PhilBIO: The Leader in Biogas Technologies
How that nature is horrendously unleashing its wrath due to man’s neglect, insensitivity and “sins” of environmental commission and omission, the agricultural world is joining the call not only to save the planet, but also to create measures to maintain our food security and power use. Biogas, the alternative fuel made from certain organic materials, has never been more relevant than now. And in the world of biogas technologies, particularly bio-digesters, one company stands out-PhilBIO.
For more than six years, Philippine Bio-Sciences Co., Inc. (PhilBIO) is at the helm in the design, installation of waste-to-energy (WTE) at farms, industrial plants and municipal waste facilities. A subsidiary of AsiaBioGas Co. Ltd, headquartered in Thailand, PhilBIO and its four other companies, have successfully implemented over 30 waste-to-energy systems using proprietary in ground bio-digester techniques known under the brand name “Covered Inground Anaerobic Reactor (CIGAR). The company’s systems treat wastewater effectively through the proper cultivation of microbial sludge to remove significantly the BOD and COD in wastewater, thereby capturing the biogas for on-site power use.
These integrated waste-to-energy systems offer environment friendly benefits. They provide electric power self-sufficiency and effective waste water management. Also, they are pathogen free and reduce odor.
Samuel West Stewart, Founder and CEO of PhilBIO is also a co-founder and EVP of Asia BioGas Co., Ltd. An investment banker, Stewart founded Silk Road Technologies, a project development and financing company that has developed energy efficiency, biomass, solar and biogas systems throughout Southeast Asia. Today, he is the country’s recognized expert in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a newly established environmental program of the United Nations.
Stewart explained that biogas is really a big story for many farmers in the Philippines. He sites Paramount Agri, a firm in Nueva Ecija which the company helped generate a 325-kilowatt power plant. “The company runs everything from the power plant without the need to tap into the power grid,” lie enthused. Likewise, three large farms in Tarlac City, he proudly said, arc nearly sufficient in electric power, although they can utilize onsite power in parallel with the electric grid power. “We continue to design, engineer and build such projects . We finance up to 100% under the Build-Operate Transfer (BOT) scheme. All clients have to do is to pay us for the (electric) power that they actually use.”
Aside from these, PhilBIO also have the capability and expertise to design and build the Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABK) for the food and beverage processing industry. PhilBIO also can provide its ReSTOREO technologies in the high recovery of low thermal gas through anaerobic digesters at landfill sites.
The company distributes and installs Huitex Brand High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) geo-membrane and geo-textile liners. It is the sole distributor for Southeast Asia for the General Motors dual-fuel engine generator sets designed by Don Hardy Race Cars (Texas) with power output of 6o to 300 KW. PhilBIO maintains a large installed base of CIGARs and engine generator sets through its O&M Strategic Business Unit (SBU) with operations for nearly 4 MW of power plant capacity.
In 2006 PhilBIO launched its special purpose vehicles for hog farm digester projects, the Hacienda BioEnergy Corp (HBC); and Magallanes BioEnergy Corp(MBC) for sewage treatment plant projects with Manila Water CO. In both cases PhilBIO provides 100% of the financing under Build-Operate-Transfer(BOT) financing terms.
To facilitate environmental compliance PhilBIO maintains a close liaison with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) in so far as the above mention services are concerned for permitting as well as CDM compliance. IT established onsite energy compliance through its endorsement by the Department of Energy(DOE) and its projects are registered with the Electricity Regulatory Board(ERB).
Over and above this coterie of products and services, PhilBIO’s commitment to help preserve the environment and educate farmers remains unabated. It’s a pay-it-forward philosophy that aims to make a humble contribution to alleviate greenhouse gases. In fact, Stewart’s vision for the Philippines is to market the country as the “Green Islands” of Asia a — tropical oasis of abundant natural resources inhabited by people who assiduously adhere to sound environment management practices.
PhilBIO’s tagline succinctly sums up its reason for being: “Wastes are merely natural resources out of place. It’s making sense of waste and turning pieces of natures rejects into good use. It’s maximizing technology to help build a self-sufficient and greener country.
