ISSUES AND CONCERNS WITH DIFFERENT RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

A.) Solar Energy

1.) In an article by Solar Power is the Future (2018), the main problem with solar power

that has stifled its use is the fact that energy production only takes place when the sun is shining.

Large storage systems need to be developed to provide a constant and reliable source of electricity

when the sun isn't shining at night or when a cloud goes overhead. The same article stated that

installing solar panels on a house is expensive and requires experienced people, these systems used

fixed solar panels since alignment systems are too expensive for the average homeowner.

Most alternative policy scenarios project a higher total system cost, apart from the subsidy

scenario. System cost increases only 2.6% in the renewables target scenario relative to the

reference scenario. However, long-term benefits from investing in the alternative policy options

would need to be considered, including diversification of energy supply-mix, improved energy

security, and progress toward a low-carbon society (Mondal, Rosegrant, Ringler, Pradesha, &

Santos, 2018)

Based on a study by Querikiol and Taboada (2018) conducted to evaluate the performance

of a 1.5 kW micro off-grid solar power generator in a 2-hectare area of a 23-hectare agricultural

farm located in Camotes Island, Cebu, Philippines. As stated in the research, the area requires at

least 3000 liters of water every day to irrigate its plantation of passion fruit and dragon fruit;

however, there is no water source within the immediate vicinity that can support such requirement.

The study used a 1.5 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system consisting of 6 units of 250-watts solar

PV panel with corresponding 6 units of 200 ampere-hour deep cycle batteries managed by a 3-kW

industrial grade inverter provided the power for the water pump and supplied for the electricity
demand of the farm. Based on the research, the actual energy usage of the farm was measured from

the built-in monitoring of the charge controller and the installed system was analyzed to determine

its efficiency in meeting the actual load demand. As stated, The HOMER optimization tool was

used to determine the optimal configuration for the micro off-grid system based on the actual load

demand. Simulation results showed that the optimum configuration that could supply the actual

load is a 2.63 kW all-PV system with 8 kWh batteries.

The study goes to show how assessing renewable energy specifically solar energy, can

affect both financial problems and manpower in the Philippines.

2.) Everyone knows that solar energy is one of the most efficient renewable energy sources.

It doesn’t emit harmful chemicals like the other energy sources, however, there are still some

drawbacks when one decides to use solar power (Baskaran, 2015). One concern about this is that

solar energy is highly weather dependent. Even though solar panels can gather energy during rainy

and cloudy days, the efficiency of the panels starts to go down (Baskaran, 2015). As stated by

Baskaran (2015), another is the storage of solar energy, now it can be used right away or stored in

large batteries that are quite expensive. Lastly, using solar panels require a lot of space. If one

wants to produce more energy, he will need more panels to collect them.

B.) Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth’s internal heat which is mostly used in some

countries for cooking and heating. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration

(2018), the environmental effects of geothermal energy depend on how geothermal energy is used

or how it is converted to useful energy. As stated in the research, direct use applications and
geothermal heat pumps have almost no negative effects on the environment. In fact, they can have

a positive effect by reducing the use of energy sources that may have negative effects on the

environment. A geothermal heat pump system can take advantage of the constant temperature of

the upper ten feet (three meters) of the Earth’s surface to heat a home in the winter, while extracting

heat from the building and transferring it back to the relatively cooler ground in the summer

(National Geographic, 2019). The U.S. Energy Information Administration (2018) also added that,

geothermal power plants do not burn fuel to generate electricity, so the levels of air pollutants they

emit are low. As stated by EPA (2018), They emit 97% less acid rain-causing sulfur compounds

and about 99% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel power plants of similar size. The researchers

have also stated that geothermal power plants use scrubbers to remove the hydrogen sulfide

naturally found in geothermal reservoirs. As the research have mentioned, most geothermal power

plants inject the geothermal steam and water that they use back into the earth. This recycling helps

to renew the geothermal resource.

