TNB Smart Grid Initiatives

Moving to a smart grid requires advancements to the way we monitor & control energy. Included among them are:

Utilization of SCADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a system that allows distributed input to be continuously monitored and controlled remotely.

There are 4 modules in the Master System for Distribution Network:

1. State Estimator
2. Power Flow
3. Feeder Optimisation
4. FLISR and Switching Sequence Capabilities

Using Distributed Automation (DA) integrated SCADA technology with field equipment technology (such as earth fault indicators and SCADA-rised circuit breakers) allows remote restoration of supply in the event of power outages.

We have continued to implement DA systems in sensitive areas including business centres and industrial zones to expedite restoration time in the event of an outage. In 2021, we successfully installed and commissioned 3,520 substations covering an estimated 2.3 million customers. This brings our total DA installation from 2014 onwards to 20,797 distribution substations accounting for 25% of total distribution stations in Peninsular Malaysia.

DMS to ADMS conversion

Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) is a software platform integrating numerous utility systems, which provide automated outage restoration and optimization of distribution grid performance. This will translate to higher reliability, reduced technical losses, enhanced work safety, shortened service restoration time during outages, and increasing grid resiliency to natural disasters and other threats that could disrupt the flow of power to the end-user.

Capabilities in our ADMS implementation:

Figure 1: ADMS Capabilities

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Another effort of TNB toward grid modernization is to introduce Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. AMI is an integrated and intelligent system that includes smart meters. Smart meter is well-equipped with digital features that provide near real-time data through our myTNB web portal and mobile app that customers can use to monitor and manage their electricity usage, hence potentially leading to cost savings. Customers with smart meters can have insights into their energy consumption in half-hourly energy usage analysis. The granular information provided by smart meters benefits not only our customers but also enables our operations to identify issues within our grid, as well as consumer habits to better serve them. With the information being available via myTNB mobile application and myTNB Portal, it allows customers to manage their energy consumption more efficiently which will translate to reduced bills and carbon footprint.

This initiative is in line with TNB’s commitment toward Goal 8 of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030’s Strategic Thrusts 2 (Key Economic Growth Activity) to build resilient key economic sectors in the areas of green economy and renewable energy. Smart Meters can drive productivity & digital innovation, and serve to improve efficiency and provide our customer experiences through digitalization.

We reached our 2021 target to install 1.5 million smart meters earlier in September of 2021 thus increasing our new target to 1.8 million smart meters installation, and successfully installed 1,836,919 smart meters. By the end of 2021, smart meter coverage across Peninsular Malaysia has reached approximately 19.97% of our customers. We aspire to install 9.1 million smart meters across Peninsular Malaysia in phases under Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) initiative by 2027.

Figure 2: Smart Meter Yearly Installation

Asset Management with Analytics Applications

Given the importance of energy to national security, our assets have been classified as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). We recognise our responsibility to ensure this infrastructure is maintained and protected, hence we have adopted a holistic asset management approach to fulfil this need.

Our Asset Management Plan is an effective asset management system with ISO 55001:2014 Asset Management certification, to optimise cost, risk and performance across the asset lifecycle. Under the plan, we have outlined the implementations necessary to realise TNB’s asset management policy, strategy, and objectives.

Asset Performance Management System (APMS)

We have implemented Asset Performance Management System (APMS) using the I.P.S asset analytics platform, to facilitate analysis operations, maintenance, risks, and opportunities, as well as performance and sustainability of power assets.

APMS can enable visualization and analysis of asset health index in real-time, enabling risk-based maintenance and reduced core transmission expenditure. Asset Health Index (AHI), Asset Criticality, and Asset Risk Index are automatically generated by the system based on data fed from visual inspection and condition test results conducted on the primary equipment by the operation and maintenance field crew. This index will determine the actions required for the equipment in terms of planning the next test schedule and replacement of defective equipment. APMS can be used as a data analysis tool, trending and life extension of equipment in asset maintenance regime. The end goal is to have a seamlessly integrated system for asset performance management that enables TNB to optimize Asset Risk, Performance, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

As of 2021, the modules have been fully rolled out to maintenance engineers, and the plan for Phase 2 (2022-2023) is expected to provide data modeling for asset analytics and allow full asset class analysis to be done by substation bay.

i-NET (Integration Network Expansion Tool)

i-NET is a custom-built analytical solution created for TNB’s Asset Planning & Performance Unit to facilitate centralized planning & capacity allocation. Along with process automation, this solution acts as a decision support system for asset managers to conduct system studies, load disaggregation, load forecast, and capacity planning using analytics platform engine.

