〘 CRITICAL READING 〙

(1) What are a smart grid's three features?

1. The three key features of a smart grid are :

a) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) : Smart grids use

advanced meters that can communicate with the utility company
to provide real-time data on electricity consumption. These
meters can also receive signals from the utility company to
control the consumption of electricity during peak demand
periods or to respond to power outages.

b) Distribution Automation : Smart grids use automation

technologies to monitor and control the distribution of electricity
across the grid. This allows utilities to quickly detect and respond
to power outages, as well as manage the flow of electricity to
reduce stress on the grid during peak demand periods.

c) Demand Response : Smart grids enable utilities to manage

demand for electricity by incentivizing customers to reduce their
usage during peak demand periods. This can be done through
various methods such as time-of-use pricing, incentives for
reducing consumption, and load shedding programs that reduce
the power supply to non-essential devices during peak demand
periods.
 (2) How will you define a smart city? Is the characteristic of a smart city similar to
smartphones? In what way(s)?

2. A smart city is a city that uses advanced technologies and data

analysis to improve the quality of life for its citizens, enhance
sustainability, and optimize urban services. A smart city is a city that is
designed to be efficient, livable, and sustainable by leveraging
technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence
(AI), and big data.

Yes, the characteristics of a smart city are similar to those of

smartphones in several ways. Here are a few examples :

a) Connectivity : Just as smartphones enable people to stay

connected with each other and access information and services,
a smart city is designed to be a connected urban environment,
where citizens can access various services and communicate
with the city administration using digital technologies.

b) Data-driven Decision Making : Smartphones use data analysis

and machine learning algorithms to provide personalized services
to users. Similarly, a smart city uses data analysis and advanced
technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial
Intelligence (AI) to collect and analyze data from various urban
systems to optimize the delivery of services.

c) Sustainability : Smartphones are designed to be energy-efficient

and environmentally friendly, using technologies such as
low-power mode and recycled materials. Similarly, a smart city is
designed to be sustainable, with a focus on energy efficiency,
renewable energy sources, and waste reduction.

♘ : In summary, the characteristics of a smart city and a smartphone

are similar in their focus on connectivity, data-driven decision making,
customization, and sustainability. Both are designed to create a
connected and efficient ecosystem that enhances user experiences
and improves outcomes.
 (3) The following characteristics of a smart grid are necessary to build a smart city.
Provide reason/s why these characteristics must be present in every smart
grid and how they will help sustainable development.

Characteristics Why is this important in How will it help create

building a smart grid? a smart city

Efficiency ➸ Efficiency is vital in a smart ➸ Efficiency is a crucial

grid, as it uses advanced factor in creating a smart
technology to manage and city. The concept of a smart
optimize the distribution and city involves using
consumption of electricity by technology and data to
integrating renewable energy optimize city operations and
sources, energy storage, and services. The text highlights
smart meters. By using data that efficiency can be
analytics and machine achieved in a variety of
learning algorithms, the ways in a smart city, such as
system can adjust energy using data analytics and
consumption and production machine learning
in real-time, reducing waste algorithms to optimize
and promoting a more traffic, energy consumption,
sustainable energy system. waste management, and
Ultimately, efficiency is critical public safety. The use of
in providing reliable, video analytics and
sustainable, and cost-effective predictive analytics can
energy to customers while help identify potential
promoting environmental security threats and areas
sustainability. with high crime rates,
allowing for the proactive
deployment of resources.

Reliability ➸ Reliability is crucial in ➸ Reliability is an essential

building a smart grid because factor in creating a smart
a smart grid is a complex city. Smart cities rely on
system that requires technology and
continuous and reliable interconnected systems to
operation to function function efficiently, and
effectively. A smart grid reliability is crucial in
integrates various ensuring that these systems
components, such as sensors, are always available,
 communication networks, accurate, and consistent in
software, and hardware, to their performance. Reliability
manage the production, is also vital in ensuring that
distribution, and consumption the city's infrastructure,
of energy. The smart grid is including its power grids
designed to be highly and communication
responsive to changes in networks, is functioning
energy demand and supply, correctly. The text highlights
but this requires the system to that if these systems fail, it
be reliable and always could result in significant
available. Reliability is critical in disruptions in city
building a smart grid because operations, such as traffic
it ensures that the system can congestion, power outages,
provide a consistent supply of or communication
electricity, avoid power blackouts.
outages, and maintain grid
stability.

