Micro-hydro, biomass, biogas: technology,
cost, potential, applications
Palang Thai
May 20, 2009
MeeNet, Thailand
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 Mai
DEDE + community
40 kW
4 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 Mai
2 @ 20 kW
Weir: 2 meters high, 15 meter wide
Head: 55 meters
Households: 190
Cost: 3.99 million baht
Constructed in year: 2526 (1983)
Thai Potential:
10,000s of projects – 10s MW (?)
Huai Krating, Tak
Power: 3 kW
Head: 35 meter
Flow: 20 liters/second
Cost: <200,000 baht
(turbine - 24,500 baht)
Constructed: 2548 (2005)
Kre Khi village, Tak Province
1 kW for school, clinic, church
Cost: <150,000
(turbine 10,000)
Head: 10 meters
Flow: 15 lit/sec
Mae Klang Luang, Chaing Mai
200 watts
5,000 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
Korat Waste to Energy - biogas
•
•
•
•
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
Reduces air and water pollution
Biogas from
Pig Farms
Produces fertilizer
Produces electricity
8 x 70 kW generator
Ratchaburi
Subsidy: 0.3 baht/kwh