R&D is an important mechanism to drive the country’s economy and society. ENTEC is a leading research organization in the field of energy technology development. Its main mission is to conduct research, create innovations, and develop knowledge and expertise to support Thailand’s energy policy. The work of ENTEC covers 5 areas, namely 1) renewable energy, 2) energy storage, 3) conventional energy, 4) system integration and energy management, and 5) energy efficiency including energy policy/resilience studies.

In 2022, ENTEC transferred technology to the private sector for commercial use in 3 projects related to solar cell technology. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to technology invention, research, and innovation development to enable our private sector to expand and build new businesses. ENTEC also collaborated with the private sector through joint research and innovative development of a battery-swapping platform for electric motorcycles. This platform will help reduce the costs of development, production, and complicated installation, as well as enhance the competitiveness of our industry and strengthen the local economy. Furthermore, ENTEC also plays a significant role in driving the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) agenda through a pilot project designed to reduce and utilize industrial waste. The project demonstrates the potential use of a smart microgrid solar system made from decommissioned solar panels to benefit the community such as running a solar pump system for agriculture, for instance. Solar panels with low performance are converted into solar-powered furniture such as tables and chairs that can generate electricity.

In term of economic development, ENTEC has developed a range of sustainable development goals (SDGs) products made from processed crude palm oil. Examples include less flammable bio-transformer oil and bio-based lubricants.  Additionally, ENTEC manufactured electrolyte disinfectant generators for 10 hospitals to alleviate disinfectant shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. As disinfectant is constantly used in the hospital, an ability to produce it onsite even after the situation has been resolved is proven to be extremely useful.

ENTEC also pays attention to improving the quality of life using our expertise in energy to provide education opportunities for promoting well-being and reducing inequality of marginal people. In the ICT project supporting lifelong learning for remote communities under the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,  ENTEC designed a robust and low-maintenance solar power generating system suitable for schools located in remote areas. The system provides electricity for school and even students’ households by allowing children to charge batteries at the school and bring them back home. Furthermore, knowledge has been disseminated to villagers through the “manufacture of self-reliant LED lighting kits” project. All in all, ENTEC is committed to creating opportunities to improve the quality of life for people living in remote communities according to the government’s policy of “leaving no one behind.”

In 2023, ENTEC is determined to develop energy technology and innovation to respond to the current and future energy trends, as well as to collaborate with domestic and international agencies such as Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA) (TESTA), Hydrogen Thailand, and ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) to exchange and develop new energy technologies that will create positive impacts and drive the economy and society toward sustainable energy security.