CSU actively provides outreach programmes that teach local communities about renewable energy and efficiency:

Local community outreach for energy efficiency

Solar PV training in La Januza (2023)

CSU’s Center for Renewable Energy, Automation and Fabrications Technology (CRAFT) conducted a three‑day mission to Brgy. La Januza in Surigao del Norte. Activities included a reconnaissance to understand the barangay’s energy needs, installation of a solar PV system for community lighting, and training local electricians and residents in solar installation and maintenance. Participants learned installation steps and maintenance procedures, and LED lighting was provided to households and communal spaces.

Last October 27, 2025,  the University’s CRAFT Center, formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of La Januza, General Luna, Surigao del Norte for the research project titled “RS-Development and Implementation of Smart Street Light System by Integrating Remote Lighting Control System (SSLSIRLICS) in Partnership with Caraga LGUs and Barangays.”

Following the MOA signing, the CSU team immediately commenced the installation of 15 SSLSIRLICS units as part of the project’s initial implementation. Another 15 units are scheduled for delivery and installation soon, completing the 30-unit allocation for Barangay La Januza. This partnership marks a significant step toward providing sustainable and renewable lighting solutions to off-grid communities, reinforcing CSU’s commitment to innovation-driven and community-centered research and development across the Caraga region.

Memorandum of Agreement Signing

with Barangay Bobon, Agusan del Norte on May 10, 2025, for the implementation of the project “Development and Implementation of Smart Street Light System by Integrating Remote Control System in Partnership with Caraga LGUs and Barangays.” During the ceremony, CSU President Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil highlighted the importance of the initiative, noting that the agreement marks the beginning of strengthened collaboration between the university and local communities in advancing smart and sustainable technologies. Barangay Captain Hon. Aida C. Duran expressed her appreciation to the university and reaffirmed the barangay’s full support for the project. The signing was attended by CSU officials, project staff, thesis implementers, and members of the Barangay Council of Bobon—reflecting a shared vision for innovation-driven and resilient communities.

Regional renewable‑energy caravan (June 2024)

The Mindanao Renewable Energy R&D Center (MREC), MinREACH and CSU’s CRAFT hosted a Caravan on Careers in Renewable Energy at the CSU campus. Students from several universities across Caraga joined lectures and panel discussions with experts from the Mindanao Development Authority, Butuan City Planning Department and the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative. The caravan highlighted Caraga’s strengths and challenges in renewable energy and discussed CSU initiatives to address them.

Technology demonstrations and workshops

Faculty members participate in international and local workshops on photovoltaic microgrids, AIoT‑based smart energy systems and carbon footprint verification. Outputs from these trainings are replicated for community benefit, such as providing guidance to local governments and schools on solar installations.

100 % renewable energy pledge

CSU’s long‑term vision is to become an “Eco Smart University” by 2030 and its energy plan aims for 50% renewable electricity by 2028.

Energy efficiency services for industry

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Research Programs and Publications

CSU has steadily developed a sizeable research portfolio on renewable‑energy technologies and energy efficiency over the last decade. An inventory of 44 research outputs provided by the university (2015–2024) shows that CSU faculty and researchers contribute through journal articles, book chapters and conference papers, with emphasis on solar photovoltaics (PV), micro‑hydropower, biomass and smart energy‑monitoring systems. These works not only provide technical solutions tailored to the Philippines and the wider ASEAN region but have also attracted citations from the international research community.

The earliest paper in the list dates back to 2015, when Engr. Dellosa analysed the financial payback of solar PV systems and the impact of net‑metering in Butuan City. Since then, CSU scholars have produced a regular stream of energy‑related papers, averaging four or more publications per year by 2021–2024. Most outputs are conference proceedings in flagship IEEE events such as EEEIC/I&CPS Europe, TENCON, ICDRET and ICEET, reflecting the university’s active engagement in international forums. Other contributions appear in journals (e.g., WIREs Energy and Environment, Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research) and book chapters published by Springer. This mix demonstrates CSU’s ability to communicate results both to peer‑reviewed journals and to practice‑oriented engineering communities.

The 44 energy‑related publications suggest that CSU has built a vibrant research niche in renewable energy and efficiency. Much of the work translates global concepts—floating PV, smart grids, energy harvesting—into solutions for Mindanao and the wider Philippines. The research covers the entire innovation chain: from resource assessment and device fabrication (api.crossref.org; api.crossref.org) to system design (api.crossref.orgapi.crossref.org), policy analysis (api.crossref.org; api.crossref.org) and sustainable education (api.crossref.org). The growing citation counts (not less than 61 total citations at present) demonstrate scholarly impact, and the diversity of topics shows responsiveness to local needs such as rural electrification, sustainable mining and waste valorisation. Collectively, these outputs underpin CSU’s contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 7 and position the university as a regional hub for renewable‑energy research and innovation.

