Piyasvasti: E85 may not be the right answer

Thailand’s current energy policies need to be improved soon or environmental problems and supply security challenges will become too big to manage, said Piyasvasti Amranand, chairman of the advisory board of the Energy for Environmental Foundation (E for E), and a former energy minister. Piyasvasti said he disagrees with the Thai government’s decision to develop E85 gasohol, a 15% ethanol-gasoline blend, as the country is not prepared for it. Huge investments, he asserted, would be needed to construct facilities and develop compatible cars. Also, he added, the advancement of technology would make E85 a waste of time and budget, as it is likely that hydrogen fuel and battery-powered systems would supplant petrol and gasohol. However, Piyasvasti said, he agrees with the government’s decision to promote green fuels such as biodiesel, as it would help lessen Thailand’s reliance on imported crude. (May 31, 2009)