Environmental research

At present, the whole world has become aware of the urgency for conservation of environment and energy, both at community and global level. Ban Hin-Ngom , a medium-sized village of 331 families in the rural area of the northeastern region, has some basic information , has witnessed some development projects in its neighboring area and has become more aware of the potential of energy conservation/renewable energy use in day-to-day living of its members. In order to fully put what has been learnt into practice, the Hin-Ngom Tambol Administrative Organization, a legitimate community governing unit , has planned with its members to propose a project which simultaneously conserve energy and promote the use of renewable energy. The project aims to reduce the consumption of electricity from grid in the existing community domestic water pumping facility .This would be accomplished by connecting in parallel with the grid a solar energy system , making it a two-way system. The system will reduce the grid electricity consumption through the timely use of electricity from the solar panels . Whenever the sunlight is available, electricity from the panels will replace the one from grid. When there is not enough sunlight, electricity from grid will be reverted into use. Evidently, the more sunlight during the year, the more electricity from the sun will be used and more grid energy conserved and quite definitely, Ban Hin-Ngom has not and will not experience any shortage of sunlight throughout a year. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To conserve energy and environment by using solar energy in place of energy from grid 2.To reduce the grid electricity bill and establish community fund by using the amount saved 3.To promote energy conservation and renewable energy application at community scale Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Procuring photo-voltaic solar panels and their accessories 2.Installing the equipment procured in 1. 3.Putting into operation the newly installed system 4.Organizing training/seminar on renewable energy for leaders of communities 5.Establishing community fund , channeling money from the margin between electricity bill of the organization and the sum of water bill of members Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Direct participants/beneficiaries are from members of 331 families of target population. 2.Staff members of local government units 3.Village Development Committee of Ban Hin-Ngom and Ban Silathong Anticipated results of project/ Indicators: 1.Community members realize the importance of water and energy conservation which would be evinced by the quantity of water used and the electricity bill- anticipated at 50 % decrease from before. 2.More members of communities become aware of energy conservation witnessed by their increased cooperation / participation in community development projects.

Thailand