BSU-AREC receives award for electrification of Benguet barangays

By Jennelyn Tabangcura

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Affiliated Renewable Energy Center of the Benguet State University received this year’s “Benguet everlasting award” during the Adivay 2010 awards program on Nov. 23 at the Benguet provincial capitol.

The award is given every year during Benguet Foundation Day to recognize an individual, entity or firm that rendered voluntary services benefiting the province.

AREC was responsible for electrification of far-flung baranggays in the province not served by the grid by using renewable energy sources such as solar, microhydro and animal wastes.

The center also increased awareness of rural folks on available technologies that decreased dependence on fossil fuels.

In Kabayan, the AREC was responsible for energizing 35 households in Barangay Tawangan and 15 households and a school building in Lusod using micro hydro system.

In Kibungan, AREC energized 25 households through the Tacadang communal photovoltaic battery charging station and 20 households through the Badeo communal photovoltaic battery charging station.

Three teachers at the Kibungan National High School-Dalipey, Tacadang Annex and 50 pupils of Torre Elementary School in Camp 3, Tuba also availed of photovoltaic home systems courtesy of the AREC.

The AREC also provided household-size biogas systems to four households in Tuba, four households in Buguias, two households in Mankayan and one household in La Trinidad.

The BSU-AREC is the extension arm of the Philippine Department of Energy in the development and promotion of renewable energy systems and technologies.

It is incorporated to the BSU-College of Engineering and Applied Technology in 1994.

It is one of 21 centers operating in various parts of the country. AREC service areas are the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Mt. Province.

Funding support is provided by the DOE while BSU provides logistic support.

Projects implemented by AREC are collaborative in nature involving as many organizations such as LGUs and NGOs.

The more recent projects of the AREC are the PV lighting system at the Burnham Parking lot in Baguio City in collaboration with the city government of Baguio, Energy and Clean Air Project (ECAP) funded by the US government and the on-going establishment of a techno-demo park at the CEAT R&E farm in BSU.

The center caters to walk-in clients who come to the center to ask for technical assistance with regards to Renewable Energy Systems.

AREC team members are Edgar M. Molintas, John James F. Malamug, Feliciano G. Calora, Jr., Jackson L. Agaldang, Constantino T. Sudaypan, Sr., Julie B. Abadey, Arnold F. Balnges, Alfredo L. Agaldang and Freddie T. Sudaypan.