Innovation Management

Impact on Business

CKPower continuously drives and fosters innovations to create value for all stakeholders. Through innovation development, employees gain new skills and learning opportunities , while collaborations with suppliers and customers lead to mutual knowledge exchange.
Benefits are also extended to communities surrounding power plants through continuous electricity delivery while reducing environmental impacts in the power generation process, such as greenhouse gas emissions reduction, efficient water resource management, and sustainable waste management.
Furthermore, CKPower’s commitment to innovation strengthens investor confidence, supports Thailand’s and Southeast Asia’s energy security goals, and aligns with global sustainable development objectives, particularly in clean energy transition and climate resilience.

Challenges and Opportunities

The demand for renewable energy is rising rapidly due to global energy transition trends and environmental policies. However, the power generation industry faces intense competition and rapid technological advancements.

  • To maintain its competitiveness and meet evolving demands, CKPower prioritizes strategic innovation planning by: enhancing operational efficiency to optimize costs and reduce resource waste, developing new business models that leverage cutting-edge energy solutions, minimizing environmental and social impacts, ensuring sustainability in power generation.

By staying ahead of industry shifts, CKPower not only strengthens its competitive advantage but also expands its innovation-driven business growth.

Commitment

CKPower is committed to advancing energy transition through continuous innovation. Through continuous effort, the Company has proven that hydroelectric power is a sustainable clean energy source that plays a crucial role in advancement towards a low-carbon society.

In addition, the Company adopts cutting-edge innovation to enhance production processes, achieve maximum long-term efficiency, and reduce resource consumption and impacts on the environment and communities, as well as encourages personnel participation in innovation creation to maximize the capabilities for knowledge and technology development.

Operational Guidelines

Innovation Development Policy

CKPower integrates innovation management into its corporate governance framework to enhance employee capabilities and advance engineering and resource management expertise. The company also emphasizes: adopting state-of-the-art technology in all power plant projects, encouraging cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation, promoting eco-friendly and sustainable management practices across its operations

1
Knowledge Management
Strengthening internal knowledgesharing through innovation databases to facilitate continuous learning and idea generation.
2
External Collaboration
Partnering with leading organizations and research institutions to explore new technologies that drive engineering and environmental advancements.
3
Stakeholder Engagement
Disseminating knowledge and innovative practices to communities and business partners to foster inclusive growth.
Innovation Development Strategies
  1. Knowledge Management – Strengthening internal knowledge-sharing through innovation databases to facilitate continuous learning and idea generation.
  2. External Collaboration – Partnering with leading organizations and research institutions to explore new technologies that drive engineering and environmental advancements.
  3. Stakeholder Engagement – Disseminating knowledge and innovative practices to communities and business partners to foster inclusive growth.
Innovation Development Framework

CKPower has established a structured innovation framework that encourages employees to apply technology to enhance efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and address stakeholder needs.

New Innovation
Promote breakthrough innovations that improve CKPower’s long-term capabilities and competitive advantage.
New Invention
Support the development of industry-leading energy innovations.
Improvement
Optimize and expand existing innovations to align with operational needs, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
Partnership
Strengthen collaborations with external organizations to co-develop cutting-edge solutions.
Support to ESG
Ensure that innovations support Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, including enhancing production efficiency, reducing resource consumption, improving environmental sustainability, creating social benefits for communities and stakeholders.
Components of CKPower’s Innovation Knowledge Development

To reinforce innovation development, CKPower has implemented a structured knowledge-sharing process::

Additionally, to facilitate operations in the digital transformation era, CKPower has implemented modern technologies in work processes under the Industry Framework, which serves as an industry standard model for business processes, to enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across all operational stages.

Diffusion of Innovations

CKPower actively shares its innovation-driven insights with stakeholders through various activities, including:

  • Open house site visits to Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant, Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant, and Nam Ngum 2 Hydroelectric Power Plant
  • Seminars and lectures on clean energy and energy conservation
  • Public awareness campaigns promoting renewable energy adoption

In 2024, CKPower conducted innovation dissemination programs involving 4,594 participants, strengthening its commitment to sustainable energy solutions..

