Renewal Energy Technology

The topics of the two lectures and the speakers

The two speakers (from left) Prof Dr Hamdani, Prof. Dr Kamaruzzaman and moderator, Prof.  Ir Ahmad Faizal

A section of the participants at the Fellows' Lecture

Photovoltaic cell as a Renewable Energy Technology

                       
        Renewable Energy Resources - Hydro, Wind, Municipal Wastes, Biomass & Nuclear
   

                                                         Fuel Cell Engines

                                                              Renewable Hydrogen Energy System

                             President ASM, Y Bhg Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali,
                             giving away memento to Prof. Hamdani
 

1.     Introduction  

The two lectures were part of the ASM Fellow Lecture series organised on October 30, 2013 at the  Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) premises on the 20^th floor of the imposing MARTRADE Building.  It was attended by an estimated 50 made up of Fellows, staff of the Academy and invited guests.  The programme started at 09 30 hrs and ended at around  13 00 hrs.  It was officiated by Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, ASM President with Prof Ir Ahmad Faizal Mohd Zain, Chairperson of Engineering and Computer Sciences Discipline Group, moderating the session. The first topic discussed was on Sustainable Path for a Carbon Free Future by Prof. Dato’ Dr Kamaruzzaman Sopian.  Prof Kamaruzzaman holds a Ph. D in Mechanical Engineering from University of Miami Florida and his involvement for 25 years in solar radiation modelling and resource assessment and other related renewable energy studies has yielded more than 700 papers published in journals and conference proceedings.  His research and other contributions have been recognised both nationally and internationally with many awards and medals.  The second lecture entitled Looking for Green Solutions to Our Energy Need was delivered by Prof Dr Hamdani Saidi.  Prof Hamdani holds a doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bradford, UK.  He is currently attached to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and known for his pioneering research in membrane technology in Malaysia.  He subsequently founded the Institute of Hydrogen Economy at UTM and appointed as Dean, UTM Energy Research Alliance.  He has also published widely and accorded recognition for his work both at the domestic and international fronts.     

        2. Sustainable Path for a Carbon Free Future

  Prof. Kamaruzzaman, the first speaker of the Fellow’s Lecture,  and who has a long credential on renewable energy technology  especially in solar energy, deliberating on Sustainable Path for a Carbon Free Future listed the three challenges that Malaysia encounter in the effort for a sustainable economic development – increasing price driven by a widening gap between supply and demand of fossil fuel, energy security and climate change.  These challenges have driven the need to explore for alternative particularly renewable energy sources which, in Prof Kamaruzzaman’s list, include solar radiation, municipal wastes, hydropower, wind and biomass. He devoted quite a bit of his lecture on his own work in solar energy, researching into the more effective photovoltaic silicon based panel and with his long experience in this field, he has been entrusted by MOSTI to develope the roadmap for the country’s Renewable Energy. Advocating for more investments in R&D in renewable energy, Prof Kamaruzzaman, believes that hydrogen energy resource may be the future as the element is available in abundance in the universe and is not polluting.    Among the strategies that he suggested for implementation for an increase in the utilisation of renewable energy technology include : (a) intensifying awareness and capacity building programmes, (b) enhance market and infrastructure development, (c) enhancing policy instruments supportive of market sustainability, (d) establishing competitive local manufacturin industries, and finally (e) formulate a long term R&D roadmap.  With these strategies, Prof Kamaruzzaman, concluded with optimism that, a carbon free Malaysia and the world could be attained in the future.

3. Looking for Solutions to Our Energy Need

    Prof Hamdani presented a global scenario of electricity generation which, according to the figures provided,  is contributed by coal (37%), gas (18%), hydro (18%), nuclear (17%), oils (8%). With the current sources of electrical energy resources,  43% of the carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere is at the high 43% with 15% of this gas emission coming from the burning of fossil fuel of motor vehicles. These and other gas emisions have enhanced tremendously the concentration of atmospheric gases resulting in the horrendous climatic change causing floods, droughts, melting of ice in the cold continents and the high mountains and other weather hazards.  However, resources such as gas, oils and coal are not only polluting but depleting in their availability and the demand which far outstrip supply, has contributed to the escalating prices of both the fossil fuels and coal.  These environmental, price increase and energy security considerations demand that alternative renewable resources or green solutions be found.  Prof Hamdani reviewed the various green solutions that must fulfil criteria such as high efficiency, minimise waste, low cost, conserve resources and has low carbon foot print.  His many slides display the utilization of photovoltaic cells in the country for drying of such food as salted fish and marine algae, electricity supply for houses and energy storage in hybrid automobiles.  Being a strong proponent of the hydrogen generated energy system, he argued that this is the green solution of the future as its environment friendly, accessibility of the materials, economic and cost effective.  In the interim until 2030, however, the globe must aim for the utilization of 20 to 30% renewable energy, with the non-renewable sources such as gas and oils will still be of some importance as energy generating resources.  He suggested the following recommendations to meet green solutions to the energy need:

(a)    Green Energy Fund be established

(b)    Application of Green Energy System – hydrogen system for transportation and electricity generation

(c)    Establishment of Green Energy Group in ASM

(d)   Establish Green Energy Standards and impose tax on polluters

(e)   Capacity building

    4. Discussion and Conclusion

         The two lectures received a lot of interest from the participants with many raising up their hands to pose questions and make comments.  Time only permitted four among those present and the issues raised revolve around:

(a)   Pico Hydro – in response to the question posed as to the potential of this aspect of renewable energy, Pro Kamaruzzaman felt as Malaysia has high rainfall with many sources of water system that can be contructed, pico hydro has a big potential.  However logistics can hinder and  its development can be confined only to isolated villages.

(b)   Nuclear Energy -  this source of renewable energy was not discussed much by the two speakers and inspite of the question posed not much was said

(c)    Hydrogen System – though both speakers are strong proponent of this renewable energy, it is felt that much research work still needs to be undertaken and resources are still lacking for its uptake

(d)   Energy economy under the capitalist economic system – from the discussion it is obvious that the direction of development of renewable energy will largely be influenced by the capitalists, who will view the availability of technologies and resources in the light of where they could get the highest profit, with perhaps, little social and environmental considerations. Accordingly, government intervention will have to come in to steer the direction it wants to go on renewable energy, taking cognisance of the three dimensional approach of harmonising wealth creation, social needs and environmental protection.

On a personal basis I have found the lectures very informative and enlightening.  As an environment conscious individual, having served for a long period as Vice-President of Malaysian Nature Society with Tan Sri Salleh Moh Noor and linked up with other environmental NGOs in Sabah, I came out of the lecture hall that day with optimism as human ingenuity in science and technology, is paving different routes to show the way for the well being of human kind, in this instance, green solutions to the energy economy. Also, having been associated with the Academy for around three years, I feel that the Academy of Sciences Malaysia is under good hands and that it will pursue key scientific issues such as this iconic project and serve as the pressure and knowledge group to provide the political leadership the way forward. Long live ASM. 

 

Dr. Hashim bin Abdul Wahab, FASc

Email: hashim.abdulwahab@gmail.com

Website: Dr. Hashim's JofHappiness

Date of Posting : 2nd November, 2013

 

 

 

 

     

VISITING OUR POLYNESIAN COUSINS IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - October 2013

 

Meeting Polynesian representatives at Radio Watea, Mangere

 

With the Trade Commissioner and official, Michael Jones at the Consul Office of Samoa

With the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Fiji, Mr Harish Lodhia JP at Tulja Centre, Mt Roskill

 

 

1.       INTRODUCTION .

  The second trip to Auckland was planned for quite some time as follow-up, firstly,  to promote the World Melayu-Polynesian Organisation (WMPO) after its establishment, following one of the resolutions at the Ist International Conference of the Malay-Polynesian Ancestral Nations held in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia in July, 2012 (see the write-up in this blog on the retionale and objectives of the formation of WMPO and other adopted resolutions in the article entitled ‘The First International Conference of the Malay-Polynesian Ancestral Nations’ ); secondly, to facilitate the preparation and organisation of the 2^nd International Conference of WMPO scheduled to be held in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand in March 2014 and attend the fund-raising dinner; thirdly, to get acquainted and expand the WMPO network with other Polynesians; fourthly,  to seek the views of all stakeholders on the proposed Nusa-Polynesian Internatioanl University (NPIU); fifthly, to explore opportunities of collaboration in trade and business in the areas of fishery, agriculture and eco-tourism. The visit extended from October 9 to 15, 2013. 

