Philippine Utility MERALCO selects GE to implement smart meter solution

The project will allow MERALCO’s customers to more effectively manage their energy usage and expenses. MERALCO serves more than 5 million customers in the metropolitan Manila area, according to a press release from GE.
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, the press release said.
 “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,” the press release quoted MERALCO President and CEO Oscar S. Reyes as saying.
MERALCO plans to use the project as pilot programme, initially offering its new AMIIS solution to 40,000 customers within its franchise area, which covers the Metro Manila region and its neighboring provinces.
According to the press release, 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:
o   A prepaid energy management system from Orga Systems that provides features such as rating and billing functionality.
o   A meter data management system from Ecologic Analytics that provides a central repository for all meter readings and other meter data.
o   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," the press release quoted Jocot de Dios, GE Philippines CEO, as saying.
“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.