Adapting for Tomorrow: Thailand’s Power Grid and the Road to Resilience

00:00:04: Welcome to another episode of Power On, the Rinehausen podcast.

00:00:08: I'm Bob Vary, your host, and I'm currently the general manager of Rinehausen Manufacturing in the United States.

00:00:14: I'm a thirty-two year industry veteran in the energy industry, having worked many years with ABB as well as Duke Energy and started with Rinehausen in twenty-twenty-four.

00:00:24: Today I'm joined by two guests from Thailand and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Short EGAT, Cairo, Pan Promin is Director of Transmission System Construction Division at EGAT, and Sita Khan Prasamsap is Assistant Director of Transmission System Maintenance Division at EGAT as well.

00:00:44: Thank you both for joining me today.

00:00:46: Yes.

00:00:47: Kun Sita Khan, could you please give us an overview about EGAT?

00:00:51: Yes, EGAT was established in nineteen sixty nine, and also we is a state enterprise for the Ministry of energy in Thailand.

00:01:02: Okay.

00:01:02: So now we have the employee about fifteen thousand.

00:01:07: Our system we separate into main sector like generation and transmission.

00:01:14: For our generation we have a generation energy is about fifteen thousand megawatt and also transmission system.

00:01:24: we have the transmission lines forty thousand circuit kilobytes and we have two hundred thirty nine substations.

00:01:34: Okay.

00:01:35: For the installed timeformer, we have one hundred forty four Giga VA.

00:01:42: Oh, wow.

00:01:42: Yes.

00:01:43: We do take the care for the whole Thailand.

00:01:47: Yeah.

00:01:47: Yeah.

00:01:48: So the entire country then.

00:01:49: Yes.

00:01:49: Which is a very diverse geography.

00:01:52: Yeah.

00:01:53: So Kun Chairo, Could you tell us a little bit about your responsibilities at EGOT?

00:01:59: My responsibility is for the system improvement for the development such as construction for the transmission line and substation around Thailand.

00:02:10: The power that I can receive from the power plant will be sent to the MEA and PA.

00:02:15: that are two more state enterprises are responsible for the distribution system and customer for the retail customer.

00:02:22: We operate in a single wire, which means that we buy power from another company for the private company, also include, we produce by our sale.

00:02:34: that Mr.

00:02:34: Thakarn inform to you.

00:02:36: Okay.

00:02:37: Oh, great.

00:02:37: That's fascinating.

00:02:38: Fascinating.

00:02:39: Thank you.

00:02:40: Kun Sita Khan, can you share the same about your responsibilities?

00:02:44: I am in the operation and maintenance.

00:02:46: So we do so much about stability and reliability for our system.

00:02:55: So we also try to use the up-getting infrastructure for the whole end and we do try to control the renewable resource.

00:03:08: for that we call the grid modernized system.

00:03:11: This year we have some new division to take care of this.

00:03:18: For renewables?

00:03:19: renewable and demand-less bond also.

00:03:22: So, Kun Sita Khan, how is EGAT planning to balance the demand with the need for a stable and reliable power supply?

00:03:29: We try to maintain the core efficiency because that is our government policy.

00:03:38: But we also try to use the energy mix.

00:03:42: Like, everything can mix and we can control all.

00:03:45: So, we try to make the renewable forecasting and we do more balancing everything and easy to manage or control.

00:03:57: Normally, we have a main policy that from our government, they call it four D one E that we have to follow in the next ten years also.

00:04:12: Do you have challenges or how are you preparing the system for increasing generation from renewables.

00:04:18: Just like I talk to you for Lenovo, we try to learn very fast.

00:04:25: And so we try to use the forecasting the Lenovo for the whole Thailand.

00:04:33: So many, many regions, we have the Lenovo resourcing.

00:04:38: And we try to control and make the forecast by install the cabela to watch the crowd with area ready to generate the power or not like that.

00:04:53: Okay, understand.

00:04:53: That is our challenge because we have to make the new engineer to know this and learn new technology also.

00:05:08: And just for the audience's reference, what type of renewables do you have in your system?

00:05:12: Is it wind, solar?

00:05:14: Hydro, all of the above?

00:05:15: Yes, all.

00:05:16: So it's a nice mix.

00:05:18: And a big challenge to run the system, right?

00:05:22: Yes.

00:05:22: Big challenge, yes.

00:05:23: So, Kunsit Thakarn, what are some of the unique challenges and opportunities we just talked about?

00:05:27: challenges in the energy sector in your region, and how are you responding to them?

00:05:33: We do everything to our system.

00:05:36: We do the grid modernization, like a smart grid.

00:05:40: Yes, and we improve it to a grid modernizing.

00:05:43: Yeah, we do the transmission system layer flexibility layer easy to control and Fast enough like that for the whole region.