Effectiveness Monitoring

Driven by its commitment to sustainability through innovation, CKPower has:

  • Developed 19 cumulative innovations, with two additional projects in progress
  • Engaged 68 innovators within its workforce to drive continuous improvement
  • Encouraged all power plants to set innovation targets, supporting employees in research and development efforts

A notable initiative at the Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant is the weekly Innovation Sessions, where employees:

  • Present department-specific innovations
  • Share ideas for process improvements
  • Collaborate on engineering advancements

Furthermore, CKPower has introduced the SD04: Innovation Development for Sustainability course, designed to educate employees on innovation best practices that benefit stakeholders, society, and long-term corporate sustainability.

Innovation Development for Sustainability Education through the SD04: Innovation Development for Sustainability Course

Long-term targets, 2024 targets, and 2024 achievements

Innovation Management
Innovation Management
2024 Targets 2024 Achievements
Develop new innovation per year
≥1
innovation
3
innovation
19
innovations
(cumulative)
Innovators
>50
innovations
(cumulative)
68
innovations
(cumulative)
Disseminated knowledge and technology to stakeholders residing in the vicinity of CKPower’s power plants
>2,000
stakeholders
4,594
stakeholders
SDGs

Performance

Resulting from the initiative to continuously create and develop innovations to increase production efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, CKPower currently has a total of 17 active innovations, as follows:

  1. Online Water Wash Project at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  2. Off-peak Gas Compressor Power Reduction Project at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  3. Lower Gas Pressure - Better Heat Rate Project at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  4. Air Dryer Deactivation at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  5. Deactivation of Cooling Tower Fan during 00:00-06:00 hrs. at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  6. Cooling Tower Optimization Project at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  7. Slip Ring Dust Collector Project at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  8. Main Inlet Valve Spare Part Project at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  9. Adjustment and Control of the Chloride Range in the Cooling Tower at BIC1
  10. Phase 2 of Steam Turbine Load Adjustment Project
  11. Electric Vehicle Project at Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant
  12. Gas Compressor Lubricant Reduction at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  13. Eco-Friendly Fermentation Tank Project at Nam Ngum 2 Hydroelectric Power Plant
  14. Water Truck Usage Reduction Project for Garden and Landscape Maintenance at Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant
  15. Dry Low NOx Burner (DLE) Technology and Continuous Emission Monitor System (CEMs) at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  16. Biodiversity Conservation Innovation through Fish Passage System at Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant
  17. Advanced CKP Forecasting System: Enhancing XHPP Inflow Forecasting System for Sustainable Clean Energy at Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant

In 2024, the Company initiated two new clean energy innovation projects:

  • Development of Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia Plants
  • Use of Hydrogen Co-firing with Natural Gas at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant

Both projects are currently in the feasibility study phase and are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting net-zero goals, and strengthening regional energy security.

1. Feasibility Study for Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia Plants

  • Objective: To assess the feasibility of developing industrial production of green hydrogen and green ammonia as clean energy solutions that effectively address sustainability goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Benefits to the Company:
    1. Enhanced competitiveness and new business opportunities in clean energy
    2. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with national Net-Zero targets
    3. Opportunity to establish regional leadership in the clean energy industry
  • Benefits to Stakeholders:
    1. Tangible reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
    2. Reinforcement of national energy security and reduced dependence on high-carbon fossil fuels.
    3. Increased national competitiveness on the global stage to support low-carbon industries.
    4. Enhancement of Thailand’s position as a regional clean energy leader and promotion of national sustainable energy development.
  • Research Methodology: CKPower is currently in the process of conducting a feasibility study for the green hydrogen and clean energy application project through the following process:
    1. Data collection and in-depth analysis
    2. Presentation of data to affiliate companies to discuss feasibility and explore future investment collaboration
    3. Development of the Company as a service center for R&D for affiliate companies

Phase 1 Feasibility Study Results

  • Hydrogen Energy Potential:
    1. Hydrogen is a clean energy source exportable to all regions with significant potential for decarbonization.
    2. Hydrogen energy is applicable across various industries, including those requiring clean heat energy and clean electrical power.
  • Company Resources and Capabilities:
    1. CKPower possesses sufficient resources and capabilities to construct a hydrogen plant.
    2. Current high technology costs impact production costs, affecting macro-level competitiveness.

