Waste-to-energy plan for Metro Manila

Published September 1, 2017, 10:00 PM By Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/01/waste-to-energy-plan-for-metro-manila/

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is keen on tapping waste-to-energy technologies in the metropolis, which produces 10,000 tons of garbage daily.

With the help of technical experts, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said they would be exploring technologies available on how to turn garbage into energy to free up space on landfills.

 “There are so many technologies today that process and convert solid waste to renewable energy. Some are being used by progressive countries,” said Lim.

Waste-to-energy is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from the combustion of organic materials.

With the appropriate technology, Lim said they hope to lessen Metro Manila’s large volume of waste being dumped on landfills.

“This is one of our thrusts: To consult with other agencies concerned to explore on this matter to improve waste management and prolong the lifespan of the sanitary landfills,” said Lim.

Energy info drive launched

Published September 1, 2017, 10:00 PM By Kier Edison C. Belleza

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/01/energy-info-drive-launched/

Cebu City – To keep the public informed about fast-evolving developments in the country’s energy sector, the Department of Energy (DOE) in the Visayas will hold a conference for consumers and stakeholders in the city this month.

“E-Power Mo! (EPM),” a campaign spearheaded by the DOE along with the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the Philippine Information Agency, will be launched on September 7 at the Marco Polo Hotel.

It will be only the second time the campaign will be launched outside of Manila. EPM was started early last month at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

In earlier interviews, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said there was a “need to send across the message of the energy sector to the entire energy chain, from the industry players down to the general public.”

DOE-Visayas Senior Science Research Specialist Lourdes Arciaga echoed Cusi’s statement and said the information drive brings people closer and recognizes their role in the energy chain.

“We’re trying our best to laymanize, to reach out to the public and the common people for them to appreciate the importance of energy and the what services can the government can offer [in terms of energy],” Arciaga said.

The EPM will be geared not only toward proper energy utilization and energy resiliency, but also on how to undertake safety and savings measures through energy efficiency.

The campaign launch will be attended by at least 700 representatives from the oil industry, gasoline station owners, electric cooperatives and commercial utilities.

Expected to grace the event are Cusi, Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola, Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella and Energy Regulatory Commission Director Debora Layugan.

Energy department releases ‘green energy’ draft rules for industry comment

September 1, 2017

http://bworldonline.com/energy-department-releases-green-energy-draft-rules-industry-comment/

THE Department of Energy (DoE) has released the final draft of the rules governing the “green energy option” program, a mechanism that enumerates the renewable energy choices for end-users to choose from to fuel their power requirements.

It has given the industry until Monday, Sept. 4, to submit its comments and recommendations, otherwise concurrence with the draft rules is assumed.

The renewable energy options listed by the DoE are biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, ocean energy and hydropower that conform with the internationally accepted norms and standards on dams, and “other emerging renewable energy technologies.”

The purpose of the program is to empower electricity users to choose renewable energy in meeting their requirements.

Aside from enumerating the energy resources, the program will also identify generating facilities using the renewable energy technologies that consumers, distribution utilities and electric cooperatives, and electricity suppliers can source their requirements.

It will also cover the registration by the distribution utility and electric cooperative customers of their option to source power from and the billing for monthly energy consumption and generation charge attributable to the renewable energy resources.

The scope includes the technical feasibility and stability of the transmission and distribution grid systems, and other rules “necessary, incidental or convenient to achieve the objective” of the program.

The draft rules also enumerated the prohibited acts, administrative and penal sanctions against mandated electric power industry participants that have violated provisions of the green energy option program.

The DoE said it may impose a penalty ranging from reprimand to revocation of license with corresponding fine ranging from a minimum of P100,000 to P500,000, depending on the gravity of the offense.

It also said “any person who willfully aids or abets the commission of a crime prohibited herein or who causes the commission of any such act by another shall be liable in the same manner as the principal.” — Victor V. Saulon