The regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya City Expats
Club got underway at the Amari’s Henry J. Beans Restaurant on Sunday, April
5 when master of ceremonies Les Edmonds welcomed everyone to the meeting.
After the usual announcements, he called on “Sig” Sigworth to introduce the
guest speaker, Wim Scheggetman.
Wim
Scheggetman, of Technology Green Solutions Co., Ltd., which manufactures
various products using solar and/or infrared energy, tells PCEC members of
the environmental benefits of ‘going green’ with heat reclamation from air
conditioners etc to hot water systems.
Wim, originally from Holland, immigrated to Australia when he was in his
teens. He worked there for 20 years as federal government manager for a
large multinational company in Canberra. In 1990, he set up his own business
employing about 150 people. He has developed many products and is holder of
15 patents. He sold his business in 2000 and, like many of us, moved to
Thailand to retire. However, his interest in solar and renewable energy has
kept him busy here in Thailand. He is presently with Technology Green
Solutions Co., Ltd., which manufactures various products using solar and/or
infrared energy.
Wim began by commenting on the need for the world to significantly reduce
carbon dioxide emissions and described some of the things being done about
it. However, he did caution that some gadgets currently on the market come
from China without any quality control assurance of their effectiveness or
durability. During the next five years, he anticipates there will be
significant improvements in products designed to use renewable energy.
Wim
also had his infrared radiator panel, and the Infrarelax ® wooden rocking
chair. Ideal for colder climates, the Infrarelax chair can save energy by
just keeping the person warm, rather than having to warm the whole building.
Wim pointed out that the sun can provide an enormous source of renewable
energy. He gave a brief description of the solar panels that are available
today. He said the panels his company makes are mostly exported to other
countries, because Thailand has still not fully embraced the concept. Thus,
he believes more education on the subject is needed for businesses,
government officials, and others.
Wim mentioned some of the products they currently make or are developing.
They manufacture and install hot water solar systems, hot water heat pumps,
hot water waste heat recovery systems, solar photovoltaic (grids) systems,
infrared heat technology products, and solar garden products.
Richard
Silverberg shares his ‘website of the week’ with the PCEC audience.
He noted that solar panels used for generating electricity are different
from those used to power hot water systems and explained why this was so. He
also said that in installing solar panels they use simulation software
developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which
allows them to place the panels in a location that will best use the angle
of the sun for the greatest efficiency.
Wim also described their infrared heat technology and products. He noted
that infrared heat is efficient as it has a high reduction in energy usage,
has no CO2 emission, does not dry the air, has no maintenance costs, is
noiseless, and has no mold and dust movement; the latter making it ideal for
those with asthma and sinus conditions. Wim encouraged those that were
contemplating constructing a house or other structure to investigate using
solar or infrared energy.
Wim also described a new product they are developing, called the Infrarelax
® wooden rocking chair. He had brought two prototypes to demonstrate. Two
members of the audience were asked to sit in the chairs for a short period
to experience the infrared heat - two brave souls did volunteer even though
these were obviously “electric” chairs as they were plugged into electrical
outlets.
Wim said the chairs not only provide infrared heat, good for sitting on a
porch in cool weather (not Thailand, of course), but they also can relieve
back pain. Our two volunteers said it was a pleasant experience and the
chairs were comfortable. Wim said the chairs have controls to adjust the
temperature and use 110 to 240 volts. He said his company plans to export
the chairs in the near future.
Wim also provided some handouts with information on their products, which
included the address of their showroom (Saraan House opposite Big C in South
Pattaya). For more information on Wim’s company, visit www.tgs.co.th
After Wim answered many questions from the audience, emcee Les called on the
club’s internet guru, Richard Silverberg. Richard said that this week he
would not talk about a particular website. Instead he wanted to talk about
some of the features of most email programs; primarily the ‘cc’ and ‘bcc’
functions. The ‘cc’ notation derived from the time that carbon paper was
commonly used and stood for carbon copy (in today’s carbonless world, it is
now often considered to mean “courtesy” copy). When you address an email
using the ‘cc’ function, the recipients can see all email addresses of those
receiving the message. However, if you wish to address a message, but do not
wish to reveal the email addresses of the recipients, Richard said you
should use the ‘bcc’ function, which means “blind carbon copy.” When this
feature is used, the addressees of the message will not be shown each
recipients copy.
Emcee Les then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Hawaii Bob
to conduct the always informative and often humorous Open Forum where
information is shared on living in Pattaya and Thailand.
