Press Release
October 26, 2010

COMSTE HEADS RP DELEGATION IN ASIAN GREEN IT FORUM

The Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) represented the Philippines at the recently held Second Green Information Technology (IT) forum in Japan. The Green IT forum featured delegates from governments and industries around Asia with the goal of using IT as a tool in addressing issues like climate change and energy consumption.

A joint statement was issued by the participating countries which stipulate that they will extend mutual cooperation on green IT initiatives and promote international partnerships with Europe and the United States.

COMSTE Executive Director Dr. Gregory L. Tangonan presented the latest initiatives of the commission at the forum, which highlighted the prioritization of a Philippine test facility for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which would enable local scientists and engineers to test PV modules in tropical conditions, thus identifying the ideal engineering and practices suited for tropical conditions.

The Solar Test Facility, which COMSTE aims to create with the aid of First Philec Solutions and in conjunction with the First Philec Renewable Energy Technology Center, will be commissioning a 180KW on grid facility in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Batangas. The Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO) in Cagayan de Oro will be testing the field-deployed solar panels.

The plan for the facility includes a proposal that calls for scientists and engineers for the testing facility to be from the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) consortium.

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science And Technology (AIST) has already expressed interest in participating in the Solar PV testing programs. AIST is the Japan's leading solar laboratory.

The solar testing facility is just one of the Renewable Energy (RE) projects COMSTE hopes to develop; others include Energy Management Systems, Green Transport, Green Electronics, Cellulosic Ethanol and Algae for CO2 capture.

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI) President Ernie Santiago represented industry at the event, and will be holding separate meeting with the AICT for other solar projects.

Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines were represented at the forum.

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