Power from the people: the empowerment of distributed generation of solar electricity for rural communities in Malaysia

This paper describes the decreasing energy security in Malaysia and the likely impact on maintaining power supplies to low income groups. The most vulnerable group is the low-income people in the rural areas, who have limited access to generate their own power supplies. The paper reviews the potential of distributed generation (DG) using photovoltaics as a means of mitigating this problem. Examples from other countries are reviewed and alternative methods of funding PV installations are discussed. Strategies such as community-based approach and innovative financing scheme will be introduced and discussed. The main objective is to utilize solar energy as the main energy resources for generating electricity and places rural people as the main stakeholder to deploy the strategic model. This model is also ideal to be integrated with the distributed generation (DG) system as one of the key components in developing a suitable energy policy that can helps to sustain the energy development of rural community in the future. The paper concludes that distributed generation (DG) is feasible and that innovative funding schemes are required based on local knowledge

Development of Design Optimization for Smart Grid (DOfSG) Framework for Residential Energy Efficiency via Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) Approach

The smart grid revolution has benefited many sectors but the potential for design optimization among residential units has yet to be explored. Despite some researchers having negative perception of house design's association with the smart grid system, there is in fact potential for investigating design attribute optimisation aligned with the smart grid system. As electricity becomes a necessity of the 21st century society, residential dwellers are becoming more dependent on this indispensable source of energy. As such, this paper explains the development of a framework focusing on design optimization for residential units aligned to the smart grid system using the Fuzzy Delphi Method approach. It focuses on the significant smart grid components linked to the residential sector incorporating key design attributes for energy optimization purposes. The proposed framework denoted two main components of residential design optimization, depicted as indoor and outdoor parameters with its subsequent attributes further categorised into main and detailed components. Twelve design parameters were found to be substantial for the DOfSG development, intended to provide useful guide for aligning residential design towards the smart grid system in Malaysia

Assessing the Energy Performance of Public University in Malaysia by using Energy Conservation Measure (ECM): A Case Study of UiTM Tapah, Malaysia

The growth of energy consumption in Malaysian universities has elevated national concern because it increases government annual expenditure and at the same time influence the national energy performance. In managing the energy performance of universities, it is significant to monitor the energy usage whereby areas and facilities that have the potential for energy savings can be audited in order to obtain energy-efficiency. The objective of this research is to focus on the energy performance processes conducted by identify and evaluate a various of the Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) that may contribute towards energy efficiency in the public universities. ECM has been used to acquire achievable solutions and improvement of energy consumption during the energy audit. A related information on energy audit, like electrical and mechanical systems specifications have been compiled and the use of energy have been profiled. A potential finding method used was a comparative analysis between energy implementation process before and after audit. It has been found that the significant processes in an energy audit can help to save energy consumption by comparing the energy implementation process. It is done through an investigation of energy consumption behaviour in the ECM process for the electrical and mechanical systems, and buildings activities that have an impact on energy consumption which allow energy-efficiency in a building. A case study of UiTM in Tapah Campus, Malaysia has been selected for this research since this university is among new public university in Malaysia that has higher energy users.  It has been found that with the aid of ECM, this university will be able to achieve 135 kWh/m2/year of Building Energy Index (BEI). Eight (8) improvement strategies in ECMs have been suggested that significantly achieve the energy performance efficiency, involving eight (8) strategies, which are four (4) No-Cost Measures, two (2) Medium-Cost Measures and two (2) High-Cost Measures

The installation of solar photovoltaics for charity homes in rural Malaysia: a community-based approach

The adoption of solar panels installation in Malaysia, especially for rural areas are still at the preliminary stage, due to the high cost of the system and the limited access to this technology in the remote region. The availability of this green electricity for public buildings are still limited since the current dissemination of this green energy technology is still funded by the government, resulting in slow progress in the area. In addition, Malaysians also received subsidized power supply which has led to high dependency on this conventional supply from the national electricity provider, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) which is slowing the progress of solar energy usage. However, since 2014, there has been a gradual increase in electricity tariff that has led to the increasing cost of monthly electricity bills. This has affected many sectors in paying off the utility bill, especially charitable organizations owned by private Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The significant impact may occur to private charity homes in rural areas which usually depended on donations from the public. The worst scenario may arise, for instance the power may be cut-off if the electricity bills cannot be paid on time. Therefore, this research paper will try to determine whether solar panel installation through a community-based approach can help the institutions to gain savings from the monthly electricity bill and provide self-sufficient electricity to charity homes. A case study in the region of Perak Tengah in Malaysia was selected to identify if the community-based approach could help to access this green electricity at the selected charity home. An empirical approach showed that the charity home has the potential to save 70% of monthly electricity bills after installing a 2 kilowatts peak (kWp) solar photovoltaics system under a community service program

