Effectiveness of Small Biomass Power Plants in Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACT

                       This research explores the important factors of small biomass power plants operation and the effectiveness of small biomass power plants in Thailand.  The objectives of this study are 1) to study the important factors of small biomass power plants and 2) the effectiveness of small biomass power plants.  This phase of the study is the qualitative research to collect data from in-depth interviews of experts of small power plants from both government and private sectors as well as focus groups within the community surrounding the power plants and field studies.  The qualitative results of the important factors of small biomass power plants are Biomass fuels, Technology involved in producing the electricity, The skills and abilities of employees, The government subsidies, Location of power plants, The community acceptance, The biomass fuel management, The initial project design of the biomass power investment, The management of the biomass power plant, The dependence on external resources, Regulations and laws, The organizational culture, The executive vision, and The accessories of connecting the electricity and grid lines. The Resource-Based View tangibles assets, intangible assets, as well as organizational capability can be classified as the important factors.  The tangible assets are Biomass fuels, Technology of producing the electricity, Location of power plants, The community acceptance, Regulations and laws, The government subsidies and The accessories of connecting the electricity and grid lines.  The intangible assets include The skills and abilities of employees, The organizational culture, and The executive vision.  The organization’s capabilities are The initial project design of the biomass power investment, The biomass fuel management, and The management of the biomass power plant.  The important factor from The Resource Dependent Theory is the dependence on biomass fuel from outside.  The effectiveness of small biomass power plants include 1) The financial effectiveness along with good financial performance, steady cash flow and a short period of Return on investment.  2) The environmental effectiveness includes the reduction of biomass burning in open areas, and reduction of residuals of agriculture in the area and the environment control.  and 3) The community effectiveness includes increasing the community income, career creation and support of local community activities. 

Key words: Small biomass power plants, biomass, effectiveness, community, environment