Innovation and Digitalisation

Innovation

The Innovation Studio was established in 2023 under the oversight of the Innovation Committee. Its core mission is to identify, source, and incubate new ideas to capture business opportunities and transform them into tangible outcomes through systematic innovation management. This includes integrating diverse of knowledge to create solutions that drive business growth and enhance the organisation’s long-term competitiveness. Its responsibilities encompass cultivating an innovation-driven organisational culture, enhancing employees’ capabilities to foster innovation; and building collaborative innovation networks both internally and externally. The unit also clearly defines methods and approaches, as well as manages and invests in innovation portfolio to generate returns and expand business opportunities. The Innovation Studio works in close collaboration with both internal and external parties, with B.Grimm Digital and Energy Solutions serving as a key partner in driving innovation. The unit directly reports to the Co-President – Thailand Business and Energy & Industrial Solutions Business and submits biannual progress updates to the Management Committee, along with an annual performance report to the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee to ensure alignment with the organisation’s long-term objectives.

Additionally, under the B.Grimm Digital and Energy Solutions Division, the Digital Energy Solutions Department plays a key role in driving the organisation toward leadership in Digital Energy Excellence. Its primary mission is to develop and deliver Energy Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS) that effectively meet customer needs. The department collaborates closely with the Business Development and Sales Solutions teams to advance next-generation energy business by leveraging digital technologies as a core enabler. This approach enhances business value and delivers high-efficiency solutions to customers and all stakeholders, playing a critical role in supporting the organisation’s sustainable growth amid the ongoing energy transition.

Digitalisation

The B.Grimm Digital and Energy Solutions Division, established in 2023, has a core mission to manage digital operation holistically. Its responsibilities cover operation technology, digital transformation of organisational processes, digital governance, and cyber security. It also oversees software development and the piloting and application of modern technologies in power plants. The division is tasked with managing digital infrastructure, promoting organisational growth, and driving cyber security governance to ensure the highest level of efficiency.

Energy Management System (EMS)

The system provides an intelligent solution, the "Energy Management System," that complements the Smart Grid (the electric system that operates and responds smartly and effectively), to manage electricity demand and supply within the ABP, ABPR, and BPLC network, meeting real-time consumption needs and reducing energy loss efficiently. The EMS performs real-time tracking of actual grid energy usage and optimises multi-source energy distribution to customers, as well as assists in planning grid expansion effectively, in collaboration with Schneider Electric and Yokogawa Electric Corporation. Additionally, we have implemented a smart grid model that includes the Energy Management System, combined cycle power plants, renewable energy resources, BESS, industrial customers, EV charging stations, and a demand response and trading platform. Enhancement of Supervisory Control and Data Acquistion (SCADA) for Remote and Grid Monitoring, and moving toward AI-empowerd Grid Automation, show our strong commitment to develop smart grid technology.

Advance Distributed Management System (ADMS)

The system is for industrial estate customers to manage multi-sources electricity generation, controlling the electricity transmission and distribution systems, whereby the system serves as a crucial component enabling comprehensive commanding, controlling, and managing data from several energy sources. The system consists of the hardware that collects the data, and the software that connects all systems of the energy sources with communication system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Remote Terminal Units: SCADA RTU) together. It is capable of analysing, simulating the situation on the actual system, and forecasting the potential impact. The system also supports energy trading in preparation for the launch of the Third-Party Access (TPA) in the future.

Development of the Digital Twin System

A power plant management system that applied to combined cycle co-generation power plants, which represent the main sources of electric power in the Smart Grid through collaboration with leading partners, with the following key objectives:

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and overall efficiency of electricity generation

To enable predictive maintenance activities by analysing the data to notify machinery’s health and operating time in advanced. This allows for proactive maintenance planning, preventing equipment failures and minimising impacts on production processes.

To collect and organise the data on production and operations related to work procedures that require accuracy and effectiveness.

There are three core systems: AI Health Monitoring, Continuous Performance Optimisation (CPO), and the Common Plant Information Management System (PI). (for more details, refer to “Operational Excellence and Customer Relationship Management” Topic).

