Advanced Geothermal Energy Potential and Technology in Thailand

The National Energy Plan (NEP) 2024, Ministry of Energy, Thailand, is a master plan that sets the direction for Thailand's energy policy development. The goal is to support the country in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. Geothermal energy is promoted in the NEP at a power generation of 21 MWe and a heat utilization of 10 ktoe. Geothermal energy in Thailand is characterized as hot water-dominated resources at a low-temperature potential below 120ºC. The geothermal resources of approximately 97–112 locations are relatively found in the north to south of the Earth's crust. An isotope study of geofluids in Thailand implies that hot springs slightly differ from those of surface water resources (rivers). The low-potential geothermal energy is directly related to a low-temperature renewable energy technology. A combined energy and tourism utilization is the main strategy for geothermal energy in Thailand. A cascade energy technology based on geofluid temperature from a power of temperature above 90ºC (organic Rankine cycle for binary and trinary systems), a cooling process of temperature 70–90ºC (absorption system), and a drying process of temperature 50–90ºC (drying room and drying room heat pump) is developed through the ongoing 30-year energy strategy of the Thai government.