        

        2.   FUND RAISING DINNER

               The Dinner was held on Friday Oct 9 in the main hall at Mahurehure Marae Powhiri starting at 17.45 hrs. It was attended by an estimated 150-200 participants, made up of community and business leaders of the Polynesian communities.  The programme of the night started with the opening address by the Hon. Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs, who highlighted the common Austronesian ancestry of the Malay-Polynesian peoples, with the Malay stock inhabiting Brunei, Indonesia,  Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and the Polynesians making the islands in the Pacific Oceans of Aotearoa, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and others, their homes.  Dr. Sharples with loud emphasis announced that ALL OF US AUSTRONESIANS  ARE COUSINS, to the applause of those present .  He indicated his support for the strengthening of the linkage among the Malay-Polynesians or Austronesians through WMPO and its programmes, activities and projects. 

    The address by Y. Bhg Col Prof Dato’ Dr Kamarudin Kachar, President of WMPO, reflected that the many commonalities and practices in culture, language and genetic make-up observed on his first visit to Maoridom in September 2011 inspired him to organise the first International Conference which resulted in the establishment of WMPO, among which, the objectives are:-

a.       To provide a platform to reestablish and revitalise socio-cultural values, customs and practices

b.       To promote cooperation among educational institutions and where appropriate, establish institutions to enhance the  professional capability and skill

c.       To explore and embark on trade and business partnerships in agricultural, fishery, ecotourism, oceanography and other sectors of the economy

among the 33 Malay-Polynesian ancestral nations.

  Dato’ Kamarudin went on to elaborate on the proposed establishment of the NPIU which is an international university to generate graduates of high achievers focussing on areas where the Malay-Polynesians are best at – oceanography and related marine sciences. He recognises that the key element in the establishment of the university is its high capital costs but hope to raise funds from the many wealthy philanthropic leaders in the Malay-Polynesian community.

  The third speaker, Dato’ Dr Hashim bin Abdul Wahab, Deputy President of WMPO, shared his thoughts on the possible areas of  technology, trade and business collaboration in agricultural, fishery and ecotourism sectors.  He illustrated how technology development through R&D has propelled oil palm, petrology and ecotourism into significant foreign exchange earners and contribution to the economy of Malaysia.  Various area of technology, management expertise and marketing strategies available among the Malay-Polynesian communities could be shared.  In his effort to encourage leaders within the  communities to leave useful experiences, wisdom and other legacies, he prodded them to write about them.

  The Dinner participants were entertained with cultural show and a band.  President Kamarudin displayed his talent with the violin with the rendition of two ‘dondang sayang’ songs.

 3.       MEETING LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POLYNESIAN COMMUNITIES

  The following representatives were among those that we met during the visit, excluding the participants at the Dinner. The participants at the Dinner represented community and business leaders from 16 tribes of the Maoris and other Polynesians residing in Auckland and the neighbouring cities. The issues that were highlighted and discussed include the aim and objectives of WMPO, the establishment of NPIU and how,  through the  network, WMPO  can provide a platform for us to get acquainted with one another, build friendship and trust which are the foundation for cooperation, collaboration and partnership in many areas – education and training in capability building, research, trade and business in such economic sectors as oils&gas, livestock, agriculture, fishery, ecotourism etc.

     a.       Melino Maka – Tonga – Tongan Advisory Council

                b.      Faavae Gagamoe – Samoa

                c.        Maiti Arama Tamaabiki  -  Ngati Whatua Tai Nui – Cook Is. Tahiti

                d.       Taha Fasi -  Niue Island -  business consultant

                e.      Rereata Makiha – Te Mahurehure

                f.        Harish Lodhia JP  - Honorary Consul for the Republic of Fiji

                g.       Trade Commissioner and Michael Jones at the Consul Office of Samoa

                h.      Captain Hoturoa Kerr  -  Captain of Haunui Waka and members of the crew

                i.         John Panoho  -  Director Sales and Marketing, Navigator Tours

                j.        Prof Manuka Harare- Professor at The Univ of Auckland Business School        

                k.       Emeritus Prof Nicholas Tarling – Director, Southeast Asian Studies 

                l.         Assoc. Prof.  Dr Don Sheridan – Dept of Information Systems and Operations