Adopting Drone Technology for Transmission Line Maintenance

Drone technology has been introduced for the inspection and maintenance of transmission lines in the Amata City Industrial Estates in Chonburi, Rayong, and Nong Chok. The initiative aims to modernise the maintenance process, enhancing safety, efficiency, and accuracy in inspecting high-voltage electrical equipment. By improving precision and speed in inspections, the approach reduces both operational costs and preventive maintenance time, while also minimising safety risks associated with working near high-voltage power lines. This innovation enhances the stability and reliability of the power supply for industrial clients and supports the company’s sustainability goals by reducing resource consumption and promoting the transition to clean energy.

Business Value

• Reduced inspection costs and resource usage
• Increased operational efficiency, with inspection time reduced by 75% (from 4–8 hours to only 1–2 hours per inspection point)
• Minimised system downtime and maintenance costs by using thermal imaging to detect hotspots, enabling accurate diagnosis and targeted repairs
• Enhanced customer confidence through improved stability and reliability of power supply in industrial areas

Environmental and Social Impact

• Increased employee safety by reducing the need to work in hazardous areas
• Lower occupational health and safety risks associated with field operations
• Reduced direct GHG emissions (Scope 1) from fuel consumption

Integrating Circular Economy into Operations

In addition, we have adopted the principles of the Circular Economy into our operations, with a strong focus on engaging customers in efficient resource management to reduce natrual resources consumption, extend equipment lifespan, and optimise energy use in power generation. These efforts are implemented through the following key processes:

1. Repair - Conducting maintenance and repairs of malfunctioning or deteriorated equipment within the power generation system, such as machinery and electrical components, to prolong service life, minimise waste generation, and reduce the need for new equipment procurement.

2. Refurbish - Upgrading and modernising equipment to meet current standards, for example, replacing conventional electricity meters with smart meters to enhance energy management and monitoring accuracy. This supports the development of smart grid systems and enables customers to monitor and manage energy usage more effectively.  In 2024, smart meter deployment covered co-generation power plant, wind power plant, and solar power plant both domestically and internationally.

3. Replace - Substituting outdated or underperforming equipment, such as replacing inverters with higher-efficiency models, thereby improving system-wide energy efficiency and reducing energy losses.

4. Reuse/Recycle - For steam generated from our co-generation power plants, B.Grimm Power collaborates with customers to implement circular economy solutions  by receiving excess steam from customers' operations for reuse in our production process. In return, customers receive service discounts as compensation. This initiative enables customers to reduce energy waste, supports sustainable resource use, and demonstrates our commitment to efficient energy management and optimal resource utilisation.

Launch Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Projects

Beginning with floating solar power plants, the VPP will build a stable and sustainable energy network by leveraging existing grid infrastructure to store virtual energy. This balances energy supply and demand, supporting customers in achieving their green energy goals by offering tailored solutions and continuous optimisation services. By integrating the VPP platform with our existing optimisation and management platforms, this innovative approach enhances grid stability, ensures reliable power supply, and promotes a sustainable, environmentally friendly energy future.

Develop Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (Virtual PPA) Platforms under the Third-Party Access (TPA) system

This is a new digital solution that facilitates the virtual allocation of clean energy distribution to customers outside industrial estate without relying on transmission lines or physical energy delivery. This aligns with our goal of expanding the market and promoting sustainability. The platform comes with a real-time dashboard that provides customers with in-depth insights to monitor and analyse their energy consumption, helping them improve consumption patterns and reduce cost effectively. The system processes electricity usage data to generate optimal energy usage plans, forecast future consumption, and deliver reports for customers and relevant authorities. The platform is currently in the preparation phase, with the official launch scheduled for activation of the government’s TPA system, which is expected in 2025. This solution will provide industrial customers with a new energy alternative that enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and supports long-term sustainability goals.

