Bangkok--19 Sep--Francom Asia
• Studies indicate plant and transmission and distribution network upgrades could lead to cost savings of more than $6 billion, and a further $2.6 billion savings potential through digitally enabled optimization
• Optimization across the Energy Ecosystem could potentially deliver a reduction of about 8.6 million tons CO2 reduction annually
• Efficiency projections, Thailand's future energy landscape, and new energy technologies showcased at Powering Thailand
Thailand's 4.0 digital transformation drive could help achieve multibillion dollar savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions throughout the country's energy sector.
The adoption of the latest digital technologies to enhance and optimize Thailand's energy assets and networks, combined with the deployment of the most efficient gas turbines, ultra-super critical coal technology, and the upgrading of existing plants and transmission and distribution networks, are all expected to provide Thailand with substantial savings and enormous reductions in carbon emissions and go a long way to achieving Thailand's goals for energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Analysis by GE (GE:NYSE) estimates that plant, and transmission and distribution network upgrades, could lead to savings of $6 billion (bn) while digital optimization could add a further $2.6bn in value, over the lifecycle of Thailand's existing and upcoming power production, transmission, and distribution assets. If fully implemented, these could also result in CO2 reduction of 8.6 million tons annually (about 9% of power-generated CO2 emissions today).
In terms of deploying latest technology solutions for new power plants, Thailand is an early adopter of H-class gas technologies that have the potential to improve efficiencies by 5% and reduce CO2 emissions by 0.3 million tons annually, compared to conventional F-class technology. Thailand will also deploy ultra-supercritical clean coal technologies that could also improve efficiencies by 5% and reduce CO2 emissions by 0.4 million tons annually, compared to supercritical technology.
In addition, the upgrade of Thailand's existing power plants could potentially produce a 1% efficiency gain that translates to $3bn in cost savings over the lifecycle of the asset, and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 3.5 million tons annually. On top of these, optimization enabled by digital solutions is estimated to generate additional improvement gains.
The future of Thailand's power generation – including these savings and opportunities – were discussed today at 'Powering Thailand,' a conference organized by GE to bring together energy experts to analyze the opportunities and challenges for the country's energy ecosystem. GE also unveiled its Energy Ecosystem - an interconnected system of digital and industrial technologies that support the entire energy value chain, from production and distribution to the ultimate point of electricity usage – at the conference.
The event keynote presentation was given by Mr. Pornthape Thunyapongchai, Chairman, Energy Regulatory Commission who spoke about Thailand's Power Development Plan and the country's energy balance for the future. The panel discussions meanwhile, highlighted new power generation and distribution solutions, and the efficiency, and productivity benefits they can bring the Kingdom.
Digital transformation – a national priority expressed in the Thailand 4.0 plan - was also discussed in-depth, especially digitization of the energy sector.
Speaking about this, Mr. Kovit Kantapasara, CEO, GE Thailand and Laos said, "Digitization of the energy sector is anticipated to drive significant change and benefits. For Thailand, our analysis indicates that increasing use of sensors, data, software and analytics across the energy value chain has the potential to improve efficiencies, business outcomes, and reduce downtime and maintenance to generate multibillion cost savings."
Mr. Kantapasara added, "Thailand's energy mix of the future, and the anticipated value and impact of the respective energy sources, were other topics to catch the attention of the more than 250 conference attendees. It was a unique opportunity to listen to sector experts, and share expertise, fresh ideas, experiences, and insights, on potential new solutions to generate more affordable, reliable, and sustainable power, and their advantages, and disadvantages, from a local market perspective."