11 October 2012
Philippine Utility MERALCO Selects GE to Implement Smart Meter Solution to Allow Consumers to Monitor Energy Usage
- Prepaid Electric Service to Allow Metro Manila Customers to Control Energy Spending
- Project is Key Part of MERALCO’s Smart Grid Initiative toEnhance Grid Management Performance
MANILA, PHILIPPINES—October 11, 2012—MERALCO, the largest electrical distribution company in the Philippines, has selected GE (NYSE: GE) as the systems integrator for the utility’s new advanced metering infrastructure integrated solution (AMIIS) project, which will allow its customers to more effectively manage their energy usage and expenses. MERALCO serves more than 5 million customers in the metropolitan Manila area.
The contract represents GE’s first AMIIS order in the Asia-Pacific region as more countries invest in advanced technologies to help modernize their energy delivery infrastructure. GE’s AMIIS package will enable MERALCO to offer prepaid retail electric service within its franchise area. GE’s solution also gives the utility a robust, flexible and high-performance meter data management system to address regulatory and other business requirements, including the implementation of open access and retail competition.
With prepaid electricity, MERALCO customers will be able to use their meters to monitor their daily energy consumption and more effectively manage their electricity spending. Aside from giving consumers the responsibility of managing their energy usage, GE’s AMIIS package enables remote access to the meters, which will further enhance MERALCO’s ability to improve monitoring of outages, service connections, power quality and power demand in almost real time.
“GE’s solution will play a crucial role in our overall smart grid initiative that is expected to bring about greater efficiencies in power distribution and improved customer engagement while also helping us prepare to meet future challenges,” said MERALCO President and CEO Oscar S. Reyes.
MERALCO plans to pilot this service and then initially offer its new AMIIS solution to 40,000 customers within its franchise area, which covers the Metro Manila region and its neighboring provinces.
Key elements of GE’s AMIIS package include:
The contract represents GE’s first AMIIS order in the Asia-Pacific region as more countries invest in advanced technologies to help modernize their energy delivery infrastructure. GE’s AMIIS package will enable MERALCO to offer prepaid retail electric service within its franchise area. GE’s solution also gives the utility a robust, flexible and high-performance meter data management system to address regulatory and other business requirements, including the implementation of open access and retail competition.
With prepaid electricity, MERALCO customers will be able to use their meters to monitor their daily energy consumption and more effectively manage their electricity spending. Aside from giving consumers the responsibility of managing their energy usage, GE’s AMIIS package enables remote access to the meters, which will further enhance MERALCO’s ability to improve monitoring of outages, service connections, power quality and power demand in almost real time.
“GE’s solution will play a crucial role in our overall smart grid initiative that is expected to bring about greater efficiencies in power distribution and improved customer engagement while also helping us prepare to meet future challenges,” said MERALCO President and CEO Oscar S. Reyes.
MERALCO plans to pilot this service and then initially offer its new AMIIS solution to 40,000 customers within its franchise area, which covers the Metro Manila region and its neighboring provinces.
Key elements of GE’s AMIIS package include:
- Program management and project quality services to ensure fast and cost-effective project deployment.
- End-to-end system architecture, design and implementation services covering:
- A prepaid energy management system from Orga Systems that provides features such as rating and billing functionality
- A meter data management system from Ecologic Analytics that provides a central repository for all meter readings and other meter data.
- Integration of other associated systems to enable automated customer notifications via SMS, processing of prepaid energy top-ups as well as over-the-counter transactions and handling of voice calls, including for customer service requests.
“We thank MERALCO for their continued partnership in delivering consumer-focused solutions and this new opportunity to assist in better management of energy usage in the country. Our smart grid technology and local capabilities are solutions to help the country meet its power needs for the future," said Jocot de Dios, GE Philippines CEO.
“GE’s integrated AMI solution will enable MERALCO to improve consumer service and support the utility’s data management and analysis requirements for years to come,” said Matt McKenzie, regional executive, Asia Pacific for GE’s Digital Energy business.
McKenzie noted that MERALCO has been a valued GE customer for decades. The two companies have also been long-time partners in GE Philippines Meter & Instrument Co., Inc. (GEPMICI), a meter manufacturing joint venture established in 1979 to serve the Philippine market for ANSI-type watt-hour meters.
GE’s Digital Energy business is a global leader in protection and control, communications, power sensing and power quality solutions. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to ensuring secure wireless data transmission and providing uninterruptible power, GE’s Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer. For more information, visit http://www.gedigitalenergy.com.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
Follow GE Energy Management and the Digital Energy business on Twitter@GE_EnergyMgmt and @YourSmartGrid.
“GE’s integrated AMI solution will enable MERALCO to improve consumer service and support the utility’s data management and analysis requirements for years to come,” said Matt McKenzie, regional executive, Asia Pacific for GE’s Digital Energy business.
McKenzie noted that MERALCO has been a valued GE customer for decades. The two companies have also been long-time partners in GE Philippines Meter & Instrument Co., Inc. (GEPMICI), a meter manufacturing joint venture established in 1979 to serve the Philippine market for ANSI-type watt-hour meters.
GE’s Digital Energy business is a global leader in protection and control, communications, power sensing and power quality solutions. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to ensuring secure wireless data transmission and providing uninterruptible power, GE’s Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer. For more information, visit http://www.gedigitalenergy.com.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
Follow GE Energy Management and the Digital Energy business on Twitter@GE_EnergyMgmt and @YourSmartGrid.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.