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• We analysed the potential smart energy systems on 502 Philippine off-grid islands. • Key parameters describing single aspects of smart energy systems are determined. • We classified the islands according to similarities in various relevant aspects. • Most of the islands (86%) belong to five clusters of very small and small islands. • Photovoltaic-battery systems is the favourable backbone of a future energy system. Islands are highly diverse in their climatic, physical, social, and economic characteristics. Thus, each island's energy system needs to be designed according to its specific features. However, similarities among islands exist which can enable the fast transfer of concepts and experiences with energy systems. In the Philippines, only few off-grid islands are incorporating smart energy systems through hybrid electricity systems. While most off-grid islands still do not have access to electricity, the majority of off-grid Philippine islands having access to electricity are powered primarily by diesel-fired generators. In this work, a cluster analysis is performed for 502 off-grid islands in the Philippine archipelago, classifying the islands according to their similarities in socio-economic and physical characteristics, and indigenous energy resource potential. The results show that most of the islands belong to five clusters of very small and small islands for which photovoltaic-battery systems would be the favourable backbone of a future energy system based on renewable energies. These islands show a varying level of feasibility for harnessing wind energy. In medium and big islands, opportunities of linking electricity systems to water supply and thermal energy loads as well as to the transport sector, are identified and their relevance in the clusters is discussed. The results are consistent with the validation of the individual characteristics of chosen off-grid islands. The cluster analysis results support policy makers and private investors in deciding which smart energy system projects are suitable for which particular islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Globally, although progress in eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been reported, IDD is still considered to be a global health problem. As school-aged children are the most accessible population group, their urinary iodine (UI) concentration data are accepted and used as an indicator of IDD for the general population. The aim of this study was to reassess the national, regional, and provincial estimates of UI as a measure of IDD among Filipino school-aged children., Methods: Casual urine samples were collected from 22 588 children, 6 to 12 y of age, from participating households in the eighth National Nutrition Survey. UI was determined based on the catalytic action of iodine in the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction and IDD was evaluated using criteria from the World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders criteria., Results: The median UI level among Filipino school-aged children was 168 μg/L, corresponding to optimal iodine nutrition; whereas 23.2% had UI reflective of excessive iodine intake. Cjildren in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region had median UI level of 68 μg/L and 41.1% of participants had UI values <50 μg/L, which is indicative of mild iodine deficiency. Children from Guimaras and Zamboanga del Norte, or 2.4% of the provinces, had moderate iodine deficiency., Conclusion: Although the median UI level of school-age children was optimal, there are pockets of inadequacy and excessive intake that need special concern for targeted intervention., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)