Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is developing a Grid Edge Operations and Control Center (GEOCC) — a new command facility set for completion by 2030 — to strengthen control over emerging distributed energy technologies such as rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The “grid edge” refers to the part of the power system closest to end-users, where electricity flows between homes, businesses, and the distribution network. It covers technologies and systems that allow consumers to not only use power but also produce, store, and manage it in real time.

Through the GEOCC, Meralco will gain real-time visibility and control over this low-voltage network. The facility will manage smart meters, embedded generation, and net-metered systems, helping reduce outages, improve response times, and maintain power quality.

The project forms part of Meralco’s application for its upcoming regulatory period (RP1) before the Energy Regulatory Commission. Once operational, the GEOCC will extend Meralco’s control beyond substations, reaching all the way to customer-level systems.

“The GEOCC of Meralco is the planned state-of-the-art operations center aimed at controlling Meralco assets and interconnected facilities along the last mile end users. This includes Smart Metering, Distributed Energy Resources, Net-metering, Embedded Generation, EV Charging Stations and the like. This will allow Meralco to transition to a potential future role as a Distribution System Operator,” Meralco FVP and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said during a media roundtable.

Savet explained that as more Filipinos install solar rooftops and batteries, and as EV charging networks grow, it is becoming increasingly important for utilities to adapt to a more decentralized grid. 

Meralco’s existing System Control Center (SCC) will continue to oversee high-voltage infrastructure and substations through the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS). These platforms allow Meralco to remotely isolate faults, balance load, and restore power faster during outages.

Together, the SCC and GEOCC will form a two-tiered control framework that allows Meralco to operate a smarter, more flexible distribution network.

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