High Efficiency Motor

Guideline on Equipment Energy Efficiency

High Efficiency Motor

The most efficienct motors are termed High Efficiency Motors (HEMs)- classified as Eff1 under European Committe of Manufacturers of Electrical Machines and Power Electronics (CEMEP), or their equivalent.

The CEMEP classification standard has been adopted by Malaysia to classify motor efficiencies.

Key design features of HEMs include:

- Improved fan design
-Better slot design
-Improved core design
-Optimised air Gap


Efficiency Classification :
EFF1  (High Efficiency Motors)
EFF2  ( Improved Efficiency Motors)
EFF3  (Standard motors)

Quick guide

EFF1 Motor for Operating hours exceeding 2,000 hrs per year


EFF2  Motor for Operating hours below 2,000 hrs per year

EFF3  Motors are not recommended to be used.

Registered Electrical Energy Manager

Any installation which receives electrical energy from licensee or supply authority with a Total electrical energy consumption equal to or exceeding 3,000,000 kWh as measured at one metering point or more over any period not exceeding six consecutive months is required to appoint or designate a registered Electrical Energy Manager under Malaysia Energy Commision Regulation (Regulation 16).

Standards for electric vehicle charging stations in the works

KUALA LUMPUR: The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is working on introducing standards for companies that want to set up charging stations for electric vehicles in future.


Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin said there must be an environment to encourage people to use vehicles that run on electricity.

"Until we have charging stations, we are not ready. Once the infrastructure is up, then people will be tempted to buy electric vehicles," he told reporters after launching the 2012 General Electric-Naza Electric Vehicle Experience event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here Tuesday.

The event, hosted by General Electric and Naza Group of Companies, aims to bring together key stakeholders and industry players to discuss issues concerning electric vehicle deployment in Malaysia.

Chin said it would not be difficult for petrol companies to install charging stations in their existing petrol station branches around the country.

"Electric vehicles can also be charged at home and buildings using power points. But if we want to make it commercial, certain infrastructure must be in place, such as credit card facilities for consumers to pay for charging services," he said.

Under the National Automotive Policy, the ministry has developed an electric vehicle infrastructure roadmap to enable pilot demonstration projects to be carried out in Malaysia.


source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/29/nation/20120529154606&sec=nation#1341644272968333&if_height=577

Our first green shopping mall

SHAH ALAM: The country's first green shopping complex was opened to much fanfare and looks set to be a hit with big name retailers.


Setia City Mall, designed to save energy and water, is the first to receive the Malaysian Green Building Index accreditation with a provisional Silver Certificate.

“We oriented the building so it doesn't get too hot and harvest rainwater to water the landscaping,” said its development director Robert Spinks.

The building also comes with green car park bays, which can recharge electric cars.

A preview: Liew showing Sultan Sharafuddin a model of the Setia Alam township as (from left) Selangor state secretary Datuk Khusrin Munawi, SP Setia Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Lend Lease Asia CEO Rod Leaver and Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim look on.

“As soon as the cars are sold, the bays will be ready,” said Spinks.

Besides the accreditation, the mall is also the first in the country to provisionally receive Singapore's Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark gold award.

With the mall's opening yesterday, Setia Alam is fast becoming a self-sufficient township. With more than 230 retailers, residents of Shah Alam and Klang do not need to travel far to get to big names such as Parkson, Golden Screen Cinemas, Harvey Norman and Fitness First.

The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah graced the launching.

SP Setia president and CEO Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin expressed pride in the project, which is fully tenanted.

“With over 700,000 sq ft of lettable area, the mall will create more than 2,000 jobs.”

He added that a convention hall, the largest in the Klang Valley, will also be built in Setia Alam.

Setia City Mall was jointly developed by SP Setia and Asian Retail Investment Fund.


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/nation/11541593&sec=nation#1340510932015410&if_height=503

Avoid using air-conditioners at home to reduce power usage

I read with interest the story “Green developers to be rewarded” inStarMetro recently. Thank you for championing environment-related issues.

I am glad that the country has a renewable energy policy and a small renewable energy power programme since 2001, although development has been slow. Everyone has a role to play in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

I am glad that green technology is taking shape in Malaysia. It is truly a noble aim for global environmental sustainability.

