Search

At present, the global community is aware of the critical limit of the pollution from fossil fuels. Many countries, including Thailand, have explored alternative energy, one of which is solar energy. In particular, the use of solar power for electricity generation is important to reduce imported energy because Thailand’s primary commercial energy imports comprise approximately 50%, of all of Thailand’s energy. The government has supported renewable energy through the long-term 22-year Alternative Energy Development Plan 2015–2036 (AEDP 2015), which aims to boost the production of electricity using renewable energy, especially solar, to 6000 MW by the year 2036. The government has the price incentives for power producers. The result is that the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) have a production capacity of solar-power-generation projects of 1558 MW, and the projects of 1261 MW are under construction. This is 46.98% of the AEDP 2015 target. The major barriers of solar-powered-system development are the high investment cost, uncertain subsidies and lack of thorough policy planning. Those obstructions depend on the government’s strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropower is currently the world׳s largest renewable energy source and plays an important role in the worldwide generation of electricity. Thailand has plenty of water resources that can be used to generate electricity. However, the appropriate development of hydropower coupled with proper utilization of available water resources in Thailand should be undertaken in the future. By the end of September 2013, the on-grid capacity of hydropower in Thailand reached 3497 MW, or about 11% of the whole productivity system. The existing potential of hydropower in Thailand was at 15,155 MW or about 4 times the capacity at the time. In addition, the 25 river areas of the country could allow for small-scale hydropower plants with a total potential of no less than 1500 MW. In 2021, the Ministry of Energy anticipates that Thailand will be able to increase electricity generation from alternative and renewable energy sources to 9201 MW, with 1608 MW being generated by hydropower. The present study has been carried out to review the water resources, current situation, and potential of hydropower in Thailand. Future development plans for promoting hydropower have also been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thailand generates electricity from many sources, including natural gas, coal/lignite, fuel oil, diesel, and renewable energies, such as wind, hydroelectricity, and solar power. In 2012, the main electrical energy sources in Thailand were natural gas (63.8%) and coal/lignite (27.7%). Due to fuel price spikes and global warming, several countries are now more interested in studying and developing sources of renewable energy. Wind energy – an unlimited and environmentally friendly form of natural energy – has attracted increasing levels of investment, particularly in China, which derives more of its electricity from wind energy generation than any other country in the world. Thailand has also developed and promoted the use of wind turbines to generate electricity. In 2012, Thailand generated about 111.7MW of electricity from wind energy. By 2021, the Thai government's goals are to increase the use of alternative electric energy to about 25% of fossil fuel use and to achieve 1800MW of electricity output from wind energy. This article will present a critical review of the current status of wind energy in Thailand, including future plans for using wind energy in place of fossil fuels – oil, natural gas, and coal – to generate electricity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since early civilization, humans have required energy. Energy grows increasingly important with globalization. The search for energy sets nuclear power as the highest priority for generating electricity. The need to delay global warming initiated a nuclear power plant using a nuclear reactor as its source of thermal energy to generate pollution-free electrical currents. Many countries see the important advantages of nuclear power plants, and Thailand plans nuclear power plant projects (NPP) to be built by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). These projects have improved, and the latest Power Development Plan 2010–2030 (PDP 2010) states that by 2023, Thailand will build nuclear power plants with electrical productivity of about 4000MW. The plants will generate commercial electricity for domestic consumption with plans to increase productivity in preparation for Thailand's economic growth and its participation in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). These efforts stem from investments in domestic and international industrial businesses in order to impress foreign countries with Thailand's energy security policy. However, the Thai people are concerned with the impacts of nuclear power plants. The people of Thailand require societal awareness in the construction of these plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A literature review of recent research on two-phase flow in micro-channels is provided in this article. Researches on the micro-hydrodynamics concerned with two-phase gas–liquid adiabatic flow characteristics in both circular and non-circular micro-channels are discussed. This review aims to survey and identify new findings obtained from this attractive area, which may contribute to optimum design and process control of high performance miniature devices comprising extremely small channels. The results obtained from a number of previous studies show that the flow behaviors in the micro-channels deviate significantly from those in ordinarily sized channels. A clear understanding of the flow behaviors encountered is necessary to answer the fundamental questions related to the two-phase flow phenomena. Similar to the ordinarily sized channels, it is expected that the flow pattern, pressure drop and void fraction will influence the two-phase pressure drop, holdup, system stability, exchange rates of momentum, heat and mass during the phase-change heat transfer processes. It is obvious that publications available on micro-channels are relatively small compared to those for ordinarily sized channels and further systematic studies of two-phase gas–liquid adiabatic flow in micro-channels are required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A nanofluid is a suspension of ultrafine particles in a conventional base fluid which tremendously enhances the heat transfer characteristics of the original fluid. Furthermore, nanofluids are expected to be ideally suited in practical applications as their use incurs little or no penalty in pressure drop because the nanoparticles are ultrafine, therefore, appearing to behave more like a single-phase fluid than a solid–liquid mixture. About a decade ago, several published articles focused on measuring and determining the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids, some also evaluated the effective viscosity. There are only a few published articles on deriving the forced convective heat transfer of nanofluids. The purpose of this article is to summarize the published subjects respect to the forced convective heat transfer of the nanofluids both of experimental and numerical investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Researches in heat transfer have been carried out over the previous several decades, leading to the development of the currently used heat transfer enhancement techniques. The use of