VSU to work with German federal enterprise for solar-safe project

To explore the potential of solar-powered options in evacuation centers in Eastern Visayas, the German federal enterprise Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) teamed up with VSU for the Solar-Safe Project: Energy Solutions for Disaster Resilience in the Philippines.

The Solar-Safe Project is under the service package of GIZ’s project on “Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Risk Mitigation through Ecosystem-Based Planning and Adaptation” (E4DR Project) that aims to “use ecosystem-based adaptation and climate insurance to strengthen disaster risk management in the Philippines.”

GIZ is a German government-owned enterprise that works globally in sustainable development and international education. It has been working with the Philippine government to strengthen the country’s disaster risk management.

Under this project, the VSU Regional Climate Change Research and Development Center (RCCRDC), in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Research Center, will conduct a feasibility study across Eastern Visayas to evaluate the electrification of evacuation centers using battery-storage enabled off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

These solar PV systems convert solar energy into electricity and therefore can help supply energy to evacuation centers in times of disasters.

One of VSU’s roles in the project is to coordinate with municipalities and barangays and link them to the National Economic Development Authority Region VIII, educational institutions, solar companies, telecom providers, grid operators, and the Department of Energy for the feasibility study.

Meanwhile, GIZ will support VSU by funding the feasibility study and providing training on disaster resilience and risk mitigation.

VSU President Prose Ivy G. Yepes and Ms. Andrea Teran, the Principal Advisor of E4DR Project GIZ Philippines signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the Solar-Safe Project in the presence of Prof. Dennis P. Peque, the Director of RCCRDC, and Ms. Nicole Kranz, the Coordinator of Climate Cluster GIZ Philippines.

[This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals No: 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).]

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