DOE builds smart grid coalition

FILE: Alfonso Cusi (Photo: Department of Energy)

CLARK, Pampanga — The Department of Energy (DOE) is accelerating efforts to synchronize the adoption of smart grid technologies in the country, which kicked off through a forum held in Clark, Pampanga on November 27-29.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, through DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, stated in his opening remarks: “Smart technologies give energy users more power to control energy ‘through their fingertips.’ It is a very dynamic sector, so the DOE will need a broader coalition in moving towards the smart grid era.”

“For us to guide the consumers, the service providers and the regulators, we should not lose sight of the basic concept that smart grid is simply a tool for the consumers and energy users to be more active and more efficient in the utilization of energy,” Fuentebella said.

Fuentebella also emphasized that despite their complexity and technical diversity, the smart grid policy should place the consumers first in driving its design and implementation.

The three-day event enabled the DOE to formulate a road map covering the short-term (2018), medium term ‎(2019-2022) and long-term ‎‎(2030-2040) towards achieving the smart grid vision of the Philippines for 2040.

Day 1 of the forum covered the presentation of the smart grid global landscape and best practices. Representatives from the transmission, distribution, and generation sectors shared their on-going smart grid initiatives.

Day 2 organized technical working groups (TWGs) and breakout sessions covering Consumer Empowerment, Power System Operation, Sustainable & Renewable Energy, Standardization, ICT & Cybersecurity, and Regulatory Support. This enabled the DOE to solicit more inputs from the participants.

The output of the TWGs became the bases for the holistic and comprehensive formulation of the Philippine smart grid roadmap, which was presented to the E-Power Mo Conference on Day 3.

Around 150 participants attended the three-day event. It included the DOE officials, technical staff, and high ranking officers and personnel from the stakeholders of the power sector. The USAID B-LEADERS facilitated the exchanges of ideas of the participants.

The Smart Grid Forum is part of the DOE’s “E-Power Mo” campaign, which educates stakeholders and consumers on their options towards a safer, wiser and more intelligent utilization of resources through the combination of energy and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). (PR)