Other analytics-driven projects to facilitate asset management:

Providing reliable electricity is a priority and a responsibility for TNB. Supply reliability dimension is measured using System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and also System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). TNB was able to maintain SAIDI at 45.25 mins and remains one of the most reliable in ASEAN countries with the most competitive tariff. Meanwhile, TNB was able to achieve SAIDI for city like Kuala Lumpur at a remarkable score of 30.04 mins. Our TNB SAIFI had also improved to 0.78 interruption/year in 2021 while scoring 0.46 interruption/year for Kuala Lumpur SAIFI.

Management of Distributed Energy Resources (DER)

In line with TNB’s energy management aspirations and the potential flexibilities of a grid of the future, the distribution of energy resources, such as solar photovoltaic, biomass, biogas and small hydro need to be seamlessly connected to the distribution network so that the grid could easily distribute all of the energy that will be added to the system.

TNB DER integration serves to facilitate the proses of connecting DER plants via the facilitation of consultations regarding connection schemes, methods, and other technical requirements to the potential DER developers, effectively providing the role of an electrical contractor consultant to our consumers. A series of connection guidelines for several DER programs has been jointly developed with Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia and Energy Commission (EC) which are made available for customers, service providers, electrical contractors, and consultants.

Find out more on the connection guidelines from SEDA here, and guidelines from EC here.

Distributed Generation (DG) Hosting Capacity

In 2022, TNB has established a Distributed Generation (DG) Hosting Capacity web portal which has the view of map to offer potential DER developers and interested parties to easily identify the availability of DER connection points and capacity visibility at Medium Voltage connection for Distributed Generation. 

Hosting capacity refers to the capability of distribution network to accommodate the potential amount of DER connection at a given location at a given time under existing network conditions and operations criteria, without adversely impacting critical factors of safety, voltage, power quality, reliability, etc. This platform can identify and provide a list of suitable DER connection points by taking input from user queries such as technology used, capacity planned, and site location. The result is presented in the form of location map which is powered by TNB GIS platform.

To view the hosting capacity map for Distributed Generation using GIS platform, click here.

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Facilitation Through myTNB

Through the myTNB web portal, TNB has made free consultation available to all customers interested in installing rooftop solar photovoltaic. Interested customers can obtain information related to Renewable Energy (RE) installation such as:

1. Benefits of Renewable Energy (RE)
2. Type of RE connection schemes
3. Green Energy products
4. Available RE programs such as:
   • Solar Energy Purchase
   • Net Energy Metering (NEM)
   • Self-Consumption Scheme (SelCo)
   • Feed-In Tariff (FiT)
   • Large Scale Solar (LSS)
   • New Enhanced Dispatch Arrangement (NEDA)

Figure 3: Renewables Energy (RE) services in MyTNB Portal

Find out more information on TNB solar rooftop here.

To explore RE connection steps for consultants, click here.

Current Green Energy Initiatives

In accordance to the Supply Agreement with Renewable Energy by the ministry, smart grid is also in place to support our ongoing initiatives to grow renewable energy capacity to 8.3 GW by 2025 (including large hydro of 2.54 GW). Our goal is to achieve 40% renewable energy generation capacity mix by 2025, which will contribute to Goal 13 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s Climate Action & Shared Prosperity Vision (SPV) 2030’s Strategic Thrust 6, to promote regional inclusion via green energy accessibility.

