Expanding Thailand’s renewables market

There are several compelling reasons why we should use renewable energy:

1. Climate Change: Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution during operation. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which are the primary drivers of climate change.
2. Energy Security: Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are abundant and widely distributed, which reduces the risk of supply disruptions and price volatility.
3. Economic Benefits: The transition to renewable energy sources can create new jobs and economic opportunities in the clean energy sector, while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels
4. Improving Air Quality: The use of fossil fuels for energy production is associated with a range of health impacts, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, we can reduce air pollution and improve public health.
5. Preserving Natural Resources: Renewable energy sources are often less resource-intensive than fossil fuel-based energy sources, and can help to preserve natural resources, such as forests, waterways, and wildlife habitats.
6. Mitigating Environmental Risks: The production, transportation, and use of fossil fuels can pose environmental risks, such as oil spills, gas leaks, and pipeline accidents. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, we can reduce these risks and protect the environment.
7. Encouraging Sustainable Development: Renewable energy sources provide a reliable, affordable, and clean energy supply for communities around the world, while promoting sustainable development and reducing environmental impacts.
8. Cost-Competitive: Renewable energy technologies have experienced significant cost reductions in recent years, making them increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels in many regions.

Overall, the use of renewable energy is critical for creating a sustainable and prosperous future and can help to address some of the most pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges of our time.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work by converting sunlight into electricity using a semiconductor material, usually silicon. When sunlight strikes the surface of the PV panel, it excites electrons in the silicon atoms, causing them to break free from their atoms and flow through the material. This movement of electrons creates a flow of electricity, which can be captured and used to power homes, businesses, and other applications.

The PV panels are made up of multiple solar cells, which are connected in a circuit. Each solar cell contains two layers of silicon, one with an excess of electrons (N-type) and one with a deficiency of electrons (P-type). When the two layers are brought into contact, an electric field is created between them, which causes the free electrons to move to the P-type layer, where they combine with the holes (deficient electrons) and create a flow of electricity.

The electricity generated by the PV panels is direct current (DC) electricity, which needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) electricity before it can be used in most homes and businesses. This is done using an inverter, which converts the DC electricity to AC electricity that is compatible with the electrical grid.

Solar PV panels are a renewable energy source and produce no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution during operation. They require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance, and their efficiency can be affected by factors such as temperature, shading, and orientation.

Community shared solar power is the practice of generating solar energy from a centralized solar array and distributing it to multiple households, businesses, or organizations. This model allows people who are unable to install solar panels on their own homes or properties to benefit from clean energy production.

In a community shared solar project, a solar array is installed in a central location and the energy produced by the array is distributed to multiple subscribers who share in the cost and benefits of the project. Subscribers receive credits on their utility bills for the energy produced by their share of the solar array, which can help them save money on their energy costs.

Community shared solar projects can be developed by utilities, private companies, or community groups, and can be located in urban or rural areas. They offer a way to increase access to clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create local jobs and economic benefits, while also providing a financial benefit to subscribers who can save money on their energy bills.

Agrivoltaics, also known as agrophotovoltaics or APV, is a system that combines agriculture with solar power generation. In this system, solar panels are installed above the crops, allowing them to share the same land space. The panels provide shade for the crops and reduce water evaporation, while the crops help to cool the panels and reduce their operating temperatures.

Agrivoltaics have several benefits, including:

1. Increased Land Use Efficiency: Agrivoltaics allow farmers to use their land for both crop production and energy generation, increasing land use efficiency and reducing land competition.
2. Increased Crop Yields:
   By providing shade, agrivoltaics can reduce crop stress caused by excessive heat and sun exposure, leading to increased crop yields and better-quality produce.
3. Reduced Water Usage: By reducing water evaporation, agrivoltaics can help conserve water resources and reduce irrigation needs.
4. Reduced Solar Panel Costs: Agrivoltaics can help to reduce the costs associated with installing and maintaining solar panels, as the land can be used for both agriculture and energy generation.
5. Reduced Carbon Footprint: Agrivoltaics can help to reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture by providing renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from traditional energy sources.
   
