By Isabel Berenguer Asuncion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
HOW DO you attempt to help save the environment in simple and achievable ways?
While sustainable design is promoted aggressively as the alternative approach in design practice, sophisticated systems and high technology for environment-friendly finishes, alternative sources of power, filtration systems and materials can all be quite expensive. Aside from the cost of the systems themselves, there is also the cost of hiring consultants that can give advice on the suitability and proper utilization of the new systems.
There is also a need to properly detail the design so that it performs optimally and as intended. The simple exercise of designing a sustainable project sometimes becomes all too complicated and financially prohibitive.
A simpler approach would be to carefully pick the materials to be used. The prudent selection and usage of these can help in both cutting costs and savings in terms of carbon footprint.
One aspect of measure to consider for materials is “embodied energy.” This is the amount of energy that a material utilizes from the time it is acquired as a raw material, processed into a useful product, transported to its place of use, and installed or applied.
Embodied energy is important to understand since we often forget that there are various ways to produce a material and get it to its place of use. The amount of energy used can vary tremendously and can spell out in clear numbers how much damage its use can do to the environment.
Biodegradable
Because the purpose of environmental awareness is to decrease what we take from the earth and also to return into earth what we have taken, we often select materials that are biodegradable.
Sometimes what we take from the earth cannot be easily returned into it, but when it can be put to use for a prolonged period of time, it discourages frequent consumption and waste. For building materials, permanence and durability are two of the most important characteristics to consider.
While some materials may have low embodied energy, they may not be easily renewable materials. Natural stone is one example of this. It has very low embodied energy, yet it takes years for Mother Earth to produce it. Therefore there should be a certain amount of caution when using stone lest we one day run out of this material to harvest.
On the other hand, bamboo is an easily renewable material. Its use therefore, does not put much risk to the environment until it is processed into another type of material and its embodied energy increases. Laminated bamboo flooring, for instance, has lower embodied energy than high-pressure laminate flooring since for the latter, the production of the laminate alone takes a toll on the carbon footprint.
Difficult to reproduce
Wood is another material that has very low embodied energy, but unfortunately very difficult to reproduce. The massive deforestation globally proves that our usage has outrun its ability to renew. There are now sustainable tree farms but they are never enough for the high demand for timber. Sadly, many illegal loggers and middle-men still peddle local timber. We can only wish that consumers have enough conscience to veer from the temptation of using much prized narra and other local hardwood, and explore more sustainable alternatives.
Lower embodied energy does not necessarily define a better option. Aluminum has very high embodied energy but its use in buildings where its benefit runs to more than 50 years justifies its utilization as its embodied energy spreads through many, many years of use. Hopefully, there will be no need for its replacement during the building’s entire lifetime.
Embodied energy can be a very useful gauge for sustainability provided it is measured by its usage and lifespan. Depending on source, suppliers, methods, origin and site location, embodied energy of various materials, components and systems can vary greatly. As buildings become more energy-efficient and as the cost to operate them decreases, embodied energy becomes a more important factor. It is never the sole consideration for the selection of a material but it is a good place to start.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Energy firm eyes gov’t hydro plants
By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LISTED FIRM TRANS-ASIA Oil and Energy Development plans to bid for the management of National Power Corp.’s independent power producer contracts of three hydroelectric power plants.
According to Trans-Asia president and chief executive Francisco Viray, the company is keen on bagging the IPP administrator contracts for the 30-megawatt Benguet Mini-Hydro; 345-MW San Roque Multi-Purpose Hydroelectric Power Plant in Pangasinan; and the 70-MW Bakun Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ilocos Sur.
Viray said the company wanted to participate in the previous auctions held by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., but had failed to push through with its bid.
With its intent to bid for the three hydro IPPAs, Trans-Asia hopes to expand its energy portfolio beyond its proposed wind power projects, which are expected to produce some 400 MW and which will need some $1 billion in new investments.
IPPs are currently contracted to supply power to state-run Napocor. When management of IPP contracts are turned over to the private sector, the winning bidders will then manage the contracted capacities of the government in IPP power plants.
PSALM has already opened the bidding for the three hydro IPPAs, urging interested parties to submit on Sept. 18 a Letter of Interest to the committee.
As a prerequisite to the receipt of the bidding package, interested parties must execute a Confidentiality Agreement and Undertaking pursuant to Section 78 of Republic Act 9136 and pay a nonrefundable participation fee of $10,000.
