Renewable energy now powers 60% of DLSU-D’s energy load
With the aim to achieve environmental sustainability around the campus, DLSU-D chose Energy Development Corporation (EDC) to power more than 60 percent of the University’s energy load.
As confirmed by Environmental Resource Management Center (ERMaC) Director Marlon Pareja, EDC was chosen as it provides renewable energy sources coming from geothermal plants.
“Pinaka cost-effective ang in-offer ng EDC (among other energy sources in the list) and may additional freebies siya (EDC). Let’s say, tutulungan [ng EDC] ang University with regards to energy management. [Ibig sabihin], may add-ons siya,” Pareja said.
The additional services that the EDC assured the University include the monitoring of DLSU-D’s energy load and coordinating with student organizations for tie-ups that could help expose the students in terms of the services that they provide.
As stated in the HERALDO FILIPINO Volume XXXI Issue 1, other choices for choosing a renewable energy source provider include Aboitiz Power and M-Power.
60% over 100%
The University has two primary meters—one with less than 750 megawatt (MW) and the other with more than 1 MW.
Since the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 allows institutions with more than one megawatt power consumption to choose their preferred source of energy, 40 percent of the University’s energy load is not yet powered by renewable energy.
“So, may transition period. Ngayong taon, more than 1MW ang puwede nang mamili [ng renewable energy source]. ‘Yong mga 750 to 999 kilowatt, puwedeng mamili sa next year pa. Since may dalawa tayong linya, inuna muna natin ‘yong more than 1MW,” Pareja explained.
Carbon footprint reduction
As the University uses renewable energy on campus, Pareja said the carbon footprint of the University’s total emission of greenhouse gases can now be reduced.
“Switching to renewable energy is almost comparable to removing 1,781 passenger vehicles on our streets driven for a year and even to planting 218,559 trees that will be maintained for 10 years,” Pareja said.
