News Clipping Archive - Page 1062 of 1348

Renewables

DEN recommends five strategies to develop renewable energy

22 October 2019

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Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) – in a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil energy to meet national demand, Indonesia’s National Energy Council (DEN) has revealed five strategies to develop renewable energy. The council has recommended five strategies to develop renewable energy in Indonesia, Secretary General of DEN Djoko Siswanto said here Tuesday.

First, Indonesia would need to speed up the use of the B-30 biofuel (a mixture of diesel with 30 percent biodiesel), B-50 (50 percent biodiesel mixture), and B-100 (100 percent biodiesel), he said.

“In October 2019, the trial for the use of 30 percent biodiesel mixture (B-30) is targeted to reach its completion,” Siswanto said.

B30 is planned to be used massively in early 2020, and will be followed by the development of B50 and B100, he continued.

The second strategy is the development of a geothermal power plant, Siswanto said.

There are 13 geothermal power plants (PLTP) in 11 working areas that produce some 1,948 megawatts (MW) of geothermal energy, according to the ministry’s data.

Thirdly, Indonesia should continue to develop wind-generated power plants as the country has the potential to generate 978 megawatts of wind-based energy, he said.

The fourth strategy is the development of microhydro. Indonesia has only used seven percent of its hydropower that reached 75 thousand MW.

The fifth and final strategy is that all buildings and houses in the country should switch to solar power to reduce the use of fossil fuel.

The use of renewable energy is also part of Indonesia’s commitment to preserve the environment and minimize the risk of global warming, Siswanto said. (INE)

Energy Cooperation

Malaysia eyes stronger bilateral ties with UAE

22 October 2019

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Malaysia

DUBAI, Oct 22 — Malaysia is keen to strengthen its bilateral trade relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and expect to see total trade between the countries to increase by five per cent this year from the US$5.7 billion (RM23.8 billion) recorded in 2018.

The newly-appointed Malaysian Ambassador to the UAE Mohd Tarid Sufian said trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nation has been in its favour since 2017 but Malaysia managed to reduce the gap by 66 per cent last year.

“The UAE is keen to strengthen its existing strategic partnership with Malaysia, especially in the fields of agriculture technology, renewable and clean energy, halal industry and tourism.

“This will certainly be explored as they are some of our key areas of strength. With that, I am confident that this year’s trade will surpass last year’s,” he told Bernama.

Mohd Tarid said Malaysia’s relationship with the UAE was established on a strong foundation, given the similar trends and drivers of economic growth in both counties, including the manufacturing of new technologies, service and international trade, innovation, research and development, open trade policies and a strong small and medium enterprises sector.

Over the decades, Malaysia and the UAE have developed a strong bond and both countries have emerged as leading models for Islamic economy which embraces progress and development for its communities, he said.

The UAE is Malaysia’s largest trading partner among the GCC countries, followed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

For the first eight months of 2019, Malaysia’s total trade with the UAE stood at US$3.74 billion—a two per cent decrease from the same period in 2018.

Between January and August 2019, Malaysia’s major exports to the UAE include jewellery (US$483.6 million), electrical and electronic products (US$455.1 million), machinery and equipment (US$105.6 million) and processed food (US$75 million).

Meanwhile, commenting on the Dubai Expo 2020, Malaysia’s Consul General Mohd Hasril Abdul Hamid said the mega event is an exceptional platform for Malaysia to increase trade and business opportunities in the UAE and beyond.

“Malaysia recognises the importance of taking part in the world expo as over the years, such events have helped to advance and promote investment and trade prospects that our country has to offer.

“Dubai Expo 2020 will coincide with Visit Malaysia Year 2020, thus the expo is an opportune time to promote our beautiful country,” he added. — Bernama

Others

Mestecc evades question about Lynas licensing terms

22 October 2019

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The ministry of energy, science, technology, environment and climate change (Mestecc) appears to have sidestepped a question posed to the ministry in Parliament yesterday about Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s non-compliance with licensing conditions.

DAP lawmaker Wong Tack (PH-Bentong) had asked why Lynas’ licence was renewed this year despite it failing to comply with the government’s previous condition about submitting a location for its permanent disposal facility (PDF).

“The condition for them to come up with a location for the PDF should be fulfilled before their licence is renewed — this is [in accordance with] international standards, even in Australia.

“What is the reason for their licence being renewed despite failing to fulfil this? When is the deadline for them to remove the WLP (water leach purification) from their facility now, especially since the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has warned that these radioactive materials are being stored in flood-prone areas?” the environmentalist questioned.

