The Department of Energy (DOE) will issue a draft circular for the
adoption of smart grid technologies in the third quarter of this year,
an energy official said on Monday.
“The draft circular on the policy framework is targeted to
be released by the third quarter of 2019,” said DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola after he
delivered his speech during The Future Energy Show Philippines 2019 held in
Manila. “The government is moving toward this smart grid development that will
support security of energy supply,” he added.
The DOE is spearheading the formulation of a policy
framework and road map for the smart grid implementation. Among others, smart
grid technology involves the use of smart meters in which real time electricity
consumption is known.
“You can see immediately the electricity you consume. When
you have smart grid, the level of competition is at its full blast. Meralco
[Manila Electric Co.] is doing it…,” Delola said.
As part of its implementation, the agency has undertaken
steps, such as the identification of the plans, projects and programs for the
generation, transmission, distribution and load sector necessary for the
establishment of the national smart grid framework; the creation of Smart Grid
technical working group; the conduct of forums and workshops; and collaborating
with other government agencies, stakeholders, private companies, and academe through information sharing and
education campaigns.
Delola said the challenges of increasing energy demand and
rising oil prices in the international market and other sociopolitical world
events drive the agency to pursue immediate to long-term solutions that will
address these issues.
“As we progress and energy demand increases, and our energy
systems become more complicated, this calls on us to revisit our policies, and
the measures that we will undertake have to be responsive and competitive. We
need to do something to improve our current power system and venture to the
newest technologies and innovations, such as the introduction of smart grid
technologies, which are foreseen to be the way of the future,” he said.
Delola cited several factors meant to improve the current
power system and venture toward smart grid. “First, to have a more reliable,
more efficient, secure and flexible grid, there is a need to integrate new and
emerging technologies in our system,” he said.
Second, the promotion of renewable energy as our policies,
like net metering, renewable portfolio standards, green energy option and a
provision of a RE market, make our system more complex.
Third, the government is also promoting the use of electric
vehicles, where over 2 million were sold in 2018 and its number is expected to
increase significantly in the future.
Lastly, the rapid development of ICT or information communications
technology. All of these call for the urgent shift to smart grid, which
is expected to provide a safe environment, reliable sources, flexible,
sustainable and more efficient system, and competitiveness toward
consumer empowerment.”
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