May 20, 2009MeeNet, Thailand
Micro-hydro, biomass, biogas: technology, cost, potential, applications
Palang Thai
Micro-hydro• Costs:
– $750 to $5,000 per kW • huge range depends on local labor contribution, site
topography– $0.04/kWh to $0.20/kWh
• Potential: Thailand – 700 MW+. Similar or greater potential in Laos, Vietnam. China
• Capacity factor: >0.5• Issues: important to ensure adequate flows
(especially dry-season).
Micro-hydro technology
Source: Inversin, A. R. (1986). Micro-Hydropower Sourcebook.
Micro-hydro technology
Pelton Turgo Crossflow Kaplan Centrifugal pump
Mae Kam Pong, Chiang MaiDEDE + community40 kW4 million baht cost ($130,000)Sell electricity to PEA – 400,000 baht/year ($13,000)VSPP subsidy: 0.8 baht/kWh
Mae Kam Pong, Chiang Mai2 @ 20 kWWeir: 2 meters high, 15 meter wideHead: 55 metersHouseholds: 190Cost: 3.99 million bahtConstructed in year: 2526 (1983)
Huai Krating, TakPower: 3 kWHead: 35 meterFlow: 20 liters/secondCost: <200,000 baht
(turbine - 24,500 baht)Constructed: 2548 (2005)
Thai Potential:10,000s of projects – 10s MW (?)
Kre Khi village, Tak Province1 kW for school, clinic, churchCost: <150,000
(turbine 10,000)Head: 10 metersFlow: 15 lit/sec
Mae Klang Luang, Chaing Mai200 watts5,000 baht (turbine: 4,000 baht)Installed: 2550 (2007)Head: 1.7 meters
Biomass• Costs:
– $1300 to $2,000 per kW (?)– $0.04/kWh to $0.12/kWh (?)
• Fuels: bagasse, rice husk, wood waste• Potential: Thailand – 7,000 MW (Ministry of
Energy figure). • Capacity factor: typically >0.5• Issues: air pollution (particulates), food vs. fuel.
Breakdown of economically viable biomass resource in Thailand
Biomass resource Economic potential (MW)
Bagasse 1900
Biogas (cassava, pig, food waste) 1185
Wood residues 950
Rice husk 100
Corncob 54
Distillery slop 49
Coconut 43
Palm oil residues 43
TOTAL 4,324
Source: Black and Veatch (2000). Final Report: Thailand Biomass-Based Power Generation and Cogeneration Within Small Rural Industries. Bangkok, NEPO; NEPO/DANCED (1998). Investigation of Pricing Incentive in a Renewable Energy Strategy -- Main report. Bangkok. Bagasse figure from interview with interview with Sirisak Tatong, power plant manager at Mitr Phol sugar factory. Biogas from interviews with biogas developers
Rice husk fired power plant
• 9.8 MW• Roi Et province• VSPP: Subsidy 0.3
baht/kWh
Biogas• Costs:
– $1300 to $2,000 per kW (?)– $0.04/kWh to $0.12/kWh (?)
• Fuels: waste water from cassava, pig manure, brewing, sewage
• Potential: 300 MW+ (industry estimate for cassava alone)
• Capacity factor: typically >0.5• Issues: cleans up smells
• Uses waste water from cassava to make methane• Produces gas for all factory heat (30 MW thermal) + 3 MW of electricity• 3 x 1 MW gas generators• VSPP: Subsidy 0.3 baht/kWh
Korat Waste to Energy - biogas
Biogas from Pig Farms
Reduces air and water pollution
Produces fertilizer
Produces electricity
8 x 70 kW generator
Ratchaburi
Subsidy: 0.3 baht/kwh