To strengthen the college’s commitment to research and innovation, the faculty members took part in another project proposal funded by DOST-PCIEERD (Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development) titled Project RE-FER HENERA (Renewable Energy–Integrated Fertilizer Production Facility Utilizing Wind and Solar).
Held online on October 10, 2025, the project proposal meeting with key stakeholders discussed the project’s objectives, framework, and expected outcomes. Among the stakeholders were Mr. Erickson Dominguez, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer and the College’s Research Coordinator, and Engr. Alvin Dulay, Dean of the College of Engineering all from Benguet State University (BSU).
Project RE-FER HENERA aims to develop and evaluate a hybrid renewable energy–powered system that converts Benguet’s vegetable waste into organic fertilizer through the integration of solar, wind, and biogas technologies with the following objectives;
- Gather and analyze data on vegetable waste characteristics and local renewable energy resources as the baseline for the hybrid solar–wind–biogas-powered fertilizer production system in Benguet;
- Design and develop a hybrid solar–wind–biogas-powered system that converts vegetable waste into organic fertilizer and other useful byproducts and;
- Evaluate the system’s performance, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Through this project, the College continues to advance sustainable technological innovations that address environmental challenges while promoting cleaner energy and agricultural productivity. The initiative supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, highlighting the vital role of engineering research in building a more sustainable future for the Cordillera region and beyond.
