Author(s)

W. PHOOCHINDA

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating and in turn assessing the environmental impacts caused by electricity generation using renewable energy of very small power producer (VSPP) and, then suggesting appropriate environmental management for the VSPP. Interviewing officers and regulators of the relevant organizations and also the environmental management personnel of the 13 VSPP studied was carried out. In addition, observing environmental impact and management of electricity generation of the VSPP studied were carried out. Although renewable energy is considered quite clean, using them in electricity generation results in some environmental impacts that affect environment and community. There is yet no environmental measure and standard clearly applicable for power plants <10 MW or VSPP to do environmental impact assessment (EIA) and, in addition, the existing standards for pollution emissions do not cover all types of pollutions occurring. It is thus of interest of this study. The results showed that wind and solar energy produce less environmental impacts compared with other renewable energy. Biomass and refuse-derived fuel energy produce more environmental impacts in particular, air pollution in each process of the electricity generation. There should be measures for environmental management of VSPP to prevent and manage environmental impacts – to prepare adequate raw materials in the vicinity of the power plant as well as their back up, to prevent spillage and particle emissions from raw material transportation, to store raw materials in a proper condition and far away from community, to use efficient technology resulting in complete combustion and to recycle and treat waste incurred.

Keywords

Renewable energy, environmental impact, environmental management, VSPP