The SPIDER is a system that shares distributed energy resources (DER), specifically through solar PV installed on rooftops of public and residential buildings to enable stakeholders access cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable energy while meeting their social and economic needs. 

   The project, first conceptualized in 2019, has three key components: DER, own-use kooperative (OK), and the community choice aggregation (CCA). The DER or Distributed Energy Resources will be the source of power. The Own-use Kooperative, the main component, will be the platform for power-sharing, and the CCA or Community Choice Aggregation is the method of enabling broader public use of grid-tied renewable energy.

     With the system, the rooftop solar PV will be installed on a designated building and the solar power will be divided and shared among the host and the members of the cooperative or cluster, the OK. OK members must be geographically close to their host. The generated solar power will be first consumed by the host and the excess will be distributed to the OK members through an independent wire or the local distribution lines of the EC. The project will be first tested for a minimum of 6 months in the following locations: LGU Multipurpose Hall, Irosin Plaza, Gallanosa High School, Holy Spirit School, and Irosin District Hospital which will have a total capacity of 400 kW.

The project was to be tested with a private foreign investor, but due to COVID long lockdown plans have changed. Efforts have now shifted to exploring other financing modes including tapping the government's People's Survival Fund, other grants, and budget allocation from the LGU.

(Implementing partners: Local Government Unit of Irosin, Enerpower Access Solution, Inc., CentRE for technical and policy advise, capacity building and awareness raising)

The elektrikong-Transportasyon Akma at Pang-angat Kabuhayan sa Irosin (e-TAKSI) project aims to introduce e-vehicles into Irosin’s transport system as a sustainable and efficient strategy to boost the local economy while also reducing carbon emissions and advancing RE technology. To finance this pilot project, partnerships with financial institutions and some government offices such as the Landbank and the Office of the Vice President in 2020-2021  were explored to support this pilot project wherein 60 locally assembled e-trikes and a booking mobile application will be used. Each e-TAKSI will have a capacity of 6 passengers, or 4 with social distancing. This can be integrated with the SPIDER project by utilizing solar power to charge the e-TAKSI vehicles.

(Implementing partner: Local Government Unit of Irosin, Irosin Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association)  

This project aims to address the significant decrease of yield (14% per season) in rice production due to premature spoiling when sun drying is used because the drying is uneven. The solar thermal dryer supplies more heat to dry the product efficiently and faster than sun-drying under ambient conditions. It requires less land area for drying and also secures an enclosed space from dust, insects, and animals. This was conceptualized during the height of COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when food supply in the country was severely threatened due to the lockdown, and climate-induced storms continued to wreak havoc in typhoon belt areas that include Sorsogon. 

The design is an indirect type forced convection solar dryer. Indirect solar drying is beneficial because the produce will not be directly exposed to solar radiation. This will minimize discoloration and cracking on the surface of the produce. In this design, the air heater is also separated from the drying chamber. With this configuration, better control in drying is achieved without compromising the quality of the produce. Another addition to the design was the use of trays to minimize the size of the dryer itself, effectively reducing the cost of the dryer. The calculations for the solar thermal dryer have already been finalized along with the materials and equipment needed for the prototype construction. The DOST-MIRDC, commissioned to do the fabrication, has started with the construction in 4th quarter of 2024.

The prototype is expected to be completed and tested in late 2024 or early 2025.

(Implementing partners: Local Government Unit of Irosin, Irosin Farmers Federation, CentRE for technical design and prototyping, capacity building, documentation, and awareness raising)

Wind energy can also be harnessed in Irosin’s valley floor which is surrounded by mountains. The initial research done by CentRE’s research associates compared the existing vertical axis wind turbine studies and investigated the feasibility of having a vertical axis type wind farm in the Philippines. Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have blades that are vertically oriented and rotate around a vertical axis. VAWTs are significantly smaller than horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) and only require a minimum start-up speed of 4-6 m/s. They are usually placed 10 m off the ground but it can also be placed on rooftops, streets, or gardens.  It can generate an estimated 200W to 10kW, it can be used as a stand alone or grid system, and can be paired with other energy conversion systems. The common VAWT types are the Savonius model and Darrieus model.

Using historical wind speed values from 2013 and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) RE Data Explorer, the possible locations where VAWT systems can be put up were evaluated. Taking into account the land elevation, the following were the candidate sites: Cogon, Casini, Cawayan, Mapaso, Liang, and Salvacion. The ideal conditions are high wind speed of course, high wind power density, flat land with a slope of less than 7% and is not part of the Philippines competitive RE zone. Since the initial calculations were based on historical data, this needs verification from present-day measurements. Other coastal LGUs closer to Metro Manila such as San Juan, Mabini, and Tingloy in Batangas are also being explored as potential pilot areas.

(Initial partner: Local Government Unit of Irosin; CentRE conducts the study and initiates discussions with relevant government agencies, private sector groups, people's organization, and academe)

The REEF, is a conceptual project that aims to redesign an existing municipal fishing boat that runs on diesel to one that is made of fiberglass and powered by solar energy. This also includes determining the projected cost of constructing a prototype. To cut on costs, the electric engine system will be tested on the existing fishing boats in Romblon. The original proposal included the construction of solar charging station near the port but due to budget constraints, the initial prototype will be charged on-grid. Currently, the team is still evaluating appropriate technical and financial models for the project, taking into consideration the affordability and performance efficiency of one unit. As of 2024, a hybrid (diesel and battery-charged from RE source) is still the design being considered. 

The implementing partner in this project is Romblon Electric Cooperative (ROMELCO) whose 90-10 vision (90% RE) on energy source to realize 100% electrification and address climate change has led it to also venture into the electrification of vehicles including boats, which are essential for the islands’ fishing livelihood, a major industry in Romblon.

(Implementing partners:  Romblon Electric Cooperative, Center for Power Issues and Initiatives; Ateneo de Davao University-Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technologies; CentRE facilitates the discussions, convenes and coordinates the working team, initiates the study, prepares materials and conducts FGD/ forum with fisherfolks through partner-members)