Putting Efficiency, Sustainability High on List

WITH ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL concerns a top issue in the 21st century, Malaysia has tremendous potential in offering green services and developing green technology, especially for local and regional use.


From reducing carbon emissions to sustainable farming and fishing practices, many industries and sectors are in need of technological advanced equipment and methods that will aid their steps toward environmentally-friendly businesses.

The development of these green products, equipment and systems should minimise and mitigate environmental degradation, have low greenhouse gas emission, conserves energy and natural resources, make use of renewable resources and will promote a healthy and improved habitat for all. Understanding that the future is green, Malaysia has adopted a green energy policy as the roadmap towards not only promoting sustainable development but also as an accelerator to the country's economy.

GREENTECH MALAYSIA is on an exciting path. Spearheading massive and extensive green technology efforts of the nation, in co-operation with other agencies and organisations, GreenTech Malaysia certainly has much on its plate.

Energy

Energy generation and consumption is a major part of green technology as energy plays a crucial role in all that we do; it is also very sound business. Without a doubt, the cost cutting measures that new technologies and green alternatives in energy efficiency bring to the table would enhance the competitiveness of businesses and manufacturers.

Malaysia's energy resources cover fossil fuels and renewable energy giving the country a good mix of options. Areas of interest are broadly broken into two: renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Among the projects implemented by GreenTech Malaysia are the Malaysian Industrial energy efficiency Improvement Project (MIEEIP) and the Biomass-based Power Generation and Co-generation (Biogen) in the palm oil industry project. The MIEEIP conducts audits and provides engineering services to plant operators while promoting energy monitoring and better design. Several companies have already saved millions of ringgit on energy consumption through the MIeeIP, implementing energy efficiency projects on site.

At the moment there are 18 independent power producers (IPPs) in the country that generate power for their own use but are also able to supply excess power to consumers in their areas. FELDA Palm Industries took on a demonstration project under Biogen where 500kW of electricity was generated. In future, its generation capacity will be increased, enabling it to export electricity to the grid.

Renewable energy has tremendous potential, especially now that technologies in renewable energy have improved immensely. This includes industrial and institutional equipment like biomass boilers, photovoltaic panels and solar water heaters.

Take for example photovoltaics; these machines are able to convert direct sunlight into electrical power enabling homes, factories and offices to be powered by available, and most importantly, free sunlight.

Another important part of GreenTech Malaysia's work in energy concerns is its role as the secretariat of the Clean Development Mechanism, part of the Kyoto Protocol, and thus relates to issues regarding climate change.

Buildings

Structures that are constructed and function through an environmentally responsible manner and are resource-efficient are green buildings.

An example of a green building is the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water's building in Putrajaya that is a low energy office (LeO).

GreenTech Malaysia is already an expert in this field and its own office was the first to obtain the Green Building Index rating, and serves as a working symbol of the viability of green buildings. Furthermore, this demonstrates that GreenTech Malaysia has the know-how, experience, data, resources, contacts and the partnerships to guide and aid other green building projects.

As is stands, GreenTech Malaysia is involved in the planning, development and implementation of programmes such as the Green technology action plan that creates pioneer townships based on green technologies.

Transportation

One of the crucial aspects of transportation, part of running cleaner vehicles, is the creation of alternative fuels. In europe, methyl esters made from rapeseed oil has been well accepted. Brazil, India, Japan and the United States have begun their own biofuel programmes with Korea and Thailand setting targets for implementation.

Malaysia embarked on a comprehensive biofuel programme based on palm oil in 1982. It has successfully established the use of palm methyl esters and the blend of processed palm oil with petroleum diesel as suitable fuel for the transport and industrial sectors.

With the formulation of the national Biofuel Policy, the biofuel industry is set to further diversify and develop.

And just as importantly, GreenTech Malaysia is currently working on the mechanics for the development of the Electric Vehicles Roadmap; the Ministry of International Trade and Industry is the main ministry pursuing this green initiative through the National Automotive Policy.

Awareness

A crucial element in the 'greening' of processes and technologies in the country is strong awareness campaigns, which GreenTech Malaysia has embraced through various mediums. The main purpose of the campaigns is to foster 'green consciousness' to build and encourage 'green societies'.

Work by the Ministry of energy, Green Technology and Water includes inculcating green practices in young Malaysians through the introduction of green topics in the syllabus through green technology applications and practices.

Synergy

More than awareness, what's vital to the country's green mission is synergy between all parties: agencies, policymakers, associations, NGOs and citizens. This should translate into workers being trained in green technology, the creation of green collar jobs, green transportation options for citizens, developers pushing for the development of green cities and the like.

Within this context GreenTech Malaysia will continue its effort in multiple arenas working with all agencies and organisations to make Malaysia an integral part of the green revolution.

Publication: NST