Prapita Thanarak

Key Factors of Community Based Biomass Power Plant Establishment

Biomass plays an important role in reducing fossil energy. It can be utilized in different ways and one of its usages is to produce electricity. However, to benefit from the gains of using biomass power generation, there are several obstacles to overcome for its competent utilization. The performance of community based biomass power plants (CBP) was studied to access the feasibility and sustainability aspects that caused energy security. The objective of this study was to identify the key factors affecting to CBP establishment. The authors designed the tests to make a comprehensive study considering all the factors published in the Science Direct Database during January 2004 to September 2014. The data was obtained using multi-stage sampling from 1,151 people dwelling in the local community. A questionnaire was used as a tool for collecting the data. The output factors were confirmed by undertaking the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. The results show a significant influence on 1) technology of biomass gasification power plant; 2) biomass residues; 3) community; and 4) government, policy and investment at p < 0.05. These findings therefore identified the key factors affecting establishment for biomass electricity generation in Thailand. This in turn has helped bring about the causal model for establishing biomass power plant based on sustainability.

Land Use Assessment of Economic Crops for Photovoltaic Power Plant in Phetchabun Province

This research is aiming at the changing land use from agricultural land to photovoltaic power plant. Geographic information system (GIS) technology was used to indicate the unsuitable areas for five economic crops that are paddy, sugar cane, maize, cassava and para rubber. The assess cost, income, and CO2 emission of the economic crops and photovoltaic power plant are the major factors for the unsuitable agricultural land deciding that will be changed to build photovoltaic power plant. The results found that the unsuitable areas for the 5 economic crops are 241,142 rai and the average solar irradiance is 17.6 MJ/m2.day for this areas which is suitable to build the photovoltaic power plant. The profit/losing of paddy, sugar cane, maize, cassava and para rubber in the suitable areas are-1,193 baht/ton, 33 baht/ton, 85 baht/ton, 259 baht/ton and-9,150 baht/ton, respectively while photovoltaic power plant cost and income are 4.12 baht/kWh and 5.65 baht/kWh respectively. CO2 emission of paddy, sugar cane, maize, cassava, para rubber and photovoltaic power plant are 2,315 kgCO2eq/tonpaddy, 37.15 kgCO2eq/ton, 256.12 kgCO2eq/ton, 29.07 kgCO2eq/ton, 153 kgCO2eq/ton and-0.5743 kgCO2eq/kWh, respectively. From these results, land use changing from economic crops planting in unsuitable areas to build photovoltaic power plant is appropriate and worth in the environmental and the economic aspect.

Social Impact Assessment of the Biogas Production through Biomass for Bansuanmiang School under the Smart School Project

Small scale biogas plants were established at existing lands of seven small size schools at three provinces in lower northern part of Thailand. The successful experience of a small school at Khaonoi was used to implement this project, where food waste and animal dung have been used to produce biogas which replaced LPG used to cook lunch for students. After the successful implementation of project, these sites were used to train/ demonstrate the concerned from about 1,717 small size schools in target areas. The proposed project is conceived to open new venues in promoting and implementing Renewable Energy Technology. The establishment of university (R&D) to school/ community(end user) relationship is very important aspect of the idea, which not only be perfect to implement the project smoothly but will create new ways to collect feedback and solve the issues immediately. Project sites being distributive in nature and community participated will act as a RE promotion hubs. The technology used is simple and all the materials involved are local. The project though has comparatively lower direct financial benefits, but has tremendous social,environmental and health related benefits. The reduction of CO2 and other GHG will not only be beneficial locally but will contribute in achieving the globally fixed targets. Community participation will be an added benefit to promote and expand the RE technologies among the masses over wide areas. The successful operation will be a strong message for visitors and the local community connected through their children with the school and hence project. The university level R&D will get a way out for direct implementation and technology will be used for the betterment of communities and will participate in global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions as well.

Determination of Biodiesel Prices in Thailand

Biodiesel is a diesel equivalent fuel produced from biological feed stocks, acting as a substitute for petroleum or fossil diesel. Biodiesel production in Thailand began in 2005, with prices stabilizing after 2008. Biodiesel, along with other biofuels, plays a role in Thailand’s Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP). The purpose of this study is to examine factors in the Thai biodiesel prices (2009-2014). The study assessed factors in downstream biodiesel prices at consumer locations like gas stations. The price factors assessed in the study included ex-refinery prices, excise taxes, municipal taxes, oil fund contributions, energy conservation fund conributions, marketing margin and exchange rate (USD). Regression results showed that all of these factors were significant (r2 = 0.867). The implication of the study is that while most of the retail price of biodiesel in Thailand is attributable to cost factors, there is some unexplained variance in price. This offers an opportunity for future research.