This may come as a surprise to many, but the lowly seaweed can help save the Philippines from the looming power shortage while helping develop the coastal communities by attracting investments for sea farming.
This is according to Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, principal author of R.A. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Resource Act, who disclosed that the Korean Institute for Industrial Technology developed seaweeds as biofuel two years ago.
Angara, who chairs the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), said seaweeds proved to be more cost efficient and advantageous than other sources of biofuel.
"Seaweeds grow faster than other biofuel sources such as sugarcane and wood, and allows for as much as six harvests per year," he said. "And because seaweeds do not have lignin, pre-treatment is not necessary before converting them to fuel."
Thus, Angara said, seaweed ethanol is cheaper to produce than other fuels.
He said seaweeds have two collateral advantages:
Their cultivation is not politically sensitive as producing them do not encroach on lands used for food crops; and
Seaweed ethanol absorbs seven times more carbon in the atmosphere and, thus, has greater contribution to climate change.
Angara said there is now a tie-up with South Korea, through its Green Growth Initiative, in building a regional network in Asia and the Pacific in promoting seaweeds as biofuel source.
He said COMSTE and the Department of Science and Technology are currently fine-tuning details of partnership with the South Korean government to develop seaweeds for biofuel.
The seaweed biofuel cooperative venture will be initiated in Aurora, Quirino and Isabela in Luzon and Bohol in Visayas, said Angara, adding there is already a facility in Bohol to jumpstart the project.
Angara said seaweeds have also many other useful byproducts, such as animal feed, fertilizer, soil conditioner and cosmetics. At present, the Philippines is the world’s top producer and exporter of processed seaweeds.
"These are fertile source of livelihood and agri-business investments," he said. "The potential for energizing and invigorating rural communities – the historic sites of abject poverty – is both tremendous and tantalizing."
The former agriculture secretary said "a mini agro-industrial complex can spring close to the seaweed farm: poultry and piggery, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens, biopharmaceutical facilities and ecotourism destinations."
"This project with Korea is just the beginning of many more international ventures on green energy," Angara said. "I look forward to the day when the Philippines becomes an important player in clean technologies and renewable energy."
This is according to Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, principal author of R.A. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Resource Act, who disclosed that the Korean Institute for Industrial Technology developed seaweeds as biofuel two years ago.
Angara, who chairs the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), said seaweeds proved to be more cost efficient and advantageous than other sources of biofuel.
"Seaweeds grow faster than other biofuel sources such as sugarcane and wood, and allows for as much as six harvests per year," he said. "And because seaweeds do not have lignin, pre-treatment is not necessary before converting them to fuel."
Thus, Angara said, seaweed ethanol is cheaper to produce than other fuels.
He said seaweeds have two collateral advantages:
Their cultivation is not politically sensitive as producing them do not encroach on lands used for food crops; and
Seaweed ethanol absorbs seven times more carbon in the atmosphere and, thus, has greater contribution to climate change.
Angara said there is now a tie-up with South Korea, through its Green Growth Initiative, in building a regional network in Asia and the Pacific in promoting seaweeds as biofuel source.
He said COMSTE and the Department of Science and Technology are currently fine-tuning details of partnership with the South Korean government to develop seaweeds for biofuel.
The seaweed biofuel cooperative venture will be initiated in Aurora, Quirino and Isabela in Luzon and Bohol in Visayas, said Angara, adding there is already a facility in Bohol to jumpstart the project.
Angara said seaweeds have also many other useful byproducts, such as animal feed, fertilizer, soil conditioner and cosmetics. At present, the Philippines is the world’s top producer and exporter of processed seaweeds.
"These are fertile source of livelihood and agri-business investments," he said. "The potential for energizing and invigorating rural communities – the historic sites of abject poverty – is both tremendous and tantalizing."
The former agriculture secretary said "a mini agro-industrial complex can spring close to the seaweed farm: poultry and piggery, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens, biopharmaceutical facilities and ecotourism destinations."
"This project with Korea is just the beginning of many more international ventures on green energy," Angara said. "I look forward to the day when the Philippines becomes an important player in clean technologies and renewable energy."
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This is good news for the Philippines. It is good that the Philippines is making use of these seaweeds to create new energy sources with the price of oil fuel going up. And I hope it will really turn out that it also promotes clean and green energy.
i hope that our government protect aour natural resources in coperation with the people.
Wow very good article learned something new about seaweed.
Thanks for sharing
http://thecookinglady.com
Seaweed is also excellent for your health. I was reading about how there are studies showing that it helps remove toxins like mercury from the body.
This is very interesting. I only know of seaweed to eat (like in sushi) and I also drink a delicious brown seaweed to boost my immune system and for focus/stress.
Thanks for an enlightening post.
Nora
http://noranagatani.com
http://aboutalz.com
I have recently heard reviews on the benefits of seaweed. All of them speak of healthy attributes and I have heard of no negative yet. I am also familiar with coral calcium as being very good for you.