Next Phase Plans:

  1. Seek collaboration with advanced technology producers and knowledge sharing from supply chain stakeholders.
  2. Focus on reducing production costs and increasing competitiveness in clean energy markets.
2. Feasibility Study for Hydrogen Co-firing with Natural Gas at Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant
  • Objective: To assess the feasibility of implementing hydrogen co-firing with natural gas for power generation.
  • Benefits to the Company:
    1. Reduced carbon dioxide emissions per production unit through hydrogen co-firing with natural gas.
    2. Enhanced corporate image as a clean energy leader committed to decarbonization.
    3. Support for the government’s Net-Zero policies.
  • Benefits to Stakeholders:
    1. Significant environmental impact reduction due to decreased carbon dioxide and zero greenhouse gas emission during hydrogen combustion.
    2. Increased investor confidence in clean energy technology development in industries seeking to decarbonize the supply chains.
    3. Support for national and regional roles in the clean energy transition.
  • Research Methodology:
    1. Analysis of the impacts on power plant systems of various hydrogen and natural gas ratios.
    2. Determination of optimal hydrogen ratio without affecting existing plant systems.
    3. Assessment of necessary upgrades or component replacements for increased hydrogen ratios.
    4. Cost-benefit analysis across various aspects.
  • Preliminary Feasibility Results:
    1. A 5% hydrogen blend with natural gas shows no impact on existing power plant systems, including power generation and auxiliary systems.
    2. A hydrogen ratio above 5% begins to affect thermal systems and piping, suggesting that component replacements are potentially required to accommodate higher hydrogen blends.

Project Highlight on 2024

The CKP Forecasting System: XHPP Inflow Forecasting (2024), developed in collaboration with DHI A/S (Danish Hydraulic Institute), Denmark, marks a significant improvement over the first-generation flow forecasting system created by Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), France, in 2018. This advanced Hydrometeorological Monitoring and Forecasting System (HMFS) aims to enhance the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant (XHPP) operational safety and efficiency. This system combines real-time hydrometeorological data with innovative modeling techniques and state-of-the-art technologies to produce accurate inflow forecasts. These forecasts are crucial for efficient energy production and environmental stewardship. Additionally, the system improves public safety by predicting potential flood scenarios upstream and downstream of the plant. The new system offers four key advantages that significantly enhance safety and production planning.

  1. Comprehensive Data Integration: Real-time information is collected from a network of 15 monitoring stations across Laos, measuring rainfall, water levels, and flow rates. This is complemented by publicly available weather data and satellite imagery of neighboring countries. These diverse data sources are verified and refined for consistency and accuracy before use, ensuring high-quality forecasting.
  2. Accurate Predictions: The system uses state-of-the-art mathematical models based on the latest river cross-section surveys, along with ensemble forecasting techniques, to minimize uncertainties. Models link real-time data from nearby monitoring stations, providing precise forecasts crucial for energy production planning.
  3. Fast Updates: Automated processes, from satellite data downloads to hydrological simulations and output visualization, ensure timely information for decision-makers. This automation reduces manual workload and human errors, enabling swift responses in various scenarios.
  4. Extended Forecast Range: Using DHI’s Global Hydrological Model (GHM) and MIKE+ River Models, the CKP Forecasting System generates medium-range forecasts up to 15 days in advance, an improvement from the previous 12-day range. This extended forecast period facilitates more forward-looking production planning.

Overview of System Workflow

The system can also be further developed to create sediment transport modeling, which is vital for the long-term sustainability of the Mekong River. This modeling enables CKP to monitor sedimentation as well as assess potential impacts on river morphology, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Mekong River. Currently, the system is specifically implemented for the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant, with plans to expand its application to other hydropower plants, such as the Nam Ngum 2 Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Power Project, in the future.

Development Plan for The CKP Forecasting System (2024)

This innovation, through The CKP Forecasting System: XHPP Inflow Forecasting (2024), reflects the company's dedication to the clean energy transition. By leveraging technology and innovation, we enhance operational safety and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The system supports our mission to harness hydropower as a sustainable energy source, contributing to the global effort for a low-carbon society.

Overall Innovation Performance

The numbers of eco-friendly production optimization innovations and corporate innovators developed

Innovation-Enabled Energy, Resource, and Cost Savings