Thaicom first in Asia to introduce in-flight broadband

I'd love to have this onboard AirAsia's Airbus as I will be travelling frequently in the second half of this year. If correctly priced, in-flight broadband would be a hit among today's connected generation.

I would be one of those passengers who'd subscribe to such services.

How it works. Image from Thaicom's service provider, row44.com

Another first for Thailand

Thailand's leading satellite operator, Thaicom has become the first in the Asia Pacific region to introduce commercial in-flight connectivity services using Ku-band to provide broadband on commercial flights beginning in August 2014.

The nation's premium low cost carrier Nok Air, which clocks about 48,000 flights per year will provide broadband Wi-Fi services on many of its aircraft starting in August - ranging from Internet access to other complimentary services in the future.   

The Thaicom In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) broadband service, with its partner Global Eagle Entertainment/Row44, will be implemented as a value added service for Nok Air passengers. The service is capable of delivering 3G-like speed for a superior in-flight broadband experience.

"Nok Air is adding in-flight Wi-Fi to our existing complimentary services to increase the appeal to passengers, particularly the new generation who insist on connectivity." - Patee Sarasin, Chief Executive Officer of Nok Airlines

The carrier has already offered free broadband connection at airport boarding gates and the introduction of in-flight Wi-Fi is consistent with the airline's drive to be innovative. Cool!

You can read more about this at Computerworld Malaysia

Distributed generation (DG) to help address Thailand's energy issues?

This is an article about distributed power generation (DG) in Thailand written by Wärtsilä Power Plants. Thailand being our close neighbour, and due to the fact that it has similar situation to ours in transmitting electricity through challenging terrain, this should be a good read.


What is Distributed Generation (DG)

Distributed generation is also known as embedded or dispersed generation, or on-site generation. DG is electricity generating plant that is connected to a distribution network rather than the transmission network.

There are many types and sizes of DG, including Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants, wind farms, hydro electric power, solar PV, or one of the new smaller generation technologies.

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I have summarised a long article here, but if you want to read the full writing, I've provided a link at the end of this posting.

Implementing a large central power plant present us with economic of scale but the downside is that it is extremely challenging in terms of site availability, power transmission as well as public concern about environmental issues.

Electricity generation today is moving towards a more decentralised model where generation is close to demand. Possible benefits are diminished transmission and distribution losses and investments, improved energy efficiency, and increased security of supply.

In the case of Thailand, the government incentive schemes such as the feed-in tariff, DG will be more attractive for developers and investors going forward. Small Power Producer (SPP) and Very Small Power Producer (VSPP) programmes are examples of success stories under the DG schemes. Both programmes promote primary energy savings and encourage the use of alternative energy.




Thailand has release power purchase agreements or PPAs (as of December 2013) for:

SSP licences     : 129 projects totaling 11,988 MW in capacity
VSPP licences  : 888 projects totaling  3,727 MW
Still in the process of licencing: 3,250 MW


Thailand's power generation mix

Thailand's total power generation was 33,681 MW as of December 2013, with growth in power demand averages around 4% annually. Thailand's generation system consists of:

1) The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) - 45%
2) Independent power producers (IPPs) - 38%
3) Small Power Producer (SPPs) - 10%
4) Imported electricity - 7%


Renewable energy sources, being the main contributors to the Distributed Generation, is given emphasis in Thailand's plan for power generation growth. The following Table summarises the incentive for renewable energy power plants, in the form of feed-in tariff:



You can compare this with our Feed-in tariff rates here.

Source: For a complete reading of this article, go to REW portal.

Thailand preparing to make it easier for households to install solar rooftops

Earlier this month, pv-magazine reported that the Thai government is preparing an easier permitting regime for the residential solar installation requirement.

What this could mean is that it will be easier for households to install solar rooftops in future.


Thailand staying ahead in RE competitiveness. Image by Doug Beckers


Easing of residential solar requirements

Bangkok-based English language newspaper The Nation has reported the Thai government is considering relaxing the rules relating to household solar systems.

Under the current Thai regime, domestic installations require an industrial licence, but The Nation reported the government's Industrial Works Department is considering removing the requirement for household systems generating up to 20 kW.

Quoting Industrial Works Department director-general Nattapon Nattasomboon, the report states all the relevant government departments back the idea, which could be ready to put before cabinet for approval.

