Archive for the 'Renewable Energy' Category

Just read in the papers that the State of New South Wales had to redefined her solar energy generation policy which is to encourage consumers to install solar panels in their homes so as to generate renewable energy for the grid. The target is to encourage the generation of 50 MW of electricity for the grid and householders are to be paid 60 Aussie cents (roughly MR1.65)per kilowatt that is sent to the grid. This scheme is so popular that the target has been exceeded in less than 8 months since its introduction. Now there is talk about redefining the policy in order to encourage more as well as sustainability of the scheme. This is one example of the popularity of renewable energy schemes in Australia and there are pros and cons as to its long term viability. We will be introducing Malaysia’s version soon and I do hope we will be getting as good a reaction from members of the public as the NSW’s initiative.

Renewable energy such as that can be obtained from biomass, solar, wind, hydro and termal sources is becoming more and more important in the energy equation of most countries. No doubt this prominance is due to the fact that the fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) are finite and dwindling fast. On the other hand, the fact that the climate change issue is catching the attention of world leaders who have collectively as well as individually has spurred interests and actions thus leading to a new industry that in turn provides impetus for more definitive actions all round. This trend is good and will become even stronger and vigorous going forward. Thus it is important that as Malaysians we are not left out. We are beginning to see more and more interests from not just environmentalists but other stakeholders as well. The important point is that renewable energy from whatever source is readily available and is being given prominence by all sectors in terms of application.

Renewable energy (RE) is beginning to be more and more becoming the ‘buz words’ of the times nowadays.

Any source of energy which do not deplete with usage is an RE so solar, wind, wave, thermal, biomas and hydro are all classified as renewables.

Furthermore, some of these sources of energy are free and we need not pay for its supplies. What we need to pay is for the technology to extract or harvest these sources and to pay for the delivery of these energies in the form of electricity or gas for our applications.

Thus the challenge is to be able to extract or harvest the RE at the cheapest costs possible thereby benefitting all. Most experts predict that these costs in the production of RE will come down further than what it is today.

On the other hand, the extraction and generation costs of fossil fuels which because of its finite nature can only go up and up.

We know that fossil fuels releases CO2 as we burn it for electricity production.

Therefore, as we progress into the future and bearing in mind that Malaysia being a country blessed with plenty of sunshine and rain as well as lush vegetation, we should as much as possible embrace and institute the use of RE.

I must admit that RE cannot as yet replace fossil fuel and can only lessen our dependence on the latter. It is important that we have a healthy energy mix going towards the year 2020.

The continued development of hydro electricity will further enhance the use of RE in the country.