On October 1, 2020, JERA released its vision to implement "Digital Power Plants,” which describes the firm’s plans to integrate digital technology to optimize the operation and maintenance (O&M) of thermal power plants. JERA is one of Japan’s major energy companies and was established through a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Fuel & Power (headquarters: Tokyo) and Chubu Electric Power (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture). JERA has established a Digital Power Plant Promotion Office within its O&M Engineering Department to spearhead this initiative.
JERA's broad vision for the realization of digital power plants is as follows:
· Facilities and equipment will continue to evolve by adopting shared data platforms, standardization, and advancing their operational processes.
· World-class O&M professionals will transform the way that power plants operate.
· Power plant workers will shift their focus from time-consuming work to data-driven innovations.
JERA has already taken actions to digitalize its power plant O&M prior to the release of its digital power plants vision. Since January 2018, JERA has been remotely monitoring for signs of abnormalities at power plants through utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, which has resulted in fewer shutdowns and forced outages. In April 2020, JERA implemented an Artificial Intelligence (AI) solution to optimize the operation of a boiler at Hitachinaka Thermal Power Plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, which has reduced the plant’s environmental impact and fuel consumption.
JERA’s vision anticipates that future improvements to power plant operations will link real-time data collected from plant operations with the technology expertise and “Kaizen know-how” (continuous improvement) that JERA has developed over the years. Specifically, JERA’s digital improvements will enable existing plants to 1) improve operations through automated, remote inspections, 2) reduce O&M costs and enhance equipment reliability by optimizing the planned outages schedule and incorporating predictive maintenance, and 3) improve the power generation efficiency and reduce the consumption of chemical agents and electricity. JERA will offer its digital power plant solutions to power generation companies in Japan and overseas.[1] [2]