Development of Emergency Response Protocol (ERP) for Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs)
Partner Agency
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
Project Description
To ensure safety of the public as the major concern with the introduction of new technology, the Department of Energy (DOE) collaborated with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). BFP, the lead agency in the prevention and suppression of destructive fires on buildings including land transportation vehicles and equipment, was tasked to develop an emergency response protocol for vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electricity. In line with this, the project aims to accomplish the following:
1. develop an emergency response protocol and provide basic and advanced knowledge and skills in fire-fighting techniques involving public utility vehicles (PUVs) fueled by alternative fuels (AFs)
2. train and capacitate key stakeholders e.g., for AF Program’s Technical Working Groups (TWGs) involved in the implementation of the AFs Programs.
Outputs and Accomplishments
The BFP formed a TWG to develop the Emergency Response Protocol (ERP). BFP- TWG was divided into three subcommittees based on the type of alternative fuel used (AutoLPG fueled, CNG fueled, and electricity powered). In the commencement of the project, the BFP collaborated with the DOE via a pre-writeshop session to discuss and consolidate the outputs of subcommittees. In the session, both parties agreed to include three (3) major emergency situations; fire, crash, and leak/discharge of vehicle’s fuel. They formulated a flowchart that will serve as the template for the development of detailed ERP.
Subsequently, BFP-TWG facilitated a workshop meeting with the DOE-AFETD staff to present their detailed protocol specific to each emergency situation previously mentioned. DOE-AFETD provided their inputs in which the BFP-TWG addressed and incorporated in their outputs. The ERP is intended to be made part of BFP Operation Manual to be used by their responders nationwide. The BFP-TWG is now preparing to simulate the ERP to test its effectiveness.
Ultimately, the BFP-TWG were able to:
Develop a manual on emergency response protocol and basic and enhanced knowledge and skills in fire-fighting techniques involving Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) fueled by Alternative Fuels (AFs)
Develop a training module on emergency response protocol and firefighting techniques for AF Program’s TWG members/trainors
Provide training on emergency safety measures for TWG members
Conduct simulation training on emergency response and firefighting techniques involving AF vehicles.
Remarks/Status
As of March 2021, BFP is preparing for the printing of the emergency response protocol guidebook.
Workshop on the Development of ERP with BFP
Members of BFP TWG Technical Research Teams and Secretariat with the DOE and Resource Person from Coalition, Clean Air Advocate of the Philippines.
Pilot Demonstration on the Use of Cook Stove Utilizing Selected Biomass-Based Fuel
Partner Agency
Central Mindanao University (CMU)
Project Description
In pursuit of the mission of the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure sufficient, sustainable, and accessible energy for the Filipino people, DOE collaborated with CMU to design an efficient cook stove using endemic biomass grass-based fuel. This initiative will help mitigate global warming as it will decelerate the local rapid rate of forest harvesting for wood fuel purposes.
Napier is currently used as an alternative to wood as fuel source for cooking, however, this is also used as animal feedstock. To reduce the competition and to favor on its more significant use, Bugang (Saccharum spontaneum) was investigated for its fuel potential since it has harder stem comparable to Napier. Central Mindanao University – College of Agriculture (CMU-CA) was chosen as it has invested in agricultural researches on rural entrepreneurship innovations.
DOE allocated a budget and the institution received Php 1,000,000 for the realization of this project. The project has a duration of two years from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2020.
Outputs and Deliverables
The project was divided into two components: the propagation of bugang and the pilot demonstration on the use of cooking stove using bugang stems as alternative biomass-based fuel.
The Project Team consulted taxonomists in identifying bugang for plant sourcing. The Team initially used plant cuttings sourced from Lake Apo area for its propagation. There were several trials conducted but the attempts were unsuccessful. Dry spell due to El Niño phenomenon compounded the difficulties encountered in growing bugang. The Project Team surveyed nearby areas of neighboring provinces for the second batch of bugang plantation. Biomass gathered from Kalilangan were used for the second attempt and it was pursued with the use of rhizomes. Enough data were collected to assess its propagation growth. The monitoring of plant growth was done on a weekly basis which included plant height, survival rate, and number of tillers developed even with the Enhanced Community Quarantine as to not compromise the results of the investigation.
The conclusion of the project was that bugang can be propagated using rhizomes with a survival rate of 74.67%, an average plant height of 198.71cm and 27.13 tillers. The study group recommended to investigate the use of tissue culture and/or the establishment of fertilization programs for optimized propagation of bugang.
CMU-CA had an initial discussion with the CMU-College of Engineering of the university for possible collaboration for the design of the cook stove.
Remarks
The project encountered some difficulties in sourcing the biomass and unfavorable climatic conditions during the course of implementation and the global pandemic. The agreement expired ahead of the completion of the project, hence the objectives were not fully-attained including the delivery of a cook stove system and its prototype. CMU-CA was able to choose a biomass grass-based fuel and recommended further research as to its propagation. The project team was able to utilize Php 510,601.65 out of the allocated Php 1,000,000. Aspiring project proponents may pursue the conduct of viability study of the endemic grass as wood substitute, which may build up from what was initiated by CMU in partnership with DOE.