Offer Solar Rooftop Energy Solutions

B.Grimm Power supports customers in generating their own clean energy by providing solar rooftop systems to both Industrial Users (IUs) and Commercial Users, located within and outside industrial estates. To ensure system stability for industrial operations, we utilise Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) software. Through this sustainable technology, approximately 60 customers are now able to produce renewable electricity on-site, reducing reliance on conventional grid power. On average, this has delivered an estimated 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional electricity sources, while also generating monthly cost savings of 3–7%. With a total installed capacity of 71 MW, this initiative demonstrates our commitment to empowering customers with sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions that contribute to both environmental and economic benefits.

Encourage Energy-saving Services

By offering tailored discount structures that are adjusted based on individual customer electricity consumption patterns. These structures create suitable incentives and add value for all customer segments through Demand Response programmes that adjust real-time energy use according to changing customer needs, thus maintaining energy supply stability and preventing power outages. Moreover, the programme helps align energy production and consumption with the terms set out in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) while strengthening infrastructure resilience. These efforts reflect our commitment to delivering reliable energy services and fostering a more flexible energy ecosystem. Ultimately, our goal is to enhance customer satisfaction by improving user experience, fostering stronger customer relationships, and reinforcing our position as a customer-centric organisation.

Promote the use of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

To drive demand for renewable energy and support investment in new renewable projects, helping to reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 2) from customers' energy consumption. The RECs are sourced from key renewable energy types such as solar, wind, and hydro power, certified by internationally recognised standards under the I-Track Foundation’s I-REC(E) and endorsed by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). One REC is equivalent to 1 MWh of renewable electricity generated. In 2024, we successfully delivered RECs to 38 organisations , reflecting our success in promoting renewable energy investment and advancing the transition toward a sustainable energy system.

Foster Energy Trading

B.Grimm Power has implemented a pilot Energy Trading Platform project to promote decentrailised, community-based clean energy trading among industrial users (IUs). The platform enables participants to offer and purchase electricity through an online system by specifying key parameters such as capacity (kW), energy volume (kWh), trading period, and proposed price, under a contract terms of at least one year. The system then matches buyers and sellers based on compatability, followed by the execution of a digital Sleeved PPA. Monthly transactions are processed through the platform, with corresponding service fees communicated to both parties. Developed using Yokogawa software, the platform has achieved a total traded capacity of 4,997 kilowatts (kW), supporting cost reduction and carbon emissions mitigation based on the system's real-time capabilities. This initiative fosters decentralised resource management by enabling peer-to-peer clean energy exchanges within the industrial community, advancing shared generation models and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Create Advanced Forecasting Systems for Solar Energy and Electricity Loads

Leverage cutting-edge data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to predict solar power generation and electricity demand, enabling proactive planning aligned with peak electricity demand periods. This predictive capability allows our power plants to proactively align production with anticipated demand, minimising risks associated with weather volatility and load fluctuations. Additionally, the system supports optimal resource allocation and reserves management, enhancing operational stability and ensuring reliable electricity delivery to customers.

Develop a Customer Analytics Platform for Real-Time Energy Monitoring

Utilise real-time data to track and analyse customer energy consumption and optimise both contract management and customer relationship management. This approach minimises the risk of variances from contractual agreements, ensures strategies are closely aligned with actual customer usage patterns, and ultimately driving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

20/20 Transformation Programme for Executives

Establish a framework for business opportunity exploration, create new businesses for senior executives, promote an entrepreneurial mindset within the organisation, and enhance strategic innovation thinking for leaders.

Innovator Training Programme

Provide training on innovation creation and project management for junior and mid-level employees through 3 courses, including Design Thinking, Project Feasibility, and Project Pitching. The goal is to help participants learn the creative process and how to develop ideas into tangible businesses.

B.Grimm Ideation Awards 2024

Provide all employees across all businesses with the opportunity to present innovative project ideas beneficial to the business or with potential to develop into future ventures under the theme “Empowering B.Grimm with your Idea”. This year, over 11 teams were selected to present their ideas. Outstanding Project Examples:

• Precise Drone Inspection

  This project developed drones equipped with infrared cameras to detect steam leaks and inspect transmission lines. The solution enables more frequent real-time inspections, reduces energy losses from undetected leaks, and allows for preventive maintenance before major damage occurs.