C.) Biomass Energy

According to Goyal (2019), biomass energy is an organic material that comes from plants

and animals which are burned to release heat, however, this renewable energy has its setbacks in

different areas. The research found that the issues and concerns are: Large Project Costs; the

project costs are too great. Lack of Funding Options; the most essential aspect of any biomass

energy project is the resource assessment. As the research mentioned, Non-Transparent Trade

Markets; most countries still lack a common platform to the buyers and sellers of biomass

resources and as a result of this, their price varies from vendor to vendor even when considering

the same feedstock. High Risks / Low Paybacks; Biomass energy plants are plagued by numerous

uncertainties including fuel price escalation and unreliable resource supply to name just a few.
According to Goyal (2019), “Project owners should consider other opportunities to increase their

profit margins.” The researcher also stated that, Resource Price Escalation; a study of some of the

successful biomass energy plants globally would result in the conclusion of the inevitability of

having own resource base to cater to the plant requirements. In addition, this could be through

captive forestry or energy plantations at waste lands or fallow lands surrounding the plant site.

D.) Hydroelectric Power

Hydropower energy does not emit greenhouse gases or air pollution. The issues and concerns

about hydroelectric energy is the construction and environmental consequences (Environment and

Ecology 2019). Stated in the same research, dams that have flooded areas with live vegetation can

release gases (Methane) that cause the organic material to decompose. When the plants and trees

rot, they reduced the oxygen content of the water that can kill marine animals. (EPA Energy Kids

2019). Hydropower operations may differ from these natural flow patterns, which has implications

for downstream riparian and aquatic species. If water levels downstream of a hydropower fluctuate

wildly because of generation operations, fish could be stranded in sudden shallow waters (Jones

2016). The flooding of land to create reservoirs can also eliminate areas where people live or grow

crops. Wildlife habitats destroyed by reservoirs can be especially valuable (Jensen 2018).

E.) Wind Turbine Power

Although wind turbines may serve as a better alternative to fossil fuels, still contribute to

the climate change felt around the globe. Based on a study, published Thursday, October 4, 2018,

wind turbines contribute to climate change in terms of how they distribute heat and air in the

atmosphere. (Rappler, 2018) Wind beats coal by an environmental, but that doesn’t mean that its

impacts are negligible. (Keith, 2018) This therefore means, that even though wind power is much
better for the environment compared to coal or the burning of fossil fuels, it doesn't mean that its

impacts on the environment are minuscule. If compared to the average global temperature at the

end of the 19th century, the recent temperature has increased by roughly one degree. In addition,

a recent study which was published in the journal a Science, came to a conclusion that if an area

the Sahara Desert were to be covered in wind turbines, it would affect local temperature, rain fall,

and eventually the plant life. To further add to the topic, according to Christina Stella in her article

entitled, “Unfurling the Waste Problem cause by Wind Energy”, the main issue is the disposal of

wastes, particularly in the disposal of the blade material in the wind turbines. It is stated in the

article that over the next 20 years, the United States will have more than 720,000 tons of blade

material to dispose. It was also stated that there is a limitation in the processes in which these

materials can be recycled. There may be some, but they are scarce and are very expensive to do.

In addition, 90% of a turbine’s parts can be recycled or sold for income, however the blades, which

are made of tough but pliable resin and fiberglass cannot. The blades are a kind of a dud because

they hold no value. (Vleet, 2019) Since they hold no value, they therefore cannot be recycled or

sold. They are also relatively difficult and expensive to transport. Blades ranging from 100 to 300

feet need to be split into pieces in order to fit a truck that's headed towards a landfill. Cindy

Langstorm, who manages the turbine blade disposal project stated that because the blades are so

durable, the cost of disposing them is a lot higher. She said that their crushing equipment is not

big enough to crush the blades. In conclusion, wind power, although beneficial in the long run, has

immediate impacts toward the climate. In addition, the disposal of blade materials that come from

wind turbines is space consuming and inefficient in terms of finances

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baskaran, R. (2015). Solar photovoltaic-powered membrane distillation as sustainable

clean energy technology in desalination. Current Science, 109(7), 1247-1254.

