AI Supervisory by SCGC: A Green Navigator and Energy Optimization Expert for Combatting Global Warming

When we’re on the road, the most important question is which route would be the fastest and the least fuel-consuming. That is why we need “A Navigator” to check the possible routes and help us make decide on the best option. The same applies to machinery operation in a plant; it is vital to have “Artificial Intelligence”, or AI, to serve as an assistant that can conduct analysis accurately, offer suggestions, and help inform decisions in order to optimize energy consumption in the factory.

How nice would it be to have an energy expert on duty in the plant?

Recognizing the pressing urgency of climate change, SCGC has implemented a policy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and one of the approaches towards such a goal is to optimize energy efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in energy management in its factories.

The beginning of AI Supervisory

SCGC started out by developing the Energy & Performance Management System, which provides an overview of the plant’s energy consumption and is capable of identifying anomalies in energy use at all times. To optimize energy management around the clock, SCGC has developed the AI Supervisory System, which, thanks to machine learning, learns from big data from the past and is thus able to perform analysis with greater intelligence and accuracy than the traditional method.

AI Supervisory: A green navigator that optimizes energy use in machinery

AI Supervisory is capable of providing suggestions to operators on the factory floor around the clock and informing them of the efficiency of the machinery control. Whenever the efficiency level is not optimal, AI Supervisory will give real-time suggestions, much like a navigator, so that the machines can be operated and controlled with maximum efficiency at all times.

Four components, no investment in new machinery required

AI Supervisory comprises four main components: 1) Big Data 2) In-Depth Analysis 3) Customization 4) Evaluation, which, together, allow impacts in all dimensions to be taken into consideration in machinery configuration and optimization of energy use for the situation at all times, leading to the systemic reduction of energy consumption without the need to replace the machines.

Less energy consumption and GHG emissions, more green spaces

SCGC has introduced AI Supervisory to its olefins plant in the Aromatic Recovery Unit of Map Ta Phut Olefins Co., Ltd. AI Supervisory has been found to successfully reduce energy expenses by 17 million baht per year without the need to invest in new machinery. In addition, the system has cut down GHG emissions by as much as 1,600 tons/per, equivalent to as many as 160,000 trees grown per year (the calculation is based on local slow-growing trees).

“Everyone can do it”: Start with yourself to reduce unnecessary energy use

Energy efficiency is everyone’s responsibility. As such, collaboration between the government and private sectors, the general public, and entrepreneurs is essential in prompting behavioral change and creating innovation to move towards sustainability.

We can all start tackling global warming by ourselves and cutting down our energy use right away.