By School of Environment, Resources and Development
June 26, 2025: Asian Institute of Technology hosted the Islanded Wave-Powered Microgrid Pilot for Remote Islands in Thailand (IsWEPT) Workshop. The event brought together international experts and Thai stakeholders to showcase advancements in ocean energy, microgrid control systems, and inclusive energy access solutions. The workshop was led by Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul, Principal Investigator and Executive Director of the Bangchak Initiative and Innovation Center at AIT (BIIC@AIT) and faculty member at the Department of Energy and Climate Change , and assisted by Engr. Daryl Anne Varela, Doctoral scholar at the Sustainable Energy Transition academic program, in collaboration with key partners including Leonics, Aquatera, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), Toshiba, the University of Exeter (UoE), Eco Wave Power, and the University of Manchester (UoM). The project is supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The IsWEPT project aims to develop an inclusive, islanded wave-powered microgrid system to enhance energy access in remote and isolated island communities across Thailand and Southeast Asia. By focusing on technological innovation, affordability, and social inclusion, the project envisions a scalable and sustainable deployment model designed for coastal regions. Importantly, IsWEPT integrates social equity considerations, emphasizing gender equality, participatory engagement, and inclusive access as core principles in energy system design.
Prior to the workshop, the IsWEPT project team visited Koh Tao, the selected pilot site for a wave-powered microgrid system. The visit focused on assessing site conditions, evaluating existing energy infrastructure, and engaging with local stakeholders to gauge community readiness.
Day one of the workshop, held at the AIT Energy Building, focused on technical presentations showcasing project progress, technological innovations, and field insights on wave-powered microgrids. The sessions brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from academia, utilities, regulatory agencies, the private sector, and international organizations, including EGAT, PEA, MEA, ERC, DEDE, BCPG, PTT, SCG, UNESCAP, and partner institutions.
The workshop aimed to foster knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration on wave-powered micro grids, explore Thailand’s regulatory landscape for off-grid electrification, promote inclusive and commercially viable energy solutions, and strengthen capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
The Workshop Speakers Included:
- Ian Hutchison (Aquatera)- Project Overview
- Marianne Catanyag (Aquatera)- Ocean Energy Development
- Yuval Shavit (Eco Wave Power)- WEC Technologies
- Dr. Mustafa Al-Ani (Toshiba)- Sea Wave Radar Prediction
- Prof. Guang Li (UoM)- Bi-directional PTO Systems
- Dr. Wuthipong Suponthana (Leonics)- Microgrid Controller
- Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul (AIT)- Koh Tao Case Study
- Dr. Kamyar Mehran (QMUL)- Pilot Microgrid Integration
The day concluded with an open forum exploring how wave-powered microgrids can contribute to Thailand’s clean energy transition.
On the second day, participants visited a commercial microgrid demonstration site at Bangchak Corporation in Samut Prakan. The visit showcased the integration of blockchain-enabled energy trading with renewable energy systems, offering firsthand insights into the operational challenges and opportunities of real-world micro grid deployments.
Photo courtesy and support by: Ms. Daryl Anne Varela, Doctoral scholar, Sustainable Energy Transition (SE) academic program
