Earth Day - Carbon dioxide emission 2014

While March 28 2015 is designated as 2015 Earth day, it is high time during this event to know about the carbon dioxide emission that each of us contributed every time we switch on every bulb, television, computers and charging our cellphones.

Carbon dioxide is a leading green house gas that warms our planet to unprecedented levels. The level of annual temperature increase already leads to climate pattern disturbances that includes cyclones, super typhoons, drought, rising of sea level, remember super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, it is attributed to global warming.

In 2014, Meralco has distributed a total of 30,611.85 Giga watt hours of electricity within Metro Manila, parts of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon Laguna and Batangas. Do you know how much of this electricity was produce using fossil fuels and how much was produce using earth friendly (renewables) means? When we say about renewables that means energy from geothermal, hydro, wind, biomass, solar and biodiesel. Renewables are carbon neutral and does not contribute to global warming.

So who are the electricity generation plant source for Meralco in 2014?

And what are the fossil fuel type used by electricity generators that Meralco distributed in in 2014?

Meralco source it's 2% of distributed electricity in 2014 from renewable energy sources. Meralco sourced it's RE electricity from San Roque hydro electric from San Miguel Corp, WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) and from its own embedded customers like those from solar roof tops, biomass plant, landfill gas plants in Payatas and Montalban.

Electricity derived from hydro electric plant is the largest renewable energy contributed to Meralco. 

While WESM has several type of renewable energy, its renewable energy contribution to Meralco is 291.40 GWH. The fossil based electricity contributed by WESM to Meralco is 1,046.74 GWH.

The renewable energy technology contributed by WESM are geothermal, hydro, wind and biodiesel. These technology are carbon neutral or non CO2 emitting technology. Biodeisel contributed 2 GWH, Geothermal 172 GWH, Hydro electric 113 GWH and Wind 2.94 GWH. 

Do you know that in 2014 for every kWh of electricity we used, we contributed 0.59 kg of CO2.

So if each one of us uses 720 kWh per year, that means 177 kg of CO2 release into the air. 

Typical Filipino household consumes 300 kWh per month, that means 3600 kWh per year and CO2 emission of 2,124 kg CO2.

Do you know that each mature tree (5 years old and above) absorbs 23 kg of CO2. That means for each year if your household has an emission of 2,124 kg CO2 and you need to have at least 92 trees! 

Ask yourselves, did you plant 31 trees last year to offset your CO2 emission? Think about the environment each time you switch on that bulb, or the time spent playing computers or watching TV... each activity contribute to green house emission.

So how would you celebrate earth day in 2015? And how would you reduce your electricity consumption to help reduce the green house gas emission?

sources: Meralco website, WESM website and UN IEA website (for CO2 factor emission)

This blog was created with Metro Manila electricity consumption and its carbon emission in mind. 

Philippine consumer net metering experience

Philippine consumer net metering experience

This blog entry is about the QE (Qualified End-user) experience after installation of a Photovoltaic Generation system.

The installation is located south of Metro Manila Philippines. 

The installation is composed of 3 arrays:

2x 230 watts Canadian Solar PV module driven by micro inverter.
3x 235 watts Yingli PV module driven by micro inverter.
5x 250 watts Yingli PV module driven by a string inverter.

The total name plate capacity of the system  is 2,415 watts-peak.

History of the installation:

The installation started with 2x 230 watts array in early 2012.(http://www.eastgreenfields.com/solen-project)

The installation (lets now call it Project) was not expanded since Net Metering is not yet in place. Net Metering implementing rules and regulation (IRR) was only approved in late 2013.

The project was applied for net metering connection in 4th quarter of 2013, and was finally commissioned on July 2014.

When energized the total nameplate capacity was increased to 1,165 watts-peak. The Project capacity was further increased to 2,415 watts-peak as of mid-February 2015.

The electricity usage since the Project was approved for net metering increases, and the last 12 months average decreases. This means that the household now have extra electricity to power the appliances, while the import energy practically remains the same. Refer to graph below:

The last 12 months import average decreases while the actual load demand increases, this means more available energy for use generated from PV system. 

From July 2014 (when net metering starts) up to mid-February 2015 (before expansion to 2415 watts-peak capacity) the own use against exported energy is higher, but when the expansion system was put on-line the export energy is now higher than the own use energy.

Actual bill payment decrease as export credit increases.

Graph  shows the overview of the Project with the actual data from Meralco billing record.

Savings from actual load (usage of electricity without solar) ranges from 16% to 34% during the first 7 months of the Project with a capacity of 1165 watt-p system. The savings from actual load rises up to 63% when the system was expanded to 2415 watt-p capacity.

Following scan copy of the actual Meralco Bills...

