Imagine a future where your energy comes from a source that's clean, reliable, and never runs out. That's the promise of renewable energy! In the Philippines, this is more important than ever.

Why Renewable Energy (RE)?

Unlike gas and coal, which eventually run out, renewable sources like sunlight, wind, and geothermal heat are unending gifts from nature. This is especially true for the Philippines, which is currently facing the wrath of El Niño and other natural disasters. Reliance on fossil fuels has led to frequent power outages and high electricity costs, worsening the energy crisis.

El Niño is a cyclical weather condition that causes the country to experience severe droughts and intense heat waves because of the climate crisis. This year, it strikes the nation with such force that billions of money – and livelihoods – are lost. The Department of Agriculture recently released a report that estimates farm damage to a staggering P5.9 billion. Imagine the difference that money could have made!

The Philippines’ reliance on fossil fuels for energy and electricity has made us more vulnerable during crises like this, and this situation highlights how urgently we need to transition to RE sources. But what kinds of RE are abundant in the Philippines, and how can they support us to be sustainable? This is where the BIGSHOW comes into play. Let's explore how renewable energy works, what the “BIGSHOW” is, and how it might help the nation achieve a promising future.

BI for Biomass

Have you ever wondered whether you could make electricity from leftover corn cobs, wood scraps, or even animal manure? Yes, you certainly can. This surprising source of RE is called biomass. In the past, the only source of heat was wood burning. Today, we can convert agricultural waste into clean-burning fuels, such as ethanol — a supercharged alcohol — which can power our houses and vehicles.

How biomass works: We can turn biomass into energy through various methods. One way is burning it through a furnace to create steam, which spins turbines for electricity generation. Alternatively, we can use processes like gasification or pyrolysis to break down biomass and create gasses or bio-oils that can be used for power or converted into liquid fuels. Even tiny organisms can play a part! Through biochemical conversion, they turn biomass into ethanol (fuel) or biogas (used for electricity).

G for Geothermal

Imagine creating a massive underground furnace out of the Earth's own heat. That’s the basic idea of geothermal energy! Heat is used in geothermal power plants to create steam, powering turbines to produce electricity. One major benefit of geothermal energy is that it doesn't get affected by the weather or the time of day.

How geothermal works: Geothermal energy utilizes the Earth’s internal heat. We tap into this heat by drilling deep wells and extracting hot water. Then, this hot water transfers its heat to a working fluid with a lower boiling point, causing it to vaporize into steam. This generates steam-spin turbines, like in a dry steam plant, and ultimately produces electricity.

S for Solar

Solar energy is the shining star of renewables! Unlike traditional methods that rely on polluting fuels like coal or gas, solar panels use the sun's abundant energy to generate clean electricity. In 2022, wind and sunshine combined produced over 12% of the world's electricity.

How solar energy works: The magic behind solar energy lies in its key components: solar panels, made with semiconductors like silicon, and photovoltaic cells. These cells act like tiny suncatchers, absorbing the sun’s rays to create an invisible flow of electricity. This electricity then travels through wires within the panel and into your home’s electrical system, ready to power your lights, appliances, and anything else that needs a clean energy boost.

H for Hydropower

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, uses the energy of moving water to generate clean electricity. Unlike fossil fuels that get used up, hydropower relies on the natural water cycle, making it a renewable resource.

How hydropower works: Here’s the basic idea: Dams or special structures are built on rivers to control the flow of water. Hydropower plants work by converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. Dams store water, which then rushes downhill with force and is channeled through pipes to spin turbines. These turbines are connected to generators, which convert that movement into electricity.

O for Ocean

Ocean energy, sometimes called marine energy or hydrokinetic energy, is another fantastic source of RE. It harnesses the power of the waves, tides, and currents to create electricity, offering a sustainable and abundant energy solution.

How ocean energy works: Imagine the constant motion of the ocean — waves crashing, tides rising and falling, currents swirling. Ocean energy captures this movement and turns it into electricity! Semi-permeable barrages or offshore structures harvest this energy from waves and currents.

W for Wind Energy

Wind energy is a clean and renewable way to generate electricity. It works by capturing the power of moving air, like a giant invisible windcatcher.

How wind energy works: Tall wind turbines, with long, wide blades resembling enormous fans, are usually found majestically in fields or along coastlines. When the wind blows, it pushes against these blades, making them spin. This spinning motion travels down a shaft connected to a generator, which cleverly turns that movement into electricity.

A Brighter Future for the Philippines’ RE Future

After learning how RE helps the environment, you might be thinking, “Which renewable energy source is the best?” The Philippines is taking a big step towards a brighter future by investing in RE projects across different sources. But sunshine and wind stand out as promising resources due to their abundance in the Philippines and the potential for accessibility for households and businesses. Blessed with abundant sunshine for most of the year, the country is a prime location for harnessing solar energy in particular. This means everyday Filipino families can potentially join the RE movement by installing solar on their rooftops! Starting small in our homes can lead to significant benefits for the entire country. From here, we can advocate for a Philippines where ensuring that everyone can reap the rewards of solar energy and other renewable sources.

By embracing both solar and wind energy, the Philippines can unlock a brighter future powered by clean and reliable sources. Are you on board for a greener, more sustainable, and affordable future?