00:05:54: we we do layer separate to the region by region Decentralize the control.

00:06:01: another question for you.

00:06:02: How are global trends and energy such as decarbonization and digitalization?

00:06:07: influencing e-gats operations and strategies.

00:06:11: Yes, also we follow the global trend also like digitalization and decolonization.

00:06:18: This is our government policy that I told you about, for D-One-E.

00:06:24: We do also decentralization and deregulation and for the One-E is an electrification.

00:06:32: We follow all for the global trend and our policy.

00:06:38: So we change so much in our system, like we do for the high-advanced technology, for the time-former or GIS, any.

00:06:52: for like CT, PT, every component, we try to learn to use the advanced technology and combine in our system with exiting and the new.

00:07:07: Combine.

00:07:08: So for new assets that you're buying, then you're buying digital monitoring technology to make sure that you understand the condition of your assets?

00:07:17: Yes, yes.

00:07:18: We know.

00:07:18: Yes.

00:07:19: I'm sure that's been a big shift for your company to really digitalize some of the assets that weren't in the past.

00:07:26: Yes, yes.

00:07:28: And one more project about the global warming because of the power plant for the using your fuel for fuel.

00:07:39: Now it's to reduce.

00:07:41: So that's why you can have the new project for the hydro-floating solar.

00:07:46: You immediately get to try to generate power from the solar by hydro-PV.

00:07:53: This is the input of PV and pumping solid in the in the dam.

00:07:58: So that will be reduced for the carbon in the future.

00:08:02: Okay, that's great.

00:08:03: That's great.

00:08:03: What a great project.

00:08:06: Kunchairo, that's great that you came in.

00:08:10: EGAT has a regional connection with Laos for the import of hydropower and at the southern border in HVDC Interconnector to Malaysia's TNV.

00:08:20: What are plans for more interconnected regional grids in the greater Mekong sub-region?

00:08:26: For now, we have many projects for hydropower plants.

00:08:31: But in the near future, we have more projects for the time management system development in the area of Nan and Uttarid province or NPUP.

00:08:42: Now it's under approval from the cabinet.

00:08:45: We receive the power from Laos.

00:08:47: more to buy more because in Laos, they have many dams, hydro power.

00:08:52: This is the Laos side but for the Malaysian side, we have a head VDC connection.

00:09:00: We don't have a power plant from Malaysia.

00:09:04: For the HVDC project, we already used about more than nearly thirty years, so that would be absolute in the two or five years.

00:09:13: So now we have a new project for interconnection.

00:09:16: Now we are doing study.

00:09:19: We have two options.

00:09:20: The first option is a re-reconstruction for the HVDC, the same, but increase the capacity from three hundred megawatts to six hundred megawatts.

00:09:31: The second option is we will link with the philad kv because now you can have the philad kv from center area to the southern area.

00:09:41: already that will be ready for.

00:09:43: the same for the power from the ASC system.

00:09:45: The option now is under study because for the DC, it's easy to control but it's very expensive.

00:09:53: but for ASC it's cheaper.

00:09:55: cheaper but it's very difficult for control.

00:09:58: Now it's a. I think next year we will discuss with this channel that will be used for the interconnection to Malaysia.

00:10:06: I think that for another channel to Malaysia, it can be connected to Singapore and other in the future.

00:10:14: Would the connection to Singapore be AC or DC?

00:10:17: AC.

00:10:18: AC to Singapore also five hundred kV?

00:10:20: In Singapore, I'm not sure.

00:10:23: Maybe two hundred thirty kV, like this.

00:10:26: Then this area we connect with the AC because we have the same frequency.

00:10:31: But now you're looking, so you've got the one three thousand megawatt DC connection to Malaysia.

00:10:36: You're looking at a second three thousand megawatt DC connection or an AC connection.

00:10:42: So that's what you're studying, one or the other.

00:10:44: Maybe both in the future.

00:10:46: Both, yeah, you may, right?

00:10:48: Depending on your energy demands in Thailand or or in Malaysia, right?

00:10:51: Yes.

00:10:52: What's the voltage on the DC?

00:10:53: Three hundred kV.

00:10:54: Three hundred kV?

00:10:56: Okay.

00:10:56: Okay.

00:10:56: Good.

00:10:57: What's the timing on the project?

00:10:59: So either the new DC or AC to Malaysia?

00:11:02: How long in the future?

00:11:04: About the next five years.

00:11:06: It'll be finished.

00:11:08: So it'll be a busy time in the next five years.

00:11:11: So another question for you, Conchairo.

00:11:14: How effective have your incentives been in promoting energy efficiency and changing consumer behavior?

00:11:20: Can you give examples?

