by AUFA MARDHIAH / pic source: TNB Research FB
TENAGA Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) wholly owned subsidiary, TNB Research Sdn Bhd, is joining forces with Sedania Innovator Bhd’s Sustainable Energy division, Sedania Technologies Sdn Bhd, to assess the viability of generating energy from surplus water in Malaysian dams and reservoirs.
The partnership foresees Sedania Innovator deploying the energy-efficient micro-hydropower turbines developed by TNB Research to generate electricity from released water at dams.
With a capacity of 30 to 40kW, each micro-hydropower turbine can generate up to 305,000kWh of electricity per year which is sufficient to supply carbon-free electricity to roughly 10,000 houses.
Malaysia is home to approximately 70 water dams and reservoirs.
The technical and financial components of the project will be covered by Sedania Innovator, while the design and installation of the micro-hydropower turbines will be handled by TNB Research.
Both companies previously worked together on a dam project in Kota Tinggi, Johor, where Sedania Innovator was hired by a major international oil and gas company to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the viability of implementing energy-efficient micro-hydropower systems to produce electricity from released water.
Sedania Innovator CEO Daniel Rupert said the partnership aims to equip dams in Malaysia with energy-efficient micro-hydropower turbines, enabling both clients to use the dams’ surplus water as an energy source.
“Malaysia should be a showcase of Malaysian-made green technology with a track record of achieving energy sustainability.
“As an environmental, social and governance-driven organisation with a vision of helping corporations reduce their carbon footprint by firstly, enabling efficient energy consumption before transitioning into the vital phase of clean energy generation, Sedania Innovator is well-positioned to accelerate the sustainability agenda together with the support of TNB Research,” he said in a joint statement today.
Meanwhile, TNB Research MD Dr Mohd Hariffin Boosroh said the partnership portrays how research and industry collaboration plays an influential role in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions for Malaysia.
“TNB is championing responsible and inclusive energy transition with the aspiration of achieving a net-zero carbon emission by 2050.
“With that goal in mind, we are investing in new green technology such as this efficient micro-hydropower turbine developed by our researchers at TNB Research,” he added.