Interested companies have until Sept. 14 to undertake a due diligence of the facilities, PSALM said. A prebid conference is set on Sept. 30, while the bid submission deadline has been slated on Nov. 11.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LISTED FIRM TRANS-ASIA Oil and Energy Development plans to bid for the management of National Power Corp.’s independent power producer contracts of three hydroelectric power plants.
According to Trans-Asia president and chief executive Francisco Viray, the company is keen on bagging the IPP administrator contracts for the 30-megawatt Benguet Mini-Hydro; 345-MW San Roque Multi-Purpose Hydroelectric Power Plant in Pangasinan; and the 70-MW Bakun Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ilocos Sur.
Viray said the company wanted to participate in the previous auctions held by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., but had failed to push through with its bid.
With its intent to bid for the three hydro IPPAs, Trans-Asia hopes to expand its energy portfolio beyond its proposed wind power projects, which are expected to produce some 400 MW and which will need some $1 billion in new investments.
IPPs are currently contracted to supply power to state-run Napocor. When management of IPP contracts are turned over to the private sector, the winning bidders will then manage the contracted capacities of the government in IPP power plants.
PSALM has already opened the bidding for the three hydro IPPAs, urging interested parties to submit on Sept. 18 a Letter of Interest to the committee.
As a prerequisite to the receipt of the bidding package, interested parties must execute a Confidentiality Agreement and Undertaking pursuant to Section 78 of Republic Act 9136 and pay a nonrefundable participation fee of $10,000.
Interested companies have until Sept. 14 to undertake a due diligence of the facilities, PSALM said. A prebid conference is set on Sept. 30, while the bid submission deadline has been slated on Nov. 11.
Singapore firms betting big on RP
By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE VOLATILITY OF global crude oil prices continues to wreak havoc on the finances of the Filipino consumer.
Although crude oil prices are much lower this year compared to 2008, there’s no guarantee that could protect Filipinos—especially the riding public and transport sector—in case oil prices bounce back to last year’s record high of $147 a barrel.
As it is, some analysts are claiming that crude oil prices may go up to as much as $150 a barrel within the year, according to Randall Antonio, CEO of Callandra LCNG Fuels Corp.
The country currently imports 98 percent of its oil requirements, thus making the Philippines extremely sensitive to any price movements in the global market.
As such, the Department of Energy has been exploring ways to cut the country’s dependence on costly fuel imports, which include harnessing renewable energy and alternative fuel sources.
However, it may take a while before investments come in and the benefits from such projects materialize.
Clean CNG
One immediately available alternative is to use compressed natural gas (CNG), which is clean burning and emits lower levels of potentially harmful byproducts into the air unlike traditional fossil fuels, according to Callandra.
Callandra—an affiliate of Singapore companies Callandra Holdings Pte. Ltd., and CNG Capital Pte. Ltd.—believes that CNG, being a cleaner type of fuel, could help reduce pollution.
And since it is an indigenous natural resource, it could likewise help curb costly oil imports.
For this reason, Antonio said Callandra was investing $160 million to put up six CNG “fueling districts” or refilling stations in Metro Manila and one processing plant in Batangas.
Antonio explained that these refilling stations, which would be enough to fuel some 5,000 CNG-fed buses by 2014, will be set up in the Mall of Asia area, Manila, Las Piñas, Pasig, Quezon City and Monumento.
According to Antonio, the use of CNG in 5,000 buses is expected to displace some 83 million gallons of diesel yearly.
Callandra is the first firm accredited by the government to develop the country’s first fully commercial CNG fueling infrastructure for the local bus transport sector.
Supply corridor
With its proposed project, Callandra said it targets “to open a new gas supply corridor for Mega Manila and other key population areas, delivering very cost-effective natural gas sources; to contribute to the security of fuel supply for the Philippines; and to strengthen the role of the gas as an environmentally cleaner, cheaper form of alternative fuel in the Philippines.”
“Using CNG as an alternative fuel could offer significant fuel cost savings to the bus operator, aside from the various incentives and tax benefits that the Philippine government has to offer,” the company said.
Antonio said each fueling district would have about 10 pumps with dual dispensers to cater to 20 buses at a time.
He added that the fueling districts will also have faster turnaround time of about six minutes.
By mid-2010, Antonio said Callandra expect two of the fueling districts to be fully operational, catering to some 2,000 buses. By 2012, the firm expects the number of CNG-fed buses to increase to 3,500, and by 2014, to 5,000 buses.
“We’re now talking to various banks. There were already (financing) offers,” Antonio said.
