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Others

‘Murang Kuryente Act’ to lower electricity rates in next few months

16 August 2019

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The newly-signed “Murang Kuryente Act” will lower consumers’ electricity rates by October or November this year, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday.

“It will be seen probably on the fourth quarter of this year, October or November but the deadline is 90 days,” Gatchalian, chairman of Senate committee on energy, told ABS-CBN News Early Edition when asked on the expected implementation of the decrease in cost of electricity.

Gatchalian explained that the law will help save cost of electricity at about P172 to P190 per month which helps families to have huge savings.

“In a nutshell, we’ll be saving up to 90 centavos per kilowatt hour. So for an ordinary consumer consuming about 200 kilowatt every month, he will save approximately about 172.00 to about 190.00 per month so that’s good for about 4-5 kilos of rice for an ordinary family. This is actually huge savings for an ordinary family,” the senator said.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Aug. 8 the Republic Act 11371 or the “Murang Kuryente Act” which aims to source government shares on Malampaya fund to pay the debts of the National Power Corporation which is now being charged to consumers as seen in their monthly electricity bill. /jpv

Renewables

Deputy PM: Việt Nam encourages renewable energy development

16 August 2019

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Vietnam

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng has stated the Vietnamese Government always encourages the development and effective use of renewable energy, towards sustainable socio-economic development.

During a reception in Hà Nội on Thursday for General Director of Norway’s Scatec Solar company Raymond Carlsen, Deputy PM Dũng said the country needs an estimated 90,000MW of electricity by 2025 and around 130,000MW by 2030, he said, adding the current main sources of power for Việt Nam are still thermal and hydropower, accounting for 40 per cent of total output.

However, the potential of those sources has dropped, hence the Government’s policy to encourage renewable energy through solar and wind power.

Expressing support for Scatec Solar’s solar power project, the Deputy PM wished the company would promote partnership with Vietnamese counterparts and invest in technological products for the industry.

The Deputy PM asked the company to hold working sessions with Vietnamese ministries and agencies on issues regarding project approval.

Carlsen said Scatec Solar has experience in helping developing countries implement renewable energy projects, which is an advantage.

He added that his company plans to invest in the Trị An floating solar power plant in the southern province of Đồng Nai with a total capacity of 1,000MW, as well as develop a system to produce solar panels for export.

It is also connecting with Vietnamese universities to make it easier for students to get internship in the company’s factories. — VNS

Read more at http://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/524094/deputy-pm-viet-nam-encourages-renewable-energy-development.html#sCAoQZDDMcv58vQU.99

Eco Friendly Vehicle

Electric car sharing firm BlueSG looks to move into OOH ad space

16 August 2019

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Singapore

Electric car sharing company BlueSG is working with sister company Havas Group. Havas Group’s OOH brand AdCity will act as a consultant for BlueSG, which is open to be used as an OOH ad platform, and has a fleet of 470 cars in Singapore. Currently, BlueSG has 220 self-service stations located in public housing, city center and commercial estates around Singapore. By end 2020, the company aims to have 500 stations island-wide and 1,000 cars.

Launched two years ago in Singapore, BlueSG is a subsidiary of the French transportation company Bolloré Group. Both Bolloré and Havas are in the Vivendi family of companies.

Jenny Lim, commercial and network director from BlueSG said its business value-proposition is rooted in addressing environmental concerns through sustainability and a sharing economy. With this initiative, the company looks to take a step further to create a unique opportunity for marketers to associate their brands with zero-emission mobility, enhancing citizens’ life quality in sync with Singapore’s vision to be a Smart City.

According to Franck Vidal, Asia Pacific director at Havas-Adcity, vehicle advertising is one of the most effective forms of advertising with a “tremendous” reach.

“BlueSG’s presence in highly concentrated in HDBs estates, where creative touchpoints are often missing, provides a suitable opportunity for brands to connect with their relevant target audiences, meaningfully. We are looking forward to spread the message around sustainability and making a meaningful difference to brands and society at large by working with BlueSG,” he said.

