The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has started to embark on the development of micro-hydropower generation technology, an official said yesterday.
The department has reached an agreement in principle with state-owned Philippine National Oil Corp.-Renewables Corp. The PNOC-RC would provide models on hydropower generation machinery, such as turbines, to be studied by DOST scientists and engineers.
“They will show us models, but only small ones. It will be a joint development project. DOST will try to develop the technology,” Science Secretary Mario Montejo told The STAR in a phone interview.
“We will start very small. It will be a mini- or micro-hydropower,” Montejo said, noting that the Philippines has great potential for hydropower generation because it has numerous rivers within its territory.
If local scientists and engineers are able to develop micro-hydropower capacities, Montejo said even small rivers that could not be tapped for large-scale power generation may be used to append the limited power supply in small towns.
Last week, the DOST signed a memorandum of agreement with the PNOC-RC for the installation of solar panels as an alternative source of electricity in offices within the DOST compound in Taguig City.
This would reduce the electricity bill by 20 percent, the DOST said.
The DOST added that it would not spend a single centavo for the partnership and would merely provide the rooftop space of its buildings for the solar project.
The length of cooperation between both agencies will run for 15 years, after which ownership of the installed solar panels would be fully transferred to the DOST, Montejo said.
Aside from the DOST buildings, Montejo said the Philippine Science High School, which now has 14 campuses all over the country, would join the project and adopt solar power technology.
{Source}
The department has reached an agreement in principle with state-owned Philippine National Oil Corp.-Renewables Corp. The PNOC-RC would provide models on hydropower generation machinery, such as turbines, to be studied by DOST scientists and engineers.
“They will show us models, but only small ones. It will be a joint development project. DOST will try to develop the technology,” Science Secretary Mario Montejo told The STAR in a phone interview.
“We will start very small. It will be a mini- or micro-hydropower,” Montejo said, noting that the Philippines has great potential for hydropower generation because it has numerous rivers within its territory.
If local scientists and engineers are able to develop micro-hydropower capacities, Montejo said even small rivers that could not be tapped for large-scale power generation may be used to append the limited power supply in small towns.
Last week, the DOST signed a memorandum of agreement with the PNOC-RC for the installation of solar panels as an alternative source of electricity in offices within the DOST compound in Taguig City.
This would reduce the electricity bill by 20 percent, the DOST said.
The DOST added that it would not spend a single centavo for the partnership and would merely provide the rooftop space of its buildings for the solar project.
The length of cooperation between both agencies will run for 15 years, after which ownership of the installed solar panels would be fully transferred to the DOST, Montejo said.
Aside from the DOST buildings, Montejo said the Philippine Science High School, which now has 14 campuses all over the country, would join the project and adopt solar power technology.
{Source}