                          Management, The University of Auckland 

                m.    Ockie Simmonds -  Business Advisor Health & Safety Group, Ministry of 

                       Business, Innovation and Employment, NZealand

                n.      Wesley Faleolo  - Samoa -  Training Centre for Maori Youth

                o.      Murray Bright -  one of the members of the crew of Huinui Waka

      

            4.       PREPARATION FOR THE 2^nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

                 4.1        Secretariate -  the Organisers have located the secretariate at the training 

                           centre for Maori youths under Ms Ann Willoughby

                  4.2       Participation -  the planning is on the basis of 200 participants. A                 participants are expected from Malaysia

                  4.3       Programme -  the Conference proper is two days on 28 and 29 March, 2014 which is to be held at  Copthorne Hotel, Bay of Islands.  The no. of papers needed will be around 15-20.  The post-conference activities are:

(a)    One- day tour around Bay of Islands and one day tour around Auckland

(b)   Six-day tour of the Polynesian Islands of Cook, Samoa and Fiji

        A two-day trade show in Auckland will also be organised. The secretariate is to work out the costs of the various packages – the    Conference proper, the tours around the Bay of Islands and around Auckland, the six-day tour of the Polynesian Islands

 

                   4.4  Papers .  To date the no of papers are still short of the target 20.  Among the papers considered important include the following topics with the respective proposed speakers to be invited to contribute:

                        (a)    Oceanography  -  Prof Redzuan Halim of UniMAP

                          (b)   Deep Sea fishing – Dato’ Dr Halim Hamat, 

                          (c)    Livestock – Dato’ Amir Kamarudin

(d)   Halal Products  -  Dato’ Dr Zamzam of MARDITECH

 

(e) Oils & Gas  -  representative from PETRONAS

               

                      4.5      Communication -  a website on the Conference will be established with background information on the Ist International Conference, WMPO,  the videos taken on the Ist Conference, details on the 2nd Conference, as a promotion tool. An IT consultant has volunteered to undertake the task of establishing the website.

4.6        Finance –  the Organisers will finance the costs of the Conference through sponsorships, donations, registration fees and through sales of stall spaces for trade show.

 5.       TOURS OF PLACES OF INTERES

Among the places of interest that have been incorporated in the itinerary are as follows:

(a)     Vegetable and Fruit Market

(b)   Auckland War Memorial Museum – sections of interest that were visited were the Maori Polynesian, Natural History, Military.  We were brought around by two guides of the Museum.  The visit was on Saturday and the museum had many visitors.  At the same time the Museum was celebrating the Military Heritage Week and many of the war veterans including those that served in Malaysia during the communist insurgency were present in their uniforms.

(c)    Sailing in Haunui Waka around the the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Waitemata.  Captain Hoturoa Kerr briefed the participants which include a few members of the Maori community, on the sailings of the Polynesian ancestors to discover and settled the many islands in the Pacific Ocean.

(d)   City tour covering both the east and west side of Auckland, the memorial of the beloved Prime Minister Savage, Queens Street in the city centre.

         7.       ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CONCLUDING REMARKS

  We were warmly received on arrival and at all the scheduled events.  The Polynesians we met accept that we share a common ancestry and that, as Dr. Pita Sharple said, the peoples of Malay-Polynesia are cousins.  The formation of the WMPO with its aims and objectives of reestablishing and revitalising the communities in the various fields encompassing socio-cultural, education, R&D, trade and business received a positive response with its iconic project of establishing the NPIU particularly is viewed as a unifying institution, in the long term, of bringing  the Melayu-Polynesian communities together.

  This visit has certainly advanced another step in bringing about better understanding that will foster subsequent cooperation in the various areas.

  We wish to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chief Matutaera Clenden and Mrs Clenden and also Dave Fenton who have been with us throughout our stay in Auckland making sure that we have warm clothes to take care of the cool windy spring weather;  providing fruits, cereals, milk and crackers for our breakfasts; taking us to a Malaysian restaurant where Dato’ Kamarudin can have his rice and chicken curry and his younger brother, Dato’ Hashim, his varied taste of chicken briani, roti canai chicken curry and fried kueyteow.

 

Hashim bin Abdul Wahab

Email: hashim.abdulwahab@gmail.com

20/10/2013