To commemorate National Day, BlueSG showed its pride by designing its cars themed to the nation’s birthday. On its Facebook page, BlueSG encouraged the public to participate in its National Day promotion by sharing a picture with its National-Day themed cars on the roads.

Others

New subsidies aimed at poor folk, farmers

16 August 2019

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Thailand

The government plans to launch new stimulus measures for low-income earners and farmers in the form of energy price subsidies and cheap fertiliser, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

These measures will be included on the state welfare smartcard to provide the subsidy directly to holders.

Mr Somkid told Energy Ministry officials that lower-income citizens and farmers should have higher purchasing power through smartcards to help with the cost of living.

The current subsidies for energy prices, consisting of 230 baht per month for power bills and 45 baht every three months for cooking gas, will expire at the end of September.

The new measures include a discount for compressed natural gas and cooking gas for food vendors and hawkers, while the current subsidies will be extended.

“Further details will be concluded very soon by all relevant state agencies,” Mr Somkid said.

He also ordered PTT Plc, the national oil and gas conglomerate, to accelerate commercial production of tailor-made organic fertiliser, which has been successfully tested by PTT researchers.

The laboratory process is conducted by Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, PTT’s educational institution in Rayong province’s Wang Chan Valley.

“Fertiliser is a major cost for farmers,” Mr Somkid said.

PTT also collaborated with the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to develop the fertiliser formula to be suitable for many crops and fruits, and to benefit the soil in different regions.

PTT had the soft launch for organic fertiliser in March, but the final stage of the formula is still being tested in the laboratory.

Commercial distribution has not begun.

Mr Somkid said PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (PTTOR) has been told to allocate space in petrol stations to be the distribution channel for fertiliser products.

PTTOR initiated the Thai Ded Project to support local crops, fruits and other products at the provincial level to be sold at PTT petrol stations.

The project aims to tap 100 stations by 2019.

Separately, talks for the Thai-Cambodia Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) for offshore gas blocks in the Gulf of Thailand should be resumed in order to accelerate new gas resources of the two countries, Mr Somkid said.

The OCA was claimed in 1973, but the two parties have yet to break through in their negotiations.

In addition, Mr Somkid said the government aims to push Thailand to become the leader of Southeast Asia’s electricity trade by upgrading high-voltage transmission lines nationwide in order to ease power distribution from Laos to Malaysia and Myanmar.

“Thailand is the highest-potential location to facilitate the power trade across the region, but the current situation lacks suitable infrastructure,” he said.

Renewables

Batan to cooperate with Indonesian power company

16 August 2019

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Indonesia

The MoU was signed yesterday in Ancol, North Jakarta, by the head of Batan, Anhar Riza Antariksawan, and the acting director of Indonesia Power, Ahsin Sidqi.

The scope of the cooperation covered by the MoU includes a feasibility study on the use of nuclear energy for power plants, as well as the potential use of thorium, uranium and other radioisotopes in batteries. The agreement also calls for cooperation on human resources development, the exchange of data and information, organising scientific meetings, and the use of each other’s facilities and infrastructure.

Prior to signing the agreement, Ahsin said: “This afternoon, Indonesia Power will have an MoU with Batan to prepare for research into the first nuclear power plant in Indonesia, as well as the development of nuclear batteries with Batan. So that in the future, Indonesia Power will not only be an electricity company, but also an energy company.”

Batan launched a plan in 2014 to build a 10 MWt Experimental Power Reactor (Reaktor Daya Eksperimental, RDE) at its largest research centre site – the Puspiptek Complex, in Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten – as a first strategic milestone for the introduction of large-scale nuclear power plant fleets into the country. The RDE is a domestically-designed, very small-sized pebble-bed high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) with low-enriched uranium oxide TRISO fuel.