   

Agrivoltaics are still a relatively new technology, but research has shown that they can be a sustainable and effective way to increase crop yields while producing renewable energy. As interest in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy continues to grow, agrivoltaics are likely to become more widely adopted.

Battery storage works by storing electrical energy generated from a renewable source such as solar or wind power, for use at a later time when energy demand is high or when there is no sunlight or wind. The battery storage system consists of a battery bank, which is made up of multiple individual batteries, and a battery management system that controls the charging and discharging of the batteries.

When the renewable energy source generates more power than is needed, the excess power is used to charge the batteries. This process is called charging, and it typically takes place during the day when the sun is shining or when the wind is blowing. When the demand for electricity increases or when there is no sunlight or wind, the battery storage system discharges the stored energy to meet the demand. This process is called discharging.

The battery management system monitors the battery bank to ensure that the batteries are charged and discharged in a safe and efficient manner. It regulates the charging and discharging rate to prevent overcharging or over-discharging, which can damage the batteries and reduce their lifespan. The system also balances the charge levels of individual batteries in the battery bank to ensure that they are all charged and discharged evenly, which helps to prolong the life of the batteries.

Battery storage systems can be used in various settings, from residential homes to commercial buildings and large-scale power grids. They can provide backup power during power outages or periods of high demand, help to stabilize the electrical grid by providing a source of on-demand power, and reduce the need for expensive upgrades to the electrical grid infrastructure.

In summary, battery storage systems work by storing excess electrical energy generated from renewable sources for later use, and the battery management system controls the charging and discharging of the batteries to ensure they are used safely and efficiently.

BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage System. It is a type of energy storage system that uses batteries to store electrical energy for later use. BESS technology is becoming increasingly popular as more renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are being integrated into the electrical grid.

A BESS consists of one or more battery banks, which are made up of individual battery cells. The batteries are charged when there is excess electrical energy available, typically from renewable energy sources. When the demand for electricity exceeds the supply, the stored energy is discharged to the grid to help meet the demand.

The capacity of a BESS is measured in terms of its energy storage capacity, which is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The power output of a BESS, which is the rate at which it can deliver electrical energy, is typically measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW).

BESS technology has several advantages, including:

1. Providing backup power during power outages or periods of high demand.
2. Helping to integrate renewable energy sources into the electrical grid by smoothing out fluctuations in the supply of renewable energy.
3. Reducing the need for expensive upgrades to the electrical grid infrastructure by providing a source of on-demand power.
4. Providing a way to store excess energy generated during low demand periods for use during high demand periods.

BESS technology is being used in a variety of applications, from residential homes and commercial buildings to large-scale power grids. With the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources and the need for more flexible and reliable energy storage solutions, the demand for BESS technology is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

Battery storage can save costs in several ways, including:

1. Time-of-Use (TOU) Shifting: Many utilities charge different rates for electricity depending on the time of day, with higher rates during peak demand periods. Battery storage systems can be used to store electricity during off-peak periods when rates are lower and discharge it during peak periods when rates are higher, reducing overall electricity costs.
2. Demand Charge Reduction: Utilities often charge a demand charge based on the highest amount of electricity used during a billing period. Battery storage can be used to reduce peak demand, lowering the demand charge and overall electricity costs.
3. Renewable Energy Integration: Battery storage can help integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind power into the grid by storing excess energy generated during low-demand periods and delivering it during high-demand periods. This reduces the need for conventional power plants to meet demand, saving costs associated with fuel and maintenance.
4. Avoided Infrastructure Costs: In some cases, battery storage can be used to avoid costly upgrades to electrical infrastructure. For example, a utility could use a battery storage system to provide additional capacity during periods of peak demand instead of building new power plants or transmission lines.
5. Backup Power: Battery storage can provide backup power during power outages, reducing downtime and associated costs.
   
   

Overall, battery storage systems provide a flexible and cost-effective solution to meet energy demands, reduce peak loads, and integrate renewable energy sources into the grid. By leveraging the benefits of battery storage, businesses and utilities can save costs and achieve a more sustainable energy future.

