DOE has yet to factor in electric vehicles on PH energy planning
Published Jul 7, 2018 12:00 am
By Myrna M. Velasco
Despite incessant push for electric mobility (e-mobility) in the country, the Department of Energy (DOE) admitted that it has yet to thoroughly factor in electric vehicles (EV) in the Philippine Energy Plan.
Department of Energy (DOE) logo
(MANILA BULLETIN) As noted by DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino, “the trends abroad are: They are factoring in already e-mobility solutions. In the Philippine context, that’s the only curve that we can disclose that is not yet part of our planning because the cost is still very high.” Nevertheless, he qualified “when that enters, that would be a substantial thing that we will need to adjust on in our energy planning.” The smart grid solution shall also be integrated into the entire chain of the country’s future energy blueprint, he said. At the very least, Aquino emphasized that the rollout of EVs in the country is not seen happening swiftly; instead, it might be scaling up gradually. This early though, he indicated that the companies putting up charging stations shall be able to offer fit-for-purpose service to customers. “Directionally here, our push is – when you go on the retail side, you would be able to charge all vehicles. So if you are in the business of putting up charging stations, the charging stations shall have the necessary adaptors to accommodate all electric vehicles,” he explained. The energy department similarly asserted that it has been looking at the various experiences of other countries when it comes to electric mobility – even the hurdles of some on “grid draining” due to high penetration of EVs. One market that the Philippine government has been scrutinizing is China’s experience – and it has also been securing this ally-country’s help on its thrust toward commercial rollout of EVs in the future. As culled, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) is currently showcasing what it coined as “re-electrification” of its power grid, mainly referring to the system adjustments continually being instituted due to massive-scale integration of EVs and renewable energy (RE) technologies on its electricity system. These two facets of technological developments in the energy sector fundamentally warranted re-calibration on how they have been operating their power grids in China.
Department of Energy (DOE) logo(MANILA BULLETIN) As noted by DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino, “the trends abroad are: They are factoring in already e-mobility solutions. In the Philippine context, that’s the only curve that we can disclose that is not yet part of our planning because the cost is still very high.” Nevertheless, he qualified “when that enters, that would be a substantial thing that we will need to adjust on in our energy planning.” The smart grid solution shall also be integrated into the entire chain of the country’s future energy blueprint, he said. At the very least, Aquino emphasized that the rollout of EVs in the country is not seen happening swiftly; instead, it might be scaling up gradually. This early though, he indicated that the companies putting up charging stations shall be able to offer fit-for-purpose service to customers. “Directionally here, our push is – when you go on the retail side, you would be able to charge all vehicles. So if you are in the business of putting up charging stations, the charging stations shall have the necessary adaptors to accommodate all electric vehicles,” he explained. The energy department similarly asserted that it has been looking at the various experiences of other countries when it comes to electric mobility – even the hurdles of some on “grid draining” due to high penetration of EVs. One market that the Philippine government has been scrutinizing is China’s experience – and it has also been securing this ally-country’s help on its thrust toward commercial rollout of EVs in the future. As culled, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) is currently showcasing what it coined as “re-electrification” of its power grid, mainly referring to the system adjustments continually being instituted due to massive-scale integration of EVs and renewable energy (RE) technologies on its electricity system. These two facets of technological developments in the energy sector fundamentally warranted re-calibration on how they have been operating their power grids in China.