00:11:22: Thailand, we have the power efficiency program

00:11:26: for

00:11:26: we will give the energy saving level number five to the manufacturer of the equipment like a refrigerator, a condition like this.

00:11:36: If any manufacturer can make the machine in the low energy consumption, we will give the level.

00:11:42: We can select.

00:11:43: this one is for energy saving to reduce the energy, total energy in Thailand.

00:11:49: As many we have in kit for energy product for the level number five.

00:11:54: Okay.

00:11:54: And has the adoption rate by customers been high for those products?

00:11:59: Yes, because they have their choice.

00:12:01: They can know which one is the more cheaper.

00:12:04: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:12:05: So if they can save money, it's good.

00:12:06: Yeah, yeah.

00:12:08: So, Kun Sittekarn, what is the average age of your transformer fleet?

00:12:12: Even average is about twenty-one or twenty-five years.

00:12:19: Oh,

00:12:20: that's quite young, actually.

00:12:21: But we separate to the voltage class.

00:12:24: For the lower one, like maybe more than thirty years old.

00:12:30: For the higher one, that is the list.

00:12:33: So your transformer fleet, the bigger they get than the lower the ages?

00:12:37: Yes,

00:12:37: because the latest, like ten years, ten years so far, we installed a five hundred kV two months.

00:12:44: So the average is low.

00:12:46: That's good.

00:12:47: So it lowers your risk.

00:12:49: And where are the older and newer transformer assets located?

00:12:52: Over is more than fifty years old.

00:12:56: Okay.

00:12:57: The new one is only last month.

00:12:59: Do you

00:12:59: find geographically, if you look at where your older fleet is versus your younger fleet is, do you see older transformers in a certain area of Thailand and newer transformers in another area?

00:13:11: Are they mixed in between?

00:13:14: We mix everything.

00:13:15: We mix the location and also many further brand also.

00:13:21: We try to visualize the list.

00:13:25: We use the every index and also important index to specify the timeformer, which one is better to install in that region.

00:13:39: And then what's the strategy for midlife transformer refurbishment?

00:13:44: So if you look at the age of your transformers, is there a strategy as they get to a certain age that you refurbish them?

00:13:50: For the midlife, timeformer is about twenty-five years old.

00:13:55: So we do all of the accessories, like a bushing, the protective device, and many things for the timeformer, like we cleaning inside by oil secretion and moisture removal, like that, and maybe some painting also to the new one.

00:14:16: We calculate the long life.

00:14:18: the timeformer after we refurbish it.

00:14:21: With the refurbishment, you expect another twenty-five years or more?

00:14:25: Yes.

00:14:25: And then what steps are you taking to reduce the environmental impact of your transmission and maintenance activities?

00:14:32: Yes, also we try to do like that also because we have the problem for the deposal, the use like a de-oil like this.

00:14:44: So we try to take care of the condition of the oil also.

00:14:51: For the aging oil, we have sent to destroy.

00:14:57: And so for the new generation for our platformer, maybe we will use the new class of the oil also.

00:15:13: Okay, okay.

00:15:14: Yes.

00:15:15: Understand?

00:15:15: Good.

00:15:16: Also a question for you, Kunsit Thakarn.

00:15:18: How is your organization currently utilizing digitalization to optimize operations or improve efficiency?

00:15:26: For the improvement efficiency, normally we use the more advanced technology like data analytics.

00:15:35: So we install the transformer online monitoring, many components, and get the data, and we recruit our engineer, like a data scientist, data engineer, and also the electrical engineer work together to use the data analysis.

00:15:55: Just last three years ago, we interviewed the one committee to, like a working group, do the town former PDIC team maintenance.

00:16:05: So PDICs the help for the next six months, we have to do, what is the, is help and now we can do like that.

00:16:19: So it's helping you with your resource planning as well so that you know in the next six months when to roll trucks to go out and do the work on the transformers?

00:16:28: Yes, like a wish-time former we have to do before.

00:16:34: We have planned six months to do.

00:16:38: Have you had any surprises from the data coming from your online monitoring?

00:16:43: where you found a problem that you didn't expect to find?

00:16:46: Yes, we produced the model.

00:16:48: Now it's four or five models and each model will detect the whole part of the transformer and do an analytic use of many transformer data into calculation for the predicts the which parameter we are accessing.

00:17:08: We choose to take

00:17:10: care.

00:17:10: Okay, yeah.

00:17:11: Yes.

00:17:12: Have you found problems with younger transformers that you wouldn't have seen had you not had digital monitoring?

00:17:20: Yes, so far I am in the maintenance.

00:17:23: We do this for the existing transformers.

00:17:26: We think the old transformers have some problems for like a condition.

00:17:32: But now we found the new transformers also have a problem also.

00:17:39: Today we decide to install the timeformer alignment link with the new timeformer and start to learn the next year.

