LEE receives PhP 59.8M funding from CHED-PCARI

leeupd • December 28, 2015

The Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering  (LEE) of the University of the Philippines Diliman (U.P. Diliman) has received a two-year, Php 59.8 M grant from the Commission on Higher Education – Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (CHED-PCARI) to develop catalysts and the design and prototyping of a 1-kW fuel cell as an alternative power source for information and communication networks.

The awarded project titled “Energy Production using Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell” is headed by Prof. Joey D. Ocon of the Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE) and is one of the two projects under the GREEN POWER Program led by Prof. Rinlee Butch M. Cervera of the Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (DMMME). The program aims to generate environmentally-friendly and sustainable energy through hydrogen generation using solid oxide electrolysis cells (Project 1) which can be used as fuel for fuel cells (Project 2). The output of Project 2 is expected to provide access to a ready and robust supply of electricity for lighting, radio and communication purposes during power outages, disaster response operations, and night time in remote areas. Moreover, the project framework includes the training of young scientists and engineers through study and collaboration visits in California, research workshops and summer schools in the Philippines, and participation in research conferences locally and abroad.

Prof. Ocon’s PCARI group is composed of six (6) research fellows, four (4) CHED-PCARI scholars and six (6) project staff. Included in the team is Prof. Allan Abraham B. Padama of the U.P. Los Baños Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics who works on the simulation of catalyst design and development using density functional theory (DFT).They will be working with the group of Prof. Po-Ya Abel Chuang of University of California Merced for the design and development of the fuel cell prototype.

The CHED-PCARI Project is a new approach to enhance the skills and expertise of faculty and staff of Philippine universities and colleges, through scholarships, training and research partnerships with top-notch research universities in California, USA, in the priority areas of information infrastructure development (IIID) and health innovation and translational medicine (HITM). Prof. Ocon’s project is part of the seven (7) projects awarded in the Cycle 2 of CHED-PCARI Project.

LEE participates in PyPSA workshop

By Mecaelah Palaganas • November 30, 2024
LEE research staff and graduate students participated in an in-house training and workshop on the Python for Power Systems Analysis (PyPSA) toolbox on October 9 and 23, 2024 . The sessions were led by Arizeo Salac (SRS 1, ElectriPHI), who returned from a six-month research sandwich program at the Reiner Lemoine Institute in Berlin, Germany , where he focused on data-driven decision-making and energy systems modeling. The training included a detailed discussion on energy systems modeling, with key topics such as data sources and the representation of energy systems using both conventional and renewable technologies. Participants received hands-on assistance with the software setup and installation, followed by simulation activities that showcased PyPSA’s capabilities in energy and power systems analysis. Mr. Salac also presented his baseline model of the Philippine energy system, which can be utilized for energy transition scenario planning. The event aimed to enhance participants' proficiency with open-source modeling tools, share best practices in modeling, and support their research in energy systems. Article by: Sophia Lunor

LEE among Filipino Delegates at the ASEAN Battery Technology Conference in Singapore

By Mecaelah Palaganas • November 30, 2024
Prof. Joey D. Ocon, Dr. Julie Anne D.R. Paraggua, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, and Giancarlo Sanglay were among the Filipino delegates at the 2nd ASEAN Battery Technology Conference , held from August 21 to 23, 2024 , at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa in Singapore. Themed "Powering ASEAN: Innovating the Future of Battery," the event was co-organized by key ASEAN associations from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They were accompanied by LEE member and graduate student, Giancarlo Sanglay and NextGen Project Chief Technical Specialist, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, of the Advanced Batteries Center. The conference aimed to foster connections among researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders within the battery and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange, technical discussions, and potential collaborations. Key topics included the development of the Battery and EV Roadmap for Southeast Asia, as well as government policies and regulations surrounding battery and energy storage systems (ESS) applications. Industry leaders and academic experts also addressed technological advancements in battery materials, financial support for innovations, and strategies for managing the end-of-life value chain of batteries. Prof. Ocon, who also serves as Co-Founder of Nascent Batteries, played an active role in the event by moderating a panel discussion on advancing ESS technologies in Asia. The panel featured representatives from prominent organizations, including EDP Renewables APAC, Green Tenaga Pte Ltd, and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. This collaborative event underscored the region's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and highlighted the critical role of ASEAN countries in driving innovation within the battery and EV industries. Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta

Hello, LEE, Goodbye: Lab Members bid adieu to departing colleagues

By Mecaelah Palaganas • November 30, 2024
The Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) held a despedida party to bid farewell to two of its active members — Ms. Rosela Lazaro and Asst. Prof. Michael Castro — as they embark on a new chapter of their academic journey. The LEE members, along with their laboratory head, Prof. Joey D. Ocon, celebrated through a friendly competition at the Ever Gotesco Bowling Alley, Commonwealth Avenue last August 19, 2024. This also fostered camaraderie and strengthened the bond and friendship between the lab members. Ms. Lazaro will be studying MS in Environmental Science and Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Castro will be pursuing a doctorate degree in Nuclear Engineering and Management at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He will be returning to UP Diliman to tend to his duties at the Department of Chemical Engineering. Indeed, ‘goodbyes’ are not the end. It marks a beginning of a new ‘hello’, a step closer to making dreams come true. To Sir Michael, ganbatte! To Sela, hwaiting! We are all rooting for you both! Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta
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