Smart-Micro Grid for Rural Electrification Ministry of Energy initiates Smart Micro Grid prototype for demonstration and piloting in 3 communities in Lamphun Province. EPPO’s Director General in the Opening Ceremony in June 2018 Ministry of energy and Renewable Energy for Sustainable Association (RESA) implement the community micro grid pilot project to demonstrate the application of solar PV electricity, high efficiency energy storage, local distribution lines and solar PV for water pumping in Lamphun Province for rural electrification area and better quality of life. The project has been completed and electricity has been distributed since June 2018. Due to the remotely rural areas and as a reason of located in national reserve area encountering difficulty in transportation and transmission line construction suggesting un- electrification in some communities. For a better quality of life, EPPO and RESA with the support from ENCON Fund has initiated an off-grid Smart-Micro Grid for rural electrification in the National Reserved Areas. The first pilot project covers 365 households in 3 communities of Ban Pong Phang, Ban Pha Dan and Ban Mae Sa Ngae in Amphoe Mae Tha, Changwat Lamphun. These 3 communities faced the problem of insufficient water for consumption and irrigation as well as un-electrified communities. Therefore for rising quality of life of people in communities in accessing water and electricity, Ministry of Energy by Energy Planning and Policy Office (EPPO) with the support from Energy Conservation Fund (ENCON Fund) assigned and cooperated with Renewable Energy for Sustainable Association (RESA) in implementing these remotely rural un-electrification communities serving the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy given by His Majesty the King Rama 9. The sustainable approach for the communities include Micro Grid and local distribution line implementation suitable to the condition of each individual community and local people participation. In general the system consists of Solar PV installation in conjunction with high efficient energy storage, water pumping by Solar PV for consumption and irrigation. The project decrease expenses for farmer and raising a better quality of life to communities. Solar PV for electricity with Grid Interactive with installed capacity of 102 kW equipped with Energy Storage Systems (Lithium Battery and Flow Battery) capacity of 307.2 kWh. For electricity security in this area, standby diesel generator with the capacity of 40 kW is also implemented and local distribution lines, street light and water pumping. This Smart-Micro Grid supports and provides sufficient electricity and well water for the total number of 365 households in these 3 communities. Beside this, for the sustainability of the project and sustainable community, electricity charge is collected in income management has been introduced into these communities for operating and maintenance of the system. This project is claimed as the first pilot project of combining Lithium Battery and Flow Battery in Thailand. The project started in October 2017 and discharged electricity through meters in June 2018, limiting the amount of usable energy of maximum of 500 Watts per household, for 2 lamps, one TV set, which is enough for normal living. With the introduction of electricity into communities, children can study in night time, people can extend their working hours earning more income, people can acknowledge news & announcement from government and entertain themselves on drama and varieties, and enough water for consumption and irrigation. The quality of life becomes better. Remark: The first Smart Microgrid site in Thailand was introduced in Thailand by Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in Ban Khun Pae, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province in late 2017. This Smart Microgrid system utilizes electricity generated by hydropower and solar PV equipped with high efficiency energy storage serving Ban Khun Pae Community and its vicinity total of 483 households. *************************** Cultural Visit – 14th September, 2018 PM Wat Phra That Hariphunchai 12th Century Lanna Temple with Mon Style Chedi Located in the center of Lamphun Town, on Inthayongyot Road (Highway 106), near the Mae Kuang River is the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a very large temple with numerous structures dating from different periods. The name of the “Wat” translates to “Temple of the Sacred Hariphunchai Relic”. Lamphun is one of Thailand’s oldest cities. It was founded in the 9th Century and was the Capital of the Mon Kingdom Hariphunchai. The Lanna style Wat Phra That Hariphunchai was built on the site of an earlier 9th Century Mon temple and houses one of the very few remaining examples of Mon architecture in Thailand. According to the legend, the temple was founded in 1150 by a Hariphunchai King, to