Power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has been fleshing out solutions to technical hurdles it has been encountering in its proposed “smart grid” project to be piloted in Malabon.

“It’s really technology-specific so we are addressing some concerns. There’s not really much progress for now,” Meralco vice president Miguel L. Lopez said.

He added that while there are some standing offers from technology providers, “it is important that we assess first what we need before moving forward with the project.”

Meralco President Jose P. de Jesus further indicated that they are also looking at the “smart grid” experience of other countries, and tries to be heedful of the valuable lessons some jurisdictions have encountered.

For instance, the “hacking fears” on the grid being sounded off by more developed electricity markets, is among the concerns they have been closely examining because this will have very serious implications on its network. Preliminary plans unveiled by Meralco to media then would be to spur technology convergence within the “smart grid,” including prepaid electricity metering and broadband over power lines.

At this stage, Lopez noted that the company’s foray into smart grid is being done very gradually, starting with its pursuit for “intelligent metering” until this evolves into a more technology-advanced system.

At household levels, this may also entail installation of smart metering technologies that will better inform the consumers on manners how to use their electricity, also technically termed as “demand-side” management.

Intelligent meters may properly apprise a particular customer of the volume of energy he/she has been consuming and which of the appliances are power-intensive; thus, giving that particular customer the leeway to plan on the mode and pattern of electricity usage.