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/

Solar Power 101: Getting Started with Solar Electricity

Getting Started with Solar Electricity

Part 4 of 4 Series

From HP online magazine

With grid-tied PV systems becoming more and more popular, it is important for RE professionals and system owners alike to have realistic expectations of their systems’ performance. Solar-electric power production can be affected by several factors. Orientation, array tilt, seasonal adjustments, and array siting can all affect the bottom line. Proper planning and smart design will help you get the most out of your PV system and improve your rate of return. Installing modules in a sunny, shade-free spot and pointing them toward the sun could be considered common sense to many, but properly orienting and tilting your array for optimal performance is not as intuitive. A PV array’s output is proportional to the direct sunlight it receives. Even though PV modules produce some energy in a shady location or without ideal orientation, system costs are high enough that most will want to maximize energy yield. Regardless of how well a system is designed, improper installation can result in poor performance. PV systems should operate for decades, and the materials and methods to install them should be selected accordingly.

Should you install your system or hire a licensed professional to do the work? What skills and tools do you need to tackle a home-scale PV project? How much will you save if you install the system yourself? We frequently get questions like these from Home Power readers. Rather than defaulting to the obvious answer, “it depends,” we explore a long list of variables you should thoughtfully consider before tackling the design and installation of your PV system. Owner installation is definitely not for everyone. Like any home improvement project, it’s important to realistically assess your skills, and weigh the benefits and potential pitfalls. Installing a PV system certainly isn’t rocket science, but doing it well and safely requires experience working with electrical systems, some serious research, and plenty of sound advice. The installation of most residential PV systems is usually better left to the pros, but if you have the right set of skills and expectations, installing your own system can be a realistic goal.

Solar Power 101: How to Implement Solar Electricity

How to Implement Solar Electricity

Part 3 of 4 Series

From HP Online Magazine

As discussed in Step 1, there are several different applications for PV systems. Which system is right for you depends on your particular situation and RE goals. Due to available incentive programs and the simplistic nature of batteryless grid-tied PV systems, they are the most common type of system installed in the United States today. Here is a checklist to see if this type of system might work for you:

Interested in clean power? Check.
Already on the grid? Check.
Infrequent utility outages? Check.
Have a sunny location to mount PV modules? Check.
If this describes your situation, then a batteryless grid-tied PV system could be the perfect fit. Compared to their off-grid counterparts, batteryless grid- tied systems are simple to understand and design, with only two primary components: PV modules and an inverter that feeds AC electricity back into the electrical system to offset some or all of the electricity otherwise purchased from the utility. These systems are cheaper, easier to install and maintain, and operate more efficiently than battery-based systems of comparable size. Their main drawback is that when the grid goes down, they cannot provide any energy for you to use. If the grid in your area is mostly reliable and outages are infrequent, these systems can offer the best payback for the least price.

The primary goal of a grid-tied PV system is to offset all or some of your electricity usage. Yet the first step in going solar is not sizing the PV system, but reducing electricity usage through conservation and efficiency measures. Once energy-efficiency and conservation measures have been implemented, you’re ready to size a PV system to offset the remaining energy usage. Annual energy use figures can be requested from your utility, and these values can be used to determine the PV array size. However, there are a few other considerations that will impact PV system size. In residential areas especially, a primary constraint to PV array sizing can be the size of the available shade-free mounting area. PV modules can be mounted on a roof, the ground, or a pole (which includes trackers). Regardless of which mounting method is used, the shade-free area, minus clearance needed for maintenance or roof setbacks required by local fire department guidelines, will limit how large the array can be. In the case of roof-mounted systems, typically 50% to 80% of a roof plane will be available for mounting PV modules. Often the most confining consideration is budget. Currently (early 2012), the cost per installed watt of residential PV systems ranges from $5 to $8, which includes everything—modules, inverter, disconnects, racking, wire, and conduit to taxes, shipping, installation labor, and permitting. Reducing the cost is the uncapped 30% federal tax credit. Additionally, many individual states, municipalities, and utilities offer rebates that can further offset a PV system’s cost. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE; www.dsireusa.org) organizes incentive programs by state and program type, making incentives easy to research.

Off-Grid Systems: Living off the grid is a romantic ambition for some; a practical necessity for others. But whatever your motivation for off-grid living, cutting the electrical umbilical cord from the utility shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before you pull out the calculator, size up the realities and challenges of living off the grid. Designing a stand-alone PV system differs substantially from designing a batteryless grid-direct system. Instead of meeting the home’s annual demand, a stand-alone system must be able to meet energy requirements every day of the year. Determining the home’s daily and seasonal energy usage, along with considering the daily and seasonal availability of the sun, allows designers to estimate the PV array and battery bank size, and charge controller and inverter specifications. 

Solar Power 101: Why Use Solar Electricity?

Why Use Solar Electricity?

Part 2 of 4 Series

From HP Online Magazine

When we consider the true cost of energy, we need to look at the big picture, not just the rate on the utility bill. Conventional fuels have real social, environmental, and economic impacts. There are annual and cumulative costs that stem from all of the pollutants (airborne, solid, and liquid) emitted from mining, processing, and transporting fossil fuels that impact our public health and the environment. Electricity derived from coal and natural gas will never be able to outweigh the energy and continual resources required to produce it. Unlike conventional energy sources, PV systems produce clean electricity for decades after achieving their energy payback in three or fewer years—this is truly the magic of PV technology.