Goyal, S. (2019). Major Issues in Biomass Energy Projects. Retrieved from

https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/issues-biomass-energy/.

Jones, J. 2016, November 22. Environmental issues associated with hydroelectric power
energy http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2016/ph240/jones-j1/

Future, S. P. (2018). Problems with Solar Energy - Why It Is Not More Widely Used.
Retrieved from Solar Power is The Future: https://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/problems-
with-solar-energy.shtml

Mondal, A., Rosegrant, M., Ringler, C., Pradesha, A., & Santos, R. (2018, March 15). The
Philippines energy future and low-carbon development strategies. Retrieved from Science Direct:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544218300458

Querikiol, E. M., & Taboada, E. B. (2018, December 2). Performance Evaluation of a

Micro Off-Grid Solar Energy Generator for Islandic Agricultural Farm Operations Using
HOMER. Retrieved from Hindawi: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jre/2018/2828173/abs/

National Geographic. (2019, September 19). Geothermal Energy. Retrieved from

National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-
warming/geothermal-energy/

U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2018, December 11). Geothermal Energy and
the Environment. Retrieved from EIA:
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/geothermal/geothermal-energy-and-the-environment.php

Morella, Cecil (October 10, 2018). "Going geothermal: Philippines revs up flagging green
energy engine". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
Stella, C. (2019, September 10). Unfurling the Waste Problem Caused By Wind
Energy. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2019/09/10/759376113/unfurling-the-waste-
problem-caused-by-wind-energy
Rappler (2018, October 5). Wind turbines contribute to climate change – study.
Rappler.com. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/science-
nature/environment/213597-study-wind-turbines-contribute-climate-change
1. Based on your articles, which two energy sources would create the least problems in the

Philippines? State your reason about your two choices. (You may use another piece of short bond

paper)

Based on the data that the researchers have gathered, Hydroelectric Energy and Geothermal

Energy in our opinion, would create the least problems in the Philippines.

It is known that the Philippines is an archipelagic land form near the equator and belongs

in the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, where constant volcanic and tectonic activity occur

frequently. This fact supports the general feasibility of the Geothermal Energy in terms of nation-

wide availability. According to Morella, C. (2018), the Philippines is the world’s top-producer of

geothermal energy. According to the International Geothermal Association (IGA), worldwide, the

Philippines ranks second to the United States in producing geothermal energy. As of 2010, the US

had a capacity of 3093 megawatts of geothermal power, while that of the Philippines was 1904

megawatts. This is precisely because of the country’s location that makes it geothermally active.

According to EPA (2018), geothermal energy can have positive effects in means of reducing the

use of energy sources that have negative effects on the environment. Moreover, geothermal power

plants do not burn fuel to generate electricity, so the levels of air pollutants they emit are low. As

stated by EPA (2018), geothermal emit 97% less acid rain-causing sulfur compounds and about

99% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel power plants of similar size.

The Hydroelectric power industry in the Philippines is largely untapped according to the

Department of Energy (2019). The department have stated that Hydroelectric power can supply

more than 10 percent of the country’s power needs. It is known that the Philippines is characterized

by its rugged and uneven terrain with (sometimes), features of water reservoirs in depressed land

areas in mountainous regions. According to NAPOCOR, there are 21 active hydroelectric power
plants active in the Philippines, showing the abundant resource and land requirement for the

Industry to supply significant energy for the country. According to Environment and Ecology

(2019), hydropower energy does not emit greenhouse gases or air pollution. Just like geothermal

energy, hydropower does not have a direct impact on our environment in terms of releasing air

pollutants. There is however a drawback from the citizens because of hydropower’s construction

and environmental consequences that could directly devastate and affect the population. According

to Department of Energy (2019). “The capital-intensive nature, long gestation period (average of

seven years) and accompanying issues of social acceptability of large hydropower projects remain

to be the sector's biggest challenges. On the other hand, micro-hydro development for off-grid

electrification is hindered by high upfront costs and the need for government intervention and

subsidy.” The potential in hydroelectric power is at large. If given the right equipment, technology,

and safety protocols, large-scaled hydroelectric or hydropower projects are a possibility.