Affordability ➸ Affordability is important in ➸ Affordability is a crucial

building a smart grid because factor in creating a smart
a smart grid is a significant city. Smart city initiatives
investment that requires often require significant
financing to build and investments in technology
maintain. An affordable smart and infrastructure, and
grid can help ensure that the making these initiatives
costs of building and operating affordable is crucial to their
the grid are reasonable, success and sustainability.
making it financially feasible The primary goal of a smart
for utilities, customers, and city is to improve the quality
other stakeholders. of life of its residents, and
Additionally, an affordable affordability is critical to
smart grid can help ensure achieving this goal. By
that the benefits of the grid, ensuring that the city's
such as increased reliability, services and amenities are
improved efficiency, and accessible and affordable to
reduced environmental all residents, regardless of
impact, are accessible to all income or socio-economic
customers, regardless of their status, smart cities can
income or socioeconomic promote digital inclusion
status. Affordability is critical in and improve the well-being
 building a smart grid because
it can help ensure that the
costs of the grid are distributed
fairly among all stakeholders,
including customers, utilities,
and government entities. This
can help ensure that the grid is
sustainable and financially
viable in the long term.
of their citizens. The text
suggests that smart cities
can achieve affordability by
investing in cost-effective
infrastructure, leveraging
public-private partnerships,
promoting digital inclusion,
and implementing
cost-saving solutions.

Security ➸ Security is essential in ➸ Security is a critical factor

building a smart grid because in creating a smart city.
it ensures the privacy and Smart cities rely on
safety of the grid's users and interconnected systems and
infrastructure, the integrity of networks to function, and
the data and transactions that security is crucial in
flow through the grid, and the ensuring the privacy and
continuity of the grid's safety of the city's residents,
operations. A smart grid relies as well as the integrity of the
heavily on digital technology city's data and
and interconnected systems, infrastructure. The text
which can make it vulnerable highlights that security is
to cyber threats such as critical in creating a smart
hacking, malware, and data city, as it ensures the
breaches. If the security of a continuity of operations, the
smart grid is compromised, it integrity of data and
can lead to a range of infrastructure, and the
negative consequences. privacy and safety of
residents. The text suggests
that smart cities can create
a secure and resilient
environment for their
residents by implementing
robust cybersecurity
measures, securing IoT
devices, enhancing public
safety, and improving
disaster response.
Green Friendly ➸ Green-friendly initiatives are ➸ Green-friendly initiatives
important in building a smart are an essential component
grid because they promote of creating a smart city.
sustainability, reduce carbon Smart cities aim to use
emissions, and contribute to a technology and data to
more resilient and optimize their operations
environmentally friendly and services while
energy system. A smart grid minimizing their
relies on digital technology environmental impact.
and interconnected systems to Green initiatives can help
optimize the generation, achieve this goal by
distribution, and consumption promoting sustainability
of electricity. By integrating and reducing carbon
green-friendly initiatives into emissions. The text
the design and operation of a highlights that
smart grid, we can create a green-friendly initiatives are
more sustainable energy critical in creating a smart
system that reduces our city, as they promote
reliance on fossil fuels and sustainability, reduce
minimizes our environmental carbon emissions, and
impact. contribute to a more livable
and resilient city. The text
suggests that smart cities
can promote sustainability
by promoting renewable
energy, sustainable
transportation, green
building practices, and
sustainable waste
management, ultimately
creating a more sustainable
and environmentally friendly
future for their residents.
 (4) Is it possible to build a smart grid in the Philippines? What necessary actions are
needed to fulfill this goal? (You may answer from the perspective of a
government leader or as an ordinary citizen.)

4. Yes, it is possible to build a smart grid in the Philippines, but it would

require significant investments in technology and infrastructure, as well
as regulatory reforms and public-private partnerships. Here are some
necessary actions that could be taken to fulfill this goal :

a) Develop a roadmap for smart grid implementation : The

Philippine government can work with industry experts and
stakeholders to develop a comprehensive roadmap for smart grid
implementation. The roadmap should identify the necessary
infrastructure, technology, and policy changes needed to build a
smart grid.

b) Enhance cybersecurity measures : A smart grid is vulnerable to

cyber attacks, which can have severe consequences for the
energy system and the public. The government should implement
robust cybersecurity measures to protect the grid infrastructure
and ensure the privacy and safety of citizens.

c) Invest in renewable energy : The Philippines has significant

renewable energy potential, including solar, wind, and hydro
power. Investing in renewable energy sources can help reduce the
country's dependence on fossil fuels, promote energy
independence, and mitigate the impact of climate change.

♘ : In conclusion, building a smart grid in the Philippines is feasible, but

it will require significant investments in technology, infrastructure, and
regulatory reforms. The government should work with industry experts
and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive roadmap for smart grid
implementation, upgrade the grid infrastructure, invest in renewable
energy, enhance cybersecurity measures, foster public-private
partnerships, and promote digital inclusion.