Asia's Power Grid Talks Start


MANILA, Philippines — A technical committee working group will be discussing the facets of smart grid ambitions of power markets in the region, primarily East Asia and Western Pacific jurisdiction.

The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) is the appointed host to the meeting of industry partners for the second meeting of the Hongkong-based Association of Electricity Supply Industry in East Asia and Western Pacific (AESIEAP) to be held at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.
Aside from the Philippines, the other countries participating will be Australia, China, Hongkong, Japan, South Korea. The local firms and agencies expected in attendance are the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission, National Power Corporation, National Electrification Administration, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Manila Electric Company and TeaM Energy.
According to TransCo president Rolando T. Bacani, the upcoming event is hoping to elevate discussions on smart grid ventures. It will be a follow-through to the kick-off meetings hosted by Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) in Seoul and Jeju island last year; wherein the various facets of smart grid projects were tackled.
The South Korean power firm, in particular, is investing a total of US$8.2 billion until 2030 to complete the loop of its smart grid ambition – that will command a capital outlay of $400 million a year for the utility. To date, the company is flexing its muscle to bring into the finish line its $240 million investment for a smart grid test-bed project in Jeju island.
Based on its Jeju pilot, the Korean firm enthused that initial outcomes portend of reduction in electricity consumption because of relatively effective “demand-response.” This is partly due to the fact that consumers are also shifting behaviors when it comes to patronage of “smart appliances”, which if it will continue, may further pare Korea’s electricity usage in the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Bacani noted that the main objective of the AESIEAP working group’s meeting would be to “share knowledge and (the) experience of members on smart grid technology.”
Along these areas of collaborations, it is also being targeted that member-countries would be helping each other in implementing their smart grid plans in the future; as well as in the promotion of the technology via the proposed release of the Procedures for Smart Grid Expansion.

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