In response, Mestecc’s Deputy Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis said Lynas is not required to have the PDF built at the licensing stage, before repeating the conditions the government set in August for the licence renewal that took effect on Sept 3.

Among the conditions she reiterated, as was previously reported, was that Lynas must identify the location to build the PDF and get written consent from the state government involved to use the location, and come up with a complete development plan for the PDF, including a payment plan to bear the building and operational cost of the PDF.

In a statement later, Wong said the AELB in 2012 set a condition forcing Lynas to submit the PDF location within 10 months from the date of issuance of a temporary operating licence then, failing which their licence would be suspended or revoked.

“It is crystal clear Lynas did not comply with this licensing condition [yet their licence was renewed twice since then] because AELB set the same condition again when renewing Lynas’ licence for six months, namely Lynas has to specify the location for the PDF,” he said.

“It is appalling that not only no action was taken against Lynas or the AELB by the ministry of energy, science, technology, environment and climate change, but [the fact is that] there has been blatant non-compliance with the licensing condition set in 2012. Yet, Lynas’ licence has been renewed again for another six months with the same condition! Only this time it’s less stringent because it’s not mentioned that Lynas’ licence will be suspended or revoked if they fail to comply,” he added.

Lynas radioactive residue reaches 637,581 tonnes

Earlier yesterday, Isnaraissah told Dewan Rakyat that Lynas Malaysia had produced 637,581 tonnes of WLP radioactive residue as at Sept 24, 2019, up from 451,564 tonnes in December last year.

As for non-radioactive scheduled waste disposal, specifically the neutralisation underflow residue, that stood at 1.08 million tonnes as at Sept 24 this year, down from 1.113 million in December last year.

Isnaraissah said the AELB had approved the renewal of Lynas operating licence for six months, under more stringent measures from the government to ensure that Lynas’ operations, especially in terms of waste management, are safe.

“The new terms were decided following the decision of the cabinet based on the recommendations made by the Executive Committee on Operations Evaluation of the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in its November 2018 report,” she said.

Isnaraissah was answering a query from Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera), who asked the government to state why it allowed Lynas’ plant in Kuantan to continue to operate, and the impact on the health of the people.

To her response, Ismail Sabri said the Pakatan Haparan government’s decision to renew Lynas’ licence had recognised that the Barisan Nasional government did nothing wrong in allowing Lynas to operate in Malaysia.

Bioenergy

Indian trade body urged not to deter members from buying Malaysian palm oil

22 October 2019

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Malaysia

BANGI, Oct 22 — The Ministry of Primary Industries has urged the Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) of India not to deter its members from importing Malaysian palm oil over remarks on New Delhi’s action in disputed Kashmir.

Its minister, Teresa Kok said while Malaysia is trying to understand the underlying sentiment associated with SEA’s advisory, its call for its members not to refrain from buying Malaysian palm oil “is a major setback in our progressing cooperation and working relations between Malaysia and India”.

The Indian trade body representing oilseed crushers has, on Monday, advised its members not to buy palm oil from Malaysia, taking a cue from New Delhi’s protest against Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks on the Kashmir conflict.

“I view this development with great concern, given the significant and long standing trade relations that we share between our two nations.

“It is important for SEA and the Malaysian palm oil industry to continue to work closely together and act as an effective bridge to promote good relations between the two countries,” she said at the 1st Palm Oil Supply and Demand Outlook Conference here today.

Kok noted that Malaysia and India have shared a long rooted historical and cultural commonality, as well as good diplomatic and trade relationship.

For SEA, palm oil, particularly from Malaysia, is a key raw material that allows profitable operations of their members involved in the local refining industry throughout India.

Besides palm oil, Malaysia’s trade with India includes oil and gas, automobiles, chemicals, electrical and electronics, food and other finished goods.

Last year, Malaysia’s total trade with India increased by 2.2 per cent to RM62.76 billion from RM61.38 billion in 2017.

Responding to a question from the media later, Kok said so far no formal communication was issued by the Indian government on the matter.

“This is (just) a call made by SEA and as for our next move to overcome this issue, I will leave it to the prime minister and also foreign minister to handle the rest,” she added.

Dr Mahathir in his speech at the 74th session of the General Assembly had said “despite UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, the country has been invaded and occupied,” and called on India to “work with Pakistan to resolve this problem”.

Earlier today, Dr Mahathir said that Putrajaya has no intention of bringing up the issue to the World Trade Organisation as the call for boycott did not came from the Indian government. — Bernama

Renewables

UOB launches U-Solar to promote RE adoption

22 October 2019

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: United Overseas Bank (UOB) today launched U-Solar, the first solar industry ecosystem in Asia to power the development and adoption of renewable energy across Southeast Asia.

