Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), a leading energy giant in the Philippines, has joined forces with REPCO NEX, a subsidiary of SCG Chemicals (SCGC), renowned for its integrated industrial and digital solutions, to embark on a groundbreaking venture known as the Arkanghel Project. This initiative is set to revolutionize the power industry by developing the first smart power plant in the Philippines, leveraging the power of Digital Twin technology to enhance stability in power production. This innovative project is in sync with the increasing energy demand trend in the ASEAN region and is geared towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
The Arkanghel Project aims to create an advanced Digital Twin model for power plants. By mirroring internal operations virtually, this cutting-edge technology will allow energy producers to precisely forecast actual performance while factoring in environmental conditions. Such digital simulations pave the way for optimizing operational strategies across various scenarios and enabling early anomaly detection. The first phase of this technological leap will be implemented in AboitizPower’s circulating fluidized bed (CFB) coal-fired power plants, specifically the 340-megawatt Therma Visayas Power Plant in Toledo City, Cebu, and the 300-megawatt Therma South Power Plant in Davao City. These plants will set the benchmark for future digital implementations across other thermal power facilities.
Meanwhile, the synergy between CFB technology and Digital Twin capabilities is set to bolster decision-making through data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). This transformative combination is poised to significantly boost asset performance management throughout their lifecycle by employing predictive maintenance strategies. Such proactive measures aim to curtail both planned and unforeseen downtimes, ensuring consistent power supply.
Sandro Aboitiz, the Chief Financial Officer of AboitizPower, remarked, “Our power plants are our trump cards as we tackle the challenge of amplifying the reliability and availability of electricity. In a landscape that’s constantly evolving, we acknowledge that the seamless integration of state-of-the-art data science with our existing key assets is crucial in adding substantial value to our energy transition journey.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Aldo Ramos, AboitizPower’s Chief Operating Officer, added, “Southeast Asia is sprinting ahead as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and its energy demand is rising in tandem. Between 2015 and 2021, the global energy demand surged by 16%, yet ASEAN’s demand soared by 22%. The region now faces the dual challenge of enhancing socio-economic growth while achieving energy transition targets amidst this rapid demand escalation. And all this while striving to mitigate climate change impacts.”
“It’s through these multifaceted challenges that the Arkanghel Project was conceived. It symbolizes our commitment to ensuring reliable and robust power to meet current energy requirements, optimizing our present coal-fired power plants to bridge the gap as renewable technologies continue to evolve,” he further elaborated.
Mongkol Hengrojanasophon, the Chief Operations Officer of SCG Chemicals (SCGC), stated, “AI and ESG megatrends are deeply rooted in the energy sector, which forms the bedrock for the development of any nation. REPCO NEX stands ready to participate in this substantial transformation alongside AboitizPower, the Philippines’ foremost power provider. With our team’s profound expertise in industry-centric digital solutions and a strong foundation in operational excellence, we will support this project to not only be efficient but also to generate additional value and ensure sustainable growth.”
Chakorn Kraivichien, Managing Director of REPCO NEX, elaborated, “REPCO NEX will integrate big data into their analytical processes, crafting models to generate alerts and recommendations for power plant operations. These practical models will empower stakeholders to make informed, precise decisions. Additionally, our role extends to enriching the digital acumen of AboitizPower employees by blending Operational Technology (OT) with Information Technology (IT). This fusion will substantially boost business efficiency and speed. Along with increasing power output, this initiative will also drive energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The partnership between AboitizPower and REPCO NEX promises to successfully realize the Philippines’ first smart power plant within the stipulated timeline.”
I think it’s fantastic that Philippines is pioneering with smart power plants! It’s high time we leverage technology to combat climate issues.
Sure, it’s a good initiative, but let’s not forget it’s still coal. We need to stop using fossil fuels entirely.
Transitioning away from fossil fuels is a journey. Utilizing smart technology for better efficiency and monitoring is a step in the right direction.
Both of you have points, but shouldn’t we focus on renewables like solar and wind instead of improving coal plants?
Finally! A technological upgrade for our aging power infrastructure. The Philippines has a lot of catching up to do.
Yes, it’s necessary to update, but why not focus on more sustainable sources from the start?
Modernizing infrastructure is always a win in my book. Plus, we can’t just switch off coal overnight. Transition needs time and investment.
True, but this project shows there are smart ways to use what we have currently while working towards more sustainable energy goals.
But investing in renewable technology upfront might have long-term benefits that outweigh these temporary solutions.
It’s great that they’re using AI and data analytics, but will this really impact job creation? Many worry that automation might lead to job losses.
AI will create new types of jobs, though. Employees will need to adapt and upgrade their skills.
That transition might be tough for older workers who aren’t tech-savvy. How do we support them?
There should be retraining programs in place to help all employees get up to speed with the new technology.
Not everyone can transition to tech-heavy jobs. Some people just want and need to work with their hands.
Valid point. We have to balance technological advantages with real-world human needs.
A partnership with SCG Chemicals could mean more chemical pollution, right?
Digital Twin technology is revolutionary. Forecasting capabilities alone will save so much on maintenance and inefficiencies.
Yeah, but what if the predictions are wrong? How much will it cost if that happens?
Every technology has its risks, but the potential for savings and efficiency gains outweighs them. Continuous improvements can mitigate those risks.
The project is ambitious but is it just another excuse to prolong coal usage? We need more concrete renewable energy plans.
Given the growing energy demands in Southeast Asia, this project seems like a sensible interim step. Better management of existing resources while transitioning.
I wonder how the local communities around these plants feel about this? Especially with health and environmental concerns.
Exactly. It’s easy to celebrate this from a distance, but what about the people who live nearby?
They should definitely have a say and there needs to be transparency about environmental impacts.
The energy sector must innovate or die. Projects like this are essential to keep up with global trends.
It’s about time some big changes happened in the Philippines’ energy sector! We need more projects like this one.
I’m curious how much of the promised benefits will actually come to fruition. So many projects start with high hopes but fail to deliver.
Digital Twin and AI are buzzwords right now. I’m cautiously optimistic but will wait to see actual results.
These technologies are proven in other industries. I think they’ll fare well here too.
There’s always hype around new tech. Often, they don’t deliver as much as promised.
With high energy demand, we can’t afford to experiment too much. Let’s hope this works.
Why are we not seeing more investments in solar and wind? The future is green, not fossil-fuel based.
This initiative shows some foresight, but how transparent will the processes and results be? Corporate accountability is key.