Under the proposed change, residential system installers would still be required to notify their local industry agencies.

Market research consultancy IHS has predicted Thailand will lead the charge of emerging solar markets – which it predicts will account for 19% of new solar by 2017 – with its popular adder FIT scheme set to drive 2.9 GW of installations in the next four years.


TheGreenMechanics: Great move by our northern neighbour! Thailand seems to be always ahead of us in the renewable energy industry, but let's take this as a challenge. A challenge and task that is not beyond our reach, really.


News source

Thailand adding 1,000MW of Solar PV by 2014

In Renewable Energy sector, Thailand is known to be more aggressive than any of its Southeast Asia counterparts. Within the next one and a half years, the kingdom plans to install 1,000 MW of solar photovoltaic - 200 MW for individual rooftops, and 800 MW for community-owned installations.

Table 1: Thailand's Feed-in Tariffs for Solar PV. There is currently 400 MW of PV installed in Thailand.

Table 2: Malaysia's Feed-in Tariffs for Solar PV


Aggressive move by Thailand

Since Thailand launched its aggressive feed-in tariff program in 2006, the country has installed nearly 1,000 MW of renewables and has a portfolio of signed contracts of more than 4,000 MW, nearly half of that for solar PV.

Unlike Malaysia, contracts were for a limited time period of 10 years or less. But that has changed recently - Thailand’s National Energy Policy Commission (NEPC) has approved new feed-in tariffs for both rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV with contract terms of 25 years.

This brings the Thai program into alignment with similar programs in Germany, Great Britain, and Ontario, Canada. According to a release by Thailand’s Energy Research Institute, the new feed-in tariffs for solar PV will be differentiated by size and application. There will be three size tranches for rooftop solar PV, and a separate tranche for community-owned, ground-mounted installations.

NEPC has set aside 200 MW for rooftop solar PV, but it must be installed by the end of the year (2013. 100 MW is set aside for systems less than 10 kW in size, and another 100 MW is set aside for systems from 10 kW to 1 MW. The remaining 800 MW is reserved for community-owned projects and must be installed by year end 2014.


Source: REW

Featured Energy Company: Wang Noi Power Plant

The Wang Noi Power Plant is located on the area of 280 acres at Wang Noi District within Ayutthaya province.

It is located approximately 70 kilometers north of Bangkok with total generating capacity in excess of 2 GW supplying power to central region of Thailand.


Wang Noi Power Plant n brief

The power plant is equipped with 3 combined cycle blocks, incorporating 6 gas turbines and 3 steam turbines. The official synchronization was completed in April, 1996 and the Commercial Operation date (COD) in May, 1996. The main fuel for plant generation is natural gas from two sources – the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar. Diesel oil of 60 million liters has been reserved as supplementary fuel in case of gas supply interruption. The total capacity of Wang Noi Power Plant is 2,027 MW and the gross production from 1996 to 2011 was 147,428,708,433 million kWh.

An Inlet air cooling system of 20,000 ton is installed at Block 3 of the combined cycle power plant. The installation was completed in June 2012 and can further enhance the capacity by 70 MW to the gross generation. Wang Noi Block 4 combined cycle power plant is currently under construction. The project will be completed in June 2014 and will add the capacity of 785 MW to the present generating system.

Wang Noi Power Plant developed an emergency response plan by building a flood barrier during Thailand’s worst flood in 2011, that protect and saved the power plant from severe impact. This barrier was enhanced to cover 5 kilometers in length to protect the total area of 1.28 million sq meters.

Stage one of the CCGT. Photo: power-technology

Why Wang Noi Power Plant?

The plant is an example of power generation plant that promotes efficient energy utilisation technology, which carries out its operations in complete compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. From July 2007 to present, the power plant has given over ฿450 million (US$14.3 mil) to Community Development Fund and has carried out a wide range of social and environmental activities to develop and build better living for the community around it, such as, public health, education, occupational promotion, cultural conservation etc.

It has been accredited with ISO 14001, ISO9001, and TIS18001 certification. The power plant was honoured for its outstanding business operations for nine consecutive years since 2002 and is proud of achievement of 2 million hours of operation with zero accident.

This plant is also the site of choice for Technical Plant Tour by the organiser of the Renewable Energy World Asia Conference & Expo in Bangkok, Thailand early October 2012.