Extension Programs. CSU’s Department of Electronics Engineering and FabLab Caraga partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to conduct a two‑day training on the design and installation of solar photovoltaics on 9–10 July 2024. The training introduced participants to renewable‑energy technologies and provided hands-on experience. Such sessions help local industries and organizations adopt solar systems. 

The Department of Electronics Engineering (DECE) of CSU, in partnership with the Philippine National Police – Regional Communication and Electronics Unit 13 (PNP-RCEU13), also successfully conducted an Information Drive on August 26, 2025, at the 1st Floor Archives, HERO Learning Commons, CSU Main Campus. This event was organized in response to the formal request of the PNP-RCEU13 to strengthen awareness among future engineers on the vital role of communication and electronics systems in law enforcement, public safety, and national security. The activity gathered more than 100 participants, composed of 3rd year, 4th year, and graduate students of the BS Electronics Engineering (BSECE) program, as well as faculty members from the department.

Paid services

CSU offers paid community training seminars through external agency sponsorships or grants. In general, CSU’s service programme can provide specialized renewable‑energy training on a cost‑recovery basis.

Consultations and research assistance

The CRAFT center collaborates with DOST projects, DBM and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to provide free consultations on renewable energy and solar PV systems for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as junior high students and MSMEs. These services assist government agencies and enterprises in designing and implementing PV projects.

Policy development for clean energy technology

CSU contributes to policy development across multiple levels:

• Local and regional support. The University guidelines, draft Green Campus Energy Plan and CSU’s Master Plan dubbed as LUDIP align campus infrastructure with the Butuan Energy Plan and Mindanao’s renewable‑energy strategies. CSU’s CRAFT Director, Engr. Sajonia presented challenges and initiatives in the renewable‑energy transition during the MREC caravan. CSU researchers also engage with local government units (e.g., Brgy. La Januza) to design solar installations and energy policies.
• National engagement. CSU participates in national conferences such as the LIKHA Summit and the International Conference on Climate Action, Resilience, and Environmental Sustainability (i‑CARES), where discussions include carbon capture and storage and climate‑resilient development. Faculty contributions to energy research are shared with national agencies, supporting the Philippines’ energy policies.
• Global involvement. CSU faculty attended a photovoltaic workshop in Taiwan, learning about PV microgrids, AIoT‑based smart energy and carbon‑footprint verification. A memorandum of understanding with Tatung University expands collaborations and knowledge exchange, helping to inform policy dialogues on renewable technology. Hosting i-CARES is also a testament that CSU wants to bring forward local challenges and climate actions to international platforms where insights and policy options are wider in terms of good practices and validated proof-of-concepts.

Assistance to low‑carbon innovation

CSU supports start‑ups and innovations as well as sustainable university mobility programs that foster a low‑carbon economy:

ScrapCycle.ph.

The university’s technology business incubator Navigatú runs an internship programme where students develop start‑up ideas.

In 2022 the programme included a group focusing on ScrapCycle.ph, a digital platform that connects users with verified scrap buyers. The internship provided training and workshops on entrepreneurship and IT skills. Later, Navigatú’s team Scrapcycle won first place in the Development Academy of the Philippines’ START Hackathon, earning a cash prize and ₱100 000 non‑equity seed funding. This success illustrates CSU’s role in nurturing circular‑economy businesses.

External partnerships.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga promoted ScrapCycle as a supported start‑up and encouraged the public to use its recycling app.In a meeting held by the Local Government of Butuan and ScrapCycle, City Vice Mayor Fortun expressed his support for ScrapCycle and pledged to campaign to encourage public participation. He also expressed openness to possible collaborations between ScrapCycle Ph and the Butuan City Government, recognizing the potential for effective waste management, job creation, and increased city revenue. These collaborations demonstrate how CSU incubated innovations receive regional support, advancing low‑carbon and circular‑economy solutions.

Bike‑sharing programme

CSU’s University Sustainable Mobility Program (USMP) introduced a bike‑sharing system that encourages active mobility and reduces dependence on fossil‑fuel transport. The programme promotes walking and cycling to reduce traffic congestion, carbon emissions and fossil‑fuel use, thereby improving air quality and health. This initiative has recorded remarkable environmental and mobility benefits just weeks after launching its campus-wide bike-sharing system under the University Sustainable Mobility Program (USMP), in partnership with iKilos Bayugan’s PadyaKalikasan initiative. From February 4 to April 7, the program logged 906 rides on campus bicycles, translating to over 900 hours of travel. These efforts have resulted in the avoidance of 36 liters of gasoline consumption and approximately 0.0845 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, a strong indicator of the project’s contribution to a cleaner, greener campus. During the period from August to September, the program achieved even greater results, with 0.0883 metric tons of CO2 emissions avoided and 37.6 liters of gasoline saved. It contributes to the campus’s low‑carbon transport ecosystem and serves as a model for sustainable mobility in the wider community.