The green developers policy, too, is an initiative to make sure our descendants get to enjoy a healthy life in a clean world.

But will making all buildings in the country green be the answer to all environmental ills and save the planet from global warming?

The largest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions come from the transport sector and power generation, so our efforts should be aimed at reducing emissions.

The biggest electricity guzzlers are usually air-conditioners, and the Government’s directive that the temperature in air-conditioned buildings be set at 24˚C is one way to reduce electricity use.

But an even more effective way to reduce electricity consumption is to not use air-conditioners, yet still have a conducive living and working environment.

While it may be difficult to do away with air-conditioning in commercial buildings, it should be possible to design houses that provide comfortable living with just fans.

Recent promotions for environment-friendly buildings have advocated the use of “green walls” (or vertical gardens) as a method of insulating the exterior of buildings to help reduce the amount of power used for cooling.

This method can be used for houses as well as industrial and commercial buildings.

Such methods are in addition to green roofs (rooftop gardens) which are now becoming a common sight in Malaysia.

So let us adopt the right way of being green and sustainable as a first step toward reducing our carbon emissions in our efforts to leave a cleaner world for us and future generations.

Bulbir Singh,

Seremban.
Article Source http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/6/12/central/11385480&sec=central

PJ council offers 'green' rebates

THE Petaling Jaya City Council will offer assessment rebates of up to 100 per cent to house owners who observe the six key green components.


The council has set the key components to help residents focus on their green efforts. The components include the usage of energy, water, waste management, transportation, bio-diversity and other creative initiatives.

“I encourage everyone to practise at least three of the six green initiatives,” said Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman.

He recently announced that 45 households have received assessment rebates for their green initiatives this year.

House owners who practise at least three of the six green components are eligible for assessment rebate.

Among house owners who enjoyed the rebates were those who have installed solar-powered water heaters in their homes. Others have practised rain water harvesting and used only energy saving bulbs.

All decisions to offer assessment rebate will be made only after house inspection by the council officers.

Head of One-Stop Centre and Secretariat of Low Carbon Green City of Petaling Jaya task force Lee Lih Shyan said the electricity rebate would be implemented soon.

“This is to encourage city folks, especially those from the lower-income families, to do their share for the environment,” he said.

Lee added that the average electricity usage in Petaling Jaya was 113 kilowatt-hour (kWh) per person in a month.

The rebate will be determined based on a household’s electricity bill. As for water consumption, a person in Selangor uses 237 litres of water per day, much higher than the world average of 165 litres of water per person per day.

Lee said he will be representing the council at the upcoming Rio + 20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Treat each day as a World Environment Day. The council can’t force you but can only influence your decisions,” he said.

Since 2010, the council has introduced many incentives to encourage residents to adopt green initiatives.

The council will be holding a Food Bank on June 26 at 8th Avenue in Section 8. This is aimed at avoiding food wastage, especially in the food industry while at the same time helping the needy. Hotels, eateries and individuals can donate cooked food to be distributed to the needy.

Within the next six months, city folk will also see new solar-powered recycling bins in the city. Known as the 3R Box, the bins will also act as an advertising tool to promote recycling. It will be placed in public places such as busy walkways. This is to encourage the public to help reduce, reuse and recycle.

By SHEILA SRI PRIYA
PETALING JAYA
streets@nstp.com.my


ENTIVE:House owners stand to enjoy up to 100 per cent off assessment

The council also offers three months of free council parking for city folk who purchased hybrid cars from car dealers in the city. This is to encourage low carbon emission.

Based on the Petaling Jaya 2020 Special Area Draft Plan, battery-powered modern trishaws would be introduced in the city. The trishaws are not only environmental friendly but also a cheaper mode of public transport compared to the taxis.

Starting this year, the council encourages its staff on Fridays to use their own food containers instead of getting their food packed in polystyrene containers.

The council’s public relation officer Zainun Zakariah said she has a stainless-steel food container which she uses to buy food since the campaign was launched.

“My husband said my food container looks just like the ones used by foreign construction workers. I say so be it. I do not think it is embarrassing to bring your own food containers,” said Zainun.

