Farmers in Pampanga are now growing napier grass as source of alternative fuel instead of its traditional use as livestock feed.
Well-known food processing company Pampanga’s Best recently signed an agreement with GE Philippines to formalize the building of a power plant that uses napier grass as fuel for industry.
San Fernando City Mayor Jomar Hizon, whose family owns Pampanga’s best, said the technology for turning the grass as feedlot for a power plant was shared by Advanced Energy Technologies Managing Director West Stewart.
Stewart has explained that with the technology, 60 hectares of the napier grass would yield 1 megawatt of power, enough to light 100-watt bulbs for 24 hours.
“We take the crop, cook it at ultra-high heat and process the syngas that comes out. The product is good, pure gas that fuels a GE Jenbacher reciprocating engine, one of the world’s most efficient power generators. Every part of the grass is utilized – it is used as fuel for power,” he added.
With the technology farmers would stand to earn more than what they were getting when they planted the grass as livestock feed as they will be providing fuel for alternative energy.
The process yields byproducts including biochar which can the farmers can use to fertilize their crops.
“The Philippines is a very appropriate place for a project such as this, where we have farmers in one community and a power plant a few kilometers away. They can sell the power locally or sell it regionally through the National Grid,” Stewart explained.
This can be the solution to the power supply shortage experienced in many parts of the country.
Similar projects will be implemented in Bukidnon and Negros.
The Pampanga project is expected to be operational within a year.
Photo: from newenergyfarms.com