Usability of Renewable Energy During Disasters plus the State of Philippine Green Energy

The advantage of renewable energy when disaster strikes cannot be denied.

Renewable Energy

Microfinance Goes Green: Energy Inclusion to Help Alleviate Poverty
Sebastian Groh started the session saying, “Financial inclusion causes energy inclusion and energy inclusion causes financial inclusion. This is a bi-directional relationship and combine both financial and energy inclusion initiatives have synergy potentials.” Read more at 100 Million Ideas

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Lately, renewable energy in the Philippines started to become popular because most people are starting to understand the benefits offered by solar and wind energy. The media is continuously building awareness about these renewable energy sources not only television and print media, but also on the Internet. If you try to browse through the Internet, you will find articles and reports about the benefits of solar and wind energy and why it is a better alternative compared to traditional energy sources. Read more at Renewable Energy Journal

Renewable energy sources key to address energy lack
THE Philippines and other Asean members should continue and expand cooperation on off-grid and decentralized renewable energy systems in a bid to accelerate the elimination of energy poverty. Read more at Sun Star

Manila conference on green, sustainable buildings
MANILA, Philippines—In the wake of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit the Visayas recently, an understanding of green, sustainable building practices for better disaster preparedness is now recommended in rebuilding local infrastructure. Read more at Inquirer

Renewable energy
While presiding over the monthly meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in Stockholm, Sweden, in December, 1986, Shiek Ahmed Zaki Yamani, oil minister of Saudi Arabia, then the cartel’s president, told the stunned oil-consuming world: “Oil is not forever. You have just seen the end of cheap oil.” Read more at Yahoo

Yolanda/Haiyan Aftermath

Super Typhoon Haiyan: Donations of Solar Lamps to Help Light Up Devastated Areas
As relief efforts ramp up in the wake of the devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan that ravaged the central islands of the Philippines, aid workers struggle with the the blocked roads, downed power and communications. In the coastal city of Tacloban, Leyte, where no building appears to have escaped damage from the typhoon, Filipino officials enforce curfew as they attempt to restore order on the city, which has had no electricity since Friday. Read more at Weather.com

Solar Thermal Systems Survives Philippines Typhoon
2013-11-21 23:41:21 - Solar thermal system used by the island resort Amanpulo withstood one of the largest typhoons in history. Despite the extreme weather conditions, the roof mounted solar collectors are fully functional and currently operating. Read more at PR-Inside

Yolanda-hit Leyte geothermal plant key to restoring power in Visayas
In the aftermath of super Typhoon Yolanda, the power situation in Central Philippines remains bleak unless a major geothermal power plant in Leyte, which provides nearly half of the power requirements in the region, is up and running, according to Energy officials. Read more at Yahoo

SOLAR FOR PHILIPPINES: HELP BRING LIGHT AND POWER TO TYPHOON YOLANDA (HAIYAN) SURVIVORS
Philippines – After almost two weeks, the devastation left by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is still very visible. Survivors on the hardly hit areas in the country are still dependent on relief operations for food and water. Millions still live without electricity. Without power relief efforts are limited within daylight and becomes more challenging with limited communications. Read more at Got Ecotech

ATENEO SOLAR WATER PURIFIER
THE Ateneo Innovation Center has put together a contraption consisting of a solar panel whose main purpose is to produce clean water from river or rain water. Read more at Malaya

Natural Gas

PH weighs options on future of SC 55
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine government is weighing its options on Service Contract 55 (SC 55) oil exploration area off Palawan after the operator, BHP Billiton Petroleum (Philippines) Corp., decided to withdraw, leaving its venture partner in limbo. Read more at Inquirer

Geothermal

EDC withdraws from PSALM contract as IPP administrator
Energy Development Corp.’s Unified Leyte Geothermal Energy Inc. will not accept the award by PSALM to make it an independent power producer administrator, due to the destruction caused by the super typhoon Yolanda in the Eastern and Western Visayas in the Philippines. Read more at Think Geo Energy

Images Sources: Inquirer and WWF

Negros Island as Organic Capital, Post 'Yolanda' Agri-News and More

Negros today celebrates organic festival plus positive news on agriculture 2 weeks after typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan created massive damages on farmers and fishermen in Visayas.

