PE2 appeals to electrical engineers: Flatten the peak demand curve before planning new grid capacities
PASAY CITY, 27 November 2024 – Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) president Alexander Ablaza voiced the Alliance’s call for members of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) to exhaust all possible means to flatten the growing peak demand curve of the grid before planning additional generation, transmission and distribution capacities. PE2 made this call during the 3E XPO 2024 Mini Energy Forum with the theme, ""Synergizing Nuclear and Renewables: Optimizing Energy Efficiency for a Resilient and Low-Carbon Future" held earlier today as part of the 49th IIEE Annual National Convention from 27-30 November 2024 at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex.
Ablaza explained that permanent reductions can be made to the peak demand curve through scaled-up energy efficiency. Several gigawatts of mid-day peak demand may be shaved through cooling efficiency improvement, which may be achieved through a massive market wash-out of low efficiency air conditioners, the upgrading of chiller plants through the energy service company (ESCO) business model, as well as the building and operation of district cooling systems through “Cooling-as-a-Service” (CaaS) contracts. Other peak loads can be reduced through efficiency upgrades for non-cooling systems, which include other household appliances, motors, drives, compressors, outdoor and indoor lighting, controls, and other commercial and industrial loads. He also proposed the widening of time-of-use tariff differentials to incentivize load-shifting technologies in the demand-side of the power sector, which include thermal, kinetic or flywheel, and battery energy storage solutions installed behind the meter.
Joining the PE2 president in the mini-forum panel were Engr. Christopher T. Bellaflor, Chairman of the IIEE Energy Efficiency & Conservation Committee; Engr. Felino Bernardo, Consultant of the Office of the President and COO, MGEN; Engr. Ferdinand Binondo, Division Chief, Solar and Wind Energy Management Division, Department of Energy; Engr. Jayson Corpuz, ERC Chief Energy Regulation Officer of Renewable Energy Division, and Dr. Jurgen Unfried, CTO, International Institute of Applied Research and Technology (I²ART). Engr. Eugene Araullo, Director, Energy Research and Program Development of Meralco Power Academy was the moderator of the forum.
The 3E XPO 2024 attracted more than 8,000 electrical engineering practitioners as delegates and welcomed over 20,000 trade visitors, with 250+ exhibiting companies showcasing their latest technologies.
IIEE is the sole Accredited Professional Organization (APO) by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for electrical engineering practitioners.