In line with Malaysia’s ratification of the 2015 Paris Agreement, TNB is also committed to our efforts towards a low carbon economy by embracing and supporting renewable energy generation and reducing GHG emissions. In 2021, total GHG emissions mitigation increased substantially to 7.96 million from 5.99 million tCO2e which is an improvement of 33% from last year. We attribute this to our consistent emission mitigation initiatives which include increasing our low carbon and RE generation, energy efficiency measures, and tree planting initiatives.

At TNB, we recognize that the journey towards transitioning to cleaner sources of energy is one that the nation must embark on together. As a key electricity and utility provider, we empower our customers to join the energy transition journey and become prosumers through a variety of innovative products and programs. Our 2021 key highlights are as below:

Current Renewable Energy Penetration

The progressive transition of our generation portfolio towards low-carbon and renewable energy sources is a fair reflection of our commitment to achieve RE capacity of 8,300MW by 2025 and at the end of 2021, we had achieved 3,441.62MW of RE capacity. Domestically, we will focus on the development of large hydro, solar rooftop, and dispatchable RE capacities.

Current green energy project progress:

1. Solar
   • ​Large Scale Solar (LSS)
     
     Since our Reimagining TNB campaign in 2016, we have invested substantially in renewable energy through our participation in LSS programs, both locally and internationally, to contribute toward low carbon energy generation.
     
     Meanwhile TNB Renewables Sdn. Bhd. has been shortlisted for the development of 50MW of the fourth large-scale solar (LSS4) at Mentari. Currently, 2 LSS farms have been launched and are now operational. The first, is in Sepang with a generating capacity of 50MW, which has been running since 2017, and the second is in Bukit Selambau, Kedah, being operational since 2019 with a generating capacity of 30MW.
      
   • GSPARX
     
     TNB’s wholly-owned subsidiary GSPARX continued to grow the sales of its self-generation solar solutions under the Net Energy Metering (NEM) and Supply Agreement for Renewable Energy (SARE) schemes. Beginning from NEM 2.0 and continuing to NEM 3.0 (NEM Rakyat) launched in 2021, GSPARX registered a total of 951 domestic/residential customers to date, bringing the total capacity to 8.25MW. Meanwhile, for the commercial, industrial, and government segments, GSPARX registers a total capacity of 116.61MW from 204 customers as compared to 81MWp in 2020. The commercial and industrial customers would benefit from NEM NOVA and self-consumption schemes while the government segment will enjoy the special NEM GoMEN scheme.
     
     GSPARX had also entered into a collaborative agreement with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) on R&D and knowledge sharing in the field of solar energy. As part of the collaboration, GSPARX completed the solar installation of 6.9MW at UTHM’s main campus, making it the single largest solar installation at a public institution of higher learning. We are also working together with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) to install more solar PV solutions on government buildings through pilot projects consisting of government agencies, local councils, and schools.
     
     Find out more about GSPARX here.
      
2. Hydroelectric Power Plant
   
   In 2021, we made significant progress towards this goal after receiving the go-ahead from authorities to proceed with the Nenggiri 300MW Hydroelectric Power Plant in Gua Musang. The RM5 billion project, which is expected to be completed and commissioned in 2027, will significantly increase RE in the country.

International Footprint

On the international front, TNB has launched Vantage RE Ltd, a RE investment and asset management company to manage TNB’s RE assets in the UK and Europe. In October 2021, Vantage RE purchased a 49% stake in Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Limited (BODL), marking TNB’s maiden entry into the international offshore wind market. BODL currently owns offshore wind assets with a total installed capacity of 41.5MW, as well as development rights for a 58.4MW floating offshore wind project. This acquisition is a statement of TNB's intent to expand its international RE portfolio, and also facilitates greater collaboration and knowledge exchange with BODL’s majority shareholder, EDF Renewables (EDFR).

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency with LED Streetlights

TNB has introduced the use of Light Emitting Diode (LED) for its streetlights. Most TNB streetlights are installed along the main road to residential areas. In 2021, TNB has completed the installation of replacement LED street lights in all 41 approved cities, as well as 25,000 units through the Lampu Jalan Kampung program. Significant improvements in energy efficiency can be seen with a 30-40% reduction in the local authorities’ metered streetlight electricity bills.

