The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the distribution utility in the Philippines with more than 5 million customers, currently is embarking on its advanced smart grid roadmap with prepay smart metering as its first service. With this, households across Meralco’s service territory will be able to better manage their energy consumption and are poised to reap the benefits of a modernized electric system, thanks in part to a smart energy infrastructure by GE’s Digital Energy business and Trilliant. This first phase of Meralco’s long-term smart grid vision is integrating “smart intelligence” into the electric distribution network to help consumers better manage their electricity consumption. With this advanced technology, consumers will be empowered with the information that will help them track and manage their energy usage and bills more efficiently and effectively.
“We are looking at the benefits of smart prepaid metering to deliver better service to our customers,” said Alfredo Panlilio, head of customer retail services and corporate communications, Meralco. “This is the first phase of our long-term smart grid roadmap, which will eventually not only focus on prepaid metering, but also the modernization of our electric infrastructure, which will eventually deliver better customer experience, improved energy efficiency and enhanced reliability. GE is one of our main partners to enable this advanced metering infrastructure.”
As part of an overall energy infrastructure modernization strategy, GE will provide electric meters and system integration services. The project showcases the flexibility of the Trilliant Smart Grid Communications Platform, which enables advanced intelligence in the prepaid metering system today and will serve as a foundational platform for future advanced smart grid capabilities that improve reliability and enhance efficiency.
“Meralco is becoming a Southeast Asian leader in adopting new technologies to improve energy service,” said Matt McKenzie, general manager, Asia Pacific, GE Digital Energy. “This advanced smart grid platform gives Meralco the capabilities to transform consumers’ relationship with electricity. With this system, consumers will be able to more easily and effectively manage their use and budget. The enhanced network control and efficiency tools enabled by smart meters open doors to the very latest energy innovations that can increase productivity and efficiency, while reducing and minimizing outages.”
“Southeast Asian utilities are facing some of the most pressing challenges in the world,” said Bryan Spear, Asia Pacific managing director, Trilliant. “And Meralco is at the forefront in proactively delivering solutions to address those challenges. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with Meralco to leverage our experience from around the world to bring tangible value to the people of the Philippines.”