Farm wastes as sources of renewable energy

By Rudy Romero
Manila Standard Today (online) 

Whenever they ponder alternative energy sources, most people usually think of energy derived from geothermal resources, the sun, wind and waves. They hardly ever think of a renewable energy source that, because of the abundance of its raw material, is one of the least expensive alternatives to oil. I am referring to methane gas derived from animal wastes.

Sometime in the 1980s, when I was doing investment-banking-type work, I was introduced to a German company that specialized in energy projects powered by methane gas generated from farm wastes. The company was looking for a Philippine partner for a methane gas project, with technology as their contribution thereto. Unfortunately, with Filipino alternative-energy mindsets oriented at that time towards geothermal and solar power, I was unable to package a project for the German company.

The technology for generating energy from farm wastes is relatively uncomplicated. Farm wastes – fecal matter from farm animals as well as residue from coconut and crop stalks – are collected, mixed and placed in containers so as to generate methane gas, which then goes into small turbines to produce electricity. The German executives said that with the methane gas generated by its animal and crop wastes, an average Philippine farm would be able to produce enough energy to light up the farmhouse and drive appliances and farm implements.

Given the promise that it offers, it is a great pity that renewable energy from farm wastes has not yet attracted many investors. As already pointed out, the needed raw materials are abundant in Philippine farms. This makes the production cost of farm-waste-generated methane gas probably the lowest among renewable energy sources.

A steady rise in the share of methane gas in total renewable-energy supply is not going to just happen. Much proselytizing will have to be undertaken by both the government and the private sector.

On the government side, the Department of Energy obviously will be the lead agency. More specifically, it is the Energy Development Corporation that will have to be in the forefront of development of a farm-waste-based methane gas industry. Because farm wastes are involved, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Reform also will have to play major roles in the effort. The Department of Science and Technology also will be a key player.

On the private-sector side, it is the agricultural-industry organizations that will have to be depended upon to spread the message about the attractiveness of farm wastes as a source of energy. Particularly important will be the farmers’ and farm workers’ organizations in the coconut, sugar, rice and corn industries. These industries account for most of the farm wastes in this country. For the sugar and coconut industries the farmers’ organizations concerned are the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters and the Philippine Coconut Federation, respectively.

Just how abundant and powerful methane gas can be as a source of renewable energy can be seen from the gas fumes emanating from city and municipal garbage dumps. Before it was redeveloped, Smokey Mountain used to emit a lot of methane gas from all the recyclable and non-recyclable wastes dumped there by the local authorities. Indeed, small flames would erupt when mistakes were thrown at the dumps.

A vibrant methane gas industry based on farm wastes: that is something to be fervently wished for. It can happen. For the more stable development of the Philippine countryside and the rapid progress of the Filipino farmer, it should happen.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/17/farm-wastes-as-sources-of-renewable-energy/