He disclosed that the company plans to tap the debt market to finance about 70 percent of the $160-million investment cost, while the remaining 30 percent will be funded through equity.
Lower prices
Antonio noted that prices of CNG will be lower compared to local petroleum products by about 25 percent.
At present, only Pilipinas Shell offers CNG to 35 buses servicing Batangas, Laguna, Manila and Quezon City, through its “daughter” station in Biñan City in Laguna.
Shell’s main or mother CNG station is near its refinery in Tabangao, Batangas.
Shell’s mother-daughter stations are part of the government’s Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT), a seven-year pilot program that will peg the price of CNG at P14.52 a liter, less than half the price of diesel, for participating bus operators.
As part of the pilot program, Shell has exclusive rights to the area where it operates.
Other firms interested in putting up CNG facilities could do so in other places.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE VOLATILITY OF global crude oil prices continues to wreak havoc on the finances of the Filipino consumer.
Although crude oil prices are much lower this year compared to 2008, there’s no guarantee that could protect Filipinos—especially the riding public and transport sector—in case oil prices bounce back to last year’s record high of $147 a barrel.
As it is, some analysts are claiming that crude oil prices may go up to as much as $150 a barrel within the year, according to Randall Antonio, CEO of Callandra LCNG Fuels Corp.
The country currently imports 98 percent of its oil requirements, thus making the Philippines extremely sensitive to any price movements in the global market.
As such, the Department of Energy has been exploring ways to cut the country’s dependence on costly fuel imports, which include harnessing renewable energy and alternative fuel sources.
However, it may take a while before investments come in and the benefits from such projects materialize.
Clean CNG
One immediately available alternative is to use compressed natural gas (CNG), which is clean burning and emits lower levels of potentially harmful byproducts into the air unlike traditional fossil fuels, according to Callandra.
Callandra—an affiliate of Singapore companies Callandra Holdings Pte. Ltd., and CNG Capital Pte. Ltd.—believes that CNG, being a cleaner type of fuel, could help reduce pollution.
And since it is an indigenous natural resource, it could likewise help curb costly oil imports.
For this reason, Antonio said Callandra was investing $160 million to put up six CNG “fueling districts” or refilling stations in Metro Manila and one processing plant in Batangas.
Antonio explained that these refilling stations, which would be enough to fuel some 5,000 CNG-fed buses by 2014, will be set up in the Mall of Asia area, Manila, Las Piñas, Pasig, Quezon City and Monumento.
According to Antonio, the use of CNG in 5,000 buses is expected to displace some 83 million gallons of diesel yearly.
Callandra is the first firm accredited by the government to develop the country’s first fully commercial CNG fueling infrastructure for the local bus transport sector.
Supply corridor
With its proposed project, Callandra said it targets “to open a new gas supply corridor for Mega Manila and other key population areas, delivering very cost-effective natural gas sources; to contribute to the security of fuel supply for the Philippines; and to strengthen the role of the gas as an environmentally cleaner, cheaper form of alternative fuel in the Philippines.”
“Using CNG as an alternative fuel could offer significant fuel cost savings to the bus operator, aside from the various incentives and tax benefits that the Philippine government has to offer,” the company said.
Antonio said each fueling district would have about 10 pumps with dual dispensers to cater to 20 buses at a time.
He added that the fueling districts will also have faster turnaround time of about six minutes.
By mid-2010, Antonio said Callandra expect two of the fueling districts to be fully operational, catering to some 2,000 buses. By 2012, the firm expects the number of CNG-fed buses to increase to 3,500, and by 2014, to 5,000 buses.
“We’re now talking to various banks. There were already (financing) offers,” Antonio said.
He disclosed that the company plans to tap the debt market to finance about 70 percent of the $160-million investment cost, while the remaining 30 percent will be funded through equity.
Lower prices
Antonio noted that prices of CNG will be lower compared to local petroleum products by about 25 percent.
At present, only Pilipinas Shell offers CNG to 35 buses servicing Batangas, Laguna, Manila and Quezon City, through its “daughter” station in Biñan City in Laguna.
Shell’s main or mother CNG station is near its refinery in Tabangao, Batangas.
Shell’s mother-daughter stations are part of the government’s Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT), a seven-year pilot program that will peg the price of CNG at P14.52 a liter, less than half the price of diesel, for participating bus operators.
As part of the pilot program, Shell has exclusive rights to the area where it operates.
Other firms interested in putting up CNG facilities could do so in other places.