MANILA - The local subsidiary of Korea Electric and Power Corp. (Kepco) is set to launch smart grid technology in the Philippines.

Kepco Philippines Corp. is planning to use the technology through its planned wind and hydro power plant projects, backed by its parent company's know-how. At present, Kepco Philippines runs the 1,500-megawatt Ilijan natural gas power plant in Batangas.

Kepco Philippines will showcase the technology at the PowerTrends 2009 Exhibit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on September 9-11.

Smart grid is a revolutionary technology that incorporates information technology (IT) into an existing power network, making a 2-way information exchange between suppliers and consumers possible.

Aside from more efficient monitoring of energy usage, the new setup prevents large-scale power outages as it can predict mechanical and technical problems. More importantly, the new technology helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions as it allows renewable energy sources to be integrated into the existing network.

Kepco, the sole provider of electricity in Korea, is set to pilot a smart grid project in Jeju island by 2011. The consumer-side smart grid is aimed to be completed in 2020, while it is seen to have a nationwide reach by 2030.

The smart grid technology is part of Korea's $103-billion initiative to increase its generation of green technology to 11% in the next 2 decades from the current 2.4%.