EGAT – IBM accelerate digital power plants, installing AI-powered Maintenance Management System
22 June 2022EGAT and IBM push ahead with the installation of Maintenance Management System using AI at EGAT’s solar and hydropower plants to promote clean energy generation in response to the Carbon Neutrality policy. The system will also enable the reduction of power generation costs due to the higher efficiency of power plant asset management.
Mr. Paitoon Tangjitruamboon, Assistant Governor – Generation of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), revealed that EGAT has been applying advanced technologies and innovations to increase the efficiency of its operations in all dimensions, move towards digitalization, accelerate smooth clean energy transition, and lessen power generation and electricity cost for the people. EGAT and IBM Thailand Co., Ltd. have installed AI-powered Maintenance Management System (MMS) at EGAT power plants, which allows EGAT to optimize its asset management; reduce the cost of new equipment; and lower the storage area for unnecessary equipment. Moreover, the MMS can help prolong the equipment lifetime due to its precise forecast for equipment lifetime and maintenance period of the power plants. The system is also equipped with a tracking and warning function for unplanned interruptions, together with a real-time power plant data connection. EGAT plans to expand the MMS installation to other solar and hydropower plants nationwide. It aims to promote efficient power generation from clean energy, reduce carbon dioxide emissions under the carbon neutrality policy, and sustainably ensure the balance between generation costs, environmental impacts, and power system security of the country.
Mr. Surarit Wuwong, Country Manager, Technology Group, IBM Thailand, added that organizations now need precise and timely asset management and predictive maintenance with real-time data integration. Sustainability becomes the most crucial thing for decision-making in all dimensions. EGAT is now a leader in advanced asset management of all aspects, i.e., expanding the application to a larger scale, enhancing sustainable operations, and accessing the system anytime and anywhere from any device. EGAT is not only the leader of Thailand but also of the ASEAN region.