| |
|
Story : Thanapol Eawsakul
|
|
 |
 |
For the past thirty years, oil prices have never been solely the result of normal market mechanisms but instead dependent on a myriad of determining factors. Countries in the Middle East, the main exporters of oil, controlled their energy resources and manipulated oil prices by increasing oil prices, limiting oil supply and limiting oil production, oftentimes as political leverage to serve their political interests.
Thailand herself has very small energy reserves. Considering that current levels of daily energy consumption will persist if not increase, that roughly 90% of domestic oil consumption in Thailand depends on foreign oil, and that Thailand's own energy reserves accommodate only 2% of entire domestic energy consumption, we should do more to actively seek out alternate sources of energy to lessen our dependence on dangerously unpredictable and highly volatile oil prices... |
|
 |
|
Biodiesel is the term used for raw fuel produced by the transesterification of vegetable oils, animal fats and seaweed oils. The product has characteristics most similar to diesel fuel and can be used as its substitute or mixed in with diesel as a supplement. Diesel cars use biodiesel fuel as efficiently as normal diesel fuel, and do not have to be adjusted in any way. Furthermore, the environmentally friendly advantages of biodiesel fuel over diesel fuel aptly suggest why many countries in Europe are creating tax incentives for biodiesel fuel usage. France mixes biodiesel fuel with her diesel fuel supplies at 5 percent, while some states in the United States are beginning to use this and similar mixtures for school buses. Currently, there are 85 factories in 21 countries around the world that produce biodiesel fuel. The Petroleum Authority of Thailand distributes biodiesel fuel at only 8 pumps in Bangkok. |
|
 |
|
But besides biodiesel fuel, there are certainly other avenues for Thailand to explore for alternate energy sources. For one, the locally grown "black soap" trees, largely ignored in the past, provide an energy source that is easily grown and can be used up until very cold, unusual temperatures for Thailand. There are many more attractive options out there, all requiring further exploration. Let's hope we appreciate our experience with the oil crises of the past, lest the current volatile situation in the Middle East reminds us again of the need to actively seek out alternate sources of energy. |
|
