“Red Lotus Lake” (Talay Bua Daeng), a renowned natural attraction in Udon Thani Province, has recently regained widespread public attention following the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) “Amazing Thailand: Feel All the Feelings” campaign, which invites visitors to experience nature-based tourism amid the breathtaking seasonal bloom of red lotuses at Kumphawapi Nonharn Lake.
Amid this renewed interest, the KKU Battery and Modern Energy Factory (KKUVolts), under Khon Kaen University, in collaboration with the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and the local community, has advanced the development and real-world testing of high-performance batteries for electric long-tail boats.
This initiative aims to deploy clean energy technology tailored for ecological tourism, with a strong emphasis on performance, safety, and operational reliability in real environmental conditions. The transition to electric boats is expected to transform tourism at Red Lotus Lake into a new era of conservation-based travel, enabling quiet, smooth, and environmentally friendly boat operations. Visitors will be able to enjoy the natural surroundings more fully, free from engine noise and fuel emissions, enhancing both comfort and environmental preservation.
Associate Professor Nonlake Meethong, Lecturer in Physics, Faculty of Science, and Director of the KKU Battery and Modern Energy Factory, Khon Kaen University, stated, “Today, the technology is ready. What follows is the power of collaboration and investment to ensure that every uncle and aunt in the community can drive electric boats, offering tourists a clean, quiet, and sustainable experience of the Red Lotus Lake.”
The batteries deployed in this project are engineered for high efficiency, operational stability, continuous use, and safety, making them particularly suitable for the ecosystem of Nonharn Lake. This ensures smooth navigation that does not disturb the natural surroundings, thereby promoting high-quality conservation tourism. Furthermore, the clean energy solution reduces fuel costs for the tour boat operators while laying the groundwork for long-term, low-carbon tourism.
In a related effort, KKUVolts is also supporting mobility research. It has provided a 72V 100Ah battery pack system to King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) for use in developing electric boats and future transport systems in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
This collaboration further extends knowledge in energy and intelligent technology. KKUVolts batteries are equipped with a real-time IoT monitoring system that tracks operating status during actual use, providing data on energy consumption, temperature, system status, and GPS location. This allows research teams to analyse in-depth data necessary for the accurate and continuous enhancement of performance, safety, and future service models.
KKUVolts firmly believes that clean energy can achieve sustainable impact only when technology, research, and real-world application advance together. The factory positions itself as an “Energy Consulting Partner” for public and private organisations seeking to initiate clean energy projects, CSR initiatives, or S-Curve business development. KKUVolts is ready to deliver high-quality battery systems that meet international safety standards and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) requirements, with the shared goal of generating lasting positive impact for communities, society, and the environment.
