Even the bikini option is no energy cure-all

COMMENTARY

Even the bikini option is no energy cure-all

Published: 26 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Energy minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn can keep shouting about an energy crisis in April until he is blue in the face but the public will not believe it until they are told they can only use one light bulb and five hours of computer time a day. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra can set some fashion trends by shedding her silk jackets and embracing single-layer blouses of light materials but she will never succeed in convincing people to use less air-con until she limits its use to a quota of one per household or tells those who need more to pay a surcharge.

The simple truth is there is no crisis until a crisis hits home.

That is probably why the government's announcement that there could be an energy shortage in April when gas deliveries from Myanmar's Yadana field necessary for our electricity generation will be disrupted because of annual maintenance has been met with scepticism.

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jamjon01
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Discussion 8 : 26 Feb 2013 at 19.238
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Natural gas is your cleanest and most economical source. That is not a question. Purchasing it all from Myanmar-HA!, Now that's not smart.
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onlyasking
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Discussion 7 : 26 Feb 2013 at 13.167
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Instead of pointing fingers at each other, just go out and save energy. Replace normal globes with energy saving ones +- 40% saving on lights, when leaving a room put off the lights, run airconditioners at 23C to 25C, use ceiling insolation, when using an AC in your bedroom at night use the timer on the AC to switch off after 1 or 2 hours, when boiling water only boil enough for what you need, decrease the running time on swimming pool pumps etc.
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pjt
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Discussion 6 : 26 Feb 2013 at 12.306
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The PT government has - as usual - failed to think before it speaks. Its communication failure has turned a serious issue worthy of thoughtful informed discussion into a pantomine. We deserve better
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tansri
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Discussion 5 : 26 Feb 2013 at 10.295
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Our electricity consumption increased 9% yoy and this year shut down is 5 days longer plus 3 days happens to be weekdays so no wonder why it's such an alarm warning. Having said there seems to be only one most critical day on the 5th April. If we all stop shouting at each other and plan to help voluntarily there won't be such a big deal. If private sector like offices, shopping mall all help we will get over it easily.
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Ian
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Discussion 4 : 26 Feb 2013 at 09.164
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There are many ways to conserve energy but most involve an initial cost. My house is painted roof and walls in reflective paint, about 50% dearer than normal all weather paint. My ceilings are aluminium backed plasterboard, above them is a layer of "Staycool". I don't like "black" windows, so instead have awnings over them. Whenever I built an extension I used lightweight thermal bricks, not the normal concrete aggregate ones. All my lights are high efficiency LEDs and refrigerators are set to optimum not maximum.
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Victor
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Discussion 3 : 26 Feb 2013 at 07.313
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Annual maintenance during the peak period is the most absurd explanation, even from a Thai minister.

Bikini option maybe cool for the wearers but will generate a lot of heat, so this is not an option, I think.
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phetpeter
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Discussion 2 : 26 Feb 2013 at 06.482
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"annual maintenance" So why was there no problem last year? Nor the year before?
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musashi
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Discussion 1 : 26 Feb 2013 at 06.181
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A single simple act like turning up the aircon by one degree could lead to 3% in energy savings in a year. It will also reduce health issues such as nasal problems (sinus, sneezing) and dry eyes caused by air-conditioning.

We should also switch off electrical appliances which are not in use (if you see the little LED light on your photocopier, microwave or TV, and you are not using it, you can be sure some electricity is being wasted all the time).

Saving energy is a good habit we can easily acquire.
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Even the bikini option is no energy cure-all | Bangkok Post: opinion