

4. Longevity issues

Though a source of renewable energy may last for billions of

years, renewable energy infrastructure will not last forever, and must be removed and

replaced at some point. Events like the changing weather patterns could potentially alter

the function of RE power plants, lowering amount of generated electricity.

C. Diversification

Improving energy efficiency represents the most immediate and often the most cost-

effective way to reduce oil dependence, improve energy security, and reduce the health

and environmental impact of the energy system. By reducing the total energy

requirements of the economy, improved energy efficiency could make increased reliance

on renewable energy sources more practical and affordable.

VI. Conclusion

The threatening energy and environmental crisis posted renewable energy as a

greater hope of a more energy-sufficient and eco-friendly Earth.

With all the viewed arguments and explanations, the researcher agreed to look at

renewable energy as the time’s most convenient energy as well as an environmental

solution. We are all wrong for concluding that it is too late. Today is all we have to make

the act. Truly, this endangered era calls for a revolutionary step to embrace ecological

spirituality with development through the harnessing of RE as a rising energy source.

Aside from that, this research has also viewed the positive and negative impacts

of renewable energy. This revelation enabled the researcher look at a closer range what

renewable energy can make and dismake. This highlighted that the only true solution to

our energy and climatic change problems is CONSERVATION. While RE could be

convenient, conservation is still the most suitable answer.

Overall, renewable energy has set the stage for a greener and better world. Now it

is up to the hands of Mother Earth’s stewards.

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