A solar-thermal window made from rice husk and biomass won in the 2021 Go Green Country Finals–a global student competition on the search for innovators, disruptors and game-changers across the globe. The event puts the competitors’ skills to the test to push the boundaries of sustainable and digital transformation in energy management.
There were three entries from the Philippines in this year’s competition where Team Pasimano, composed of Jade Karrie Palma and Pauline Anna Lamela, emerged victorious. Their winning project, Pasimano, is made from nanosilica and lignocellulose extracted from rice husk and biomass. Their aim is to provide energy that is both efficient and sustainable.
Palma and Lamela are students from UP Visayas. They competed against over 100 entries nationwide.
“Agriculture is perhaps one of mankind’s most pivotal pursuits, but just as it secures the economy and ensures food security, it also takes its toll in the environment. Electricity accounts for 30 percent of the global carbon dioxide emissions and agriculture is responsible for 24 percent of greenhouse gas emissions,” Lamela shared at the beginning of their pitch to the panel.
In addition to their promise of creating sustainable energy, utilizing green technology, offering a more affordable option to commercial windows and commercial solar panels, and promoting agricultural waste management, Pasimano pledges to provide clean and sustainable energy to underprivileged communities.
“The inefficiency and unsustainability of sources of energy, as well as the improper handling of agricultural waste is pertinent problem that we aim to provide a solution for,” Lamela said.
“We strongly believe in the prudence and creativity of the Filipino youth, as well as their potential to rise as global leaders in innovation and sustainability,” Homer Ilagan, Director for Power Products, Home and Distribution, and Digital Energy of Schneider Electric Philippines said. He was one of the panelists for the event.
Schneider Electric International is the main purveyor of the Go Green initiative. Believing that energy is a basic human right the company said it sees “an urgent need for bold ideas that can re-shape a smarter and more sustainable future.”
“Schneider Electric Philippines always believed that the Filipino youth are more than capable of coming up with the next big innovation for our future. The strong performance of the Filipino youth is a great story we at Schneider Electric Philippines are always proud to share,” he addedTeam Pamana takes their goal of sustainability seriously.
“We are committed to reach our goal of providing a more efficient and sustainable source of energy. We aim to launch Project ‘Bintana Para sa Tanan’ or Windows for All, wherein for every 10 Pasimano window panels purchased, one window panel will be donated to chosen household from an underprivileged community,” said Palma. Through this cause, clients will be able to contribute to environmental change, as well as help those in need.
The top three finalists all came from the University of the Philippines, the two others from Diliman. These are:
Team Forevermore which is a pyroelectric wireless sensor network device that can automatically detect temperature difference and activate water sprinklers and irrigation systems in farms and #OTFD4E a sustainable gym energy production and consumption system
Team Pasimano will move on to represent the Philippines in Asia-Pacific Regional Finals in June will be representing the Philippineson June 15-17, 2021.