Connecting Felda communities with solar electrification during flood disaster : the methodology / Siti Jamiah Tun Jamil, Nur Azfahani Ahmad and Jasrul Jamian Jasiman

The Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry Outlook 2016 has highlighted that Malaysia’s electricity supply infrastructure is among the best in South East Asia. However, upon flood disaster, the national power supply is easily interrupted and electricity cannot be supplied efficiently to the people, especially for the locals in the rural areas. One of the significant groups affected during flood in the rural areas comes from the FELDA communities. These people are usually left vulnerable in a blackout during flood disaster. Therefore, it is significant to have alternative power supply that can be used as a supporting energy relief during the disaster. One of the potential alternatives energy that can supplement electricity during blackout upon flood disaster comes from solar energy. By using solar energy, electricity can be generated and stored ahead of time at the flood relief center. This flood relief strategies is supported by the National Security Council (KMN) and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development of Malaysia part of the national flood disaster blue print agenda. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the potential of using solar-generated electricity in helping the FELDA communities in the rural area in facing power disruption during flood disaster. The focus will be on presenting the overview of FELDA flood areas in Malaysia and provide discussion on the research methodology obtained to overcome the issue

Sistem penilaian pengalihudaraan untuk pembangunan perumahan lestari (Ventilation Flow Evaluation System for Sustainable Housing Development) / Nur Azfahani Ahmad … [et al.]

Laporan Jawatankuasa Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) 1984 telah menyatakan bahawa sehingga 30 peratus bangunan di dunia mungkin menghadapi masalah yang berkaitan dengan Kualiti Udara Dalaman (IAQ). Pengudaraan yang tidak mencukupi akan mengakibatkan udara tidak berkitar dan ini menyebabkan udara terperangkap di dalam bangunan. Ini akan membawa kepada masalah yang lebih besar, yang dikenali sebagai Sindrom Bangunan Sakit (SBS). SBS boleh menyebabkan pelbagai penyakit termasuk alahan, masalah pernafasan akut, rasa tidak selesa dan kesan psikologi lain. Sistem Penilaian Pengalihudaraan adalah sebuah inovasi yang berasaskan sistem aplikasi data di komputer yang dibangunkan untuk mengakses dan mengukur aliran pengudaraan di bangunan baru atau diubahsuai untuk mencegah atau mengurangkan masalah ini. Tujuan sistem ini dibuat adalah untuk menyediakan maklumat bagi pereka bangunan dalam menyelesaikan isu-isu Kualiti Udara Dalaman (IAQ) terutamanya yang berkaitan dengan aliran pengudaraan berdasarkan peraturan-peraturan yang disediakan dalam Standard Malaysia (MS 1525). Sistem ini akan membolehkan pelan bangunan mudah diukur dan dianalisis berdasarkan data pengudaraan yang dikumpul di tapak, untuk membolehkan bangunan mendapatkan udara yang sihat dan mencukupi untuk tujuan pernafasan dan keselesaan pengguna bangunan. Sistem ini juga mampu mencadangkan pelan susun atur yang sesuai di dalam bangunan untuk memenuhi keperluan pengudaraan yang terdiri daripada pengudaraan silang dan pengudaraan tersusun (“stack”)

Comparative Analysis of Disabled Accessibility Needs of Heritage Building in Perak

