LOPEZ GROUP-SUPPORTED INTERSCHOOL COMPETITION ATTRACTS INTERESTING RE CONCEPTS

Interesting renewable energy projects and proposals from college students in different schools all over the country are competing in a Lopez Group-supported interschool tilt for the best renewable energy idea or solution for poor, rural communities.

Called the Sikat Design Challenge, the competition now on its second cycle (2016-2017) has attracted 36 entries from 30 participating schools.

Dr. Arthur De Guia, president of the Sikat Solar Challenge Foundation, Inc. (SSCFI), said the en- tries for the current cycle included a wind- and tidal turbine-powered buoy with alarm system against fish pen thieves; a street lamp powered by microbial battery; a solar-powered insect zapper; and solar-powered machine for making salt and purified water.

A nonstock, nonprofit company, SSCFI holds the annual school competition as part of its advocacy to promote the development and use of clean and renewable energy (RE) sources.

First Gen Corp., along with subsidiary Energy Development Corp. (EDC) and their parent company First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH), supports the Sikat Design Challenge.

First Gen, the primary holding company of FPH for power generation and energy-related businesses, produces electricity using clean and low carbon sources of fuel.

Through EDC, First Gen uses RE sources such as hydro, geothermal, wind and solar to produce electricity.

All three are Lopez Group companies.

Although considered a competition, Sikat Design Challenge incorporates unique features to turn all participants into winners.

Lasting 11 months, the competition includes three “gateways” where students could learn valuable lessons and insights.

The first gateway comes in the form of a conference-workshop; the second, concept development; and third, prototype finalization.

During the weeklong kickoff conference stage in August 2016, the participants received lessons on such topics as team cooperation, collaboration and networking.

After the conference, the participants returned to their respective schools for the second gateway: the development of their concepts and entries. During this stage, which lasted until February 2017, participants were also encouraged to visit poor and offgrid communities.

The students finalized their prototypes by the end of April 2017.

In May 2017, a panel of judges started evaluating the entries at the regional level to determine which ones will make up the list of 6 to 10 semifinalists at the national level. From among the semifinalists, SSCFI will announce the winners on July 13, 2017.

The participating team that wins the grand prize will receive P200,000 in cash and a free trip for team members to Semakau Island, Singapore, Asia’s first microgrid hybrid facility. Two runnersup will each receive a cash prize of P150,000.