House energy panel chair Arroyo to DOE: Prioritize smart grid policy

Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo. (INQUIRER FILES)

MANILA, Philippines — House Committee on Energy chairperson and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo called on the Department of Energy to prioritize the proposed smart grid policy and roadmap to help improve the country’s grid reliability, efficiency, flexibility, and resiliency.

“The public deserves to know how the government will be able to implement the Smart Grid Network. They should know how it can empower them not only when it comes to cheaper power rates but also uninterrupted access to energy, a basic human right. We owe it to our kababayans to show them that the implementation of a smart grid technology can lead to new sources of energy generation that can move our economy forward and help improve the lives of Filipinos,” Arroyo explained.

A smart grid features modern technology that automatically integrates all the functions of the power system from the power sources to its consumers. This means efficient integration of the connection between power generators and users, immediate and effective response to the needs of the power system, better grid security, and most importantly, improved grid reliability and supply from the electric power system.

“The smart grid technology is really the way to go for the country’s energy sector. Lalo na marami tayong typhoons sa Pilipinas, gaya ngayon tag-ulan nanaman. The smart grid will make our country more resilient against natural calamities kasi hindi na tayo naka depende sa isang centralized system. The technology can make Distributed Energy Resources or DERs that will help decentralize power and energy production. So if ever a disaster or calamity strikes, only a few areas will experience power outage and it will only be for a short period of time,” Arroyo said.

Aside from these, Arroyo explained that the smart grid system can help empower consumers since the technology allows them to monitor and manage their energy consumption. Consumers with renewable energy installations in their households can even sell the electricity they generate from their installations under the net metering program.

Arroyo added, “The smart grid will really help push and promote new emerging technologies such as net metering, electric vehicles, optimized energy storage systems, and smart homes and cities. The future is really here. The only question now is, how ready are we for it?”

Last Feb 20, 2020, the Department of Energy released a circular titled, ‘Providing a National Smart Grid Policy Framework for the Philippine Electric Power Industry and Roadmap Distribution Utilities. The circular stated that the Philippine power system would transition into a smart grid system come 2040.

/MUF