Engr. Kevin Lester Lobo, a Master of Science in Energy Engineering student and a scholar of
DOST-ERDT, successfully defended his thesis titled
"Transitioning into an Optimal Renewable Energy System with Energy Storage in Island Resorts in the Philippines: A Case Study"
on December 6, 2023.
The defense panel included Prof. Joey D. Ocon, Ph.D.
as the primary adviser, Prof. Carl Michael F. Odulio, Ph.D. as the co-adviser, Prof. Louis Angelo M. Danao, Ph.D.
as the Chair, and Dr. DJ Donn C. Matienzo
as the reader.
Diesel power plants have historically dominated off-grid electrification in the Philippines, posing challenges in reliability, cost, and environmental impact. Engr. Lobo's study addresses this by proposing an optimal energy system transition for two case study island resorts in Malapascua Island, Cebu,
and Boracay Island, Aklan. The proposed configuration includes Solar PV, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS),
and Hydrogen Energy Storage System (HESS).
Results from energy system optimization reveal that the Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) configuration, integrating Solar PV/BESS/Grid/Diesel Generator, offers the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for both case study resorts. This translates to a notable improvement of 7.5% for CS1 and 0.769% for CS2 compared to the current LCOE. Post-simulation analysis and sensitivity scenarios consistently support the superiority of the HRES configuration.
Engr. Lobo's innovative research was not only recognized through successful thesis defense but also showcased at the international conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Technology (SEGT) 2023
in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,
held last December 2023. These highlights the significance of his work in advancing sustainable energy solutions for island resorts in the Philippines.