00:17:51: We will use our engineer to get the data for the new timeformer and study.

00:18:00: Make the new data correction for new timeformers.

00:18:05: So it sounds like the digitalized transformers and other assets is really transforming your your business.

00:18:10: Yes.

00:18:11: Making a big change.

00:18:12: That we make for the maintenance department to have the system like a time-former advisor help us to to planning which time-former have to maintain maintenance.

00:18:26: Big changes in the organization.

00:18:27: Yes, yes.

00:18:29: So, Kinshita Khan, could you explain some of the biggest challenges that your department faces in maintaining the transmission system?

00:18:37: The big challenge maybe.

00:18:40: I think from the people also, for the grid is modernized, it has some effect, the other like a renewable energy.

00:18:51: So we have to have the advanced grid control to know every like a second or minute to know which condition is changed.

00:19:03: So we need him to help to develop the transmission, flexibility to operation and maintenance to do easy.

00:19:13: That our challenge is I think the whole system, everyone should help.

00:19:19: A little bit of a question on the financial side.

00:19:21: So how do you manage the balance between capital expenditures or CAPEX and operational expenditures or OPEX and lifetime costs and your financial planning?

00:19:32: So far we use the CAPEX too much and to expand the transmission system and we use the opaque can for for the maintain the the life of our equipment for the whole system.

00:19:50: we invest for use the cupcake uh allow thirty thousand million baht every year and for the opaque we use only two thousand million baht to maintain.

00:20:05: So a little over eight hundred million euro in CapEx and a little over fifty five million euro in OpEx then.

00:20:12: Yes,

00:20:12: but we also try to balance the budget.

00:20:17: We also bought a little bit transformer.

00:20:20: We change to use the CapEx because we have to purchase more accessories to install like the new one.

00:20:30: So we have the new asset.

00:20:32: like a timeformer, GAS, or another.

00:20:35: So we change to use the CAPEX instead of OPEX.

00:20:41: Understand.

00:20:42: So Kun Chairo, in your opinion, what does the future of energy in Thailand look like?

00:20:48: And how will EGAT continue to shape that future?

00:20:51: Now EGAT, we have the power system and generation.

00:20:54: In Thailand, we have the model as an enhanced single buyer.

00:21:02: respond for the generation in good, that's comprised of a generator for we get and private sector.

00:21:10: We have to send the power to EEC, MEA, and PA.

00:21:15: For the future, I have three points.

00:21:17: The first one is, I would like to see that we have the program for the third party access.

00:21:22: It means that another for the small or big or medium for generation can be used the telemetry system directly to the customer.

00:21:32: This we now under study for this item.

00:21:36: For the second is for the power system, we would like to increase more for the power system between country in the location that inform this.

00:21:45: The third one is for the power system negate.

00:21:48: We have to change to the new for the situation because up to now we have many many IE and many many for the sensor everything.

00:21:57: So that for the development for the substation now.

00:22:00: We have plan to make the subscription to a digital subscription so that we can serve more for the many, many for the sensor from Mr.

00:22:07: Sittikan to monitor for everything in the subscription and can be controlled.

00:22:12: And for we also for the maintenance option also, that is a time to improve.

00:22:18: For the IE, we have to use a statcom to control the wanted control power system for the system C seven.

00:22:25: Seven, yes, like that.

00:22:27: And now we have to study more for the fixed device to improve system sensitivity.

00:22:33: Okay, so it's really a lot going on then, for the future.

00:22:38: Maybe for Kon Siti Karn, really looking at the future and people getting into the industry, what would be your advice for young engineers and professionals entering the energy industry in Thailand today?

00:22:51: I think the adaptability, it should be first.

00:22:55: And so the new young should be a lifelong learning that is like a base and they also should be a commit with the sustainability also so many they have to combine knowledge from the university and combination for the technical skill and do the innovation and also follow the global trend.

00:23:23: yeah.

00:23:23: so I think we Normally, the young engineer should have a passion and also get the best solution to improve that.

00:23:38: So it's interesting.

00:23:38: It really hit a lot of notes that are so prevalent today with sustainability and innovation and creativity.

00:23:46: I think young professionals, when they get into the industry, there's so much more that our industry can offer that I don't think everybody realizes.

00:23:54: especially with digitalization and even the next step with AI.

00:23:58: So I think that all fits together.

00:24:00: Well, I just want to thank you for joining us today for another episode of Power

00:24:04: On.

00:24:05: We invite you to go back and watch or listen to other episodes as well.

00:24:10: I'd especially like to thank Kun Chairo and Kun Sita Khan for sharing details about the focus of IGET now and into the future.

00:24:19: Thank you both so much for participating today.

00:24:22: Until the next episode.

00:24:24: Power

00:24:24: on.