Grid electricity is paid for as you use it, with payments stretching out forever. In contrast, the majority of PV system expenses are paid for at the time the system is installed. After that, the energy is essentially free. In strictly economic terms, the rate of return for your PV system depends on three things—solar resource; electricity prices; and state policies or incentives. While many utilities sell electricity at affordable rates, inflation as well as energy price history and forecasts indicate price increases in our future, which will make RE systems’ payback even quicker. Historical data reported by the Edison Electric Institute shows that from 1929 to 2005, the average annual price increase for electricity has been 2.94% per year. And according to the Energy Information Administration’s June 2008 Short Term Energy Outlook, utility rates are projected to increase by an average of 3.7% in 2008 and by another 3.6% in 2009. Federal tax credits for renewable energy systems are available, reducing a RE system’s cost, and many states, regions, and utilities also offer substantial rebates, performance-based incentives, tax credits, tax exemptions, loans, and other economic incentives for solar-electric systems.

Independence is chief among the reasons for wanting an off-grid PV system where the grid is available. Off-grid systems are not subject to the terms or policies of the local utility, nor are system owners subjected to rate increases, blackouts, or brownouts. If you’re shopping for rural property, you’ll probably find that off-grid parcels are less expensive. Being off-grid can also be cheaper than getting a utility line extended to a property.

When weighing the energy options (between the grid and solar, wind or water sources) it becomes apparent that solar energy is a very democratic form of energy. Because the sun shines everywhere, the potential to utilize solar energy is available to everyone. Additionally, as compared to generators (gas, or even wind- or hydro-powered ones), because PV systems have no moving parts, they are extremely reliable and require very little maintenance.

Solar Power 101: Basics

Solar Electricity Basics
Part 1 of 4 Series

From Home Power (HP Online Magazine)

What is Solar Electricity?

Photovoltaic (PV) modules make electricity from sunlight, and are marvelously simple, effective, and durable. They sit in the sun and, with no moving parts, can run your appliances, charge your batteries, or make energy for the utility grid.

A PV array is the energy collector—the solar “generator” and does so via the photovoltaic effect. Discovered in 1839 by French physicist Alexandre-Edmund Becquerel, the photovoltaic effect describes the way in which PV cells create electricity from the energy residing in photons of sunlight. When sunlight hits a PV cell, the cell absorbs some of the photons and the photons’ energy is transferred to an electron in the semiconductor material. With the energy from the photon, the electron can escape its usual position in the semiconductor atom to become part of the current in an electrical circuit.

Most PV cells fall into one of two basic categories: crystalline silicon or thin-film. Crystalline silicon modules can be fashioned from either monocrystalline, multicrystalline, or ribbon silicon. Thin-film is a term encompassing a range of different technologies, including amorphous silicon, and a host of variations using other semiconductors like cadmium telluride or CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide). Thin-film technology generates a lot of the current R&D chatter, but crystalline modules currently capture more than 80% of the marketplace.

To use the energy from the array, you may also need other components, such as inverters, charge controllers and batteries, which make up a solar-electric system. The components required are dependent on the system type designed. System types include:

PV-DIRECT SYSTEMS: These are the simplest of solar-electric systems, with the fewest components (basically the PV array and the load). Because they don’t have batteries and are not hooked up to the utility, they only power the loads when the sun is shining. This means that they are only appropriate for a few select applications, notably water pumping and ventilation—when the sun shines, the fan or pump runs.

OFF-GRID SYSTEMS: Although they are most common in remote locations without utility service, off-grid solar-electric systems can work anywhere. These systems operate independently from the grid to provide all of a household’s electricity. These systems require a battery bank to store the solar electricity for use during nighttime or cloudy weather, a charge controller to protect the battery bank from overcharge, an inverter to convert the DC PV array power to AC for use with AC household appliances, and all the required disconnects, monitoring, and associated electrical safety gear.

GRID-TIED SYSTEMS WITH BATTERY BACKUP: This type is very similar to an off-grid system in design and components, but adds the utility grid, which reduces the need for the system to provide all the energy all the time.

BATTERYLESS GRID-TIED SYSTEMS: These most common PV systems are also known as on-grid, grid-tied, utility-interactive, grid-intertied, or grid-direct. They generate solar electricity and route it to the loads and to the electric utility grid, offsetting a home’s or business’s electricity usage. System components are simply comprised of the PV array, inverter(s), and required electrical safety gear (i.e., fuses/breakers/disconnects/monitoring). Living with a grid-connected solar-electric system is no different than living with utility electricity, except that some or all of the electricity you use comes from the sun. (The drawback of these batteryless systems is that they provide no outage protection—when the utility grid fails, these systems cannot operate.)