Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand

The rapid expansion of data centers in Thailand during 2024, supported by Board of Investment (BOI) incentives, has created significant challenges for power distribution infrastructure. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), serving Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan provinces, faces unprecedented demand totaling <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$1,000 \text{MW}$</tex> from data center projects requiring both 24 kV feeder lines and 69/115 kV transmission lines. This paper presents MEA's innovative power distribution methodology to accommodate high-reliability data center loads while maintaining <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\mathrm{N}-1$</tex> system constraints and supporting Tier 3 and 4 data center standards according to TIA942 and Uptime Institute specifications.

This study examines a specific strategic of engineering and construction services of power plant and transmission system response to the ongoing energy transition in Thailand. The national energy policy, notably its Power Development Plan (PDP), indicates a definitive move away from traditional fossil fuels like natural gas and coal toward greater reliance on renewable energy sources. This transition is not isolated; it directly reflects the global sustainability imperative to decarbonize power generation and pursue a clean energy future. In light of this evolving market, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's Engineering Business Department (the Department), has observed a fundamental change in its customer group, with a growing number of projects shifting from conventional power plants to those based on renewable energy. To navigate this market evolution and systematically embed sustainable practices into its operations, the Department has implemented a Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) framework to guide its service operation. This research analyzes the application of this SBSC framework, identifying the key drivers and practical applications of sustainable energy practices within the service's operational model.

Due to the growing trend of renewable energy (RE) in Thailand, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), which is responsible for the country's power generation and transmission systems, has planned to increase the proportion of RE integration. However, among various RE sources, solar energy has the greatest potential in Thailand. The large-scale deployment of solar panels often results in energy generation exceeding demand, a phenomenon known as "Excess Energy."Therefore, EGAT has considered utilizing excess energy by storing the surplus solar power for use when demand arises through energy storage systems (e.g., Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Hydrogen Energy Storage System (HESS), etc.) HESS is regarded as an emerging technology with the potential to support future energy needs. In line with this, EGAT has implemented a green hydrogen-based energy storage system for a microgrid pilot project at EGAT Learning Center, headquarters, to exercise the use of excess energy.This paper presents a conceptual framework for HESS, comprising components such as an electrolyzer, fuel cell, battery, and other essential equipment. These components function as energy storage units, allowing excess energy to be stored and subsequently supplied to meet electricity demand. The paper also provides a detailed analysis of the system’s processes, chemical reactions, characteristics, efficiency, and other relevant aspects. Furthermore, it proposes an optimized solution to minimize the cost of a green hydrogen-based energy storage system by utilizing existing rooftop solar car parking areas for a microgrid pilot project. The optimization is conducted through modeling using PLEXOS software. The analysis incorporates input data on solar energy production and electricity demand collected raw data over one year prior to the project's initiation, along with economic and technical constraints.The result of this paper is the optimal size of HESS including electrolyzer, fuel cell, battery and other essential equipment. In addition, the results present the economic analysis of the Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS), ensuring minimum energy price in covering the project costs. Whilst Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) is highlighted here to serve the total expenses associated with hydrogen production throughout its entire lifecycle including both capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operational expenditures (OPEX).At the end, the paper offers an optimal design for HESS applicable to other microgrid systems to support renewable energy integration, enhance energy efficiency, and improve power system reliability. The paper also considers investment costs, competitiveness, and cost-effectiveness to ensure the system sustainably feasible in long run.

The increasing adoption of solar rooftops system in Thailand generates a complex web of benefits and drawbacks to various related players. Although it promotes cleaner and more sustainable pathways, it also raises concerns over cost, equity, grid resilience, and financial limitations. As a result, it is often necessary for policymakers to evaluate all stakeholders’ perceptions while formulating efficient policies. Policymakers can create well-informed regulations to promote sustainable growth in Thailand's solar rooftop business by understanding the challenges and requirements of consumers, utilities, solar installers, and other key stakeholders. This study applied the SWOT-AHP-TOWS matrix to identify and evaluate stakeholders' perceptions and propose strategies to enhance the adoption of solar rooftop systems in Thailand. The in-depth interviews conducted in this study revealed that all participants acknowledged Thailand's advantages, particularly the decreasing costs of solar panels and supportive government initiatives. The primary constraints included the significant initial expense of solar rooftop systems, complicated permitting processes, and insufficient understanding of solar rooftop technology. The key potentials include attractive government policies, innovative finance options, and economic growth. The primary threats to upscale solar rooftop installations include changes in government policies, rising raw material expenses, and insufficient regulatory enforcement. The TOWS matrix analysis identified several strategies to enable upscaling the solar rooftop – they are: 1) Formulating and executing innovative pricing and financing strategies, 2) Initiating a comprehensive public awareness initiative, 3) Increasing the supply chain for solar components, and 4) Streamlining the permitting procedure. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers to establish a conducive climate for solar rooftop adoption, thereby significantly assisting Thailand's transition to a low-carbon economy.

