Aboitiz Power Corporation has partnered with Thailand-based REPCO NEX Industrial Solutions to develop the first smart power plants in the Philippines.

Named Project Arkanghel, this initiative aims to transform two

of AboitizPower’s coal-fired power plants into smart facilities, enhancing their performance and reducing downtime.

In a report by the Inq

uirer, Aboitiz Power Thermal chief operating office for operated assets, Aldo Ramos, said that Project Arkangel aims to boost the company’s thermal power plants’ efficiency and resiliency, adding that it can ensure that the units would provide reliable baseload supply and lessen the downtime from forced and planned outages. 

The initial phase involves creating digital twins for the 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Davao del Sur, operated by Therma South Inc., and the 340-MW coal facility of Therma Visayas Inc. in Cebu province.

AboitizPower said that digital twins are virtual replicas of power plants that mimic their operational processes and systems. This technology allows operators to simulate scenarios, detect faults, and address glitches in real-time within a virtual environment.

These coal plants will serve as pioneer models for future in

stallations at other thermal sites.

Through Project Arkanghel, the digital twins are expected to optimize power plant performance using data science and artificial intelligence. This will enable operators and engineers to make more informed decisions.

AboitizPower chief finance officer Sandro Aboitiz said they foresee the impact of decentralization and digitalization of the energy value chain through policies and technological advancement.