PTTEP Teenergy Winners Test Three Marine Conservation Solutions
PTTEP's Teenergy Year 10 project supported three youth teams to pilot marine conservation innovations across Thailand. Winners from Surat Thani, Chulalongkorn, and Kasetsart universities developed a rubber fender that absorbs oil spills, a wave generator to improve turtle nursery conditions, and a smart feeding platform for sustainable aquaculture. All prototypes underwent successful real-world testing in Surat Thani and Chonburi provinces.
PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) opened a platform for youth to turn ideas into action through the fourth Marine Resource Conservation Innovation Contest under the PTTEP Teenergy Year 10 project, themed "Sea for Life," to promote marine resource restoration.
After the contest concluded, the innovation journey did not end on stage; PTTEP continued supporting all three winning teams to pilot their projects in real-world settings.
The "Rubber Fender Innovation from Para Rubber Latex" by the SRTC Love Sea team from Surat Thani Technical College won the top prize in the PROTECT category for protecting the seabed from various threats. The team observed damage to fishing boats while docked and developed a durable fender from para rubber latex — a key southern resource — that absorbs oil spills without leaking or releasing pollutants into water sources. After winning, the team tested their prototype at the Khlong Pracharat Pier in Surat Thani. Tests showed a single fender, made from 21 kg of para rubber latex, absorbed 4 liters of oil. The oil can then be squeezed out for reuse, and the fender material can be recycled.
"Innovation may start from a close-to-home problem found in daily life; just open your mind to look for it and dare to take action. Proud to bring knowledge and determination to create innovation for our hometown and our seas," said Dulayawat Thongkada (Mon), representative of the SRTC Love Sea team.
Meanwhile, the "Turtle Wave Power Generator" by the Turtle Wave Power team from Chulalongkorn University won the top prize in the PRESERVE category for conserving and restoring marine and coastal resources. While studying sea turtle nurseries, the team found most ponds had still water, unlike natural conditions where turtles face constant waves and currents. This caused stress and self-biting behavior in some turtles. They developed a water-current generation device that retrofits to existing nursery ponds, controlled via an application. The prototype was installed and tested at the Royal Thai Navy's Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Chonburi. Results showed reduced biting behavior and increased movement distribution within the pond.
"We want the Turtle Wave Power Generator to be more than an innovation — to raise awareness of the importance of marine resource conservation and show that a simple concept can truly solve problems," said Wintakorn Khamphira (Ultra), representative of the Turtle Wave Power team.
The "Smart Feeding Platform for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture" by the Ahwang Rangwang team from Kasetsart University won the top prize in the PROVIDE category for creating opportunities for community economic development. Facing multiple limitations in sea cage farming, the team applied technology to upgrade farm management, developing a platform connecting automatic feeders with sensors and camera systems, displaying real-time data via an application. The prototype was tested at the Sriracha Fisheries Research Station in Chonburi.
"The PTTEP Teenergy project gave us knowledge, expert advice, and experience in developing our work. We also gained good friendships and new perspectives from fellow participants, showing that innovation arises from understanding problems, learning together, and applying knowledge to create real benefits," said Nicha (Tonhom), representative of the Ahwang Rangwang team.