enshrine a Buddha relic found in the Palace garden. It was built on the spot where the Palace of the first ruler of the Hariphunchai Kingdom, Queen Chamadevi used to be. At the end of the 13th Century, Hariphunchai was besieged by King Mengrai who brought Lamphun into the Lanna Kingdom. About mid 15th Century, the temple was renovated and expanded with a number of Lanna style structures. Structures of the temple The grounds contain numerous structures, including several chedis (pagoda, stupa). An arched entrance gate guarded by large red lions gives access to the square walled grounds. Phra Maha That Chedi enshrining relics of the Buddha The temple derives its name from the Phra Maha That Chedi, that was built to enshrine relics of the Buddha. The Lanna style chedi was built mid 15th century when Lamphun was part of the Lanna Kingdom. It is covered with copper plates and topped with a multi-tiered golden umbrella weighing 6½ kilos. The 46 meter high chedi encases a much smaller 9th century Mon stupa. The chedi sits inside a square fenced space, not accessible to visitors. The gilded parasols at each of its four corners were added early 19th century. Lanna style chedi Box 1 Chedi : The chedi, also called stupa or sometimes pagoda is the most important and sacred structure of the wat. Originally, a chedi contained relics of the Buddha, later on they were also used to enshrine the remains of Kings or a very important monk. Chedis are found in various shapes and variations, though typically they have a conical shape. The most used chedi style in Thailand is the bell shaped form. The shape of the chedi is likely derived from an ancient burial mound. The biggest stupa in the world is the 127 meter high Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom province, close to Bangkok. The Mon style Suwanna chedi A little older is the Mon style Suwanna chedi which dates from the early 15th century. It is one of the few remaining examples of Mon architecture in Thailand and similar in style to the chedi of nearby Wat Ku Kut. The Suwanna chedi has the shape of a stepped pyramid, with five steps of receding size. Originally, the brick stupa was covered with stucco, of which little is left. The chedi contains a total of 60 niches in which standing Buddha images were enshrined, most of which are missing today. Mon style Suwanna chedi The Ho Trai or library The temple’s Ho Trai, the building where the ancient Buddhist scriptures are kept, is a very elegant teak structure with a multi- tiered roof and intricately carved doors. The Lanna style Ho Trai is built on top of a 3 meter high red painted stone base, which serves to protect the scriptures from flooding and insects. Lanna style Ho Trai Box 2 Ho Trai (Scripture library): The Ho Trai is the library of the Wat where the Buddhist scriptures are kept. Ho Trai structures can be found in many different architectural styles and sizes. Traditionally a Ho Trai was a wooden building on stilts over a pond to keep out all kinds of insects, because in the old days the Buddhist scriptures were written on dried palm leaves. In Northern Thailand the Ho Trai is often a high brick building with a wooden structure on top of it, like the Ho Trai of the Wat Phra Singh temple in Chiang Mai. Viharn Luang The main viharn of the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, the Viharn Luang was rebuilt in 1925. The very large structure has an impressive, very intricately decorated front façade and a multi- tiered roof. Inside the viharn that is adorned with beautiful lai kham decorations are several very old Buddha images, including a very highly revered image named the “Buddha with sharp shins”, a large seated Lanna style Buddha image cast in 1489. Box 3 Viharn (Assembly hall) : A viharn or wiharn will often look like the ubosot, except that it is not surrounded by sema stones. In the viharn several Buddhist ceremonies take place with both monks and lay people. Inside the viharn Buddha images are kept. People from outside the Wat come to the viharn to prey. There can be more than one viharn in a Wat. Some viharns are surrounded by a gallery containing a great number of Buddha images. In the early days of Buddhism viharns were build to provide shelter for travelling monks during the rainy season. Other viharns The grounds of the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai houses an impressive number of viharns. Next to the main chedi is the Viharn Phra Chao Lawo, a small structure with a multi tiered roof. Its front façade is beautifully decorated in gold and red colors. The Viharn Phra Chao Daeng is a small viharn with a beautiful green and gold decorated pediment on its front façade. The viharn houses a large seated Buddha image in the Bhumisparsha mudra, surrounded by several smaller images. Behind it is another small viharn, named Viharn Phra Chao Pan Ton. The Viharn Than Chai houses a standing Buddha image.