Pawinee Suksuntornsiri and Bundit Limmeechokchai

pp. 549 - 562

Abstract

Under situation of high imported dependency and limited indigenous resources of primary fossil
energy resources, the policy makers have to decide on selection of different power generation technologies to
maintain the grid security. Consequently, the fuel mix has been changing over time, and a larger portion of
renewable energy resources for electricity generation is currently introduced. In terms of indirect emissions,
the change in fuel mix affects not only electricity consumers in the economy, but also the power sector itself.
This study examines the impact of introduction of renewable energy to the grid under the 2001 power
development plan (PDP2001) on the direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Thailand. The
energy input-output model is used to estimate the indirect emissions in production process of fuels, materials,
and services. Results from the study show that though the direct emission is dominant in the total emissions,
the indirect emission is significant. The introduction of more renewable energy plants could reduce the total emission factor of the grid, and present significant contribution to the global GHG mitigation. Results of
analysis show that total GHGs would be reduced from 773 g CO_{2 eqv}/kWh in 1995 to 563 g CO_{2 eqv}/kWh in
2006.