To promote healthy living, the council encourages its staff to go vegetarian on Mondays. Guests who attend council-related events on Mondays will also be served vegetarian dishes.


Council staff Norshalizawati Baharudin said the idea of going “meatless” is foreign to her. But since the campaign was introduced, she realised there were many vegetarian food choices.

“Vegetarian meals do not necessary mean we must only eat green vegetables. There are soy-based products which do taste similar to meat but only healthier,” she said.

Early this year the council also launched a campaign to fix energy-saving bulbs at the back portion of some 400 houses here. This is also part of the council’s effort to prevent crime.

Starting last year, all new developments in the city must also be installed with energy-saving lights.

Last September, several councillors cycled, took the public bus and even one walked to the council’s full-board meeting to show their support for the Car-Free Day.

Campaign to curb litterbugs called the “Anti Kutu Sampah” was also launched last year. This is to instill good civic consciousness among the public to help keep their environment clean.

Article Source http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/pj-council-offers-green-rebates-1.91129

More laws needed to protect sharks

source pic:http://wildaid.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/what-is-shark-finning-infographic/

SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) notes with concern the views by fishermen and restaurant operators who are opposed to the shark ban in Sabah.


He against the amendment to the Fisheries Act 1985 to make shark fishing illegal.

But it has to be recognised that one cannot fish for sharks at the rate that other fish are harvested – using industrial methods of fishing which may be either large scale purse seine, trawl, otter trawl, gill nets, or small scale hook and line and longline, gill/drift net, and traps or other traditional gear – without a population decline in the species.

Considering the extension of the area and the expansion of deep sea trawl fishing, the shark resource may have been fully exploited, or close to it, as sharks are frequently caught as incidental by-catch in fisheries directed at other species, such as tuna.

Sharks which are priced for their fins are the main target species of longline fishermen in Sabah and Sarawak where they are mainly caught in trawls and drift nets, depending on the locality and season.

Fisheries in East Malaysia may involve a large number of small artisanal fishing boats employing a diversity of fishing gear in addition to the many unlicensed boats and gear and part-time fishermen.

The question of whether there is an on-site catch monitoring by fisheries officials and an accurate estimate of the abundance of sharks in the region is essential, in order to determine the reliability of the by-catch estimates and the sustainability of the incidental catches in fisheries.

At present, there are no fisheries statistics on the estimated by-catch rates on sharks. There is no recent research on the impact of current harvests on shark levels, and little knowledge of their stock status.

Improved information capture at the point of landing by fisheries monitors and fisheries control officers is required to improve the quality of the data.

Whether caught as by-catch or as targeted species, few controls are in place to limit the harvest levels of all sharks in East Malaysia waters, and it is unclear whether the current levels of extraction are sustainable for all or certain shark species.

Regulation and protection for sharks cannot occur without volumes of data over years proving that it is required.

Even then, attempts to protect a threatened species or to lower quotas, even when based on solid scientific data, are almost invariably vigorously opposed by fishing and business community.

Currently there are no laws that protect sharks from fishing in the open seas and few countries have adequate laws to protect sharks from over-fishing.

Sharks are over-fished primarily for two reasons: the high demand for their fins, with a few species also valued for their meat and, secondly, a slow reproductive rate compared with other types of fish.

Some countries have banned shark fishing within waters they control. But the following countries/states have banned shark fishing entirely: Congo-Brazza-ville, French Polynesia (except for mako sharks), Israel, Republic of the Maldives, Palau, Honduras (moratorium) and the US state of Hawaii.

More laws are needed to protect sharks. Little by little, more protection of shark are being proposed and passed throughout the world.

The call by Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, to protect its shark population is a step in the right direction, and SAM urges him to stand firm in his decision to ban shark fishing.

S.M. MOHD IDRIS,

President,

Sahabat Alam Malaysia.



Article Source http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/10/focus/11260837&sec=focus
and http://selangorhijau.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/more-laws-are-needed-to-protect-sharks/

Buying an Efficient Light bulb

http://www.cupboardsonline.com/2012/04/buying-efficient-light-bulb.html

Commercial wind energy generation may be possible after all

When talking about commercially producing energy from renewable sources in Malaysia, wind would come last, or even none at all. This is due to the fact that the country has low wind speed.