Through U-Solar, the bank connects businesses and consumers across the entire solar power value chain and helps each play their role in their collective efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy.

Deputy chairman and chief executive officer Wee Ee Cheong said a sustainable energy industry is key to maintaining healthy development of the economy and community.

“In working together with our ecosystem partners and customers to open up and to tap opportunities in the solar power industry, we can create a positive economic and social impact.

“It is in keeping with our joint responsibility

to help in the region’s long-term economic, social and environmental well-being,” he said in a statement today.

Malaysia is the first ASEAN country in which UOB is rolling out its U-Solar ecosystem.

UOB Malaysia Bhd’s collaboration with leading local solar energy service providers, starting with ERS Energy, PlusSolar and Solarvest, will offer installation, commissioning, operations and after-sales service packages for solar power systems to help business and home owners.

Through U-Solar, the bank offers a suite of financial solutions to support the solar power value chain, from solar project developers, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, as well as the end-users of solar power, including consumers and companies.

In supporting the growth of the solar power industry, UOB provides solar project developers with

solutions in green financing, such as sukuk, project loans and portfolio financing, as well as cash

management services.

For EPC contractors, UOB offers end-to-end contract-based financing solutions, from bid bonds and letters of credit issuance to performance guarantees and working capital facilities.

Through U-Solar’s online portal, the bank also connects these industry players to potential customers

seeking solar power solutions for their factories, offices or homes.

To promote the adoption of solar power by the end-users which include companies and consumers, U-Solar offers a one-stop shop for them to plug easily into the services offered by UOB’s partners across the region.

They can also tap UOB’s financing solutions for the installation, operation and maintenance of solar power systems based on their business or personal needs in making the switch to solar power.

The launch of U-Solar here was officiated by Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change minister Yeo Bee Yin.

“The launch of UOB’s U-Solar programme as an ecosystem play caters to the concerns of the solar industry, whereby it is intended to be Asia’s first integrated solar energy marketplace across UOB’s key Southeast Asia markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

“I am proud that UOB has chosen Malaysia to be the first country to launch this programme,” Yeo said.

UOB Malaysia chief executive officer Wong Kim Choong said through the bank’s research and engagement with its customers, it is observed that many of them think that using solar power requires intensive upfront capital and is costly to maintain.

“With U-Solar, we hope to help our customers understand better the benefits of using solar power and to address their concern of costs by providing them with flexible repayment plans at competitive market rates,” he said.

U-Solar offers two flexible solutions to help Malaysian companies adopt solar power with little upfront

capital.

Companies can purchase a solar power system for their factory or office with the U-Solar green loan offered by UOB Malaysia, and can also apply for a two per cent rebate under the government’s Green Technology Financing Scheme 2.0 for their purchase.

They can also benefit from the government’s tax incentives under the Green Investment Tax Allowance and Green Investment Tax Exemption schemes.

Alternatively, businesses can sign up for a long-term solar power leasing agreement with the Bank’s U-Solar partners.

For home owners, UOB Malaysia offers on U-Solar’s online portal a zero per cent interest instalment plan

of up to 36 months 3 for the purchase of a solar power system.

Customers can also enjoy zero upfront costs for services provided by the Bank’s U-Solar partners including on-site assessment, installation and

maintenance of their solar power panels and systems at their residences.

“Through our collaboration with Malaysia’s market-leading solar power service providers, ERS Energy,

PlusSolar and Solarvest, we hope to drive greater adoption of solar energy across Malaysia.

“It will also help support the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia’s Net Energy Metering programme and MESTECC’s renewable energy target of 20 per cent in the national power generation mix by 2025,”

Bioenergy

Young inventors create device that converts noise to electricity

22 October 2019

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Philippines

The Sound – Light or “S-Light” was created by “Team Voltage 5” composed of Grade 11 students Kirsten Dianne Delmo, Nico Andrei Serrato, Joecile Faith Monana, Frelean Faith Engallado, and Raphael Francis Dequilla.

While electricity is normally used to power up speakers, this invention reverses that process and uses sound and converts it to electricity.

Since noise can be found almost everywhere as a waste product of human activity and is unavoidable, utilizing it as an alternative source of energy is still unexplored by most inventors.

The invention won the Silver Award during the Young Inventors Challenge 2019 in Malaysia.

According to the team, they are aware that converting noise to electricity is not a new concept but no infrastructure has been made applying this concept.