In March 2018, Batan launched a roadmap for developing a detailed engineering design for the RDE. The roadmap is a continuation of the RDE basic engineering design, which was completed in 2017. The detailed engineering design document, together with the safety analysis report, will be an important requirement for Batan to achieve approval for the RDE design from the Indonesia’s Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency.

Batan is promoting the introduction of nuclear power plants in Indonesia to help meet the county’s demand for power. It envisages the start-up of conventional large light-water reactors on the populous islands of Bali, Java, Madura and Sumatra from 2027 onwards. In addition, it is planning for the deployment of small HTGRs (up to 100 MWe) on Kalimantan, Sulawesi and other islands to supply power and heat for industrial use. The prototype unit is planned for West Kalimantan.

Welcoming the signing of the MoU, Anhar said: “From the results of the [feasibility] study we will determine the next step. Hopefully this MoU can be useful not only for both institutions, but for all Indonesian people.”

Eco Friendly Vehicle

MEMI aims to reach 10% electric car usage before 2035

15 August 2019

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Brunei Darussalam

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry (MEMI) wants to be more aggressive in promoting electric vehicles in Brunei, aiming to reach a target of 10 percent before 2035.

The urgency to reduce greenhouse gases — as part of the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement — is moving the issue forward, said MEMI Permanent Secretary (Energy) Hj Azhar Hj Yahya.

On the sidelines of a recent youth dialogue on climate change, the senior official said the government is still in the policy planning stage with regards to introducing electric vehicles to the country.

“Many countries have already pushed for this… However, for Brunei to execute this, we have to look at factors like infrastructure, where to install the charging points, the tax system and what type of [electric vehicles] we want to bring in,” he told The Scoop.

“Reaching 10 percent electric vehicles by 2035 is not aggressive enough, because that is still a long way to go. We want to have a more aggressive target, like reaching that 10 per cent by 2030 or maybe even earlier.”

Accessibility and affordability of electric cars will be key factors, he said, adding that it will be difficult to convince Bruneian drivers to get on board.

“Fuel is still relatively cheap in Brunei, which means there need to be other factors to entice drivers in converting to electric vehicles.”

Earlier this year, the government announced it would begin a pilot project to bring in electric vehicles, with fuel economy regulations expected to be introduced in 2023.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, Hj Mohd Nazri Hj Mohd Yusof, said there will need to be public awareness campaigns to convince drivers to make the switch.

“Like it or not electric vehicles are coming. European car manufacturers are already making more of these than of normal cars.”

Recent statistics from the Land Transport Department recorded 282,345 vehicles on the road, 99 per cent of which used petrol and diesel fuel.

Approximately 1,960 hybrid and fuel-efficient cars have been registered in Brunei since 2012 — less than one percent of all vehicles on the road — but their impact has been able to save the government $1.4 million in fuel subsidies.

The transport sector accounts for approximately 12 percent of emissions in Brunei.

Under the Paris Agreement, the government has committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from morning peak hour traffic by 40 percent over the next 15 years.

According to a study done by Universiti Brunei Darussalam in 2011, Brunei has the highest per capita CO2 emissions in ASEAN, increasing at a rate of two percent per year.

Renewables

US invests in Thai solar energy project

15 August 2019

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Thailand

The United States has funded a Thai energy developer for its feasibility study of a solar power project in Thailand as part of its Indo-Pacific commitment.

Thomas Hardy, director of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), said yesterday’s grant signing ceremony marked an important milestone in the USTDA’s role in Thailand.

“It is a manifestation of the Indo-Pacific vision laid out by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last year. It is our commitment to investing in visionary companies looking to transform the energy sector,” he said at the event at the GPF building.

Mr Hardy said the US’s investment is furthering the Asia aid initiative in bringing reliable renewable energy with zero-carbon emissions to Thailand.

“It [the grant] focuses on an analysis of how to implement the solar power project in peak and off-peak [electricity] hours. It also involves regulatory issues in new technology and financing options,” he said.