Tourism sector was the sixth highest national income provider to the Malaysian economy in 2014. In order to replenish Malaysian economy through tourism, the Malaysian government has to diversify the present tourism products and offers a wide variety of tourism packages. This has mentioned in the National Key Results Area (NKRA) development platform highlighted in the 10th Malaysian Plan. Therefore, the tourism sector needs to continuously re-engineer and adapt its business model to suit every customer’s needs and demands, including disabled people. At the moment, one of the highest tourist attraction contributors in Malaysia is the heritage building sector. The heritage building sector in Malaysia becomes popular due to its diverse historical background and culture. It attracts local and international tourists to visit. However, the lack of facilities provided especially for the disable people has hindered its future prospects to become globally popular. The national heritage should be viewed, explored and enjoyed by everybody without discriminating anyone. Insufficient of provision for disable facilities in heritage act has caused barrier to the disable people to enjoy and visit the heritage sites. The objective of this research is to analyze the comparative data that been retrieved in the field of selected case study. It will be carried out by visiting the selected case study, observation and documentary analysis. This research aims to do a comparative analysis of Disabled Accessibility needs of Heritage Building in Perak. The findings of this research will alert the needs of disabled in visiting the heritage building and documented for future research

Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Smart Grids with Solar Photovoltaic: A Threat Modelling and Risk Assessment Approach

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for smart grids, especially with the integration of solar photovoltaics (PVs). With the installation of more solar and the advancement of inverters, utilities are provided with real-time solar power generation and other information through various tools. However, these tools must be properly secured to prevent the grid from becoming more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This study proposes a threat modeling and risk assessment approach tailored to smart grids incorporating solar PV systems. The approach involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks through threat modeling and risk assessment. A threat model is designed by adapting and applying general threat modeling steps to the context of smart grids with solar PV. The process involves the identification of device assets and access points within the smart grid infrastructure. Subsequently, the threats to these devices were classified utilizing the STRIDE model. To further prioritize the identified threat, the DREAD threat-risk ranking model is employed. The threat modeling stage reveals several high-risk threats to the smart grid infrastructure, including Information Disclosure, Elevation of Privilege, and Tampering. Targeted recommendations in the form of mitigation controls are formulated to secure the smart grid’s posture against these identified threats. The risk ratings provided in this study offer valuable insights into the cybersecurity risks associated with smart grids incorporating solar PV systems, while also providing practical guidance for risk mitigation. Tailored mitigation strategies are proposed to address these vulnerabilities. By taking proactive measures, energy sector stakeholders may strengthen the security of their smart grid infrastructure and protect critical operations from potential cyber threats

Solar village in Malaysia – a route map for financing mechanism

Abstract. Malaysia’s development has been largely financed from its fossil fuels resources that come principally from the South China Sea. This has enabled electricity to be distributed equitably throughout society and improved the quality of life for people in Malaysia. However, the depletion of fossil fuel resources and the international conflict over South China Sea territorial ownership may leads to inadequacy of supply in the future, and may give direct impact to people in the rural areas. Malaysia’s greatest potential for solar energy comes from photovoltaics (PVs) and the large roofs of village houses offer significant potential to contribute electricity both nationally and to the local communities. However, this technology is still unfamiliar to the people living in local villages due to the subsidised electricity by TNB and high capital costs of PV systems. This paper investigates whether establishing a “solar village” is feasible in Malaysia. Through a cost feasibility analysis, the potential of harnessing solar electricity for local villages in Malaysia has been demonstrated. A novel mechanism has been presented that allows rural households to own PV panels, rent the grid cables and to share surplus electricity within the community through a three (3) way financing routes map

Sampling and identifying of mould in the library building

Despite the growing concern over mould and fungi infestations on library building, little has been reported in the literature on the development of an objective tool and criteria for measuring and characterising the mould and fungi. In this paper, an objective based approach to mould and fungi growth assessment using various sampling techniques and its identification using microscopic observation are proposed. This study involved three library buildings of Higher Institution Educational in Malaysia for data collection purpose and study of mould growth. The mould sampling of three libraries was collected using Coriolis air sampler, settling plate air sampling using Malt Extract Agar (MEA), IAQ MOLD Alexeter IAQ-Pro Asp/Pen® Test and swab sampling techniques. The IAQ MOLD Alexeter IAQ-Pro Asp/Pen® Test and traditional method technique identified various mould species immediately on the site, and the microscopic observation identifies common types of the mould such as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys's. The sample size and particular characteristics of each library will result in the mould growth pattern and finding