When sound waves hit the diaphragm of the speaker, the magnet and the coil inside interact thus creating electrical energy. This is then stored in a power bank which could power up light.

The gadget costs only P200 pesos or $4 which was spent on the capacitors.

With this low-cost light, rural communities would be able to have access to electricity especially light to help improve their way of life. With this invention, students will be able to study in the comfort of their homes.

They said that if the device is to be placed in an airport where the sound intensity reaches up to 140 decibels, this can generate enough electricity to light a 5 Watt LED bulb throughout the night.

A larger speaker with a lot more devices added can harness enough electricity for the whole community.

The students, knowing the value of education and coming from Philippine Science High School, plan to give back to the community saying they owe the gift of education and their acquired expertise in science and technologies to the Filipino people.

Others

Environmental group urges the use of clean energy sources

22 October 2019

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Philippines

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP GREENPEACE CALLED ON THE USE OF CLEAN AND SAFE RENEWABLE ENERGY INSTEAD OF PURSUING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO USE NUCLEAR ENERGY, CONDUCT OIL EXPLORATION, AND COAL EXPANSION.

Greenpeace pointed out that pursuing dangerous and “dirty” energy sources will have severe climate impacts to Filipinos.

“Nuclear, oil and coal are the worst energy decisions that the government can make, and these harmful energy sources should be junked and phased out rather than promoted to avert the climate crisis,” Greenpeace campaigner Khevin Yu was quoted in a Manila Bulletin report.

The group pressed President Rodrigo Duterte to reassess his administration’s energy choices and to stay true to his directive to promote renewable energy development in the country.

Duterte earlier ordered Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi during his State of the Nation Address to “fast-track the development of renewable energy sources, and reduce dependence on traditional energy sources such as coal.”

Greenpeace pointed out that current developments in the sector are heading in the opposite direction.

Earlier this October, Duterte came home from Russia with potential partnerships with state-controlled nuclear, oil, and gas companies namely Rosatom and Rosneft.

Greenpeace noted the bad track records of the Russian firms which include highly questionable safety records, problematic environmental impacts, vulnerability to corruption, and tremendous cost overruns. The group also indicated extreme risks from “floating nuclear power plants.”

“These nuclear and oil and gas exploration plans, as well as the move to promote coal plants, are highly dubious considering the fact that the country has not yet maximized its capacity for renewable energy,” Yu said.

“Dirty and dangerous energy has no place in the country’s sustainable energy scenario, particularly at a time when renewable energy is already proven to be the cheapest, safest and most reliable form of electricity generation,” he added.

Energy Efficiency

Singapore’s LNG Terminal could be used to cool data centers

22 October 2019

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Singapore

The National University of Singapore (NUS), Keppel Data Centres, and Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) will collaborate to develop a new cooling technology that can potentially help Singaporean data centers improve their PUE by as much as 20 percent.

Novel cooling approach

The project entails the harnessing of the cold energy released during the re-gasification process for liquified natural gas (LNG) to cool data centers. If successful, this can result in significant energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint of data centers in tropical Singapore with its limited avenues for clean energy.

LNG is cooled down to liquid form for ease of storage and transportation. During the re-gasification process to convert it back to natural gas for use, cold energy is generated that can theoretically be harnessed to offset the cooling demands of data centers.

A five-member team from NUS Engineering, Keppel and SLNG will jointly develop a prototype of a new cooling medium to efficiently store and carry cold energy from the Singapore LNG Terminal to various data centers in Singapore, as well as the requisite infrastructure to leverage it for effective cooling.

The research team will explore the use of a water-based phase-change fluid as thermal energy carriers to replace chilled water as a cooling medium. With a thermal density two to five times higher than chilled water, it is also hoped that it will reduce the amount of water and power required to cool data centers.

The project is supported by the Singapore government’s National Research Foundation under its Green Data Centre Research Programme. A process prototype with a capacity of one ton a day will be designed, built and operated for demonstration by 2022 at NUS.

As a start, Keppel and SLNG will work together to explore ways to harness and utilize the cold energy from the Singapore LNG Terminal. SLNG will provide key technical inputs and advice related to the LNG cold energy to the team and is also understood to be exploring other ways to harness LNG cold energy on Jurong Island where the terminal is located.

Keppel has also begun scouting nearshore locations for floating, hyperscale data centers.

News Clipping

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP GREENPEACE CALLED ON THE USE OF CLEAN AND SAFE RENEWABLE ENERGY INSTEAD OF PURSUING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO USE NUCLEAR ENERGY, CONDUCT OIL EXPLORATION, AND COAL EXPANSION.

Novel cooling approach

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