Agri-Activities and Information

Negros Island celebrates organic farmers fest
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 20 (PIA6) - - Negros Island, being positioned as the Organic Bowl of the Philippines, is set to celebrate its 8th Organic Farmers Festival on November 21-24 at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol grounds and the North Capitol Road in Bacolod City. Read more at Philippine Information Agency

Coffee growing has great potential, a local entrepreneur says
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato,  Nov  20 (PIA) --   “I tell  you there is a very  big  potential  in   coffee  production, especially  Arabica  coffee,”   said  Pastor Fred  Fredeluces,  chief  executive officer of the GreenTropics  Coffee Enterprise  in nearby  General Santos  City. Read more at the Philippine Information Agency

Aquaculture update from the Philippines
The Philippines is an island (7,100 of them) country in East Asia below Hong Kong. We have approximately 65 million people, and because of the geographical nature of our land, fishing or some form of aquaculture has been in practice for a long time. Outside of the catches from the open seas, inland aquaculture (inland ponds) consisted mostly of raising milkfish and shrimps/prawns, mainly for local consumption. As for open sea farming, during the late seventies, we were probably the biggest exporters in Asia for tuna. Read more at Thailand News

Filipino Agrochemical firm partners with Sumitomo Chemical of Japan
Filipino Agrochemical firm Leads Agricultural Products Corp. (LAPC) has partnered with Sumitomo Chemical Co. (SCC) of Japan for the distribution of a weed control that has a P1 billion-P1.5 billion market in the rice sector. Read more at Yahoo

Philippines: Cotabato-based NGO exports organic bananas to Japan
The Don Bosco Foundation for Sustainable Development  Inc. in North Cotabato has recently expanded its presence in the global food market with organic banana. On October 11, the Don Bosco Foundation formally launched its export of “Balangon”  banana variety to Japan and opened the Balangon Processing Center at its base in Barangay Batasan in Makilala town. Read more at Fresh Plaza

Agri-Tourism

The rise of agri-tourism in the Philippines
The Philippines is now exploring another fast growing segment – agri-tourism – and has recently joined the ranks of the world’s top eight agri-tourism destinations. Read more at Teatro Naturale

Agri-Awards

Pinoy farming entrepreneur hailed at UN-backed forum
Warsaw—A Filipino project that aims to teach young farmers new farming methods and technologies to increase their yield and income was chosen as one of the successful entrepreneur stories at the Global Landscapes Forum in Warsaw. Read more at GMA

DA honors outstanding farmers, fisherfolk
Manila, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday cited 14 individuals and nine groups for their outstanding achievements in the field of farming and fishery in simple rites held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Read more at Yahoo

Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda Aftermath

Filipino Farmers, Fishermen Receive Aid Post-typhoon
PHILIPPINES - Following the impact of the typhoon Haiyan, the Philippine Department of Agriculture has set up interventions intended to stabilise markets, provide seeds for early recovery of crops and support the municipal fishery sector of the Eastern Visayas Region. Read more at The Poultry Site

Thailand donates 5,000 tons rice to Philippines
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand has donated 5,000 tonnes of rice from government stocks to the typhoon-hit Philippines and is considering selling more rice to Manila, the government spokesman said on Tuesday. Read more at Yahoo

A case for recovery and rebuilding the Philippines
There is a Toby Keith song with the lyrics, "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." With each catastrophic disaster, I am reminded of this song. I was an emergency responder following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and continue to work towards the Gulf's recovery. It is predicted that the books will not be closed on that storm until 2026. Read more at CNN

Fridge ahoy! Philippine fishermen paddle fast to preserve their jobs
Fishing families in a Philippine village have been going to sea in boats made out of fridges picked up from among the rubble after Typhoon hit 12 days ago. Read more at MSN

Opportunities in Philippine fisheries opened by typhoon haiyan/yolanda
Typhoon haiyan (aka yolanda) hit land on November 8 2013, affecting 41 provinces along CARAGA, Davao, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Bicol, MIMAROPA and CALABARZON. Most of these areas particularly the fishing communities, were badly damaged. Read more at Jimelyflores's Weblog

