Evaluation of a pilot scale high pressure plasma ozonizer for use in wastewater treatment

The plasma technique which is used for wastewater treatment is one of the most effective processes for ozone production. In this study, a laboratory scale plasma technique ozonizer designed for treating wastewater was tested under various operation conditions which included voltage (E), current frequency (f), electrical current (I), gas pressure in the system (P), distance of electric dipoles (d), type of electric pole and energy consumption. The optimum configuration for the highest ozone production efficiency was observed using a needle shape electrode when voltage (E) was set at 18,000 volts, f at 1,000 Hz, I at 35 mA, P at 1.3x105 N/rn2 and d at 0.003 m. Using the configuration, the ozonizer efficiency was tested in treatment of domestic and shrimp farm wastewater. Results showed that the ozonizer can significantly improve the quality of wastewater within 60 min of treatment.Key words: Ozone, ozonizer, oxidizer, plasma, high pressure, plasma system

Renewable energy achievements in CO 2 mitigation in Thailand's NDCs

Thailand had summited its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in 2015 and ratified the Paris Agreement in September 2016. Its INDCs stated that by 2030 GHG emissions will be reduced by 20–25% when compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by using mainly domestic renewable energy resources and energy efficiency improvement. Therefore, this paper assesses the potential of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction by the use of renewable energy in Thailand's INDCs and the economic impacts from GHG emission reduction. This paper employed the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model/Computable General Equilibrium (AIM/CGE). Besides the BAU scenario, four mitigation scenarios are assessed at given GHG emission levels and renewable power generation targets. Results show that Thailand's INDC can be achieved under the current renewable energy target in Thailand's Power Development Plan 2015. As a result, macroeconomic loss will be small under the light GHG reduction target; however, it will be large under the stringent GHG emission reduction target. The GDP loss ranges from 0.2% in the case of a 20% reduction target to 3.1% in the case of a 40% reduction target in 2030. Thus, the availability of land for deploying the renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and biomass needs to be assessed

Biomass fuel use, burning technique and reasons for the denial of improved cooking stoves by Forest User Groups of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh

This is an electronic version of an article published in International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 1745-2627, 18(1) 2011, 88-97. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology is available online at: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a933218896~frm=titlelinkUse of biomass fuel in traditional cooking stoves (TCS) is a long-established practice that has incomplete combustion and generates substances with global warming potential (GWP). Improved cooking stoves (ICS) have been developed worldwide as an alternative household fuel burning device, as well as a climate change mitigation. A study was conducted among female Forest User Groups (FUGs) of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh, to assess the status of ICS disseminated by the Forest Department (FD) under the Nishorgo (2009) Support Project, along with the community's biomass fuel consumption pattern. Wood consumption was highest (345kg month-1 household-1) followed by agricultural residues (60kg month-1 household-1), tree leaves (51kg month-1 household-1) and cow dung (25kg month-1 household-1). Neighbouring forests of the sanctuary was the core source for wood fuel, with little or no reduction in the extraction even after joining the FUG. Twenty-two species, both indigenous and introduced, were preferred as wood fuel. None of the respondents were found willing to use ICS although 43% owned one; either as a status symbol or to meet the conditions of the FD for membership in FUG. Seven negative features of the disseminated ICS were identified by households, which made them unwilling to use them further. Manufacturing faults may be responsible for some ICS demerits, while the FD failed to convince the community of the benefits. A proper examination of the disseminated ICS efficacy is crucial, with active involvement of community members. The Sustainable Energy Triangle Strategy (SETS) could be implemented for this purpose. Findings of the study are of immense importance in designing a strategy for the introduction of ICS into Bangladesh.ArticleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD ECOLOGY. 18(1):88-97 (2011)journal articl

Application of cool storage air-conditioning in the commercial sector: an integrated resource planning approach for power capacity expansion planning and emission reduction

An assessment is presented of the evaluation of the application of cool storage air-conditioning (CSA) in the commercial sector as a resource in the electricity generation expansion planning. The resultant impacts of analysis of emission costs on annual emissions from power generation are also discussed. A building energy simulation tool is used for assessment of potential savings and peak load shifting of CSA application in commercial buildings. In this study, an integrated resource planning (IRP) model is used to evaluate the economic effectiveness of the CSA option. The IRP analysis with emission costs results in deferring the installation of four units of 1000-MW coal-fired power plant from 2010 to 2011, and one unit of 1000-MW coal-fired power plant and one 200-MW CSA option are removed from the IRP plan. Results show that the CSA option is a viable resource in the least-cost planning and reducing environmental emissions.Cool storage air-conditioning Least-cost electricity generation expansion planning Demand-side management Emission costs

