Why Biomass Should Take Part In Philippine’s Future

The country Philippines is rich in agricultural crops, forest residues, animal wastes, agro-industrial wastes, municipal solid wastes, and aquatic waste that are all supply the production of biomass energy solutions. As fossil fuel prices continue to rise in the country, most people are turning to an alternative way to save much little better by utilizing the most common agricultural wastes and other crop residues. Let’s discover what is biomass energy and why it plays a role in the country’s future.

Let’s dig in…

Let’s first answer the question of how biomass is produced. Biomass is an energy resource produced by living and those once-living organisms. This has been part of our lives since our ancestors discovered and learned to control fire. In fact, it is made possible by the sun whose energy is absorbed by trees and plants (a good source of biomass) through photosynthesis and released when an organic matter is burned. ‘

Knowing where biomass came from, how does it generate heat and electricity? Biomass produces energy when burned directly or converted to renewable liquid and gaseous fuels through various processes. Currently, experts are still working and doing multiple studies on ways to improve the methods and to develop other ways to transform and use more biomass for energy production.

This energy is one of the popular Philippine energy waste solutions. In fact, not only in the country but also in the U.S. They have been using this renewable energy resource, especially for cooking and heating in developing countries.

About 30 % of the energy for more than 80 million people living in the Philippines comes from biomass. The same with the other countries, it is mainly used for household cooking by the rural and urban areas. The application of biomass energy accounts for around 15 % of the primary energy use in the Philippines. There are already approved renewable energy projects in the Philippines, and resources are available with a potential capacity to generate more than 200 MW and aims to solve the emerging energy crisis.

Investments in Philippine Biomass Industry

Given the dynamic nature and advantages of renewable resources like biomass, the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) outlines a policy framework that is enshrined in the Republic Act 9513. This outline sets the strategic building of ways that will help the country achieve the renewable goals, as stated in the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

Various programs will be reviewed according to the NREP and deployment of renewable energy projects will also be monitored. The Philippines has abundant of resources, and one of that is the rice fields and trees which is central to the development of the country’s renewable energy which will lessen the energy crisis that the Philippines is facing. What’s more essential is that renewables have zero emissions of carbon which is the potential to energy security and challenges to climate change.

Rest of the world
Currently, biomass presents around 10% of the global energy supply, with about 70% of electricity is produced from Europe and North America. In line with that, this clean energy from sustainable forests can support a constant supply of wood pellets. The same goes for the Philippines.

The Philippines has a strong self-interest in the advancement of sustainable energy solutions and clean energy technologies. It has the potential to become a role model for other developing countries on account of its broad portfolio of biomass energy resources. Its potential to assist in rural development will drive other nations to do so.

Biomass energy solutions are vital upon addressing access to energy in the Philippines. And that’s what the future holds for biomass energy.