Locally sourced bamboo pellets and charcoal briquettes could play a key role in expanding renewable energy use, the Department of Science and Technology said, highlighting their potential to reduce dependence on imported fuels.
The fuels have been developed by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), which said both options offer clean and sustainable alternatives using abundant local resources, Pageone ph reported.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said converting biomass into efficient fuel can help meet the country’s energy needs while promoting renewable sources.
Bamboo pellets, a compressed form of bamboo, have higher energy density compared to materials such as wood chips and agricultural residues. According to FPRDI researcher Anniver Ryan Lapuz, one cubic metre of bamboo pellets can generate about 12.15 gigajoules of energy.
He added that the pellets can be used as a co-firing fuel in coal-based power plants, as well as a supplementary fuel in biomass industries. At the household level, they can serve as an alternative to traditional charcoal, offering higher heat output.
FPRDI Director Rico Cabangon said bamboo is a reliable energy source due to its rapid growth and wide availability. Some species can grow more than one metre per day and can thrive in a range of environments, including degraded land.
In addition to pellets, charcoal briquettes made from compressed charcoal particles offer another efficient fuel option. These briquettes are easier to handle, burn more evenly, and produce less smoke compared to conventional charcoal.
The institute has developed both manual and hydraulic technologies for briquette production, which could support small businesses and rural communities by creating opportunities in biomass energy production.
