Heat: A Major Cause of Rising Electricity Costs

Heat is considered one of the significant physical hazards in workplaces. In industrial settings, workers often face heat-related issues from production processes or various machinery. Industries or businesses that involve heat-intensive work include paper pulp production, tire manufacturing, glass and light bulb production, metal smelting, casting, or rolling. Many industrial establishments are seeking solutions to prevent and control heat for worker safety and to reduce heat loss.

Heat Loss and Rising Electricity Costs

Did you know that “heat” is one of the reasons for “increasing electricity costs”? Electricity rates in Thailand have nearly doubled due to the import of natural gas from abroad and increased electricity demand, especially in the industrial and business sectors.

Heat affects many Thai industries, which are currently facing higher production costs due to significantly increased electricity prices with no signs of reduction. Many industrial plants have heat sources without proper insulation, resulting in heat loss and energy waste. Besides machinery heat, factors contributing to heat generation may include production processes, building design, and ventilation systems, leading to energy loss and higher electricity costs.

Current Situation (October 2022)

When investigating the causes of rising electricity costs, it was found that the increase in the Ft (Fuel Adjustment) charge during 2022-2023 is due to four main reasons:

1. Reduced domestic gas supply, necessitating the import of Spot LNG as a supplement.
2. Gas production from Myanmar cannot meet its original capacity and is expected to decrease continuously from late 2022 to early 2023. This resulted in an Ft charge of 93.43 satang per unit for September-December 2022. When combined with the “base electricity rate,” it sets a record high of 4.72 baht per unit, up from the previous 4.00 baht.
3. LNG producers have slowed down investments due to low energy demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as many countries recover from COVID, the demand for LNG has exceeded the global production capacity, affecting LNG prices.
4. The Russia-Ukraine war has led Russia to reduce or cut natural gas pipeline supplies to Europe, resulting in a significant increase in LNG demand in Europe and indirectly affecting LNG prices in the Asian market.

ZAVE^®: A Solution to Heat Loss and High Electricity Costs

ZAVE^® energy-saving insulation from NTi helps reduce heat loss problems that contribute to shockingly high electricity costs. This issue can be addressed by using ZAVE^® removable insulation, made with standard materials from HKO Germany, which can continuously withstand temperatures up to 1000°C. Its properties include:

• Non-flammable, non-combustible
• Reduces machine surface temperatures
• Decreases heat radiation in work areas
• Protects workers from dangerous heat during long-term exposure
• Ensures employee safety from heat
• Saves energy and electricity costs by up to 20-30% (depending on temperature, machine operating time, and insulation thickness)
• Controls wasteful energy use and reduces production costs

ZAVE^® insulation can be easily removed for cleaning the machinery inside and reinstalled without complications. Customers can remove and replace it themselves without special tools. Importantly, ZAVE^® insulation has a longer lifespan than conventional insulation due to its higher density.

Benefits of ZAVE^® Insulation

1. Energy Efficiency: Helps reduce electricity costs significantly.
2. Worker Safety: Protects employees from prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
3. Easy Maintenance: Can be removed and reinstalled easily for machinery cleaning and maintenance.
4. Durability: Longer lifespan compared to conventional insulation.
5. Versatility: Suitable for various industrial applications with high-temperature processes.
6. Cost-Effective: Contributes to lower production costs through energy savings.

Conclusion

Rising electricity costs will no longer be a problem when you manage heat loss from industrial production processes easily by choosing ZAVE^® energy-saving insulation. This removable industrial insulation effectively helps reduce electricity costs. For assistance in selecting the most suitable insulation for your specific needs or budget, contact NTi’s sales department.

By implementing ZAVE^® insulation, industries can not only reduce their electricity costs but also improve worker safety and overall operational efficiency. As Thailand continues to face challenges in energy prices, proactive heat management with solutions like ZAVE^® becomes crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the industrial sector.