Three questions for: Philippine guest researcher Giancarlo Sanglay

9th January 2026 | The Philippine guest researcher Giancarlo Sanglay stays at the Reiner Lemoine Institute for nine months. Giancarlo is an engineer for materials engineering and is currently pursuing his PhD in energy engineering at the University of the Philippines. He works with the Research Unit Off-Grid Systems and works on an energy system modeling project.

We asked Giancarlo three questions about his time at RLI.

What is your first impression of the RLI?

My first impression of the Reiner Lemoine Institute is that it is a highly respected research organization dedicated to advancing the global energy transition through open and collaborative science. Its strong interdisciplinary culture, bringing together people from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, fosters an open environment where ideas are freely shared and constructive feedback is encouraged. I appreciate how RLI combines technical energy system modelling with practical policy relevance, producing research that directly supports governments, development institutions, and energy planners. The atmosphere is friendly, supportive, and very approachable, making RLI an excellent place to conduct meaningful and impactful energy systems research.

What are you working on during your stay at the RLI?

At RLI, I am working on an energy system modelling project focused on determining the optimal location, sizing, and operation of energy storage technologies in the Philippines. Using a customized PyPSA model, I aim to understand how lithium-ion battery storage should be deployed to meet renewable energy targets at least cost, how pumped-hydro storage affects battery deployment and system operation, and how spatial and temporal aggregation influence model outcomes.

In addition, I am supporting the ETP–UNOPS Sustainable Energy Planning for Local Government Units project. I look forward to learning from RLI researchers, improving my modelling skills, and integrating best practices into my study.

What are your goals for your time at RLI?

My main goal is to complete and strengthen my research on the energy storage capacity expansion in the Philippine power system. I aim to answer my research questions using a robust modelling approach that can generate insights for future energy planning efforts both at RLI and in Philippine research institutions. I also aim to learn from RLI’s expertise in open-source modelling, scenario development, and energy transition analysis. Building connections with researchers is important to me, as these interactions can lead to new ideas and potential collaborations. Finally, I hope to contribute value to RLI by sharing insights on the Philippine energy landscape and modelling approaches that may support ongoing or future projects.

We thank Giancarlo for his support and wish him continued success with his work at RLI!