Alternate Energy Sources for the Philippines

Image from www.ngdir.ir

In my recent posting about the power crises in Marinduque, I indicated that for the present a short term solution is needed and for the future generation, a long term solution has to be implemented not only in Marinduque, but the whole Philippines.

This would require energy sources that will decrease the release of carbon dioxide to the environment. Carbon Dioxide increases the warmth of our planet and is the main cause of the so called “Global Warming Effect”. One answer to global warming is to replace and retrofit current technologies with alternatives that have comparable or better performance, but do not emit carbon dioxide. This is often referred to as Alternate energy sources.

By 2050, one-third of the world's energy will need to come from solar, wind, and other renewable resources. Who says? British Petroleum and Royal Dutch Shell, two of the world's largest oil companies. Climate change, population growth, and fossil fuel depletion mean that renewables will need to play a bigger role in the future than they do today.

Alternative energy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences such for example fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be "free" energy sources. They all have lower carbon emissions, compared to conventional energy sources. These include Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy sources. Combined with the use of recycling, the use of clean alternative energies such as the home use of solar power systems will help ensure man's survival into the 21st century and beyond.

So which one of the alternative sources of energy is suited for the Philippines?

This was answered by Dr. Henry Ramos from a posting of Brain Ong blog as follows:

"The director of the National Institute of Physics, Dr. Henry Ramos discussed with the class “Alternative Sources of Energy” during his lecture on July, 2009. He presented and mapped out energy resources, the World’s and the Philippines energy consumption, and presented sources of energy we can harness.

At the end of his lecture, a questioned was posed by me on “What’s the best source of energy the Philippines to focus on?” He said that our country should continue to invest in different alternative sources of energy depending on the location and the capacity of the region. Although this was the case, he pointed out that Biomass and Geothermal and Wind are the best sources for the Philippines.

He added that solar power is not a solution as of the moment because even though with the popular notion that our country is in the tropics, thus having warmer temperatures, it doesn’t mean it’s conducive to producing solar power.

With the amount of pollution we have, and that the solar waves are diffused when it reaches the earth’s surface, it’s hard for us to harness as much solar energy that would sustain our consumption".

So for Marinduque, it would appear to me that Biomass, Geothermal and Wind Power
are the more probable sources of clean energy for the future.

References: Brianong.blogspot.com and www.altenergy.org