People Join The Bma's Light Out Campaign On Wednesday

[george]

People join the BMA's Light Out Campaign on Wednesday

BANGKOK: -- Wednesday's campaign by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to have entertainment venues' decorating lights and household light bulbs switched off for 15 minutes were widely welcomed by city residents

The campaign resulted in somewhat decrease in power consumption and emission of greenhouse gases.

Compared to a total of 4,240 megawatts of power consumed on April 24, when the highest temperature hit Thailand during the hot season's peak, the volume spent during the 15minute session yesterday measured at 3,170 kilowatts, or 530 units lower.

The amount of carbondioxide detected in the air in six major business areas, which fell into darkness over the 15minute spell, was reduced only 143 tonnes, or 15 per cent compared to April 24, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin.

Apirak claimed that more than two millions households participated by switching off nonessential lights, and said that cooperation contributed by capital residents was beyond expectation. "I hope this campaign, which takes effect on 9th every month, will carry on in the long run, not as a oneoff just today," he added.

The campaign has been heralded as a way to mitigate global warming by reducing the city's excessive energy consumption which contributes to the problem of climate change. The six areas designated for the campaign are Khao San, Chinatown Yaowarat, financial district Silom, Ratchadapisek, New Phetchaburi and Ratchaprasong.

Bangkok is a major source of greenhouse gases with 3050 per cent of total energy consumption concentrated in the city. Statistics show that last year Bangkok residents devoured 206 million kilowatts of electricity, 34 million litres of oil, 400,000 litres of gasohol and 25,000 kilograms of natural gas.

Apirak said switching lights off for 15 minutes in the entire city will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by as much as 4,800 tonnes.

Governor Apirak Kosayodhin earlier called on Bangkokians to join his campaign to mitigate global warming by switching off lights for 15 minutes from 7pm this evening.

He hopes the campaign, coming into effect on the 9th of each month, will help to reduce the city's excessive energy consumption which contributes to the problem of climate change.

Apirak said he wanted to show Bangkok residents that everyone can contribute to avert global warming.

Six major business areas - Khao San, Yaowarat, Silom, Ratchadapisek, New Phetchaburi and Ratchaprasong - are expected to fall into relative darkness this evening as store and billboard light are turned off. Individual are also asked to switch off nonessential household lights.

As the country's capital, Bangkok is a major source of greenhouse gases with 3050 per cent of total energy consumption concentrated in the city. Statistics show that last year Bangkok residents devoured 206 million kilowatts of electricity, 34 million litres of oil, 400,000 litres of gasohol and 25,000 kilograms of natural gas.

Apirak said switching lights off for 15 minutes in the entire city will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by as much as 4,800 tonnes.

-- The Nation 2007-05-09

[lingling]

Apirak said switching lights off for 15 minutes in the entire city will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by as much as 4,800 tonnes.

Been smoking crack again...?

A relatively quick drop in power consumption soon followed by a relatively quick spike is only going to cause headache for grid operators. Fortunately enough, these crackpots haven't yet figured out that most of the power consumption is caused by ACs, direct water heaters etc and not lights. Wait until they propose that everyone in BKK simultaneously shut off their ACs only to switch them on again after 15 mins. Then we'll probably get to see some real blackouts...

[Jai Dee]

15-minute Light out campaign help reduce emission of carbon dioxide by 143 tons

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said that yesterday's campaign “Light out Countdown” has contributed to a reduction in energy consumption by 530 megawatts and emission of carbon dioxide by 143 tons.

Lights of bill boards along Yaowaraj (เยาวราช), Ratchaprasong (ราชประสงค์), Ratchadapisek (รัชดาภิเษก), Silom (สีลม), New Petchaburi (เพชรบุรีตัดใหม่), and Kao Sarn (ข้าวสาร) Rd. were turned off, when the clock striked 19.00 hours. The atmosphere was being broadcasted live via two large television screens at the park in front of Central World.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน) hosted the campaign, while Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) concluded the result of the 15-minute light out campaign.

The campaign was arranged to build awareness concerning greenhouse emission and global warming.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 May 2007

[yeti]

Funny they chose to compare with the hottest day of the year.

[Jai Dee]

MEA and BMA join hands to solve global warming

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is continuing the campaign for public members to close turn off the lights in their residences or offices for about 15 minutes.

The campaign has helped reduce the electricity usage by 30 megawatts so far. People in Bangkok have lowered their electricity usage from 3,740 megawatts to 3,710 megawatts before 7 PM.

The MEA and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will push forward the campaign, with an aim to reduce global warming.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 May 2007

[astral]

to (close) turn off the lights in their residences or offices for about 15 minutes.

It will take a lot more than 15 minutes to make any real difference.

[PhilHarries]

Bangkok is a major source of greenhouse gases with 3050 per cent of total energy consumption concentrated in the city.

Basic maths not their subject eh?

A 15 minute switch off will have made sod all difference to the powerstation emissions. I doubt if operating systems even had time to sense the frop in load and back off the burners before everyone switched back on again.

A good publicity exercise but maybe we'll see the real results in nine months time.

[rychrde]

Fortunately enough, these crackpots haven't yet figured out that most of the power consumption is caused by ACs, direct water heaters etc and not lights. Wait until they propose that everyone in BKK simultaneously shut off their ACs only to switch them on again after 15 mins. Then we'll probably get to see some real blackouts...

yeah but nobody can see the aircon units being switched off, so no PR value!

[lingling]

yeah but nobody can see the aircon units being switched off, so no PR value!

No, but if you can get enough people to switch them on again around the same time, then there is a good chance for some real blackouts in BKK. The grid here is shaky enough without spikes...