Philippines: Meralco transforming network into smart grid

Philippines: Meralco transforming network into smart grid

Power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is transforming its network
into a smart grid as it eyes to launch its Advanced Metering Infrastructure
(AMI) project starting mid-2017.

Meralco has filed an application with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
for the deployment of basic AMI services by June 1, 2017.

AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communications networks and
data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities
and customers.

The system will enable Meralco to determine what is happening in its
electric grid, quickly respond to events, and restore power swiftly, thereby
improve overall operational efficiency.

It will also allow customers to efficiently manage their "energy usage and
budget through consumption information, alerts and notifications," the power
distributor said.

The cost for the distribution network upgrade depends on the approval from
the ERC, Meralco vice president and head of marketing and customer solutions
Jose Antonio Valdez said in a phone interview.

The ERC has yet to approve Meralco's petition to roll out 235,000 smart
meters, which will composed of both prepaid and postpaid.

In the application, Meralco said it is expanding its AMI coverage by
installing smart meters and communications infrastructure to fully cover
Metro Manila by 2019 and the whole franchise by 2024.

"It's a start a start of our aggressive roll out of our smart grid journey,"
Valdez said. "If approved, we won't just have smart meters for prepaid but
also for postpaid customers."

Currently, its prepaid AMI areas are Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig and
parts of Rizal.

"From the identified coverage areas per [regulatory year], and proposed
meter installations and replacement, Meralco will be activating an estimated
total of 3.3 million customers and targeted points within the distribution
network by 2024," the power distributor said.

Meralco also sought clearance to implement the prepaid retail electricity
services (PRES), net metering program, advanced outage management,
distribution automation, smart streetlights and other supplemental services.

With the AMI project, Meralco will be able to upgrade its basic services
such as remote reading of customers' meters; remote connection for new
customers and disconnection and reconnection for delinquent accounts; detect
irregularities in meters; and detect outage in case the meter is lost.

Meralco will also put up an online web portal to provide customers with
consumption monitoring and reporting mechanism as well as notification
mechanism to keep tabs on monthly electricity usage.

Meralco will also be offering supplemental services such as demand response
programs, home area network, management of distributed energy resources,
electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) management, smart streetlights,
among others.

In terms of security, Meralco said the project will have stringent
cybersecurity and data protection measures throughout the network and in
compliance with local and international standards.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/03/16/1681468/meralco-transforming-net
work-smart-grid

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com