Thailand plans to promote biomass energy production

[webfact]

Thailand plans to promote biomass energy production
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 16 -- Acting to further improve the environment in Thailand, the Energy Ministry will propose promoting biomass energ production to the National Energy Policy Committee, Permanent Secretary for Energy Areepong Bhoocha-Oom said.

The proposal will be submitted to the National Energy Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, at a meeting to be held soon, Mr Areepong said.

Under the terms of the proposal, the ministry will purchase power from biomass plants to encourage a production increase of 8-20 per cent or about 500 megawatts nationwide in the next 20 years, he said.

Also, consideration will be given to extending business licences for small power plants producing steam energy within industrial estate compounds.

Such plants have received 20-25 year business licenses which are due to expire soon, Mr Areepong said.

In addition the upcoming meeting of National Energy Policy Committee might consider a smart grid project, a power network using high information technology for use in administration, production and distribution of electricity which could generate maximum benefit.

If implemented, it could further boost efficient electricity distribution by the three state-run power agencies -- Metropolitan Electricity Authority, the Provincial Electricity Authority and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand -- by enabling them to use a single system and helps eliminate electric current losses when supplying for long distances. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2015-02-16

[NeverSure]

"...National Energy Policy Committee might consider a smart grid project."

Smart grid designed by these same guys?

[crazygreg44]

Just a comparison . . . to show what 500 Megawatts in Thailand stand for . . . the equivalence constructed in solar panel power looks like this project finished in California last month :

Late last month, the Topaz Solar project achieved full commercial operation with the completion of its final 40-megawatt (AC) phase. This is the first 500-megawatt plus solar farm to come on-line in the U.S. and the largest solar plant on-line in the world.

Two years ago, the millionth First Solar (FSLR) solar module was installed at the power plant owned by MidAmerican Solar. As of today, the project has installed 9 million solar panels across 9.5 square miles in San Luis Obispo County on California's Carrizo Plain. Construction began in 2012

500 Megawatts in 20 years by constantly building new biomass power plants seems to be a wasrte of resources. There might never be enough biomass to feed the plants, regarding how Thai farmers treat the soil and how little is done to incorporate animal feces into a biomass collecting system.

One example, Thai farmers rather burn the stiples on rice fields instead of plowing them under. They save nothing by dismissing a ploughing round by tractors . . at the start of the rainy season, they order tractors to plough the fields. If they would plough under and mulch right after the rice harvest, they could plant right away after the first rains 6 months later . . . .

What I am asking is, where would the biomass come from that is supposed to create 500 Megawatts . . . from pineapple, corn leaves and palmoil residues ? It can be done but it needs a throughout and concile planning . . .

Edited February 16, 2015 by crazygreg44

[worgeordie]

Biomass =rotten rice,so the have enough to keep the lights on

for quite a while.

regards Worgeordie

[rickirs]

Just a comparison . . . to show what 500 Megawatts in Thailand stand for . . . the equivalence constructed in solar panel power looks like this project finished in California last month :

Late last month, the Topaz Solar project achieved full commercial operation with the completion of its final 40-megawatt (AC) phase. This is the first 500-megawatt plus solar farm to come on-line in the U.S. and the largest solar plant on-line in the world.

Two years ago, the millionth First Solar (FSLR) solar module was installed at the power plant owned by MidAmerican Solar. As of today, the project has installed 9 million solar panels across 9.5 square miles in San Luis Obispo County on California's Carrizo Plain. Construction began in 2012

500 Megawatts in 20 years by constantly building new biomass power plants seems to be a wasrte of resources. There might never be enough biomass to feed the plants, regarding how Thai farmers treat the soil and how little is done to incorporate animal feces into a biomass collecting system.

One example, Thai farmers rather burn the stiples on rice fields instead of plowing them under. They save nothing by dismissing a ploughing round by tractors . . at the start of the rainy season, they order tractors to plough the fields. If they would plough under and mulch right after the rice harvest, they could plant right away after the first rains 6 months later . . . .

What I am asking is, where would the biomass come from that is supposed to create 500 Megawatts . . . from pineapple, corn leaves and palmoil residues ? It can be done but it needs a throughout and concile planning . . .

Your question of where the biomass will come from is a critical issue.

To sustain a large plant requires virtually 100% wood related fiberous waste due to flow, corrosion, burn, and pollution design considerations. Biomass is more expensive than coal. Where would this wood material come from? Likely a large part of it would have to be imported into Thailand which would require a sea or river dock and/or commercial rail transport. An inland plant would be uneconomical.

Case in point is the 740 MW biomass plant in Tilbury, England that was converted from a 1,062 MW coal-fired plant. About 80% of its biomass comes from the USA and Canada as debarked wood pellets, and 20% comes from Europe. EXPENSIVE.

Small 25-50 MW biomass plants in association with farming and manufacturing industries where source fuels are relatively closeby are doable in Thailand. But other than providing low interest loans to help finance the building of the plants, the government should not subsidize energy sales. And if plants prove uneconomical in relation to grid provided power, then they should be abandoned. Obviously, careful economic studies are needed to assure that they can run profitably.

Edited February 16, 2015 by rickirs