Knowing how much savings the act can entail, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is endorsing ICT technology as a way to move forward. Officials have urged large private buildings and government facilities to use cloud-based monitors and electronic sensors (e-sensors) to monitor their energy consumption.
Smart technology is the name for devices connected to the internet that can collect and transmit data to a centrally stored hub. This hub can be local to the organisation but, increasingly, will be part of the cloud – information stored on a secure area of the internet, without the need for external servers.
Reliance on smart technology isn’t really new but the rising fuel prices due to global events have made its use more pronounced. DOST made its recommendation in a public briefing with government officials in attendance.
These are tools that would enable large buildings and government buildings to track their energy consumption and figure out the aspects where they waste energy.
– Rowena Guevara, Undersecretary, Department of Science and Technology
Guevara pointed out an out-of-the-box solution to the rising oil prices. She detailed that electric bills would be lower if people would conserve energy. Then, she equated that with the current oil crisis. She disclosed that if we lower the overall energy consumption in the country, the impact on the increasing oil prices will not be that huge.
Moreover, the official also mentioned that the DOST advocates the use of electric vehicles or e-vehicles to lessen fuel consumption. She denotes, “We have been rolling out charging stations across the provinces, so they could adopt this technology developed by the DOST. We call this, CHARM (Charging in Minutes), which enables an e-vehicle to be recharged in 30 minutes from the previous 8 hours.”
She said e-vehicles are not only an alternative to the rising oil prices but are also beneficial to the environment since they do not emit harmful substances. Data from the DOST office showed different areas all over the country that has benefited from CHARM. Among these places are:
- Mactan, Cebu
- Naga, Camarines Sur
- Ermita, Manila
- Lipa, Batangas
While efficient energy management is being sought now due to the oil price hike, it may be the only way forward. Smart technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been heavily utilised in helping organisations reduce their power usage. However, as global conventions on energy have reached an agreement by 2050 to reach net-zero goals, these ICT technologies will become standard, more likely than not. In the process, they will form the main frontline tools in reducing carbon footprint.
Definitely, thinking out-of-the-box can be a big boost in dealing with any crisis. The good news is digital adoption can provide a powerful set of tools to make things happen. As seen, smart technology can provide real-time data that allows faster and more efficient energy monitoring.
The digital transformation of the Philippines has allowed the country to meet a slew of challenges head-on that could have been otherwise more problematic. Another example of this is poor connectivity. With satellite technology, Manila hopes to provide needed internet service for public schools all over the country, something that’s vital in a pandemic.
The national judiciary is looking at the possibility of employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to speed up the resolution of pending cases. Additionally, the country is exploring smart farming with Israel, as reported on OpenGov Asia.
