Brief History and Mandate
In June 2014, Secretary Jericho Petilla of the Department of Energy (DOE) approved the accreditation of PSU, making it one of its affiliated renewable energy centers (ARECs) in the country. The establishment of PSU-AREC was forged through a Memorandum of Agreement between PSU and AREC.
Pursuant to the mandate of DOE to support renewable energy (RE) related initiatives in the country, PSU-AREC undertakes the implementation of any project, such as, but not limited to, the Household Electrification Program (HEP), Barangay Electrification Program (BEP) and other RE related programs, projects and activities to be assigned by the DOE.
PSU-AREC is also mandated to engage with RE developers in the conceptualization, implementation and evaluation of their respective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, projects and activities, to develop pico-hydro systems for off-grid areas, to integrate RE systems in the engineering curriculum, and to develop appropriate technology solutions. It also serves as the repository of RE and power development related data.
Current and Upcoming Projects
Some of PSU-AREC’s projects in the pipeline are the adoption/development of pico-hydro power system for barangay electrification; development of portable bio-digester for kitchen wastes and cashew apple wastes; briquetting of oil palm husks; conduct of RE resource assessment (aligned with the JEDAG-TWG capability building and preparation of EDP of Palawan); and establishment of linkages with industries and other agencies involved in energy-related projects.
To further enhance the capability of Palawan to respond to the different environmental issues and stability of power supply, PSU-AREC, being the academe’s sole representative to the Joint Energy Development Advisory Group–Technical Working Group (JEDAG-TWG), is currently involved in the crafting of the power development plan for the province of Palawan. PSU AREC’s areas of jurisdiction are Puerto Princesa City and North Palawan.
Engr. Tuquero has also been involved in the Zero Carbon Resorts Project which advocacy isfocused on reducing the carbon footprint of the tourism industry in Palawan through development of appropriate technology solutions and promotion of Renewable Energy utilization. Through this project, he had the opportunity to visit the Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (Ciemat), Plataforma Solar de Almeria in Almeria, Spain in 2011 where he underwent training on solar technologies and applications.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Bicol University and aMaster of Science degree in agricultural engineering from the University of the Philippines Los Baños where he majored in farm power and machinery with specialization in renewable energy systems and agrometeorology. A Registered Electrical Engineer, his main research interests are on appropriate technology, renewable energy and solar thermal applications.
Engr. Jezreel Tuquero
PSU-AREC Team Leader
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Ground flr., CEAT Bldg., Palawan State University
Tiniguiban Heights, Puerto Princesa City