Electric Vehicle Facilitation

To promote a low-carbon economy, TNB had partnered with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC) and had installed 73 EV charging stations nationwide. TNB also had a few collaborative efforts in the implementation of the Langkawi EV Hub Pilot Project which supports the targeted Langkawi Low Carbon Island 2030 vision. A few EV initiatives as part of the Langkawi Low Carbon Island are to have a comprehensive EV infrastructure like AC and DC chargers throughout the island, and also to have an island-wide EV adoption with the cooperation of public transport, taxi, and e-hailing operators.

As of March 2022, TNB had completed the installation of AC chargers and had the first TNB EV fleet at TNB Langkawi. TNB together with Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii) have entered into a strategic partnership to create favourable EV adoption incentives such as income tax exemption for EV purchase, free EV parking, subsidies for private and commercial EV purchases, and many more.
We recognize that a collaborative approach is necessary for the industry to flourish and have signed several Memorandum of Understanding with various partners, including Sime Darby Motors, SoCAR, and DHL, to collaborate on EV development. EV adoption is also being championed by the Zero Emission Vehicle Association (ZEVA) a new association formed by TNB that is open to all parties interested in the green vehicle space. In 2021, we established TNB’s Electric Vehicle Program Management Office in July 2021, which reports directly to TNB’s EV Council.

To facilitate EV connections, we have published the EV Connection Guidelines, which includes a dedicated chapter on the interconnection scheme for developers intending to connect EV infrastructure to our network:

Figure 4: A snapshot of EV interconnection scheme available in the EV Connection Guidelines

EV Fleet

We also have several EV Fleet projects in the pipeline:

Project 1: EV Bus

We have deployed EV buses for mass transportation of students around the UNITEN campus in Bangi, as well as transporting TNB staff around Klang Valley.

Project Start Date : May 2018
Project End Date : December 2024

Project Status :

• Four (4) EV Buses Purchased; two (2) units of EV Buses currently in operation at UNITEN and two (2) units of EV Buses currently in operation at TNB HQ.

Project 2: EV Corporate / Pool Vehicles

We have gradually begun the replacement of our corporate pool vehicles with EVs as part of our GHG emission reduction initiatives in supporting Green Technology.

Project Status :

1. Six (6) EV Cars purchased
   • Three (3) units of Tesla Model S are currently in Operation at TNB HQ
   • Two (2) units of Nissan Leaf are currently in Operation at TNB HQ and
   • One (1) unit of Nissan Leaf is currently in Operation at TNB Langkawi.
      
2. ​Two (2) units of EVs are currently under manufacturing and delivery process
   • One (1) unit of EV Passenger Van
   • One (1) unit of EV Coaster.
      
3. ​Six (6) units of EVs are currently under procurement process
   • Two (2) units of EV Passenger Vans
   • Two (2) units of EV Semi Panel Vans
   • Two (2) units of EV SUVs.

Project 3: EV Operational Vehicles

We have also introduced Operational Electric Vehicles as part of a pilot study to analyze the advantages and limitations of using EVs in TNB Operations.

Project Status:

• Three (3) units of EV Operational Vehicles are currently in the production stage - expected to be delivered by December 2022

Commercial EV Facilitation

This year, we have signed three (3) Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) on low carbon mobility ventures managed by TNB’s Retail team with:

1. Sime Darby Motors Malaysia
   • To collaborate on exploring various initiatives to accelerate the adoption of EVs.
      
2. DHL
   • TNB will install EV charging stations along DHL’s key service routes, which will advance the electrification of DHL’s fleet.
      
3. SOCAR Mobility Malaysia (SOCAR)
   • To leverage shared demand data on EV usage in Malaysia, as a joint effort to speed up the adoption of EVs, in support of Malaysia’s low carbon mobility ambitions. TNB will leverage SOCAR’s data on vehicle usage and travel behavior, which shall be used to identify key strategic locations along travel routes for the installation of charging infrastructure.

