Technology Trending: Meralco’s metaverse, DEWA talks quantum computing, energy storage refrigerators

Meralco enters the metaverse, DEWA mulls quantum computing with Canada’s Xanadu and refrigerators piloted as energy storage are in the week’s technology radar.

Meralco enters the metaverse

Philippines utility Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has launched its Powertech Innovation and eXperience Lab (PIXL) as a virtual reality and metaverse environment for training and education.

Featuring 10 short-throw high definition projectors, a 360-degree projection wall, LED lights, as well as extended reality devices such as Microsoft HoloLens and Oculus VR headset, the facility is aimed to drive the use of new technologies for the energy industry to achieve the country’s smart grid vision.

Rocky D. Bacani, Meralco’s Chief Information and Technology Officer and First VP of ICT and Transformation, said PIXL is aligned with the company’s digital transformation goals.

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“The way we want to use PIXL is like a studio where you can teleport to any location you want and be able to experience that in a digital reality.”

Meralco, which serves metro Manila and parts of surrounding provinces, anticipates that the new lab futureproofs its business operations and will contribute to the advancement of the Philippines’ energy industry.

Functions detailed include technology scanning, proof of concept, prototype development, extended reality previews of facilities, simulations of critical incident resolutions, distance learning, knowledge transfer and remote support.

DEWA mulls quantum computing with Canada’s Xanadu

Dubai Electriciiy and Water Authority (DEWA) has reported that its MD and CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer has met with Canadian quantum computing company Xanadu’s founder and CEO, Christian Weedbrook, to discuss the latest developments in quantum computing technology and its potential impact on the energy sector.

The two parties also discussed possible strategic cooperation between DEWA and Xanadu to develop and implement innovative solutions that improve the efficiency and reliability of energy systems.

As far back as 2018, DEWA launched a training programme on quantum computing to look for new quantum computing solutions in the production, transmission and distribution of energy and water and consumption management.

The programme also aims to identify the challenges that quantum computing can deal with, considering its immense computing power compared to classical computers.

Among its achievements Xanadu boasts having launched the first quantum computer with demonstrated ‘quantum supremacy’, i.e. that the quantum computer has advantages over classical computers.

The company also has developed one of the first open source software libraries for quantum computing and application development, named PennyLane.

Refrigerators as energy storage

US-based Maplewell Energy, a virtual power plant provider, has reported successfully piloting refrigerators for energy storage at the enterprise convenience store operator Parkland.

The pilot, which also used the beta version of Maplewell’s real time demand management software, JANiiT, was conducted at two of Parkland USA’s sites in Denver and Salt Lake City.

Using on-site refrigerators and HVAC as energy storage, the pilot was successful in dynamically balancing the buildings’ energy use and reducing peak usage.

The technology used precools canned and bottled beverages prior to an energy peak, optimising and balancing loads as needed.

Initial performance showed a 25% reduction in peak energy usage for the convenience store, with savings going directly to the building operator. With the addition of energy storage, future reductions are expected to reach 42%.

Matt Irvin, CEO and co-founder of Maplewell, said that most building management systems lack any sort of dynamic demand management capability for controllable loads.

“The pilot showed that our solution can dynamically manage demand without impacting enterprise operations, resulting in significant savings for commercial and industrial building owners and operators.”

Following the pilot JANiiT will be deployed at two additional Parkland USA sites, an office building and an industrial facility.