The 300-megawatt Therma South Plant in Davao City is set to have a digital twin. Dubbed a smart power plant, the digital twin is a virtual replica of the existing power plant.
Virtual twins or super power plants allow engineers to run simulations to optimize operations and processes. Advanced data science and artificial intelligence (A.I.) are employed to streamline data collection and review. In this way, engineers can monitor asset health and make informed decisions on life cycle management and predictive maintenance.
Dubbed Project Arkanghel, the venture is expected to result in lesser periods of planned and unplanned downtimes.
Changing energy landscape
According to AboitizPower Chief Finance Officer Sandro Aboitiz, the energy landscape in the Philippines is constantly evolving. “Our economy continues to grow at a rapid pace,” Aboitiz said, requiring new sources of dependable and reliable power supply to support that economic growth.
Innovations such as Project Arkanghel is a huge step towards addressing consumers’ need for a stable and reliable baseload supply of energy as the country moves to transition to more renewable energy.
Partners in innovation
AboitizPower has partnered with Thailand-based company REPCO NEX Industrial Solutions (REPCO NEX) for the project.
REPCO NEX describes itself as an “asset performance solutions provider” involved in industries such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, power and renewable energy, utilities, food & beverage, CPG, and general manufacturing.
AboitizPower is one of the largest producers and distributors of electric power in the Philippines, with energy assets located across the country.
Another smart power plant will be created for the 340-megawatt Therma Visayas Plant in Toledo City, Cebu.
Source: AboitizPower, REPCO NEX team up for first smart power plants in PH
