One study found that “inflation in oil price is harmful for energy security and threatening food security.” It suggests that “it’s necessary to diversify the energy consumption in agricultural sector.”
And from this article, microgrids become the solution to liberate the food industry from relying on “fossil fuels for processing, transportation and fertilizers.”
While the Philippines already have policies that support the implementation of microgrid systems, there are still aspects of the regulatory environment that need further development.
And as we transition back to decentralized energy systems, I realized that it’s also essential to look into both sides of the situation rather than scream foul (by default) against fossil fuels.
From Don’t forget the ‘steps’ when stepping into the future of decarbonized, decentralized energy:
The concept of reaching zero-carbon energy use by electrifying everything and transitioning to zero-carbon generation is an appealing one on the surface. Until you get into the nitty, gritty details.
Heat, as many in the energy industry know, is the elephant in the room. Decarbonizing energy uses that require electricity is much easier than industrial processes that require high-quality heat, such as making plastics, fuels and more.
There are a significant number of universities and industrial facilities today still using coal or coke products. These systems tie to infrastructure embedded deeply within their campuses and plants. Totally replacing that infrastructure falls anywhere between cost prohibitive and impossible. What is possible—and smart business to save cost and reduce carbon—is to upgrade those systems to high-efficiency gas cogeneration systems, which produce electricity, heating and cooling for buildings and high quality steam for industrial processes.
That step alone can cut costs and carbon, but it also prepares the energy user for the next step to a zero-carbon future. These gas cogen systems are ready to use no- or lower-carbon fuels such as green hydrogen and renewable natural gas when they emerge as viable fuel alternatives.
jessa 