Wind energy by photocase user kai
What attracted you to Stralsund?
I work as a researcher at Naresuan University while pursuing my masters degree in the Renewable Energy Sciences. My professor has connections to the University of Applied Sciences in Stralsund and they were looking for masters students in Thailand to join their Renewable Energies course, with financial support given through the German Academic Exchange Service. So, since I was already conducting research and was clearly ready for advanced studies with my experience, my professor said it would be a good opportunity for me to go.
Please describe the projects you are working on in Stralsund right now.
Right now I’m working on two projects in the solar energy sector, looking for possibilities to use small scale concentrated solar power plant technologies in Thailand. The first involves a so-called solar dish stirling engine system to generate electricity of up to 25 kilowatts. This is a very interesting project and they have quite a specialization in this field here at Stralsund. The second project is about solar organic rankine cycle power plants, which are supplied with heat from a parabolic trough concentrator. The desired outcome is the creation of more powerful small-scale solar power plants.
How is the research environment in Stralsund?
It’s a really great place to study in the energy sector. All the lessons in the Renewable Energies course are in English and there are about 15 international students in the course with me. Sometimes the German students join us for classes, for example in wind energies. Overall, Stralsund is not a big city and it’s really quiet for the most part, so you can concentrate really well on your studies. The laboratories are highly advanced and so is the level of the professors and courses offered here. Plus, the town is right on the Baltic Sea, which is really great and there are lots of applications for wind energies.
Is wind energy a big factor in Thailand?
Not so much. We don’t have that much potential for wind energy generation in Thailand, only in a small part of the country near the sea. In contrast, in Germany, there is great potential for this kind of energy generation, especially in the North.
So solar energy plays a bigger role in Thailand?
Exactly, we have a lot of potential for generating solar energy in Thailand; the weather is great. A great number of research projects at my faculty focus on solar energy applications like solar sails or solar thermal energy generation. Bio energies are also an important field in Thailand, since we grow a lot of rice, which can be turned into bio fuel. Then there is also biomass, where we can use the waste from many of the country’s numerous pig farms for energy generation, which is also a field with high potential.
How prominent is the use of these kinds of technologies for generating energy in daily life?
They’re really prominent in some areas, where hydropower or photovoltaic power generation are the only way to supply people with electricity. You see, some areas of Thailand don’t have electricity and it’s hard to connect them to the power grid, especially the really remote villages. So with photovoltaic energy it is possible to create a power system for these villages so they can generate enough electricity to supply them with lighting and other basic energy needs. These systems are fully self-sufficient and actually quite easy to install.
What were your expectations when coming to Germany?
Well, when I was studying and researching in Thailand I already knew that Germany really great technology in the renewable energies field, but I didn’t really know all the details. So I was curious to come here and see for myself. I’ve been able to greatly improve my knowledge, especially in terms of photovoltaic systems, but also in other fields such as hydrogen technologies. Overall, this is a really great opportunity for me.
Did you see any other towns beside Stralsund?
Yes, our group at school went on excursions to power plants in other towns and I’ve visited other cities like Greifswald and Berlin. I have also made lots of friends from countries like Poland and Norway, who have invited me to visit them. So I definitely plan on doing that before I head back home.
Kongrit, thank you very much for the interview.
Related Website:
Stralsund University of Applied Sciences
www.fh-stralsund.de/fh_stralsund/powerslave,id,606,nodeid,.html
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