BGRIM and True Group join forces to develop digital innovations for energy sector

BANGKOK, 28 March 2022 -- B.Grimm Power Public Co Ltd (BGRIM) and True Corporation Plc. clinched an accord to pursue cooperation in digital innovation development for the energy business.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two leading firms in their respective fields will prepare digital transformation to create a new economic ecosystem that aims to promote production potential and increase competitiveness for the private sector and new-era start-ups. The works involved also call for uplifting the energy industry in the digital age along with taking care of society and the environment in a sustainable manner.

Dr. Harald Link, President of BGRIM, said it is an honour to collaborate with the True Group, a robust partner in telecommunication infrastructure and digital ecosystem to tap the benefits of the True 5G intelligent network and digital technology to create cutting-edge innovations to boost efficiency in the management of electric power and clean energy that is not only beneficial in driving the Thai economy but also creating value for society and the environment.

This cooperation conforms to one of BGRIM’s strategies that strive to develop various business models to support digital transformation with cooperation with leading local and international partners undertaken by a new generation of personnel to create long-term growth and create value for society as well as elevating BGRIM to become a world-class energy producer, he noted.

Mr.Natwut Amornvivat, President (Co) of True Corporation Plc., said that this collaboration with BGRIM offers a great opportunity for the firm to expedite the transformation of Thailand’s energy business into a truly digital age and enhancing the Thai energy industry to grow strongly and sustainably. The cooperation will see BGRIM and True working together in an integrated manner to exploit the potential of True Group’s comprehensive telecommunication and digital infrastructure, and the intelligence of the True 5G network to develop digital innovations.

These forthcoming innovations will bring about business opportunities and meeting the needs of energy consumption in the household, business and industrial sectors to meet the rising energy demand while taking care of society and the environment. The innovations are meant to achieve energy conservation, promoting clean energy, mitigating environmental impacts from generation and usage of electric power for a better quality of life for Thai people, thus fulfilling BGRIM's mission to create energy security that will drive the economy and industry nationally and regionally, he noted.

The BGRIM-True collaboration comes in four key areas as follows:

1. Development of Digital Infrastructure with Smart Energy

The two parties will jointly study and develop digital infrastructure, connecting the process of electricity trading in all sectors together in a drive to realise the Smart City and Smart Energy-Smart

Building concepts. BGRIM’s smart and energy-saving buildings are to serve as prototypes for system testing which will be extended to serve external customers in the future.

In addition, a complete solution for energy-saving buildings will be developed, starting from power generation derived from renewable clean energy, applying optimum energy efficiency management technologies such as the Property Integration System and True Smart Energy solutions that connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices via True 5G smart networks. Also covered in the work programme is designing the buildings' interior systems to be user-friendly, convenient and safe, while reducing the carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions from various activities.

2. Development of 5G technology innovation projects and Smart Grid

This development is aimed at creating a knowledge base, study and exchanging new technologies, and Smart Grid innovations through the True 5G network that will enhance the quality of the Thai power plants under the concept of Industrial 4.0, Facility 4.0 and Smart Industrial Estate. The mission is to provide quality and stable energy supplies within offices and industrial estates under the supervision of BGRIM.

The Smart Grid System combines communication technology and digital technology with a circuit power system in stages from production to transmission and distribution of electricity to household, business and industrial sectors. The IoT technology is applied in the production, installation and maintenance phases. There is also a digital platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to analyse predictive analytics to provide early warning.

Meanwhile, the Machine Learning technology helps preventing parts or equipment from being damaged and raising production efficiency. This will lead to good management, in terms of convenience and speed, and can also be applied to suit the needs and benefiting the people, the government, and the industrial sectors effectively.

3. Developing a new economic ecosystem and promoting start-ups in Thailand

True Digital Park, billed as the largest tech and start-up hub in ASEAN, will be instrumental in promoting start-ups through hackathon activities that promote innovations in the fields of energy, environment and sustainability. True Digital Park will facilitate knowledge sharing events and seminars. Its ecosystem also opens up investment opportunities for start-ups in a drive to turn Thailand into a digital innovation hub to uplift the Thai energy industry for sustainable development.

4. Infrastructure development and energy management solutions

This collaboration is aimed at developing infrastructure and solutions to provide primary or backup power, an efficient cooling system for True IDC’s data centers. The two sides will create solutions to support energy management technologies, raising the proportion of renewable or clean energy, increasing energy consumption efficiency, while curtailing carbon footprint in various activities related to businesses. This reinforces True IDC's commitment to be the leader in providing green data centers and cloud services in Thailand with sustainability in delivering services to customers in public and private sectors.

This BGRIM-True cooperation is not only beneficial to driving the economy and society but also promotes environmental stewardship. This is in line with BGRIM’s goal of becoming a Net-Zero carbon emissions organisation by 2050, in consistent the company’s vision of conducting its businesses with compassion to create sustainable benefits for the Thai society.