A developmental model for sustainable rural electrification in the Philippines

Professorial Chair Lecture

United Coconut Planters Bank Professorial Chair Lecture

Place

AMDP Training Room, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology

Date

6-28-2001

Abstract

There are more than 10.000 barangays in the Philippines that have yet to receive electricity. This is close to one-fourth of the country's 42,000 barangays. The government, through the Department of Energy plans to provide electricity to 90% of these barangays by the year 2004 and 100% by the year 2008. This is a formidable task considering electrification work for an average of at least 6 barangays per day in four years. Strategies must be conceptualized to fast track the rural electrification program of the government.

Unelectrified barangays in the country are characterized by low income level, remoteness and having very minimal economic activities. As such, providing power becomes unattractive to local electric service cooperatives. This paper presents a model for providing power to far-flung communities in the country using indigenous biomass energy resources. Biomass wastes provide a low cost energy resource that could generate sustainable power to rural communities.

The model includes the production of ethanol from rootcrops, biogas from animal manure and the operation of a biomass fueled gasifier for power production. The energy mix (ethanol, biogas or producer gas) may vary depending upon the production and availability of a particular fuel. The community may use excess fuel for some other applications such as cooking and running other gas engines (motorcycle, pump boats and other devices). It could also be used as fuel for processing their products such drying of cassava chips, copra and other agricultural commodities. The Non-Conventional Energy Division of the Department of Energy has tasked the UPLB Biomass Energy Laboratory to develop and demonstrate this model for the country's rural electrification program. If successful, the model will be duplicated in many other communities in the country.

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section

Call Number

PL

Pages/Collation

15 leaves

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