How Energy is

Produced and
Managed
Energy is defined as the ability to do work. When work
is done, energy is transferred from one object to
another. Energy exists from different forms such as
electrical and chemical energy. Most forms of energy
can be classified as kinetic energy and potential energy.
Kinetic energy is the energy of moving matter. Things
with kinetic energy can do work. Kinetic energy depends
on the object’s mass and velocity. Potential energy is
the energy stored in an object because of its position or
shape.
A power plant is an industrial facility that generates electricity from primary
energy. Most power plants use one or more generators that convert mechanical
energy into electrical energy in order to supply power to the electrical grid for
society's electrical needs. The exception is solar power plants, which use
photovoltaic cells (instead of a turbine) to generate this electricity.
The type of primary fuel or primary energy flow that provides a power plant its
primary energy varies. The most common fuels are coal, natural gas, and uranium
(nuclear power). A substantially used primary energy flow for electricity
generation is hydroelectricity (water). Other flows that are used to generate
electricity include wind, solar, geothermal and tidal.
Electrical sources can be broken down to two major groups: renewable and non-
renewable sources. Renewable source is produced from sources that do not
deplete or can be replenished within a human's life time. The most common
examples include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower. This is in
contrast to non-renewable source which is a natural resource that cannot be
readily replaced by natural means at a quick enough pace to keep up with
consumption.
I. Renewable Sources
1. Geothermal
Geothermal power utilizes the heat energy from the earth’s crust. This heat
energy heats up rocks which, in turn, heats up nearby groundwater. The
Malitbog Geothermal Power Station is a 232.5 MW geothermal power
plant or an earth steam turbined electric generator--the world's largest
geothermal power plant under one roof located in Malitbog, Kananga,
Leyte, Philippines. The power plant is one of four operating in the Leyte
Geothermal Production Field. Geothermal energy is produced by the heat
of Earth’s molten interior. This energy is harnessed to generate electricity
when water is injected deep underground and returns as steam (or hot
water, which is later converted to steam) to drive a turbine on an electric
power generator that produces electricity. Geothermal energy is less of an
environmental hazard compared to fossil fuels though it still has some
emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Some of the operational geothermal power plants in the Philippines are:
• Malibarara Geothermal Power Plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas
• Makban Geothermal Power Plant and Makban Binary Geothermal Power Plant in Bay, Laguna
• Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant in Tiwi, Albay
• Bacon Manito Geothermal Power Plant in Sorosogon
• Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Leyte
• Southern Negros Geothermal Production Field – Nasulo Geothermal Power Plant and
Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant in Valencia Negros Occidental
2. Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric power (hydropower) is derived from the energy of falling
or moving water to generate electricity. Among other purposes, water
is widely used to produce electricity. Hydropower is a proven, mature,
predictable, and price competitive technology. A number of on- and off-
grid hydropower plants have been built throughout the country,
including impounding dams and run-of-river types. Impounding dams
are able to supply energy during peak and off-peak hours while run-of-
river types supply electricity whenever capable, depending on the
volume of water that is discharged from the watersheds.
A turbine converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical
energy. Then a generator converts the mechanical energy from the
turbine into electrical energy. The generator power is stepped up to a
higher voltage from the substation, and then exported for transmission.
Some of the operational hydroelectric power plants in the Philippines are:
• Palakpakin Hydroelectric Power Plant in San Pablo, Laguna
• Balugbog Hydroelectric Power Plant in Narcarlan, Laguna
• Cantingas Hydroelectric Power Plant in San Fernando, Romblon
• Ewon Mini-Hydroelectric Power Plant in Sevilla, Bohol
• Hanopol Mini-Hydroelectric Power Plant in Balilihan, Bohol
• Santa Clara Mini-Hydroelectric Power Plant in Loboc, Bohol
3. Wind power
While an electric fan uses electricity to produce wind, a wind turbine
uses wind to produce electricity. A wind turbine can generate megawatts
of power, depending on the weather conditions. In fact, an indicator for
a potential wind farm site is the presence of flagging trees or trees that
are bent like how a flag would look like due to strong winds. Because of
the vast land area, a wind farm occupies, unused areas can be co-located
with agricultural crops or even a solar farm. Wind has been used in
centuries to move ships and pump water. Wind turbines are installed in
strategic locations to harness the mechanical energy from wind. Some of
the most recent developments are the Bangui Wind Farm, Burgos Wind
Farm, and Caparispisan Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte, the Wind Energy
Power System in Oriental Mindoro, San Lorenzo Wind Farm in Guimaras,
Nabas Wind Farm in Aklan and Pililla Wind Farm in Rizal.
