'Passive solar' could break Thailand's fossil-fuel dependency
While Israel's neighbours are embroiled in internecine military operations, fighting over possession of every sand dune between Algeria and Pakistan, Israel is quietly getting its power generation act together.
Brenmiller Energy Corp is gearing up to build a $77-million (Bt.2.5-billion) solar array, operable by 2017. The 10-megawatt field will be built on 275 rai in the desert town of Dimona in southern Israel. It will combine passive solar thermal technology with an underground system that stores heat for use at night. It is also designed to sell electricity back into the regular power grid.
Could a Thai company do similar? Why not? It would be at least a small step in breaking the fossil fuel addiction.
Some parts of Thailand – particularly islands and isolated regions like Pai in Mae Hong Song – have hundreds of kilometres of thick metal wires connecting them to the main grid. A standalone renewable set-up like the plan mentioned above would preclude the need for tonnes of insulated wiring (with the inevitable loss of power) and clouds of black smoke from burning fossil fuels – which Thailand must import.
Passive solar is a win-win scenario, if Thailand’s leaders can wake from the slumber of old-style thinking.
Ken Albertsen
Chiang Rai