According to Mr Hardy, the US Secretary of State outlined the Indo-Pacific Strategy based on three pillars, including the Asia aid initiative for the energy sector, the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP), and infrastructure development in areas that can drive the economy.

Visait Hansaward, the managing director of Blue Solar Co Ltd, said the transition from fossil fuel to renewable power energy will help mitigate the impact of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“However, renewable energy is naturally unreliable. It is not ready to be a mainstream energy source. Fortunately, our company won the government’s energy auction in 2017 and the right to develop the first utility-scale solar plus energy storage project,” he said.

Mr Visait thanked the USTDA’s grant of US$553,000 (17 million baht) for the feasibility study of the solar energy storage system in Suphan Buri province.

“To solve the unreliability of solar energy, we will design the system that will supply power to the grid with energy storage. Located 10 kilometres from the city, the site will be a learning centre for renewable energy, organic farms, and green tourist destinations,” he said.

Mr Visait said the solar power plant will begin commercial operations by the end of 2021.

“As it is a new technology in Thailand, we have to ensure technical stability and financial returns,” he said.

Meanwhile, Suwat Kamolpanus, the renewable energy committee chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), hailed the solar energy project as a sustainable solution to the renewable energy problem.

“It is the first of its kind that combines solar power with long-lasting battery storage. The problem of the solar energy market is unbalanced supply and demand. For example, solar panels generate a lot of power at midday, but peak electricity demand rises in the evening. The energy storage will be the final jigsaw piece,” he said.

The solar power project will reduce overall energy costs, carbon emissions, and open up opportunities for 100% use of renewable energy, he added.

Renewables

Aquavoltaics in the Philippines

14 August 2019

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Philippines

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is seeking to support the seaweed industry on the Philippine island of Tawi-Tawi, located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), at the southernmost frontier of the country.

In this regard, the organization is bringing more electricity to one of the least electrified areas of the archipelago, with solar-plus-storage chosen as the cheapest and most efficient source. UNIDO has now kicked off a tender through an EU funded project named Renewable Energy Technology to Increase Value Added of Seaweeds in Tawi-Tawi (RETS).

The international organization is seeking solar PV and storage to operate as a hybrid system with diesel generators for additional power supply in the island municipalities of Sitangkai and Sibutu, where many seaweed farms are located. Interested developers have until September 9 to submit bids.

Thy hybrid systems will be owned and operated by local utility Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. in fulfilment of its mandated obligation to provide total electrification in its area of operations, according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). Currently, only around 30% of the island’s households have access to electricity. The island is the largest seaweed supplier in the Philippines, accounting for 70% of total production.

Mutual benefits

According to the study Aquavoltaics: Synergies for Dual Use of Water Area for Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Generation and Aquaculture, published in 2017 in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, there is a wide range of potential benefits to combining the two technologies. “While reservoirs benefit greatly from water conservation, implementing an aquaculture system in a reservoir is an attractive prospect for efficient land use”, they stated.

Another benefit is a more controlled aquatic environment. The scientists claim that, by monitoring growth factors such as nutrients, temperature, pH, salinity, turbidity and photoperiod, the aquaculture can have ideal growth conditions for particular aquatic organisms for various locations be they warm or cool water cultures. “PV-powered water pumping systems could also be employed to manipulate oxygenation zones, which form at different levels in bodies of water,” the report notes.

Furthermore, the combination of PV and aquaculture is said to be good for ecosystem restoration. As energy demand is a barrier for growth of the industry, farmers tend to concentrate in the same areas, which has a negative impact on production and quality, as well as on the surrounding aquatic ecosystem. “If the energy requirements are met or exceeded with solar technology, which has the potential to leave the grid, then it allows commercial-scale aquaculture farms to be built anywhere there is sufficient sunlight,” the experts also affirmed. According to them, the habitat created by these dual use systems would even encourage the reemergence of endangered species.

“One of the largest unknowns is the interaction of floating PV with aquatic organisms and the potential for biofouling to occur,” they concluded.

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