With solar panels already installed, users can monitor and manage their electricity consumption via a smartphone application. The system allows for parameter settings under the Active Power Control Mode, which includes both Zero Export and non-Zero Export operation modes (No Limit). It is important for users to understand the details of each function. This article presents the application of a three-phase inverter for solar PV power generation and energy management. When the Zero Export function is enabled, a traditional three-phase inverter will generate power equal to the total load and distribute it evenly across all three phases. If any phase requires more power than what the inverter provides, the additional power will be drawn from the utility grid. Conversely, if any phase uses less power than the inverter output, the excess power will be exported back to the grid. On the other hand, for users who are allowed to sell electricity back to the grid, the Zero Export function is disabled. In this case, phases that consume more power than what the solar system provides will import a smaller amount from the grid, while phases that consume less than the inverter output will export more to the grid compared to when the Zero Export mode is enabled. This results in lower electricity bills and, if permitted to sell electricity back, allows for higher revenue from solar power generation. Newer inverter models are now capable of phase-independent operation, supporting unbalanced three-phase power output. Furthermore, integrating battery storage to store excess solar energy for use during peak demand periods can reduce dependence on the grid and improve the voltage quality of nearby transformers. When combined with TOU (Time-of-Use) metering, this setup leads to increased energy savings, lower electricity costs, and a shorter payback period for solar PV investments.

Conventional designs of pile foundations for houses on expansive soils adopt conservative approaches by using swelling pressure measured in oedometer tests to compute pile uplift force. However, in practice, piles are often installed in unsaturated soils, where changes in moisture content influence soil behavior. Increasing moisture in expansive soils reduces matric suction, increases soil volume, and induces swelling pressure, all of which affect uplift shear stress. This study investigates the impact of varying degrees of saturation on pile uplift force through a series of laboratory tests on single-pile models. The results of the experimental investigation indicate that uplift force developed along the pile shaft due to the wetting of expansive soils exhibits a hyperbolic trend. A significant portion of the uplift force developed during the early stage of the heaving process. Back-calculation analyses using theoretical equations reveal that the coefficient of uplift, α, and the swelling pressure ratio, β, increases as the initial degree of saturation of soil specimens increases, with a change of less than 10% within the tested range. These findings suggest that constant values of the α and β parameters can be used for pile design in expansive soils, even under unsaturated conditions. Nonetheless, the influence of other factors, such as pile dimensions, pile materials, and soil properties, on the α and β values should be investigated to improve the accuracy of pile design in expansive soil conditions.

ABSTRACTThis study explores the design and evaluation of an economical hardware platform aimed at enhancing load break switches (LBS) in distribution systems. Simulations conducted using DIgSILENT power factory and PSCAD validated the proposed method. The provincial electricity authority of Chiang Mai province successfully implemented this hardware platform in the Ban Khun Pae smart microgrid project. The hardware platform was under laboratory testing using an overcurrent algorithm to detect fault currents. It successfully identified all potential issues, including saturation currents on feeders, and autonomously transmitted data to operators for timely corrective action. The findings confirmed that single line‐to‐ground fault currents were the most frequent fault type. The intelligent electronic devices relay and the InHand wireless overhead‐line system fault current detectors at the site worked just as well as the improved LBS, showing that they are strong and reliable ways to find faults. This economical and efficient platform not only enhances operational reliability but also paves the way for improved fault monitoring and management in distribution systems, ensuring faster response times and minimizing downtime during faults. The seamless integration with existing feeder infrastructure further highlights its practical utility and scalability, providing an innovative solution to the challenges faced in modern distribution networks.

Providing and using energy efficiently is hampered by concerns about the environment and the unpredictability of fossil fuel prices and quantities. To address these issues, energy planning is a crucial tool. The aim of the study was to prioritize renewable energy options for use in Mae Sariang’s microgrid using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to produce electricity. A prioritization exercise involved the use of questionnaire surveys to involve five expert groups with varying backgrounds in Thailand’s renewable energy sector. We looked at five primary criteria. The following four combinations were suggested: (1) Grid + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS); (2) Grid + BESS + Solar Photovoltaic (PV); (3) Grid + Diesel Generator (DG) + PV; and (4) Grid + DG + Hydro + PV. To meet demand for electricity, each option has the capacity to produce at least 6 MW of power. The findings indicated that production (24.7%) is the most significant criterion, closely followed by economics (24.2%), technology (18.5%), social and environmental (18.1%), and structure (14.5%). Option II is strongly advised in terms of economic and structural criteria, while option I has a considerable advantage in terms of production criteria and the impact on society and the environment. The preferences of options I, IV, and III were ranked, with option II being the most preferred choice out of the four.

Abstract Earth dams on complex geology without proper foundation treatment often face the risk of seepage problems. Sufficient installation and interpretation of field instruments are essential for monitoring dam behavior. Three indicators are introduced for assessment of seepage behavior: time lag (TL), pore pressure ratio (PR), and trigger water level (HW). The normalized TL reflects the washing out and plugging of rock cracks, as well as the progression of internal erosion. The foundation of the studied dam consisted of foliated rocks that were highly fractured, with the axis of the foliations aligned almost in the upstream-downstream direction, with a possible low stress zone on the syncline axis. The existing crack easily opened in the concave section of the syncline when the reservoir had risen to a curtain elevation, resulting in increased permeability and a higher flow to the downstream area, known as “hydraulic fracturing” (HF). The piezometer TL clearly indicated a shorter response time as the operating period progressed. The study dam showed the possibility of HF in the foundation, as observed during 2003–2022. The progression of HF was also confirmed by the increase in PR levels toward downstream. This revealed that the ongoing progression of HF had occurred at sta.2 + 700, which agreed well with the location of the slip zone that had occurred in 1993. HW was activated by the reservoir water level response also decreasing with time from 2003 to 2022, confirming that water infiltration through the rock crack progressed with time. These three indicators could act as good warning indices for seepage problems. This compiled knowledge could be transformed to a flowchart to identify the possible risks of hydraulic fracturing in the dam. If the three indices all showed the same trend the potential for hydraulic fracturing and internal erosion would be very high.