IT and OT Cybersecurity

TNB has increased the cyber resiliency of its IT and OT system by certifying our power generation, transmission, distribution, and digital system with international ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification. These include the power plant’s Distributed Control System (DCS), Control Centre’s SCADA system, and ICT data center.
To date, we have implemented initiatives to strengthen our online payment security through the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification.
The certification required TNB to conduct regular internal and external audits at the certification scope.

Smart meters and AMI systems are secure by the implementation of industry best practices such as Device Language Message Specification/Companion Specification for Energy Metering (DLMS/COSEM (IEC 62056)). Information security in DLMS/COSEM incorporates NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standard in authentication and data security using proven cryptographic algorithms. The increasing needs of the energy market and smart grid are creating more business use cases that require new kinds of data and functions to be supported in meters. The DLMS protocol fares well as it supports not just the consumption data for billing purposes, but also caters to the new needs of the smart grid such as asset management, outage management, demand response, supply automation, contract management, power quality monitoring, net metering for integrating renewable energy resources, non-technical loss detection, etc.

Advanced Distributed Management System (ADMS) together with the project implementor are complying with the required OT cyber security standards such as relevant parts of the IEC 62351, and have configured the ADMS in accordance with security hardening best practices based on recommendations from relevant standards, i.e., NIST, NERC CIP, ISA/IEC 62443, IEEE Standard Cyber Security Requirements for Substation Automation, Protection, and Control Systems. Industry best practices for system hardening of OT components are applied to each OT component.

Awards & Recognition:

1. “Cyber Security Project of the Year 2019”
@ Malaysia Cyber Security Awards 2019
Cybersecurity Malaysia

2. “Share Guide Association Malaysia (SGAM) IT Users Group”
@ SGAM ICT Conference & Awards 2019
SGAM

The Customer Satisfaction Survey has been running for the past 26 years to monitor the overall performance of TNB’s services. TNB has achieved 87% in our Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) for 2021, a new all-time high score from 86% in 2020 with customers reporting greater satisfaction in three main areas, namely service levels at TNB’s self-service kiosk, the reliability, and quality of electricity supply and the performance of the myTNB mobile app. This signifies a marked increase in the performance of our retail service delivery and customer experience. Our focus on increasing service standards is proving effective in giving customers what they value.

Figure 5: Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) score

Embracing Digitalisation

Digital is the way of the future and TNB is actively integrating digital solutions throughout the value chain.

• Increased the number of myTNB users by 30%, bringing the total number of myTNB users to 5.5 million.
• Launched the Digital Billing pilot in Melaka, intending to encourage customers to subscribe to paperless bills.
• Launched a pilot for the Energy Budget feature on myTNB to help customers better monitor their electricity usage.
• Implementing our Virtual Queue Management System at Kedai Tenaga to expedite service time.

Relief programs

This year, TNB has collaborated again with the Government of Malaysia to deliver relief packages such as Pakej Bantuan PERMAI 2021, Program Strategik Memperkasa Rakyat dan Ekonomi (PEMERKASA dan PEMERKASA Plus) and Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi (PEMULIH). The electricity bill discount under the PEMULIH Package is given for a period of three months for electricity consumption for residential users (Tariff A) and also for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

TNB also has been provided relief programs since the beginning of the MCO through Easy Payment Plan (EPP) until 31st December 2021, an embargo on disconnections, and a waiver of interest on late payments. There is also no electricity supply disconnection during the Movement Control Order (MCO) 3 Phase 1 for all TNB customers until 30th September 2021 for eligible Residential customers with arrears not exceeding six (6) months.

In December 2021, Peninsular Malaysia was hit by devastating flash floods. TNB offered a one-off 100% rebate for the electricity bill to 148,336 residential customers affected by floods. We also provided RM2 million in monetary aid to victims of the flash floods via our Tabung Warga TNB Prihatin (TWTP). After the water subsided, we carried out free wiring inspections to ensure the safety of the community that was affected by the floods.