Sunstar Bacolod
The Essentials
Thursday, May 12, 2011
A LARGE segment of our people still a great amount of clear and right education on renewable energy (RE) like solar, wind, hydro, biomass because despite its fast growing popularity and acceptability some sectors are still blinded by myths on renewable energy.
Let me address some of these myths.
RE materials are mostly imported. Importation yes, but not much anymore because a large part of RE technologies have local substitutes, and can be manufactured by our own engineers and technologists.
Most components of wind technology, hydropower, biomass and even solar system, can be found or produced locally at much cheaper price.
Wind mill blades can be manufactured out of our local fine steels, second grade fiber glass, high grade aluminum. Car and other available alternators can be used for small turbines for microhydro power and as wind turbines. AIDFI model of hydraulic ram pumps can all be made of local materials. All these materials can easily be bought in most local hardwares.
Solar or photovoltaic panel, which is made of high grade silicon, inert metalloid in crystalline form is a material available only in other countries and manufactured using high precision machine. But more countries are manufacturing it which makes it competitive.
Besides, recent research studies have found possible substitute for silicon because it is found to be toxic per se or unprocessed which can cause respiratory problems. The substitutes are said to be safer, clear and cheaper because materials can be produced anywhere in the world.
RE system is very expensive. First, the problem with many of us, we always want a quality and long term facility support but don’t want to invest. Second, if we have the money, we don’t to spend on quality but on cheap materials that won’t last a distance.
Any system always require an investment. The issue of expensive or not is a matter of perspective. If we take solar system as expense then it is. But if we look at it as long term investment that could help us pursue our enterprising activities then it becomes an ordinary expense.
Initial investments on RE can’t match its long term benefits.
Studies I have compiled reveal that it could cost a typical rural household P40,000 to P 50,000 to answer its power needs using solar power technology; P100,000 to 135,000 to power a typical urban-based middle class family with all its modern amenities; P 225,000 to P 250,000 to power a small enterprise; P 250,000 to P300,000 to establish a solar driven water system for the irrigation of a small to medium farm and also for drinking for twenty four hours a day.
Once set up it could it could run for 25-30 years, with little maintenance. The return on investment could begin after 2-3 years. That means, for the next 27 years, the project owner would be free of monthly electric bill and all other woes that go with it.
RE technology requires highly skilled peopled. For a start, yes. But not all the time. In fact, today, there are already dozens of farmers and community leaders trained in maintenance and repair, and little innovations, of their solar system, wind mill, hydro system and even biomass projects.
When more or our own engineers and technologies back up by the government wage more researches and local innovations, and that they transfer skills to the communities, it won’t be long that RE would become a mass undertaking and therefore cheaper and accessible to many.
Adopting RE is a matter of standpoint, perspective and discipline.
Advocating and supporting RE projects is always a standpoint for keeping or restoring our ecological balance and ensuring the needs of the generations that come after us.
Trying RE projects is always a perspective for one that care so much for our resources.
Living an RE life is always a choice for a new kind of discipline, discipline in spending wisely and conscientiously whatever is entrusted to us as stewards.
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I was told that a Korean renewable energy company is in Negros to promote solar power. We should welcome it. I was also told that the offer for a 40MW is some few billions, and would require some 70 hectares space, and can operate only 6 AM to 6 PM. That’s expensive, too much and too little a service.
Having a good technical training and exposure, and working with a development foundation that has been in this kind of project for quite sometime, I can also say something. In fact, we have partnership with the leaders in the trade.
I suggest that those who engage in talks or negotiation with the company or any other company promoting renewable energy should have a good knowledge of renewable energy, its social and technical sides. Always differentiate marketing gimmicks, technology and hard core service.
For feedbacks, email to karlombion@gmail.com
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on May 12, 2011.
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