I was offline for a few days because my PC crashed.   Don't know exactly what happened.  It seems like a combination of the effects of the SP3 update and damage to my power cord socket.  Anyway, I think I need to purchase a new PC for now.

Before I was cut off from the web, I discovered a very useful software called LEAP.  LEAP, or Long range Energy Alternative Planning System, is an application that enables you to model energy consumption, production and resource extraction for different sectors. It can model power and fuel use. According to its website, it is fast becoming the world standard for integrated resource planning and greenhouse gas mitigation assessments.  

I tried training exercises posted on the web and discovered the tool's capability to model/forecast power consumption based on population growth and other demographic info.  I see this as handy in plotting alternative scenarios based varied interests and stakeholder goals. It appears to be an indispensable tool in participative energy planning.

You can download it from www.energycommunity.org.  It is available for free for academics and non-profit organizations.

LEAP screenshot

www.leonardo-energy.org offers free webcasts and webinars on sustainable energy.  I tried out 2 introductory courses on PV systems and Distributed generation.  The Information was very basic, good enough for novices in the renewable energy systems.  This was basically something like a powerpoint presentation with a voice over. They have webcasts for harmonics, lighting, renewable energy.  They also have webinars to discuss updates on specific technologies and issues.  Free e-books are also available in this site.  I think every sustainable energy advocate must check this site regularly

Today I was writing an accomplishment report for SWITCH. I handle the component on participative energy planning. The concept originally came about when members of Panay civil society groups contacted Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo of the University of the Philippines. They asked him how are power load forecasts made. They were concerned that local government officials were pushing for the installation of coal fired power plants in Iloilo. At this point, the relationship between civil society, the power sector and local government were already adversarial.

With these factors in mind, Prof. del Mundo developed a strategy to teach stakeholders how to forecast power loads and develop their own power development plan. Thus the Multi-stakeholder Power Development Plan (MSPDP) was born. The process was to 1.) teach stakeholder power forecasting, 2.) lead them to develop a long term regional outlook, 3.)formulate alternative scenarios favorable for each stakeholder group and 4.) statistically determine the optimal scenario for all stakeholders. While MSPDP was not completed. The result show that compared to other forecasts, MSPDP was the closest to Panay's actual power consumption in 2006 -2007








SWITCH will be continuing the work of MSPDP, through a compressed version of the process to be completed by Jan'09. Regional Energy Work Teams (REWTs) will be formed in other regions to receive the best practices of the pilot. SWITCH aims to enhance the existing Power Development Planning process by social mobilization by Feb. 2010.