Microgrid Policies: A Review of Technologies and Key Drivers of Thailand

Abstract

Microgrids have been emerging and playing valuable roles in several parts of society, from academia of scholars to the energy supply industry of professional practitioners. A microgrid policy appeared in the Thailand 2015 energy development plan. There are many microgrids in Thailand. The first smart microgrid in Thailand is in active operation. Some microgrids are no longer functioning. Other microgrids continue to serve their customers. The remaining microgrid projects are in the process of development. Most present microgrids in Thailand are driven by public policy and legal flexibility. The objective of this research is to investigate the compatible microgrid technology in Thailand and explore the key drivers of microgrid policies in Thailand. The research methodology applied in this research includes data collection (i.e., a document study, interview, group discussion, and microgrid project participation and observation), as well as data analysis and conclusion. The findings of the research show that: in Thailand, the desired microgrid technologies are compatible with 1) inputs of potential local renewable energy resources of solar, wind, biomass, and mini-hydro, and 2) small gaps of human resource capabilities to deal with the technology utilization. The key drivers of the Thailand microgrid policy are 1) electricity access, 2) wealth creation and distribution, 3) environmental protection, and 4) technology development.

Review of Recent Developments in Microgrid Energy Management Strategies

“…In South-East Asian regions, while studying Thailand's microgrid policy perspective, the key drivers to develop microgrid policies have been identified, in which the objectives of electricity access with other essential infrastructures need to be fulfilled to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development goal of clean energy [239]. The renewable energy policies of Malaysia, which adopted Economic Planning Unit and the Implementation and Coordination Unit, have been revised to promote the utilization of Palm oil under the National Biofuel Policy, and the action plans are defined to enhance renewable energy capacity to 5.5% [240].…”

Potential microgrid model based on hybrid photovoltaic/wind turbine/generator in the coastal area of North Sumatra

“…The high potential for developing renewable energy source installations in the Sumatra region should be exploited appropriately [1]- [3]. This is inseparable from the depletion of fossil fuels in the future and the shift of the world community towards awareness of environmental impacts that are cleaner than pollution [4]- [7]. The most efficient technology is installed according to community needs in meeting current electricity availability with an integrated system in operation and control using a microgrid system [8]- [11].…”

Novel Energy Trading System Based on Deep-Reinforcement Learning in Microgrids

“…Recently, microgrid (MG) systems have been widely established for distributed power grids [1,2]. Compared with conventional grid systems, energy transmission losses and carbon emissions can be minimized by the MG [3]. The MG has been typically designed for the self-sufficiency of energy by operating energy management and transactions independently from the main grid [4][5][6].…”