  Moreover, replacing vehicle-based field inspections with drones helps reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1), enhances operational safety, and supports the transition toward Digital & Low-Carbon Operations & Maintenance (O&M). This project builds upon the previous initiative of adopting drone technology for transmission line maintenance (For more details, please refer to the section “Adopting Drone Technology for Transmission Line Maintenance”)

• Cooling System Upgrade Using Absorption Chiller Technology

  This project replaced the existing electric chiller system, which consumes approximately 1.5 kWh per refrigeration ton (RT), with an absorption chiller system that utilises excess heat from gas turbine exhaust (GT exhaust). Key benefits include:

  • Approximately 70% reduction in electricity consumption for cooling
  • Use of lithium bromide (LiBr) as the refrigerant, which has zero global warming potential (GWP = 0), replacing traditional HFC refrigerants
  • Improved power plant efficiency and reduced heat rate
  • Internal electricity savings of approximately 2.4 GWh per year, equivalent to reducing more than 1,200 tonnes of CO₂e emissions annually

  This initiative exemplifies the use of waste heat recovery within operations and reinforces B.Grimm’s commitment to green energy solutions, both for internal use and for nearby industrial clients.

Design Thinking Workshop for New Employees

Prepare new employees by developing design thinking skills, with over 120 participants in this initiative.

Development of Middleware for System Integration

Being developed to seamlessly connect various systems within the organisation, enhancing efficiency through real-time APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). This reduces redundant processes and improves data exchange efficiency and allows the organisation to respond swiftly and effectively to technological and business changes. Furthermore, it reduces operational costs, such as those associated with system management and resolving technical issues caused by unlinked systems.

Implementation of IT Service Management (ITSM)

ITSM is being adopted to manage IT services with enhanced efficiency, transparency, and traceability. This includes clear tracking from incident reporting and diagnosis to rapid problem resolution. ITSM reduces operational delays and allows IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

Adoption of Single Sign-On (SSO)

Minimises password management issues and enhances authentication security, preventing unauthorised access and strengthening overall cyber security while reducing IT workload.

Cloud Transformation

Key functions are being migrated to flexible, modern cloud platforms to improve operational efficiency and security, while mitigating risks associated with outdated systems. This transition also helps lower energy costs compared to traditional systems that rely on numerous servers and hardware infrastructures.

Establishment of a Cloud-Based Disaster Recovery Site for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

A cloud-based disaster recovery site has been set up for the ERP platform, enhancing system resilience, reducing the Recovery Point Objective (RPO) to 5 minutes in case a disaster emergency happens to prevent data loss and ensure business continuity. This approach also reduces reliance on traditional backup systems, lowering energy consumption and related costs.

Development of Cloud Landing Zones

Enables the organisation to manage and clearly separate workspaces for production systems and non-production support systems. These zones include production environments, testing environments, data storage areas for troubleshooting, and user access control zones, all in alignment with the management standards of leading cloud service providers. In addition, comprehensive security policies are implemented, such as monitoring and logging, to prevent data breaches and cyber threats.

Leverage of Low-Code Platforms

Rapidly and efficiently develop applications tailored to department’s needs, reducing dependency on external developers, optimises costs, and enhances employee capabilities.

Development of Analytical Reports using Business Intelligence (BI) Tools

Helps the organisation analyse key data and generate in-depth reports to support corporate strategies, such as business trend analysis and evaluating the success of various initiatives. In addition, it ensures that executives have comprehensive and accurate information for effective decision-making.

Establishment of a Data Management Platform

Designed and established to centralise and integrate data from all business units within the organisation, which accelerates decision-making and supports agile business processes.

Development of a Procurement Dashboard

Enables the procurement team to accurately consolidate and analyse in-depth spending data across different areas. This supports strategic procurement planning, enhances transparency, and promotes cost-efficiency.