Wind power is a type of renewable energy that is generated by harnessing the kinetic energy of wind to produce electricity. Here is how it works:

1. Wind turbines are installed in areas with consistent and high winds, such as on hills, ridges, or offshore locations.
2. For the most common construction, the blades of the wind turbine are designed like airplane wings and are tilted at an angle to capture the wind’s kinetic energy as it blows across them. When the wind hits the blades, they start to turn. Another type of construction is vertical-axis wind turbine.
3. The rotation of the blades powers a generator that is located inside the wind turbine. The generator converts the mechanical energy from the spinning blades into electrical energy.
4. The electrical energy produced by the wind turbine is then transmitted to a power grid or stored in a battery for later use.
5. The amount of electricity that a wind turbine can generate depends on several factors, such as the wind speed, the size of the turbine, and the efficiency of the technology.

Overall, wind power is a clean and renewable energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Off-grid refers to a system or building that is independent of the public electricity grid and is not connected to it. Instead, the system produces and stores its own energy from renewable or non-renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, or diesel generators.

Off-grid systems are typically used in areas where there is no access to the public electricity grid or where it is too expensive to connect to the grid. They can also be used as a more environmentally friendly and sustainable solution for energy supply.

Off-grid systems can be used to power anything from single buildings to entire communities. The system can be completely self-sufficient, or it can use batteries or other types of energy storage to store the surplus of energy produced during times of higher production, for use during times of lower production.

Off-grid systems can be more challenging to build and operate compared to grid-connected systems, but they can also be more self-sufficient, flexible, and sustainable in the long term.

PPA stands for Power Purchase Agreement. A Power Purchase Agreement is a contract between a renewable energy project developer and a buyer, typically a utility or corporate entity, in which the buyer agrees to purchase the electricity generated by the renewable energy project for a set period at a pre-determined price.

PPAs are commonly used to finance and develop renewable energy projects, as they provide a long-term revenue stream and a stable price for the electricity generated by the project. PPAs can be structured in many ways, such as fixed-price, variable-price, or indexed-price, depending on the preferences of the parties involved.

Carbon credits are a unit of measure used to quantify greenhouse gas emissions reduction or removal from the atmosphere. Each carbon credit represents one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions that have been avoided, reduced, or removed by a project or activity.

Carbon credits are traded in carbon markets and can be bought and sold by companies and individuals who need to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a company may buy carbon credits to offset its own emissions and meet its emissions reduction targets or compliance obligations under a regulatory framework.

Carbon credits can be generated by several types of projects or activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and reforestation, and methane capture from waste management. These projects must meet specific criteria and be certified by a recognized standard, such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Gold Standard, or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), to ensure that the carbon credits are real, additional, measurable, permanent, and verifiable.

The price of carbon credits can vary depending on the supply and demand in the carbon market. In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for carbon credits, driven by corporate sustainability goals, investor pressure, and government policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The use of carbon credits is seen as a market-based mechanism to incentivize and finance greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, while providing a means for companies to offset their own emissions.

CER stands for Certified Emission Reduction. It is a type of carbon credit issued under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) established under the Kyoto Protocol.

CERs represent a reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions that has been achieved by a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project in a developing country. CERs were issued by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) after a CDM project had been successfully registered, and the carbon credits were verified and validated.

The issuance of CERs has now ceased and the Paris Agreement provides the present framework for international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides a framework for international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development. An article 6 project refers to a project that is developed under the provisions of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Specifically, Article 6 establishes three mechanisms for cooperation between countries to achieve their emissions reduction targets:

1. The cooperative approaches of Article 6.2, which allow countries to voluntarily cooperate in the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) using market and non-market mechanisms.
2. The Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM) of Article 6.4, which is a new market mechanism that allows countries to generate and trade emissions reductions from sustainable development projects.
3. The Article 6.8 mechanism, which allows for non-market-based approaches to support the implementation of NDCs.
   
   

An article 6 project could refer to any of the above mechanisms, depending on the specific context and goals of the project. These projects aim to contribute to the overall objective of the Paris Agreement, which is to limit global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.