Innovation plays a key role in helping companies achieve sustainability. It can come in many forms,
such as new technologies, new ways of doing things, new uses of existing tools, or new approaches to
problem-solving.
At GULF, innovation helps us achieve our operational targets and grow our business. We work closely
with our partners, suppliers, advisors, and universities to seek effective solutions and explore
emerging technologies. We also have a dedicated team responsible for finding innovative ways to
improve our operating efficiency.
Machine learning
GULF, in collaboration with SCG, have implemented a machine-learning program for our gas-fired
power
projects in Thailand which will help improve how operational data is collected and analyzed,
moving
us from proactive preventive maintenance to predictive maintenance. Within the first year, this
project is expected to help achieve over 25 million THB in avoided business interruption
costs.
IU load switching
GULF jointly monitors the operational data and load (demand) for small power producer (SPP)
power
projects which supply electricity to industrial users (IUs) and are located in close proximity
to
each other. If multiple units are operating at partial capacity (which is inefficient), we may
switch the load from one unit to another in order to optimize the load in one unit and achieve
higher efficiency. In 2022, IU load switching was applied at 14 power projects and resulted in
over
660 million THB in cost savings (due to reduced fuel consumption) and over 71,000 tCO2e of
avoided
greenhouse gas emissions.
Smart operations
GULF applies the use of digital tools and technologies to help monitor and control our
operations.
From thousands of sensors and scanners gate-to-gate, to automated notification systems, to
online
operational logs, our engineers are able to manage tens of thousands of data points at any given
time, allowing us to stay on top of any issues that might occur and making us one of the most
efficient power teams working in Thailand today.
Premium clarified water
Reclaimed water refers to wastewater from factories located on industrial estates which is
treated
using reverse osmosis to produce premium clarified water. This reduces the amount of raw water
pumped directly from rivers and canals. As the premium clarified water is of better quality than
raw
water, the Company is able to cycle it through its cooling towers more times than other water,
thus
reducing overall water consumption even more. The Company has switched to premium clarified
water at
4 power projects, resulting in cost-savings of over 8 million THB in 2022 and a 22% reduction of
total net freshwater consumption compared to the previous year. The Company will continue to
expand
this initiative to additional power projects where premium clarified water is available.
