BSI and Hitachi Collaborate with EGAT to Optimize Thailand’s Power Grid and Reduce Carbon Emissions

Bigwood Systems Inc. (BSI), in collaboration with Hitachi and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), has successfully completed a critical power grid optimization demonstration project. This initiative implemented BSI’s Optimized Performance Enabling Network for Volt/Var (OPEN-VQ) technology to enhance voltage and reactive power control in Thailand’s northeastern transmission network. The project has significantly improved operational efficiency while reducing carbon emissions.

Project Background and Challenges

As Thailand's economy continues to grow, electricity demand has been increasing, leading to greater transmission losses across the power grid. Additionally, as Thailand primarily relies on thermal power generation, fuel consumption and carbon emissions have been rising, making the integration of renewable energy sources a national priority. However, the existing transmission network lacked voltage optimization technology, making it challenging to maintain a stable electricity supply while minimizing energy losses.

OPEN-VQ Demonstration Project

To address these challenges, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan sponsored this project with a total funding of eight million USD. In December 2020, NEDO and Thailand’s Ministry of Energy (MoEN) signed a Letter of Intent to launch this initiative focusing on decarbonization and power system operation improvements. Hitachi, the project’s main contractor, entered into a Project Agreement (PA) with EGAT to deploy BSI’s OPEN-VQ system, an advanced online voltage and reactive power optimization solution, in Thailand’s northeastern transmission network.

Implementation and Benefits

The installation of the OPEN-VQ system was completed in November 2022, followed by Phase 1, which involved manual voltage control operations starting in January 2023. In Phase 2, which commenced on February 21, 2023, OPEN-VQ was successfully integrated with EGAT’s SCADA system, enabling fully automated voltage control without requiring manual intervention.

The deployment of OPEN-VQ has already delivered significant benefits. As of March 10, 2023, the system achieved a CO₂ emission reduction of approximately 1,000 metric tons by optimizing voltage and reactive power flow. Additionally, one of the most notable economic benefits of this project is the large reduction in real power losses, resulting in annual cost savings of approximately four million USD.

The project was further validated through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), with a Project Design Document (PDD) submitted and Third-Party Entity (TPE) validation obtained on March 15, 2023. Moving forward, the project will continue to be monitored until December 2023 for further verification and potential carbon credit issuance.

Future Impact and Outlook

BSI’s successful implementation of OPEN-VQ in Thailand serves as a model for other regions facing similar energy challenges. By enhancing grid efficiency, reducing emissions, and facilitating the integration of renewable energy, OPEN-VQ contributes to the development of a more sustainable and environmentally friendly power system.

BSI remains committed to collaborating with global power utilities to provide cutting-edge power system optimization solutions, driving the transition toward a smarter, greener, and more efficient energy future.