Thailand is located on the Indochina Peninsula, extending toward the Malay Peninsula, and lies in a humid tropical zone near the equator. This geographical position ensures that the country receives abundant sunlight throughout the year, significantly more than temperate and cold regions. As a result, solar energy is one of the most suitable alternative energy sources for Thailand.
Thailand’s Geographic Advantage
Located near the equator in the humid tropical zone, Thailand receives abundant sunlight year-round, making it highly suitable for solar energy. Additionally, the country’s fertile land supports diverse agriculture, with crop residues such as rice straw, sugarcane leaves, and bagasse being potential biomass energy sources. Utilizing these residues can reduce waste, generate electricity, and provide income for farmers.
Biomass and Biogas Energy
Thailand’s tropical climate allows for abundant agricultural production. Being situated in a humid tropical zone, crops thrive better here than in colder regions or arid deserts. This geographic advantage enables the cultivation of a wide variety of plants. Beyond agricultural abundance, residues from crops, such as rice straw, sugarcane leaves, and bagasse (leftover from sugar extraction), can be used as fuel for electricity generation. These agricultural by-products are not only a viable source for biomass energy, which aligns well with Thailand’s context, but they also reduce waste and pollution caused by burning while providing additional income for farmers.
Using agricultural residues as fuel efficiently can be achieved by processing them to enhance their fuel properties. For instance, wood chips can undergo a torrefaction process, transforming them into charcoal with a higher heating value, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
Additionally, plant and animal waste can be fermented to produce biogas, which can then be used as fuel for cooking, lighting, or electricity generation. This approach maximizes the utility of organic waste while contributing to sustainable energy production.
Waste-to-Energy
The author believes that Thailand should promote research and utilization of waste as an efficient energy source. With a significant amount of non-recyclable waste generated annually, investing in research and developing waste incinerators suitable for Thailand’s context is essential. Properly designed incinerators that minimize environmental impact could strengthen the country’s energy security. Given the current global conditions, waste-to-energy has the potential to become a viable alternative energy source in the future.
Hydropower
Regarding hydropower, the author argues that it is no longer suitable for Thailand. Constructing dams requires large areas, often leading to deforestation, which harms ecosystems and the environment. Tidal energy is also impractical, as Thailand’s sea-level fluctuations are minimal compared to countries like France and the Netherlands, where tides rise 10-12 meters. Therefore, the high investment required for tidal energy infrastructure is not justified in Thailand.
Wind Energy
Thailand’s location on the Indochina Peninsula means it receives wind currents from the Pacific Ocean and China. However, the Annamite Range in Laos and Vietnam blocks much of this wind, reducing wind strength in Thailand. While this geographical feature protects the country from severe damage caused by typhoons or tropical storms, which weaken into depressions after passing through the Annamite Range, it also limits wind energy potential.
On average, Thailand’s wind speeds are only about 2.8-4 m/s at 10 meters above ground, which is insufficient for cost-effective wind power generation. To achieve maximum energy output, wind speeds of 11-14 m/s are required, which are typically found in other countries. As a result, investing in wind turbines for energy production is not viable in Thailand’s context.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is well-suited for countries like the United States, Japan, and the Philippines, which have favorable geological conditions. In contrast, Thailand generates very little electricity from geothermal sources due to its less suitable geological characteristics. As a result, investing in geothermal energy is not considered viable in Thailand.
In conclusion, Thailand’s energy strategies should focus on solar energy, biomass, biogas, and waste-to-energy solutions, while hydropower, wind, and geothermal energy are less practical due to geographic and climatic limitations.
Special thanks to my dear friend for all this information.
Mr.Chattan Kongtong, owner of the facebook page: Mechanical Stories
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