Technology innovations in Aboitizpower’s power plants
Driven by technology and innovation, smart power plants achieve greater operational reliability and efficiency in transitioning to cleaner energy systems.
The operational reliability and efficiency of power generation are crucial to the Philippines’ energy grid, especially as the increased power absorption and variable renewable energy capacity are expected to be absorbed in the coming years.
With larger drop times and more active maintenance activities, smart power plants will center on a larger picture of energy security (or have sufficient power supply with reliable access) during the grand journey of energy transition.
Achieve the transformation of energy into a better world and participate in the huge transformation of the Aboitiz Group, Aboitiz Power Corporation (Aboitizpower) intends to pioneer sustainable energy solutions powered by advanced technology and human ingenuity.
Smart conventional power plants
Under the Arkanghel project, Aboitizpower sets a goal to transform its existing coal-fired power plants into smart power plants through artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. Its first phase of its 300 MW Therma South plant in Davao City has been up and running, with the expansion of the 340 MW Therma Visayas plant in Cebu this year setting up this year and another traditional plant was conducted in Luzon in 2026.
The Arkanghel project has established a unified operational center that includes digital dual technology, anomaly detection and early warning systems, and a “end-to-end” fully integrated real-time asset health monitoring system. This gives engineers the ability to anticipate potential problems and optimize plant operations.
AI-based systems have the potential to help maximize plant efficiency, which means a longer interval between lower calorie rates, improved fuel efficiency, reduced outage days, and planned disruptions. These systems rely on their data-driven intelligence to enable engineers to make bolder and more accurate decisions.
By embracing digital transformation, Aboitizpower is optimizing its operations to enable faster and more informed decisions. This improves the reliability and availability of base load power plants and helps ensure a stable grid with growing energy demand.
Strengthening the performance of base load facilities helps provide a stable foundation for integrating more renewable energy into the power system. As the Philippines experiences population and economic growth, the ability to be reliable and resilient is crucial to maintaining progress.
While developing the Arkanghel project, AboItizPower worked with Thai company Repco NEX Industrial Solutions. The project also uses AVEVA predictive analysis (Schneider Electric solution) to analyze historical data, identify patterns and provide early warning detection.
Smart renewable energy facilities
AboItizPower’s investment in technology includes its National Operational Control Center (NOCC), its renewable energy division, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. This in the Philippines power generation sector first enables 28 renewable energy facilities to be operated and monitored from one location.
Although most plants are located in distant mountains, NOCC engineers can observe from a computer, make decisions and control their operations. Surveillance and data collection are also simplified, making it easier to merge data to develop and meet regulatory requirements.
As operational control and data collection are concentrated in NOCC, operators utilize data analytics, data science and AI for better resource management, resulting in more efficient operations and dispatch of system-integrated hydropower and solar facilities. NOCC also allows faster communication of detected plant anomalies in its regulated ecosystem, minimizing downtime and losses.
Meanwhile, special drones are being deployed in some hydro and solar power plants at Aboitizpower to make maintenance and rehabilitation activities more efficient.
If drones can do it for them, power plant operators will no longer need to manually access and inspect any other components of each solar panel, transportation line or renewable energy facility.
Using drones can be done faster, saving a lot of resources, because given the size and scope of their facilities, people initially need a lot of time and effort to inspect the company’s assets.
The drone is equipped with high-resolution cameras and other on-board sensing devices to diagnose maintenance needs faster, reducing downtime and more reliable in the generation of clean power generation.
Drones enable operators to take pre-emptive measures to prevent expensive failures and ensure the power plant’s ability to generate electricity. Data collected through drone inspections is the basis of thorough evaluation and design processes, resulting in centralized maintenance activities and infrastructure improvements.
Aboitizpower
Aboitizpower is one of the largest electricity producers and distributors in the Philippines with balanced assets located in Luzon, Mishaya and Mindanao. To date, it has, along with its partners, provided the country’s largest portfolio of renewable energy products based on installation capabilities under its operational control. Its generation portfolio also has thermal power plants in it to support base load and peak energy demand.
Meanwhile, Aboitizpower’s ambitions aim to increase the portfolio of its power generation assets through renewable energy and selected base load building.
Aboitiz Group launched a great transformation campaign in 2022, becoming the first technological tendency in the Philippines to leverage resources and cross-company synergy to provide more stakeholder value and help the Philippines’ economy grow.
In addition to technological changes, the huge shift also represents a change in human behavior, especially in the increasing adversity and opportunities to navigate people’s quality, including their abilities and willingness to learn and innovate.
By focusing on the operational reliability and efficiency of its first-generation portfolio and putting premiums on people’s development, Aboitizpower is helping to strengthen energy security and achieve reliable power in the Philippines’ energy transition.
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