Asian INDC Assessments: The Case of Thailand

On 1st October 2015, Thailand had submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and stated that by 2030 GHG emissions will be reduced by 20–25% when compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. The Paris Agreement was adopted on 12 December 2015 at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris. In addition, Thailand provided signature at the United Nations in New York on 22 April 2016 and ratified the Paris Agreement on 21 September 2016. This paper assesses the impacts of GHG emission reduction targets in Thailand’s INDC by using the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model/Computable General Equilibrium (AIM/CGE). Four scenarios are established by the given GHG emission constraints and the renewable power generation target. Results show that, under the Power Development Plan in 2015, the INDC target is achievable. As a result, macroeconomic loss is low in low reduction target, but it will be high in the high reduction target. In addition, it needs more renewable energy push to realize stringent climate policy. Thus, the availability of land for deploying the renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and biomass needs to be evaluated to meet higher GHG emission levels. Furthermore, the stringent GHG emission levels also induce the reduction of other air pollutants. Finally, the result of this study has been used in the design of roadmap for GHG reduction targets in 2030, and Thailand has more confidence on the achievement of the Paris Agreement

Strategies to Achieve Net Zero Emissions in Nepal

Countries adopted the Paris Agreement to pursue efforts towards limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this target, the global emission level will have to be negative by the second half of the century. This study aims to analyse different GHG mitigation pathways to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in Nepal. The study first assesses the energy use and emissions in the Business-as-usual (BAU) scenario during 2010-2050 using the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model/Enduse (AIM/Enduse). In addition to the BAU scenario, the study has assessed six scenarios: a No Climate Policy (NCP) scenario (without carbon tax) and five carbon tax scenarios. The carbon tax rate varies from $10 to$800 per tCO2e among the five carbon tax scenarios. According to the study, the GHG emissions in 2050 is estimated to be 32.9 MtCO2e in the BAU, 30.3 MtCO2e in the NCP and 5.1 MtCO2e at the highest carbon tax scenario (i.e. at $800/tCO2e). The study then analyses options to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This can be achieved through carbon offset by hydropower export and carbon sequestration by forests. The analyses show that a carbon tax can be an effective instrument in reducing GHG emissions and that forests can act as a carbon sink to offset the remaining emissions to achieve carbon neutrality

Scaling up climate ambition post-2030: a long-term GHG mitigation analysis for Thailand

Thailand’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) aims to reduce 20 to 25% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with respect to the projected reference level of NDC in 2030, respectively, in its unconditional and conditional scenarios. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C would require net zero carbon dioxide emissions globally by around 2050. Thailand’s current energy system is highly fossil fuel dependent and requires enormous transformations to achieve more stringent GHG emission reduction targets beyond its NDC. This paper seeks to estimate the level and the intensities of Thailand’s energy system and their economy-wide effects post-2030 under the business as usual and 16 GHG emission reduction scenarios ranging from 30 to 100% by 2050. A computable general equilibrium analysis using the AIM/Hub model is employed to estimate the macroeconomic impacts of meeting the unconditional and conditional emission reductions of Thailand’s NDC in 2030 along with varying GHG emission reductions in 2050. Results show that renewables–constituting solar, wind, biomass and hydro and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies account for more than 95% in the power generation mix by 2050, if 100% GHG emission reduction from the 2010 level is to be achieved. Electricity generation based on biomass both with and without CCS will occupy a major share in the investments by 2050 in all the conditional and unconditional NDC scenarios. A rapid increase in carbon sequestration occurs from 2040 onwards through the deployment of CCS and bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) technologies in all the conditional and unconditional NDC scenarios. Carbon prices lie in the range of 3.4–266.2 US$/tCO2eq during 2025–2050 to achieve 100$2005 over the period 2010–2050 in the 100% GHG reduction scenarios. The transmission and distribution investments in the power sector need to increase by 30–35% to attain 100% GHG emission reductions during 2010–2050. The trade deficit improves by up to 23–29% in the various GHG mitigation scenarios in 2050

Development Trajectories, Emission Profile, and Policy Actions: Thailand

In Thailand climate change has been integrated into the formulation of several national plans and policies. Even though Thailand is not obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it voluntarily takes numerous actions to mitigate emissions. Both the public and private sector have been actively involved in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a series of measures and actions implemented in each sector. The development of renewable energy and the promotion of energy conservation and efficiency are the primary means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in Thailand. With the establishment of the Energy Conservation Program in 1995, a viable movement for energy conservation and efficiency and renewable energy had begun. Over the years, progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency has been made. Recently, the 15-Year Renewable Energy Development Plan and the 20-Year Energy Conservation Plan comprised several innovative measures and incentive mechanisms to further advance the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Regardless of government policies and measures, the private sector has also taken part in greenhouse gas emissions mitigation by implementing a number of activities to reduce carbon sources (e.g., improved production processes and resource efficiency) and to create carbon sinks (e.g., reforestation and mangrove plantations). Thailand has made significant progresses toward green and low-carbon development; however, there is a need to further address the issue. The country has to focus on the implementation of no-regret policies to ensure the decoupling of economic growth, while starting to look further at implementing least-cost policies. There should be short-term policies to immediately address a rapid increase of greenhouse gas emissions and long-term policies to address fundamental changes towards a green and low-carbon society