In the context of the electricity sector accelerating modernisation and digital transformation, Nghi Son Thermal Power Company, a subsidiary of Power Generation Corporation 1 (EVNGENCO1), is no exception. Since 2021, the company has issued an overall digital transformation plan, aiming for comprehensive digitalisation from management and engineering to administration and production.
Applying technology to make breakthroughs
Given the specific characteristics of a thermal power plant, the number of devices is extremely large, and maintenance and repair work as well as both scheduled and unscheduled troubleshooting must be carried out on a regular basis. Therefore, to meet work progress, the company has assigned units to find ways to apply new scientific and technological solutions to equipment repair.
During their work, the maintenance unit gradually shifted from traditional methods to using automated laser technologies for alignment, supported by the SKF TKSA 80V2 laser shaft alignment tool, helping to complete maintenance and repair quickly and with high precision.
According to Trinh Dong Tam from the plant’s maintenance workshop, in the past, inspection of the turbine shaft required many hours and considerable manpower, but now, with laser tools, the task quickly can be performed with only a small team of technicians, saving time while ensuring accuracy.
Another significant technical improvement is the boiler and turbine calibration process — a technically complex stage that requires extensive experience and precision, directly affecting the unit’s efficiency and fuel consumption.
Previously, this process relied mainly on manual methods, which prolonged completion time and made results highly dependent on human factors. Now, with a series of advanced measuring and monitoring devices provided for the company, the calibration process is shortened, data is delivered quickly and accurately, and optimal operating plans are supported.
Among the most notable innovations is the TempVision thermal camera, which directly measures temperature at burner nozzles, along with a combustion chamber camera system that detects early signs of slagging, flame deviation, or unstable combustion. Automatic coal sampling and flow measurement devices increase accuracy in assessing fuel distribution, limiting uneven combustion and slag accumulation. Automatic fly ash sampling equipment also helps in monitoring the level of unburnt coal to optimise air–coal distribution. Instruments such as the pyrometer, infrared temperature meter, and Testo exhaust gas analyser complete the equipment used for calibration.
Remarkably, the company has also equipped flycams to inspect hard-to-reach locations inside the furnace, shortening repair times and ensuring safety. At the same time, endoscopic cameras for pipe cutting and welding, along with pipe thickness gauges, allow for precise evaluation of the boiler pipe system to formulate suitable maintenance and replacement plans.
In addition, many other technologies have been implemented at Nghi Son Thermal Power Plant with high efficiency, such as a synchronised environmental monitoring system that transmits data online to State management agencies, helping ensure transparency in coal-fired power generation and demonstrating clear environmental responsibility; or the use of barcodes and mobile applications, which shorten administrative procedures by up to 50%, reduce losses, and improve management efficiency.
Towards a fully digital enterprise
Thanks to technology applications, many operation and maintenance processes have been shortened, helping the company save tens of billions of VND annually. Operating parameters are updated in real time, supporting early forecasting of potential failures and ensuring system stability. Dozens of technical initiatives have been implemented in the 2024–2025 period, including integrating equipment data for overhauls, digitising document management to reduce paperwork by 70%, and deploying early warning systems based on sensor data.
According to Le Huy Quyen, Head of Technical and Safety Department at Nghi Son Thermal Power Company, the spirit of innovation is spreading strongly, enabling employees to proactively learn and adapt to the digital environment.
The company also aims to develop a smart power plant model that tightly connects people, equipment and data to optimise operations. From material management and environmental monitoring to equipment maintenance and digital culture building, digital transformation initiatives have delivered clear results, confirming that this is the enterprise’s sustainable development path.
Vo Manh Ha, Director of Nghi Son Thermal Power Company, emphasised that digital transformation is a tool to create breakthroughs in management and operation, towards a fully digital enterprise model. This is an essential path for the company to enhance productivity, ensure safety, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness in the new context.
To date, after more than 10 years of operation, the 600 MW Nghi Son Thermal Power Plant has supplied more than 35 billion kWh of electricity, while becoming a pioneer in the application of technology in management and production, thereby making practical contributions to energy security. Investment in technology will continue to enhance production efficiency and demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental protection through strict monitoring of combustion parameters, emissions, and thermal efficiency.
With a development orientation that places technology as the foundation and people at the centre, Nghi Son Thermal Power Company is steadily moving towards becoming a fully digital enterprise, contributing to maintaining national energy security and advancing sustainable development goals.
