Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is advancing its vision for a more intelligent and responsive distribution network while encouraging future engineers to develop solutions that create meaningful benefits for people and communities.
At Mapúa Electrical Engineering Alumni Association’s recent 4th Energy and Electrical Technology Conference in Quezon City, Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet presented the company’s vision for a proposed Grid-Edge Operations and Control Center (GEOCC), which aims to improve visibility and operational management as more customers adopt emerging energy technologies.
Savet emphasized that rooftop solar installations, battery storage systems, and electric vehicles are changing how electricity flows through the distribution network, requiring utilities to monitor and manage conditions closer to customers.
GEOCC would complement Meralco’s existing System Control Center by extending network visibility and operational intelligence to the low-voltage network and customer-connected energy resources. Through smart meter data and advanced analytics, it aims to support faster outage detection and response, identify emerging network constraints, and enable coordinated management of distributed energy resources where permitted.
The project forms part of Meralco’s broader grid modernization efforts to strengthen the reliability and resilience of its distribution network amid evolving customer needs and the changing energy landscape.
Meanwhile, Savet encouraged future engineers to pursue work that creates meaningful benefits for people and communities, during Inquirer Talks at Mapúa University, his alma mater, where he spoke on “Engineering Beyond Operations: Driving Digital Transformations and Customer Innovation.”
in developing solutions that address evolving customer needs.
He highlighted how engineering goes beyond maintaining existing systems to developing solutions that respond to changing customer needs. He also discussed how engineers can help customers benefit from emerging energy technologies while ensuring the continued reliability of the distribution network, citing GEOCC as an initiative that aims to translate greater network visibility into faster outage response and better support for these technologies.
Drawing from his experience in the energy sector, Savet encouraged students to build strong technical foundations, remain committed to continuous learning, and exercise responsible engineering judgment.
He emphasized the opportunity for future engineers to contribute not only to the operation of existing systems but also to the development of infrastructure that can meet the evolving needs of customers and communities.
As the adoption of distributed energy technologies continues to grow, initiatives such as GEOCC are envisioned to help Meralco better understand network conditions and support more responsive distribution operations.