Partners from CMU Bukidnon posed with DOE Officials during the ceremonial hand over of fund under the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the DOE and SUCs
Meeting with CMU and Site Visit on the prepared bugang plantation
Capacity Building of Academic Institutions to Enhance Supply of Skills in Auto-LPG Vehicle Conversion, Repair and Maintenance
Partner Agency
NCR – Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig (TUP-T)
Luzon – Cavite State University (CvSU)
Visayas – Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC)
Mindanao – University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP)
Project Description
Aligned with the objective to develop and commercialize cleaner alternative fuels and energy technologies for transportation, specifically, to promote the use of LPG as alternative fuel for transportation, the Department of Energy (DOE) partnered with various state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country to enhance the supply of skills in Auto-LPG vehicle conversion, repair, and maintenance.
The DOE allocated budget for this purpose and each university received Php 1,000,000 for the implementation of the Project.
The partner SUCs were strategically selected in major regions offering the technical vocational courses as conduit to provide basic knowledge and technical skills on auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance. Included in the project objectives is the putting up of a fully-functional Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance workshop for the training needs of the students taking up Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology and other related courses. The project also aimed to produce a significant number of Auto-LPG technicians that will support the sector on Auto-LPG vehicles for the transport program of the government.
Outputs and Deliverables
1. Each partner SUC in this program has established a fully-functional Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance workshop for the hands-on training needs of the students.
a. Each institution acquired necessary tools and equipment for the workshop.
b. All SUCs installed a car lifter in their workshops.
c. Each partner university acquired instructional engines and trainer vehicle as part of the resource materials for their performance testing and visual presentation for effective knowledge and skills transfer.
2. Theory in Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance was incorporated in the curriculum of the Automotive Technology subjects of each partner institution. Specifically, Auto-LPG conversion is discussed in the following subjects of the SUCs:
a. TUP-T (BS Mechanical Engineering and BTVTEd in Automotive Technology)
• MT1T Machine Tools and Processes
• AT1T Automotive Engineering System
• AT2T Automotive Mechanical Components
• AT4T Fuels and Lubricants
• AT6T Automotive Workshop
b. CvSU (BTVTEd in Automotive Technology)
• AUTO80 Automotive Shop and Practice IV
c. CHMSC (BS Industrial Technology in Automotive Technology)
• TECHNO5 Automotive Advanced Troubleshooting, Auto-airconditioning, and AutoLPG Retrofitting/Conversion
d. USeP (BTVTEd in Automotive Technology)
• AT221 Carburetion and Fuel Injection
3. Through the program, partner universities successfully certified eligible technicians that will contribute to the further development of AutoLPG industry. The number of graduates for each university are as follows:
a. TUP-T – 71 graduates (44 BSME and 27 BTVTEd)
b. CvSU – 33 graduates (BS Industrial Technology)
• CvSU also conducted a trainor’s training to the training specialists of TUP-T and USeP and produced 9 certified AutoLPG trainors.
c. CHMSC – 178 graduates for three (3) academic years (BS Industrial Technology)
Accomplishments
The Project’s capacity building of academic institutions through a trainor’s training conducted in the Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades (SICAT) with automotive expert as trainers. The training was intended to equip future trainors the necessary knowledge and skills in autoLPG conversion, repair and maintenance. Delegates of the training include facilitators from CvSU and CHMSC and experts from Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and DOE. In conclusion of the training, CvSU and CHMSC participants were able to install LPG kits to two (2) light driving vehicles and were given a Certificate of Competency in Automotive Servicing NC III with specialization in AutoLPG Retrofitting and Conversion.
To increase the number of highly-skilled technicians in Auto-LPG industry, CvSU conducted a capacity building training to faculty members of partner SUCs. There were a total of nine (9) participants: six (6) from TUP-T and three (3) from USeP. Discussed in the training were operation and safety procedures in the installation and conversion of gasoline engine to Auto-LPG-fed engine. The participants successfully installed an Auto-LPG kit in a vehicle.
Another accomplishment in this project is the establishment of a fully-equipped laboratory workshop for Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance. These workshops will serve as the training ground for students taking up Automotive Technology. Notably, all SUCs installed a car lifter in their workshops for under chassis servicing works in vehicles.
To secure the continuous supply of skilled technicians in the Auto-LPG industry, partner SUCs incorporated Auto-LPG Retrofitting and Conversion in their curriculum. Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance is included in five (5) subject courses in TUP-T, and one (1) subject course each in CvSU, CHMSC, and USeP. Instructors in these courses were trained under this project.
Remarks
All partner SUCs involved in the project were able to successfully comply with the objectives of the agreement. Ultimately, the program ensured the continuous supply of skilled technicians which will contribute to the realization of the commercialization of autoLPG-fuelled vehicles as clean alternative option for cleaner public transport.
TUP-T Officials received the symbolic representation of fund from the DOE
CHMSC Workshop Installed under the Program
Participants posed for a group photo as souvenir for the Presentation of Student – Recipients of the Project with Cavite State University (CvSU) under a Memorandum of Agreement