Malaysia’s mean annual wind speed is not more than 2 metre per second, when minimum 6 metre per second is needed to spin a wind turbine. Plus, wind speed varies according to month and region, making it an unreliable source for energy generation.

However, the lack of good and consistent wind speed are not obstacles to a Universiti Malaya professor.

Dr Chong Wen Tong, who has always been interested in finding a reliable wind source for energy generation, may have found the answer. Around three years ago, he developed a wind energy recovery system from air exhaust outlet – those great fans usually located on top of commercial buildings for air-conditioning.

The system comprised of two vertical axis wind turbines placed above an exhaust outlet in a cross-wind orientation and mounted at a specific height above the exhaust outlet to avoid creating negative performance to the exhaust air system. The system is also equipped with guide vanes to guide the wind to an optimum angle to spin the blades, as well as an augmentation diffuser, which has been shown to improve performance of the wind turbine.

He created the system since air exhaust outlet will give the strong and consistent wind needed, with the aim to recover a portion of the energy generated.

“A good air speed to generate energy is in the range of seven to 13 metres per second and exhaust air creates wind of around 11 metres per second, thus creating a strong and consistent wind,” Chong said.

Testing conducted with the help of the project’s industrial partner, Truwater Cooling Towers Sdn Bhd, which is also a local cooling tower manufacturer, showed that not only the system does not negatively affect the performance of the exhaust, it also re-captures around 13% of the energy created by the motor to spin the exhaust fan.

Chong explained that an air exhaust usually uses a 7.5-kilowatt (kW) motor to spin the exhaust fan and a wind turbine generates around 0.5 kilowatt of energy.

“As the system uses two wind turbines, the energy generated is around 1kW, which shows the system recovers 13% of the energy used to power the motor,” he said.

He added that for the system to work, the wind turbines’ speed has to be faster than the air speed of the exhaust.

And the turbines do spin faster at around 881 revolutions per minute (RPM). In comparison, a 3-blade ceiling fan at your home spins at high speed on average 260 RPM. As a safety measure, the system comes with an enclosure to protect maintenance workers as well as protect others should there be a blade failure.

“The system has a great marketing value since there are many cooling towers as well as other unnatural exhaust air resources around the world,” Chong said.

Plus the capacity factor is quite high, with the exhaust operating in about 16 hours per day (in accordance to operating hours of a building).

The system can be custom-made to fit varying size of exhaust air sources, with the energy generated can be channelled back into the electricity grid or used for commercial purposes.

For the next phase, Chong wants to position the blade into V-shape instead of the current flat-shape… “Much like the wings of an airplane,” he said.

Chong also plans to commercialise the system via Truwater Cooling Towers.

source: http://alampost.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=373:commercial-wind-energy-generation-may-be-possible-after-all&catid=67:energy&Itemid=392

TNB sets aside RM9.7bil to raise generating capacity

HULU TERENGGANU: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will spend about RM9.7bil in the next five years to increase electricity generating capacity in Malaysia.


President/chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said that a major portion of the investment until 2017 was to build several power stations whose locations had been identified.

Among the stations under construction are the Manjung Sultan Azlan Shah Power Station in Perak (RM6bil), a hydroelectric power plant in Hulu Terengganu (RM1.6bil) and Hulu Jelai in Pahang (RM2.1bil).

An independent power producer plans to build a coal-fired plant in Tanjung Bin, Johor, costing RM6bil and it is slated for completion in 2016.

“This means in the next five years, the new projects will give TNB additional generation capacity of 2,000 MW using coal and 630 MW using hydro.

“On average, TNB spends almost RM2bil annually to generate power for the country, and this doesn’t include other projects such as shipments and so on,” Che Khalib told reporters at the Terengganu river water diversion ceremony for the Hulu Terengganu hydroelectric project yesterday.

Che Khalib said TNB’s generating capacity currently was 20,000 MW, with 12,000 MW using gas, 7,000 MW coal and 1,500 MW hydro.

He said the Hulu Terengganu hydro project, expected to be completed end-2015, would be able to generate 250 MW. — Bernama

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/1/business/11207503&sec=business#1335841246484179&if_height=797