Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (GULF) has signed a cooperation agreement on a pilot study of an energy management system using advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology with The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). The purpose is to develop the smart grid and peer-to-peer energy trading as well as big data processing and analysis. This joint endeavor aims to support the increasing demand for electricity in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and to propel the EEC area in a move towards the smart city initiative.

Mrs. Porntipa Chinvetkitvanit, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited, stated: “GULF and PEA hope that the implementation of smart metering technology to manage electric power will strengthen energy security and increase the efficiency of electricity in the EEC zone, where there is high demand for electricity and a complex power system. The cooperation is also in line with the government's smart city development plan and our company’s business growth as GULF is equipped with both technology and investment funding. We have a well-established and a globally connected network with leading energy technology suppliers who are ready to jointly develop and invest in businesses and projects that the government endorses, with the purpose of stimulating the economy and enhancing Thailand’s competitive edge to an international level. This collaboration with the PEA will also allow GULF to understand energy consumption behavior in the EEC and enable us to develop and deliver energy solutions that meet the demand of both the industrial and household sectors effectively.”

Mr. Sompong Preeprem, Governor, the Provincial Electricity Authority, said: “Advanced metering infrastructure is consistent with PEA’s 2020-2024 strategic objectives, moving towards an organization with excellence in electricity distribution by integrating all work systems digitally, increasing stability in the distribution system plus strengthening the potential of the smart grid. This technology will add efficiency to the management of electrical systems and reduce costs in many ways e.g. metering and logistics operations; lowering non-technical losses (loss of income from the illegal use of electricity and damaged equipment); lowering technical losses (power losses from watt-hour metering and errors in meter reading); and reducing the maximum power demand (peak load) of the system, which will allow for a delay in investment in increasing production capacity for power systems as well as boosting the efficiency in planning and connecting to small power generating sources.”

In addition, smart metering systems will automatically notify the control center when there is a power failure, resulting in a faster response and causing less of an impact on users. Real-time electricity usage data can also be checked at any time and records of all electricity usage can be traced.