Rotating BrOwnOut in the Philippines

[glacia]

Mindanao is in the state of calamity declared by the President

[tom]

Mindanao is in the state of calamity declared by the President

Just be patient, Carlota. All of us are experiencing this situation. Just go with the music.

Don't be patient, complain to your local representative or the Government will do nothing (being a cynic I expect the Government will do nothing anyway!). The Government must realise people are not happy. Apart from personal inconvenience it must impact on foreign investment in the Philippines if electricity supplies are not guaranteed.

Whilst on Negros I was lucky to tour the Hawaiian Philippine Sugar Cane Mill. Unlike some mills they use the Bagasse (fibrous waste left over after sugar juice extracted from the cane) to power their own electricity generating plant. This is a great carbon neutral source of power that does not add to global warming. I was told they only use 45% of their Bagasse. This is just one mill. There must be thousands of tonnes of Bagasse on Negros available as 'free' fuel.

Why are there no public electricty generating plants on Negros using the waste Bagasse from the mills. Why use expensive imported diesel fuel to add to generating capacity. The Philippine Government needs to show leadership in this matter.

Ohh well. We have nothing to do anyway, Mr. Chas. The government has also nthing to do with this situation. Many people, especially the businesspersons had already complained but nothing happened.. I think all we can do is to pray that there would be a rain for us to supply sufficient electricty..

i might want to live there someday, so i am curious: are rotating brownouts "normal" on mindanao, or is this something unusual that is only recently happening because of a temporary lack of rain??... here (in usa) i think if we had brownouts that didn't get fixed, and stop happening in a couple days... people here would follow chas' advice... and then organize demonstrations and protests (in keeping with our PROTEST-ant roots, i suppose) until something changed... but, based on what carlota wrote, it sounds like purex' advice to be patient is probably the best way to deal with the problem there... (until someone in the government with influence (like the president?) realizes it is in everyone's best interest to invest in needed energy infrastructure improvements, that aren't dependent on expensive imported fuels).... until then, there is a well-known prayer that seems applicable to the situation there (and maybe it'll help in figuring out what to do):

Father, please grant us the patience to accept with serenity the things we cannot change, the courage to do what is necessary to change the things we can change, and most importantly, the wisdom to know the difference

last month, in february, there was several feet of snow that fell (very unusual here, in my part of virginia )... the snow was so heavy, trees broke and fell on overhead power lines... and, as a result, i was without electricity for 53 hours... i immediately notified the power company, but after that, i just had to be patient... it was 15 degrees fahrenheit (around minus 10 centigrade, i think) at night... and some people were very cold because they only have electric heat... being a bit of a "survivalist", i did okay heating with my woodstove... but, it was frustrating and annoying to be without electricity .... also, several years ago, a hurricane blew through here in september (it is very unusual for strong hurricanes to come here)... the hurricane winds blew down many trees and power lines... and, as a result, i was without electricity for 7 days .... so, i can feel your frustration about not having electricity ... on the other hand it was kinda fun... kinda like "roughing" it and going camping

[crisipicada]

Yes, the government is doing the best they can that is why the President already declare Mindanao is on the state of calamity. That means the Local Government can now act (THe Mayor) to use the 5% calamity fund on his/her discretion to support the needs of a particular municipality/city. The phenomenon will last until June. Hope that it will rain very soon.

[ms.sin17]

Yes, the government is doing the best they can that is why the President already declare Mindanao is on the state of calamity. That means the Local Government can now act (THe Mayor) to use the 5% calamity fund on his/her discretion to support the needs of a particular municipality/city. The phenomenon will last until June. Hope that it will rain very soon.

It was raining yesterday but it is not very hard. I think it is just an ordinary rain but at least it rained.. The rotating brownout didnt occur yesterday but I spend my day to the church yesterday..

[crisipicada]

Thanks a lot, there are enough water now. At least no more brown out since 3 days.

[bachuichui]

Thanks a lot, there are enough water now. At least no more brown out since 3 days.

right right right.. i'm suck with it hahaha

[mona]

Thanks a lot, there are enough water now. At least no more brown out since 3 days.

right right right.. i'm suck with it hahaha

There was an earthquake going on yesterday. Anyone had notice? What a sad experience, after a 4 months dried land, earthquake is striking again.

[NativeAmerican]

maybe should look into solar and wind technology
20 years ago that technology was'nt very efficient
but today its more efficient and cheaper

i made my own solar panels and power some of my appliances with it
right now i'm playing around with smaller portable wind projects, for those days
without the sun
i'm almost to the point i dont have a electical bill
but i want to get to the point i can sell the power i dont use back to the grid
i want see my meter go backwards

[crisipicada]

Yes, there was and in Mindanao some of the areas experience intensity 5. Hoping and praying that everyone will be in good hand.

[Mr.Magoo]

I heard on the news yesterday that the condition known as "La Nina" has begun, and that means the Philippines can expect heavier than normal rainfall for the next 6 months. So all of those lakes and rivers are going to get full again, and there should be more than enough water for the power plants. But there is going to be too much at times in some areas, and that could mean floods and mudslides.