The Potential of Biomass Energy from Agricultural Residues for Small Electricity Generation in Thailand

Abstract

The demand for energy in Thailand has been continually increasing as the economic and social country grows. Approximately 60% of Thailand's primary energy is imported, mostly petroleum products. In 2008, Thailand's total energy consumption was 80,971 ktoe and the net price of energy imported was up to 1,161 billion Baht, which is equivalent to 12.8% of the GDP at the current price. Energy consumption or energy demand has been growing at an annual compounded growth rate of 6.42% and the peak electric power demand and electricity consumption was recorded at 22,568 MW and 148,264 GWh and grew at a rate of 7.0 and 7.5% per annum during the period from 1989 to 2008. The gross agriculture production in 2008 was recorded at 135.4 Mt, representing agriculture residue for energy at 65.73 Mt, which is equivalent to an energy potential of about 561.64 PJ or 13,292 ktoe (an increase in average of 5.59 and 5.44% per year, respectively). The agricultural residues can be converted to 15,600 GWh/year or 1,780 MW of power capacity. So, if Thailand's government plans to install small biomass gasification for electricity generation 200 kW for Sub-district Administrative Organization. The residue agricultural is available for 8,900 plants nationwide. The small biomass gasification for electricity generation not only reduces the energy imports, it also makes jobs and income for people in rural areas as well. This article's aim is to report the energy situation in Thailand, and it has studied five main agricultural products with high residue energy potential, namely, sugarcane, paddy, oil palm, cassava, and maize, appropriate for small electricity production. These agricultural products can be found planted in many rural areas throughout Thailand. Finally, the article discusses the situation, methods, and policies that the government uses to promote small private power producers supplying electricity into the grid.