“The number of vehicles will surge from 800 million units today to 2 billion vehicles in the next 40 years, which means that various sources of energy will be needed to meet the demand,” said Chin. “Moreover, the world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 increasing the demand to move people and goods more efficiently.”

Smarter mobility is Shell’s campaign to find innovative ways to help move the growing number of people and goods efficiently to meet growing demand for transport while limiting carbon dioxide, CO2, emissions.

Chin adds that the world’s energy mix in the next 40 years will continue to be supplied by fossil fuels (about 60%) but notes that energy from renewable sources is expected to increase by 5-10 times.

A significant amount of carbon is generated from the transport sector but there are at least three possible options to mitigate the impact of carbon emissions: 1) efficiency improvement through lighter materials, downsized engines, energy-efficient lubricants, and hybridization; 2) demand interventions which include eco-driving, intelligent traffic, speed limit, and vehicle downsizing; and 3) de-carbonization through the use of compressed and liquefied natural gas, as well as advanced and conventional bio-fuels.

Chin, a technical services engineer by profession, connected with the youth audience more directly through his role as Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) Asia Technical Manager since its launch in 2010. Shell Eco-marathon advocates smarter mobility by challenging students from different countries to design, build, and drive the most energy efficient vehicles. Built by student engineers, the prototype cars resemble biomorphic figures that come straight out of science fiction and action-fantasy stories. The designs range from bat-mobile inspired to aerodynamic bullet-shaped models although the cars can safely run on roads and consume energy efficiently.

Jericho Rivera, alumnus of Mapua’s Team Atalanta that competed at the very first Shell Eco-marathon Asia in 2010, shared with the young participants his experience at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia where Formula 1 races are staged.

As a mechanical engineering major, he led a team of Mapuans through months of fabrication work, test runs at local racing circuits, and exposing them to fund-raising projects, media engagements, and launch activities. Teams from other Philippine schools that competed over the years have returned home from the international meet with awards, enriched by lessons on smarter mobility and from their interaction with equally talented and passionate youth.

Rivera, now a graduate mechanical engineer at Shell Philippines Exploration, (SPEx) B.V., is part of the team that inspects the Malampaya natural gas platform off Palawan’s northern coast and on shore gas plant in Batangas. He is tasked to maintain the high-tech facilities fuelling power stations in Luzon.

Engineers Chin and Rivera urged the students to join the Shell Eco-marathon 2014 when the super mileage action happens at the Luneta Park in Manila. The students, in turn, expressed their interest in improving the Philippine entries’ competitiveness at the Eco-marathon. Manila was chosen over other Asian countries to host the international event for three years from 214 to 2016.

Chin and Rivera said it is an excellent opportunity to show that the country’s mechanical engineering students can compete among the best in Asia and the world. One of the expected highlights of the Shell Eco-marathon in Manila will be the use of bio-diesels from coconuts produced in abundance in our countryside.

Chin urged the new generation of leaders and innovators to be aware of smarter mobility issues and to work together to help the planet: “Innovation and collaboration are key.”

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About Smarter Mobility

Shell recognizes that the growing global population and rising prosperity are increasing pressures on mobility or the movement of goods and people. It foresees the number of cars to triple worldwide by 2050, with aviation and shipping growing strongly at the same time.

Thus, the company is constantly finding innovative ways to move more people and goods safely, cost-effectively and with reduced impact on the environment. Examples of smarter mobility are innovative, efficient and sustainable fuels, an infrastructure network for smarter mobility transport, efficient driving practices and eco-friendly vehicles. Learn more about smarter mobility.

About Shell

Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, smarter infrastructure, smarter use, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment, through cleaner burning natural gas and advanced fuels and lubricants technology.

At our operations, safety is our top priority. Our goal is to have zero fatalities and no incidents that cause harm to our people and neighbours and put our facilities at risk. We aim to address social concerns and work to benefit local communities, protecting our reputation as we do business.

In the Philippines, Shell represents various companies operating in oil and gas exploration, extraction, refining and delivery of smarter products for clean and fuel efficient transport in the country. Shell’s energy portfolio in the Philippines include the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project which represents roughly 40-45% of Luzon’s power generation requirements, providing the country a considerably long-term revenue stream to the government, in addition to considerable foreign exchange savings.

Being at the forefront of energy and fuel efficiency, Shell advocates for the use of energy more efficiently as the simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change through driver education, fuel efficient driving behaviour, and smarter mobility collaboration and strategic partnerships to fuel the country’s progress. As Shell aims to meet the world’s future energy needs with a diversified energy mix and cleaner energy, we enjoin consumers and businesses to use energy better, to do more with less, and make energy conservation a way of life.

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