Abstract
Abstract. The energy supply of the Philippines is dwindling considering rapid population growth, thus the need to maximize the advantages of harnessing renewable energy (RE) and optimizing its utilization in the grid. One of the RE sources that is considered practical due to its availability is running water, thus the development of hydropower. The use of remote sensing (RS) datasets and geographic information system (GIS) techniques are useful for pre-feasibility studies of hydropower development. This study utilizes Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) – derived DEM, GIS-based hydrology and terrain characterization tools to identify natural reservoirs, and spatial analysis identify site for possible dam development. The methodology consists of two processes: valley determination, a component of landform classification, and flow accumulation. Different valley determination algorithms are included in the comparison analysis such as Multi-Resolution Valley Bottom Flatness (MRVBF), Topographic Position Index (TPI), Valley and Ridge Detection (VRD) and Geomorphons, with the latter best describing the valleys within the Marinduque island. The identified valleys are intersected with sites having the most suitable elevation, slope and flow accumulation. The results of the study are different indicative sites for hydropower development, the volumetric capacity for which are generated given design specifications (e.g. different dam heights). Furthermore, upon computing the volume of water that the reservoir can contain, the reservoir design is represented as three-dimensional features over the terrain to visualize the dam development.
Highlights
In the Philippines, the Department of Energy (DOE) has recognized the benefits of utilizing renewable energy such as energy security, the improvement in electricity costs, promotion of rural development, and generation of employment
DOE has identified the challenges that the country encounters before fully integrating the use of renewable energy in the system such as the technology costs given that the utilization of these forms of energy require the use of innovative systems, the non-competitiveness and non-viable markets given that these systems have yet to prove bankability and sustainability, and the social acceptability of these systems especially in rural areas
For Multi-Resolution Valley Bottom Flatness (MRVBF), the input elevation is the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) DEM and the parameters are given the default value except for the initial threshold slope which is given the value of 32 following the premise of Gallant (2003) where the threshold of 64 is applied to a DEM with a three-meter resolution and a threshold of 128 is applied to a DEM with a onemeter resolution – the slope thresholds change by a ratio of 2 at each step following a geometric sequence
Summary
DOE has identified the challenges that the country encounters before fully integrating the use of renewable energy in the system such as the technology costs given that the utilization of these forms of energy require the use of innovative systems, the non-competitiveness and non-viable markets given that these systems have yet to prove bankability and sustainability, and the social acceptability of these systems especially in rural areas To address these issues, the Philippine government is putting up policies in place to accommodate these challenges and support the development of renewable energy systems in the grid and off-grid This resource is considered the most flexible in responding to demand fluctuations, in delivering base-load power and in energy storage (IRENA, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