Philippines Acts to Help Farmers and Fishermen after Typhoon
PHILIPPINES - Following the impact of the typhoon Haiyan, the Philippine Department of Agriculture has set up interventions intended to stabilise markets, provide seeds for early recovery of crops and support the municipal fishery sector of the Eastern Visayas Region. Read more at The Fish Site

Image Sources: Negros-occ.gov.ph, Rappler.com

The Bayanihan Spirit Lives On

Inspiring news on the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

Support

Sweet help for the Philippines
News of help from Jewish resources to those who survived the horrific typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines ranges from a baby  born in a rapidly constructed IDF field hospital being named Israel to a visit of Sydney’s Kesser Torah students to a Kosher chocolate shop owned by a Catholic Chinese Philippino who who loves his chocolate…and Chabad. Read more at J-Wire

In Philippines, U.S. can do well by doing good
Photos of Philippine cities convey the heartbreaking toll of Typhoon Haiyan. Some look like they were taken after massive bomb blasts — every building reduced to a pile of matchsticks. Read more at The Daily Journal.

Aid to the Philippines is a good investment
A compelling case can be made for deploying military resources for disaster relief in the Philippines despite the Pentagon’s shrinking budget, says Jonah Blank in USA Today. Read more at Times Union

Dutch fundraising drive hits P1-B for Yolanda survivors
HOLLAND - A national fundraising campaign was initiated by Dutch aid organizations and media outlets to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan). Read more at ABS-CBN

Filipino Americans engage in help after Haiyan typhoon hit Philippines
With recent Haiyan typhoon that hit Philippines thousands of people all over the world are eager to help the victims to overcome this tragedy. People unite in organizations, establish Facebook groups in order to divide the responsibilities and provide the population with the things that they lack. Read more at The Voice of Russia

Naomi helps raise relief funds
MANILA, Philippines - Supermodel Naomi Campbell (photo) is lending her celebrity face to help raise awareness and funds for those affected by the super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) that hit the Philippines last weekend by selling a limited edition photo taken by John-Paul Pietrus, according to a report by Vogue. Read more at Philstar

In Canada, Filipino emigrants are rushing to pitch in
The basement of Our Lady of the Assumption buzzes with the sound of relief work. Read more at The Globe and Mail

Triumph

Signs of life amid misery reveal Filipinos' spirit
TACLOBAN, Philippines (AP) — They found the hoop in the ruins of their obliterated neighborhood. They propped up the backboard with broken wood beams and rusty nails scavenged from vast mounds of storm-blasted homes. Read more at Yahoo

Triangle woman hears good news from family in Philippines
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- It's been about five days since a massive typhoon hit the Philippines, and it's only been one day since a woman here in the Triangle finally found out that her family survived the storm. Read more at ABC

A 'Yolanda' victim becomes a hero
MANILA, Philippines - Commander Jonathan Zata, commanding officer of the Navy ship BRP Bacolod City had to think and act fast. Read more at Philstar

Typhoon Haiyan - being a hero for each other
I NEED to tell you: Typhoon Haiyan was worse than any of us could ever have imagined. The Philippines receives 20+ typhoons every year - floods, landslides and partly-blown off roofs are par for the course. Read more at Cafe Pacific

The Inspirational Diva
Music, especially inspirational music, is a powerful healer — and in times like these, the music of Jamie Rivera, known as the Inspirational Diva, can provide a much-needed lift to people’s sagging spirits. Read more at Philstar

6 Yolanda (Haiyan) inspirational stories that could ‘restore your faith in humanity’ and Filipinos
There are heartbreaking images of destruction. There are grievous stories that could make you angry or could make you question your faith. Then there are good stories, great stories, even little ones that could make you smile or bring you tears of hope… and make you believe that help is coming, that there is still hope. Read more at Talk.ph

Philippines storm spurs passion for poor at climate talks
Warsaw — Negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) rarely show on the public's radar, except perhaps in the scenes of bickering over who's to blame for global warming and who will foot the bill for it. Read more at AFP via Google

Image Sources: Clarkisit.com, GMA Network

Palawan Going 100% Green, Cellphone Enabled Solar Panel and more

Renewable energy news for today includes Palawan aiming to tap 100% of its energy from renewable source to SunPower expanding its manufacturing operation in the Philippines plus cellphone enabled solar panels. Please read more renewable energy news below...

