TODAY, almost everything that we need to fulfill our needs in modern society requires the use of the earth’s resources – land, water, and energy. This situation may not continue in the long term because the increased use of these resources is causing environmental problems and without a satisfactory environment, we cannot live healthy lives.
Fortunately, the world’s scientists and researchers are constantly searching for new sources of energy for our industries. In our country, the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Nueva Ecija, in partnership with the ASEAN Center for Energy and the European Communities ASEAN Energy Facility, are now working to develop a technology to use rice husks as a viable source of energy.
The project carries a lot of promise – a ton of rice husks is generated for every five tons of palay produced in the country. In 2004, 3.14 million metric tons of rice hull was generated, representing 22 percent of the total paddy production of 14.25 million metric tons. This could provide 1,600 gigawatt hours of energy, enough to light a highly urbanized city for a year. Power generation through rice husks is seen not just as a boon to employment where the establishment of rice husk-fired co-generation plants is being planned, but also as the best means to dispose of rice husk without releasing green-house gases and polluting the air.
With the increased consumption of some sources of energy causing so many of our environmental problems, using energy obtained from rice husks could very well be the best way to produce environmental, social, and economic benefits for all.
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