PSSEA Workshop Series Explores the Future of Grid-Forming Renewable Energy and Storage in the Philippines
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig — The Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) successfully held its first 2025 installment of the Philippines Grid Forming Workshop Series last February 21, 2025, at the Ascott Hotel, BGC. The event brought together government leaders, regulators, investors, and energy developers in an intensive discussion on the role of Integrated Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems (IRESS) in shaping a stable and sustainable power future for the Philippines.
Building a Smarter, More Resilient Grid
Themed “Deep Dive into Integrated Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems”, the workshop centered on two critical concepts for the country’s energy transition: IRESS and Energy Time Shift. These technologies are key to addressing grid stability, peak demand balancing, and enabling higher integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
PSSEA Executive Director Michelle Arceo opened the session by emphasizing the Alliance’s commitment to convening thought leaders and providing a collaborative platform to examine the future of energy systems in the Philippines.
Distinguished Government Leaders in Attendance
The workshop drew participation from key government figures, including:
- Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, long-time renewable energy advocate and policymaker
- Hon. Monalisa Dimalanta and Dir. Sharon Montaner of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
- ASEC Mylene Capongcol and USEC Rowena Cristina Guevara of the Department of Energy (DOE)
Dr. Rose Marie Mendoza from the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI)
These officials provided valuable insights into the current regulatory landscape, ongoing reforms, and upcoming programs that aim to accelerate the development of IRESS and grid-enabling technologies across the archipelago.
Insights from the Industry and the Grid
The private sector was well-represented with compelling presentations from:
- Terra Solar Philippines, Inc.
- AboitizPower
- ACEN Corporation
These leading companies shared case studies and technology pathways to deploy large-scale battery storage and solar systems designed for flexibility, reliability, and dispatchability in the Philippine grid.
A major highlight of the day was the presentation from DNV, which unveiled its “Renewable Energy System Transition Study for the Philippines (2024–2030)”. The study outlines system-wide recommendations for grid integration, policy evolution, and storage deployment needed to support the country’s transition to 50% RE by 2040 and beyond.
Grid-Forming Technology: The Next Leap
At the heart of the discussion was the need to evolve the current grid infrastructure to accommodate non-synchronous, inverter-based generation. Grid-forming capabilities — a technical evolution of battery and inverter control systems — were explored as a solution for ensuring frequency and voltage stability in high-renewables scenarios.
Participants collectively agreed that both technological innovation and regulatory modernization must go hand-in-hand to secure a resilient and flexible energy future.
PSSEA’s Role in Catalyzing Action
This workshop is part of PSSEA’s ongoing mission to provide a platform for multi-sector dialogue and technical learning, aligning with its 2025 vision of empowering a nationwide solar movement.
As PSSEA continues to host workshops, forums, and knowledge-sharing sessions across the country, it remains steadfast in its commitment to unify stakeholders and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and energy storage solutions that serve the Filipino people.