Solar

SunPower To Expand Its Operation
The company is to construct a brand new solar cell plant to help it increase it’s manufacturing of solar cells by as much as a quarter. This factory is to be in the Philippines and will enable the company to increase its capacity to produce solar cells to 1.8GW.
Read more at Solar Panels UK

To Bring Power To 1.5 Billion Living Off The Grid, A Cell Phone-Enabled Mini Solar Panel
Roughly a fifth of the world's population can't connect to the grid directly. Enter tiny pipes, a Philippines-based experiment in equipping homes with mini solar panels to rent via mobile phone.
Read more at Fast Company

20-MW solar facility proposed for Zamboanga ecozone
Enfinity Philippines Technology Services, Inc. has formally proposed to the city government its plan to build next year a 20-megawatt (MW) solar power facility in the economic zone here and Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar is endorsing the project, an official of the zone said recently.
Read more at Business World

PH solar car conquers the Aussie outback
Elijah Romey, an electronic and communications engineering senior at the De La Salle University, had to endure intense heat and every imaginable discomfort for six grueling days as he piloted, along with driving partner, Carl Mamawal, the Philippine’s Sikat II in the World Solar Car Challenge in Australia.
Read more at Manila Standard Today

Geothermal

Philippines a Symbol for Local Geothermal
As Indonesia struggles to find a balance between the development of geothermal resources, forest conservation, and development, the Philippines has shown how that can be achieved.
Read more at The Jakarta Globe

Wind

Malaysian group inks deal for $160-M RE project in Cebu
Amihan wind energy project will put up wind mills in an 18,000-hectare leased lot within Cebu City, Balamban and Toledo City in Cebu. The technical design for the wind project is being finalized to ensure long-term safety especially given the recent earthquake that hit Cebu.
Read more at Philstar.com

Gamesa Enters Philippine Market With 54 MW Deal
Gamesa says it is adding a new market to its geographic footprint, having signed an agreement to supply 54 MW of turbines to a wind farm in the Philippines.
Read more at North American Wind Power

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Energy World Corporation advances construction of LNG projects in Indonesia, Philippines
EWC has completed the base slab for the 130,000 cubic metre LNG tank at its Pagbilao LNG receiving terminal and its associated 600 megawatt combined cycle power station. The Pagbilao Hub Terminal will be the first LNG receiving terminal in the Philippines.
Read more at Proactive Investors Australia

Dubai firm said to eye $5bn Philippines Energy City
A Dubai-based oil company is in talks to develop a $5bn Energy City project in the Philippines, it has been reported… the project which will take five years to complete will include a LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant, and a petrochemical facility.
Read more at Arabian Business

Palawan aims for a 100% renewable energy future
Renewable energy can also free Palaweños from the clutches of independent power providers (IPPs) who jack up electricity costs even as they use funds from the Malampaya natural gas project to subsidize costs.
Read more at Rappler

Electric Vehicles

Taiwan firm in JV for electric vehicles
Teco Electric and Machinery Co. Ltd., one of Taiwan’s biggest conglomerates and the leading industrial motor manufacturer globally, is poised to expand its existing manufacturing facility in Subic Bay, Zambales, to produce and sell electric vehicles and components to the local market.
Read more at Inquirer

Biofuel

Island Style Energy Innovation
The Philippines has abundant renewable energy sources, such as feedstock and hydropower, and are using them to fuel sustainable economic development. The OrionLX is being utilized in two such projects. The first is a sugarcane-based ethanol facility located in San Mariano, Isabela Ecofuel Agro-Industrial Ecozone.
Read more at Thomasnet

Renewable Energy

UN gives recognition to Philippines’ massive financing scheme on sustainable energy
The Philippines’ Sustainable Energy Finance Program which is designed to extend financial assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for small and medium businesses in the Philippines was chosen as one of the 17 inspiring projects worldwide by the United Nations.
Read more at Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists,Inc.

Image Source: Fast Company