Conclusion

To summarize, the possible energy sources that could be used as alternatives for fossil fuels

in the Philippines are 1.) Solar Energy, 2.) Geothermal Energy, 3.) Biomass Energy, 4.)

Hydroelectric Power, and 5.) Wind Turbine Power.

Each constituent alternative has their own disadvantages and issues.

Solar Energy is a method that is popular among renewable-energy sources, but it utilizes

more manpower and can affect the country financially due to its costly production, construction,

and maintenance.

Geothermal Energy among all these is one of the best sources of energy for the Philippines;

the reason it is chosen as a top alternative in the previous question. Citing back, according to EPA

(2018), geothermal energy can have positive effects in means of reducing the use of energy sources

that have negative effects on the environment. Moreover, geothermal power plants do not burn

fuel to generate electricity, so the levels of air pollutants they emit are low. As stated by EPA

(2018), geothermal emit 97% less acid rain-causing sulfur compounds and about 99% less carbon

dioxide than fossil fuel power plants of similar size.

Biomass Energy is another main contributor to the overall energy production of renewable

energy sources. However, biomass is burned to release heat, therefore having trace amounts of

carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere. Additional problems according

to Goyal (2019), is that biomass energy has large project costs, lack of funding options, most

countries still lack a common platform to the buyers and sellers of biomass resources. As

mentioned by Goyal, “Biomass energy plants are plagued by numerous uncertainties including

fuel price escalation and unreliable resource supply to name just a few.”
 Hydroelectric Power is another efficient and effective way of harnessing energy from

renewable sources with minimal problems and concerns as applied to our country. However, some

issues and concerns with hydroelectric power is mainly focused on natural wildlife and human

safety. According to EPA (2019), the issues and concerns about hydroelectric energy is the

construction and environmental consequences. According to Jones (2016), hydropower operations

may differ from these natural flow patterns, which has implications for downstream riparian and

aquatic species. If water levels downstream of a hydropower fluctuate wildly because of generation

operations, fish could be stranded in sudden shallow waters. And lastly, according to Jensen

(2018), the flooding of land to create reservoirs can also eliminate areas where people live or grow

crops. Wildlife habitats destroyed by reservoirs can be especially valuable. Citing above, the

potential in hydroelectric power is at large. If given the right equipment, technology, and safety

protocols, large-scaled hydroelectric or hydropower projects are a possibility.

Citing above, although wind turbines may serve as a better alternative to fossil fuels, still

contribute to the climate change felt around the globe. Wind Turbine Power does have its own

adverse effects on the environment, mainly by altering wind patterns that may disturb natural

weather patterns, noise pollution, and wildlife hazard. Citing above, according to Christina Stella

in her article entitled, “Unfurling the Waste Problem cause by Wind Energy”, the main issue is the

disposal of wastes, particularly in the disposal of the blade material in the wind turbines. It is stated

in the article that over the next 20 years, the United States will have more than 720,000 tons of

blade material to dispose. According to Vleet (2019), there is a limitation in the processes in which

these materials can be recycled. There may be some, but they are scarce and are very expensive to

do. In addition, 90% of a turbine’s parts can be recycled or sold for income, however the blades,

which are made of tough but pliable resin and fiberglass cannot. In conclusion, wind power,
although beneficial in the long run, has immediate impacts toward the climate. In addition, the

disposal of blade materials that come from wind turbines is space consuming and inefficient in

terms of finances.