An ontology serving Web based Energy Information Systems for Thailand

Thailand has a variety of energy sources at hand, such as biogas, hydropower and geothermal as well as solar energy, all of which can be exploited for the growing demand for energy in the country but is still dependent on foreign supply. The country has to use a considerable share of its budget to import energy. Whereas the most important location of energy consumption is in the industrial area around Bangkok, the sustainable energy sources are far more scattered across the country. In this paper, we present the results of a design-and-create research comprising (1) a framework of an Energy Information System (EIS) for education and research, (2) an XML database covering data on local power production and consumption, and (3) a temporal-spatial ontology conceptualizing energy sources and power plants in Thailand together with the administrative divisions of the country (provinces and districts). With this system we want to make spatial and temporal data on energy sources and consumption available and shareable, for example with the help of the Semantic Web, so that researchers, practitioners, students and members of communities can find information and work together seamlessly.