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