Meralco undertakes study for modernized system

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s top power distributor, is undertaking a feasibility study for a modernized power distribution system, according to the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

The modernization pilot project is part of Meralco’s efforts to advance the country’s biggest power distributor to system-wide Smart Grid, which is essentially a modernized electrical grid that also incorporates renewable energy sources.

According to the USTDA, the feasibility study will determine key components needed to complete the pilot project.

The USTDA earlier awarded a grant to Meralco to undertake a smart grid design and modernize its distribution system.  The agency links US businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.

So far, Meralco has allocated $10.5 million for the pilot project, under which the power distributor is eyeing to install smart metering equipment for 10,000 existing customers, to help manage peak demand and set incentives for various consumption levels based on detailed data collected by the smart meters.

Furthermore, the pilot project would also address demand response to reduce high energy costs, minimize power loss, and define procedures for system-wide implementation of smart grid technologies.

The USTDA said the study would help Meralco develop the technical specifications and associated implementation plan for a power distribution modernization pilot project, with key components including Advanced Metering Infrastructure, Demand Response programs, smart grid-focused Distribution Management Systems, and system interoperability standards.

The feasibility study will also look into the viability of a pilot project for a demand response system, allowing Meralco to balance the grid by integrating control systems and communications infrastructure into its network, according to the US agency.

The aim is for the upgrades and modernization to cut energy losses and manage system peak demand, while optimizing Meralco’s sub-transmission and distribution network in and around Metro Manila.