Transfer of technology: An attempt at developing an approach to risk management at a Philippine power plant. A case study

In a risk management study conducted in the Philippines, the PAEC group has adopted an approach which may be of value to other developing countries. Locally available data were used as guide in the development of a risk model, giving rise to some specificity and uniqueness of the study. The study embraces two main methodologies, namely: the systematic calculation of the risk impacts of the energy system to human health and to the environment, and the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of risk reduction schemes. The Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant was used as the reference energy system. A model for atmospheric dispersion was developed and used to estimate the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at various locations. H2S is one of the gas effluents of a geothermal power plant and is widely believed to pose a major environmental and health hazard. The estimated dose values were used to calculate the dose rate levels of the population in the area. The direct effect of H2S was also evaluated. Various H2S reduction schemes were analyzed from the cost-effectiveness point of view, and alternative measures were considered to meet the permissible risk level. Experiences gathered from the study led to the formulation of an organized approach regarding the various factors which are involved in effective risk management studies. These factors are (1) adequate personnel training on project methodologies, and systematic data collection, handling and treatments; (2) establishment of linkages with cooperating institutions/agencies for supplementary data and information; (3) use of up-to-date and site-related data (for this study, site related data was confined to the application of data of proximate areas having similar meteorological characteristics to the site); (4) development of a flexible model adapted to local conditions/situations; and (5) use of computer codes for documentation of the methods used in the computations. 11 refs, 2 figs