Amid Middle East unrest
ANGARA: GREEN TRANSPORT KEY TO LESS OIL DEPENDENCE

With growing unrest in the Middle East which may affect world oil prices, Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that using alternative fuel sources such as biofuel and implementing a Green Transport initiative would help lessen the nation's dependence on oil, 81% of which is sourced from the restive region.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has also announced that it is preparing contingency plans in case continued unrest disrupts oil supplies.

Angara, author of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, said that, "we are at the mercy of constant world oil price fluctuations and consequently by the oil companies operating in the business. Each year, we import 94% of all our crude oil needs while our oil consumption is projected to rise by more than 10% in the next decade," said Angara.

"The Philippines is one of the most oil-dependent countries in Asia. This puts us in a vulnerable position as the country's demand for energy can only be expected to grow as households, transport and factories multiply," he added.

Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) identified the development of electric vehicles and green transport as priority projects of the commission for 2011.

Green Transport Initiative

The Green Transport initiative and Electric Vehicle program, was conceptualized by COMSTE under the Renewable Energy Research and Development Institute (RERDI) and will be implemented in cooperation with the DOST and the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP). The project will promote the development of new technology that can produce more efficient, low cost batteries and new electric vehicle design initiatives.

Angara said that innovative Green transport systems such as electric tricycles, hybrid jeepneys, buses and electric bicycles have the potential to lessen pollution caused by conventional transportation.

The COMSTE model for Green Transport includes the use of renewable energy sources such as biofuels, like algae, which will in turn charge the batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles, creating a sustainable green transportation system.

Angara also highlighted the renewable energy initiatives being undertaken by RERDI, which will be the medium for new technologies like developing algae for use as a biofuel.

A team composed of members from Ateneo University, Alson Aquacutlure Inc., and two other photo bio-reactor companies aim to study optimal conditions that will promote the growth of algae and the cleaning of coal fired plants by placing nearby aquaculture ponds.

RERDI is structured as a Public Private Partnership, with close collaboration between government, industry, and academe to develop innovative RE systems.

Angara enumerated solar, hydro and wind energy as proven power technologies, for which the Philippines has great and untapped potential.

"The future is in clean, renewable energy, which is predicted to be one of the biggest industries by 2014. It is a vital step we must take in order to harness and develop the abundant alternative energy resources that our country possesses, to benefit both present and future generations."

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 encourages local entrepreneurs to go into the development of the country's vast renewable energy resources and decrease our dependence on imported fossil fuel.