DOE plans to bid out microgrid systems

By Alena Mae S. Flores – September 13, 2023, 8:20 pm
from manilastandard.net

The Department of Energy plans to bid out the microgrid systems for private sector participation within the year as part of the government’s initiatives and policies to achieve total electrification by 2028.

“In areas with clusters of households, microgrid systems can be implemented. These localized power grids function independently, offering a reliable and efficient electricity supply to the entire community,” DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said during the conclusion of the three-day Giga Summit organized by the Meralco Power Academy.

The DOE defines the microgrid systems as a group of interconnected loads and a generation facility or decentralized power generation with clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as an integrated power generation and distribution system, whether or not connected to a distribution or transmission system.

“Microgrid has all—generation, transmission, distribution. There are islands that are not connected, and there are a lot of exceptions, so we can do this fast, so we will do the auction this year, for the candidate market grids,” Guevara said.

“We have 120 islands that are not connected to the grid, but we cannot do it all because this is the first time we will do it. We have to see how many…We will come out with the notice of auction…within the year definitely,” she said.

Guevara said there was a lot of private sector interest in the microgrid systems auction, but the industry has to be ready with the requirements such as the technical data and expansion program.

Under the DOE Department Circular DC2022-05-0017 or the rules and regulations to implement the Microgrid Systems Act, the DOE should conduct the competitive selection process (CSP) or bidding for the microgrid system provider in unserved and underserved areas.