4. Solar Cells
If plants photosynthesize using sunlight, electric-powered technologies can also
use sunlight for energy. Solar power is a variable energy source that is dependent
on the cycle of the sun. The Philippines, being situated near the equator, has
many potential sites where solar energy may be harnessed.
With recent technology, solar power systems can be both applied to on- and off-
grid areas. Aggressive economic growth for the country is not far behind. As long
as there is sunlight, solar power will always be available. Solar power technology
may not generate energy at night but it is capable of supplying electricity to the
grid at daytime.
A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts the energy of
light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical and
chemical phenomenon. It is a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device
whose electrical characteristics, such as current, voltage, or resistance, vary
when exposed to light. Individual solar cell devices are often the electrical
building blocks of photovoltaic modules, known colloquially as solar panels.
Dagohoy Solar Power in Barangay San Vicente, Dagohoy, Bohol
Some of the operational solar power plants in the Philippines are:
• Lian Sola Power Project and Calatagan Solar Power Project in Calatagan, Batangas
• Cavite Economic Zone Solar Power Project in Rosario and General Trias, Cavite
• CW Home Depot Solar Power Project and Central Mall Binan Solar Power Plant in
Biñan City, Laguna
• Dagohoy Solar Power in Barangay San Vicente, Dagohoy, Bohol
Solar energy is also known as “The People’s Power,” referring to the easy deployment
of solar panels and the introduction of “community solar gardens” where energy is
shared among owners.
• Solar energy is abundant, requires low maintenance, and is environmentally- friendly.
• Emissions associated with the manufacture of solar panels are present but very
minimal compared to pollution caused by burning fossil fuels.
• Two of the harmful emissions from the manufacture of solar panels are nitrogen
trifluoride and sulfur hexafluoride.
• Both are potent greenhouse gases.
• Some disadvantages of solar energy are: it is expensive, requires rare metals, and
requires a good amount of space. Thankfully, the technology is continuously improving.
5. Biomass
Biomass refers to organic matter from plants and animals (microorganisms).
Organic wastes such as crop remains, manure, and garbage usually left to rot,
can be used for electricity generation. Rice husks and/or bagasse are burned as
fuel to boil water. The steam from the boiling water is used to run steam
turbines, which in turn drive generators to produce electricity.
• Wood is also a biomass fuel.
• As long as we replenish the trees that we cut, biomass can be
a sustainable energy source.
• Biomass is used to create methane and alcohol which are
fuels useful in energy production and in powering
automobiles.
• Production of biogas or biofuels involves the action of
microorganisms that break down organic matter in a multi-step
process.
• Technologies utilizing biomass are continuously evolving in
order to improve efficiency.
II. Non-renewable Sources
1. Fossil fuels
Coal, oil and gas are fossil fuels, which have been formed over the last 600 million years. Coal
is the fossilized remains of huge forests which covered many parts of the world in prehistoric
times and hence contains biomass. As the trees and plants died, they were covered in layers of
silt and sand and, under great pressure, gradually became formed into coal deposits.
• Coal is the world’s most abundant fossil fuel. It is relatively inexpensive and is readily
available.
• The formation of fossil fuels is due to a series of geologic processes where
the remains of organic life are accumulated in the ocean bottom and are buried to eventually
become part of the geosphere.
• They are buried to depths having high temperature and pressure where they are converted
to oil, natural gas, or coal.
• In the Philippines, around 69% of our electricity is derived from fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural
gas, biomass).
• In the world, around 75% of our energy is generated by combustion of fossil fuels.
• Power plants burn fossil fuels and the heat generated during this process is used to turn
2. Electrochemical (batteries)
A battery is a device that stores chemical energy and converts it to
electrical energy. The chemical reactions in a battery involve the flow
of electrons from one material (electrode) to another, through an
external circuit. The flow of electrons provides an electric current that
can be used to do work.
There are three main components of a battery: two terminals made of
different chemicals (typically metals), the anode and the cathode;
and the electrolyte, which separates these terminals. The electrolyte
is a chemical medium that allows the flow of electrical charge
between the cathode and anode.
Batteries, compared to other sources, have low intensity but they are
commonly used since they are portable and efficient.