The Department of Energy (DOE) is pooling the resources of industry stakeholders to make sure that variable renewable-energy (VRE) sources are integrated into the grid, and that the installation targets are met.
“Consistent with its mandate under the Epira [Electric Power Industry Reform Act] and RE [Renewable Energy] Act, the DOE recognizes that the creation of the Technical Advisory Committee [TAC] and the Modeling Working Group [MWG] will enable VRE integration and installation targets.
“This goal shall be achieved through the conduct of a grid-integration study, which will identify the potential grid-reliability—concerns with the scaling of RE, options to improve system flexibility and power system balance, and new installation and grid-integration targets,” Department Circular 2015-11-0017 stated.
The focus of the study will be the Luzon and the Visayas interconnection, where most VRE capacities are installed.
Among those involved in the committee include the DOE, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), Energy Regulatory Commission, National Transmission Corp., National Renewable Board, National Electrification Administration, Philippine National Oil Co., Philippine Independent Power Producers Association, Philippine Electric Plant Owners Association, Manila Electric Co., Retail Electricity Suppliers Association, RE Developers and Associations, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc., Affiliated Renewable Energy Centers, National Economic and Development Authority, University of the Philippines National Engineering Center and International Grid Experts.
The composition of the MWG, meanwhile, includes the DOE, NGCP, Philippine Electricity Market Corp. and Grid Management Committee.
The DOE is mandated by the Epira to encourage private-sector investments in the electric power-sector and promote the development of indigenous and RE sources.
“In determining RE installation targets, the DOE deems it necessary to ensure the efficient and effective absorption to the grid of RE generating capacities; evaluate the impacts of increasingly ambitious RE targets; and assess actions to cost-effectively improve the integration of VRE sources into the grid,” the DOE said.
Under the National Renewable Energy Plan, the DOE aims to increase the country’s renewable-energy generation to 15,304 megawatts by 2030.
The DOE has already streamlined the process of RE applications, from two years down to just 45 days, to ensure that RE developers and investors will have an easier time in applying for RE service contracts.
Moreover, the DOE has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development to develop Energy Vehicle One Shared System, a web-based monitoring of RE applications.