additives is a technique applied to enhance the heat transfer performance of base fluids. Recently, as an innovative material, nanometer-sized particles have been used in suspension in conventional heat transfer fluids. The fluids with these solid-particle suspended in them are called ‘nanofluids’. The suspended metallic or nonmetallic nanoparticles change the transport properties and heat transfer characteristics of the base fluid. The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments in research on the heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids for the purpose of suggesting some possible reasons why the suspended nanoparticles can enhance the heat transfer of conventional fluids and to provide a guide line or perspective for future research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The performance of heat exchangers can be improved to perform a certain heat-transfer duty by heat transfer enhancement techniques. In general, these techniques can be divided into two groups: active and passive techniques. The active techniques require external forces, e.g. electric field, acoustic or surface vibration, etc. The passive techniques require fluid additives or special surface geometries. Curved tubes have been used as one of the passive heat transfer enhancement techniques and are the most widely used tubes in several heat transfer applications. This article provides a literature review on heat transfer and flow characteristics of single-phase and two-phase flow in curved tubes. Three main categories of curved tubes; helically coiled tubes, spirally coiled tubes, and other coiled tubes, are described. A review of published relevant correlations of single-phase heat transfer coefficients and single-phase, two-phase friction factors are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article provides a literature review on solar-powered Stirling engines and low temperature differential Stirling engines technology. A number of research works on the development of Stirling engines, solar-powered Stirling engines, and low temperature differential Stirling engines is discussed. The aim of this review is to find a feasible solution which may lead to a preliminary conceptual design of a workable solar-powered low temperature differential Stirling engine.Results from the study indicate that Stirling engines working with relatively low temperature air are potentially attractive engines of the future, especially solar-powered low temperature differential Stirling engines with vertical, double-acting, gamma-configuration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The heat transfer duty of heat exchangers can be improved by heat transfer enhancement techniques. In general, these techniques can be divided into two groups: active and passive techniques. The active techniques require external forces, e.g. electric field, acoustic or surface vibration etc. The passive techniques require fluid additives or special surface geometries. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) techniques have been introduced as one of the types of active heat transfer enhancement techniques. This paper presents a review of research works on electrohydrodynamic heat transfer enhancement. This paper can be used as the first guideline for the researcher in using EHD techniques for heat transfer enhancement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study offers a comprehensive exploration of the cooling strategies and power ratings of electric vehicle motors. Electric vehicles depend on robust electric motors for propulsion. High power and sustained high-speed usage create excessive heat, risking motor failure without effective thermal management. Implementation of effective cooling strategies thus becomes imperative to ensure both the longevity and optimal performance of electric vehicle motors. This article seeks to review range of cooling approaches, encompassing air cooling, liquid cooling, and hybrid cooling, scrutinizing their respective capabilities in efficiently dissipating the heat generated during motor operation. Furthermore, the study investigates the impact of power ratings on the performance of electric vehicle motors in determining its maximum power output with higher ratings. In summary, this article underscores the critical importance of carefully selecting the appropriate cooling strategy and power rating for electric vehicle motors to maximize their efficiency and durability. This insight proves to be invaluable to electric vehicle manufacturers and designers, providing them with essential guidance in the design and selection of electric vehicle motors that meet the demands of modern transportation while contributing to a sustainable future. [Display omitted] • Efficient cooling system design enhances electric motor performance and durability. • Hybrid cooling techniques enhances electric motor performance and torque. • Minimisation of motor energy losses results in higher power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Usage of eco-friendly refrigerants could be an effective solution to the global warming problem. However, a comprehensive assessment is necessary when selecting new refrigerants. Any substance should be evaluated for its overall impact on the global environment, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety. This paper reviews the experimental and theoretical studies that have been carried out with environmentally friendly refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, R744 (carbon dioxide), hydrofluoro olefin, and nanorefrigerants. The article's main aims are to evaluate the potential of all refrigerants used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industries and to present the primary applications of environmentally friendly refrigerants and nanorefrigerants. The paper also identifies the gaps in the literature and introduces opportunities for future work. Highlights • The review of environmentally friendly refrigerants and nanorefrigerants. • The scrutiny of newly developed refrigerants’ application. • Analysis of the performance of eco-friendly and nanorefrigerants in the refrigeration cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal ground planes (TGPs) are considered to be one the most promising thermal management devices for cooling the high heat flux miniaturized power electronic devices. This article presents an overview of the latest advancement in the design and operation of TGPs and its applications to various fields. It also summarizes the recent experimental, numerical investigations on internally grooved, mesh wick, sintered wick, hybrid wick, electro hydro dynamic effect, micro pillared and metal foam embedded TGPs. The heat transfer characteristics and mechanisms involved when using different working fluids, wick structures and materials for enhancing the heat transfer performance and operating range of TGPs are discussed. This review also provides future scope and insight of using TGPs to increase the efficiency and reliability of modern power electronic devices in renewable resource sector and other related applications. • Internally grooved thermal ground plane improves hydrophilicity & capillarity. • Hybrid wick in thermal ground plane enhance permeability & rewetting characteristics. • Electro hydro dynamic effect enhances the operating range of thermal ground plane. • Micro pillars in thermal ground plane increase surface area & evaporation rate. • Thermal ground plane embedded with metal foams enhances heat transport capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]