Potential for Energy Efficiency Improvements to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Thailand’s Industrial Estates

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the implementation of energy-efficient measures that involve the replacement of existing machinery and equipment with high-efficiency alternatives. The study’s scope encompassed all industrial factories situated within the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand’s (IEAT) industrial estates. The study utilized data from the designated factory’s energy management report database, which included information regarding the machinery, equipment, and other relevant data pertinent to the research. The categorization of machinery and equipment systems could be done based on the type of energy consumed, which includes electricity and thermal energy. The potential for increasing energy efficiency could be evaluated for each of these energy systems. The study conducted an initial evaluation based on the available data from the designated factory database with regards to enhancing the efficiency of machinery and equipment. Subsequently, the scale-up concept was applied to evaluate the potential of energy efficiency enhancements for the entire industrial factory. The study findings revealed a total GHG reduction potential of 4.63 MtCO2e, with thermal energy measures accounting for 3.05 MtCO2e (65.83%) and electricity measures accounting for 1.58 MtCO2e (34.17%). Among the various measures, the implementation of insulating measures for thermal equipment in the furnace system showcased the most significant potential for GHG reduction, with a potential reduction of 2.26 MtCO2e, accounting for 48.73% of the total GHG reduction potential. Based on these findings, it can be inferred that a reduction of 1 MtCO2e in GHG emissions could potentially result in a corresponding reduction in energy costs amounting to approximately 8,449–8,889 million baht.