SCENARIO AND DEVELOPMENT HYDROPOWER ENERGY IN MALAYSIA

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figure (a)(b)(c):some of the hydropower plant in Malaysia

In this part will discuss about the scenario and development of hydropower energy in Malaysia. The issue of the discussion is based on article that have been wrote by Ir. Zainal Abidin bin Othman, Managing Director, SMEC (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. 

Status of Hydropower Potential

Malaysia has a total land mass of 332,000km2 and its mean elevation is about300m. The average rainfall is slightly more than 2,600mm per year. The total gross hydro potential is 414,000GWh/year, of which about 85,000GWh/year is available in Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, whilst Peninsular Malaysia has 39% of the land area, its share of hydropower resources is only slightly more than 20%.Geographically, the peninsula is relatively narrow, and its main range of low mountains, the Titiwangsa Range,runs along the interior to form the main watershed. Thus, the river basins formed are moderately small. The largest river basin is Sg. Pahang with a drainage area of 28,500 km2. In addition, topographic features and rainfall are comparatively less favourable than Sabah and Sarawak. These are the main factors which contributes towards the limited hydropower resources in the peninsula. Of the 85,000 GWh/year gross potential, the utilised resources amount to 4,900 GWh/year (6%) whilst another5,000 GWh/year (6%) has been identified .The Sg. Perak river basin is the most developed in terms of hydropower development utilisation (2,500GWh/year), and it is reaching the limit of hydropower potential development. For Peninsular Malaysia, it has been estimated that the economic limit of hydropower utilisation is unlikely to exceed 10,000 GWh/year.

Future development 

As for future hydro development in Peninsular Malaysia, several projects have been identified and studied at feasibility and pre-feasibility levels. These potential projects have to compete with alternative energy sources such as coal and gas in terms of economic viability. From the economic point of view, it is clear that hydropower requires substantial initial investment costs which can be a deterrent to potential developers. It has been proven in some countries of the inability of the private sector to undertake such investments. However, this should be balanced against the long life and low operating costs of hydro plants, and the fact that there is no consumption of fuel for energy generation. Globally, in comparison with other plants, and considering the quality of the energy produced, the balance shows a clear advantage for hydropower .At the 17th Congress of the World Energy Council in 1998, it was concluded that clear priority should be given to the development and use of appropriate renewable energies with the aim of limiting emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels. This declaration supports the recommendations of the International Hydropower Association as listed below:

• The remaining hydro potential should be developed to the maximum possible extent, provided it is implemented in a technically, economically and socially acceptable way;
• Hydropower development should go hand-in-hand (rather than in competition) with further development of other renewable sources of energy;
• The cost of the kWh produced by a hydro plant is competitive. The initial investment is substantial but the life of the plant is long (about 100years). This is part of the sustainable character of hydropower. The operating cost is low. Financial solutions will have to be found to facilitate the initial investment in hydropower in developing countries without requiring the owners to give guarantees that they cannot afford;
• The state cannot totally entrust hydropower development to the private organisation (as is the case for thermal plant). It should be involved in the planning and development process;
• It has been demonstrated in many countries that hydroelectric potential is a form of potential wealth and sustainable development. Its implementation, with a strong backing of the state, contributes to the well-being of society.                                                                                                           (sources:http://dspace.unimap.edu.my/dspace/bitstream/123456789/13823/1/The%20Future%20of%20Hydropower%20in%20Malaysia.pdf)

THE INTERVIEW SESSION

THE INTERVIEW SESSION

The biography and background study 

·         Dr. Norzahir bin Sapawe

·         Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan (2004-2005)

·         BSc. (Hons) Resources Chemistry (2005-2008)(UNIMAS)

·         MSc. Chemical instrumentation (2008-2010)(USM)

·         PHd. Chemical Engineering (2010-2013)(UTM)

·         Post Doctorate Fellow Mechanical Engineering (2013-2014)(UTM)

·         Senior Lecturer Section of Technical Foundation (2014-Present)(UNIKL MICET) 

Thesis

·         MSc, Production of bio oil using pyrolysis technique

·         PHd, catalyst for clean environmental and sustainability

·         Post Doctorate, development of bio lubricant for automotive and medical application

The questions and answer

1.       How does cost of generation from hydropower plant compare with other sources of electricity?

·         the hydropower is highly capital intensive mode of electricity generation.

·         there is very little recurring cost and hence no high long term expenditure.

·         Cheaper than electricity that generated by coal and gases.

·         Reduce the financial loses.

·         More reliable as it is inflation free

·         Not use fossil fuel

2.       As we know the during the process, sedimentation was occurred. What are approaches to tackle sedimentation problem of the reservoir?

·         Catchment Area Treatment, for reduction of silt.

·         Effective de-silting arrangement

·         Silt resistant equipment

·         Effective operation of the reservoir

3.       Effect of the sedimentation to the plant?

·         It reduce the active storage capacity affect the capability of the reservoir

·         Flood management becomes more difficult

·         Damage to the plant composition especially turbine, due to the silt

4.       How sustainability can be prove in generation of hydroelectric?

·         Hydropower with storage capacity can work very well in synergy.

·         Hydropower can help maintain the grid stability.

5.       What are benefits of hydropower project?

·         Technical scope – operation and maintenance is lower due to no fuel are using in the processes.

·         Environmental benefits – pollution free, increase in agriculture productivity, avoid green house gas emission, flood mitigation, sources of drinking water.

·         Social benefits – enhanced employment opportunity, increased earning, enriched lifestyle, improved standard of living.

OUR MINIATURE - HYDROPOWER PLANT SYSTEM

FIGURE 7 : OVERALL VIEW OF MINIATURE

FIGURE 8 : GENERATOR, RESIDENT

FIGURE  : DAM

PREPARATION OF MAKING MINIATURE

SHORT VIDEO OF MINIATURE

INTRODUCTION

Hydroelectric power (often called hydropower) is considered a renewable energy source. A renewable energy source is one that is not depleted (used up) in the production of energy.  Through hydropower, the energy in falling water is converted into electricity without “using up” the water.

Hydropower energy is ultimately derived from the sun, which drives the water cycle. In the water cycle, rivers are recharged in a continuous cycle. Because of the force of gravity, water flows from high points to low points. There is kinetic energy embodied in the flow of water.

FIGURE 1 : THE CYCLE OF WATER 

HOW ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM WORKS?

PART1

Flowing water is directed at a turbine (remember turbines are just advanced waterwheels). The flowing water causes the turbine to rotate, converting the water’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy.

FIGURE 2 : FLOWING WATER TO TURBINE

FIGURE 3 : HOW HYDROPOWER PLANTS WORKS

The amount of electricity that can be generated by a hydropower plant depends on two factors :

FLOW RATE = the quantity of water flowing

When more water flows through a turbine, more electricity can be produced. The flow rate depends on the size of the river and the amount of water flowing in it. Power production is considered to be directly proportional to river flow. That is, twice as much water flowing will produce twice as much electricity.

HEAD : The height from which water falls

The farther the water falls, the more power it has. The higher the dam, the farther the water falls, producing more hydroelectric power.

Power production is also directly proportional to head. That is, water falling twice as far will produce twice as much electricity.

TYPES OF HYDROPOWER

FIGURE 4 : DAM WITH HIGH HEAD

Tall dams are sometimes referred to as “high-head” hydropower systems. That is, the height from which water falls is relatively high

FIGURE 5 : DAM WITH LOW HEAD

Many smaller hydropower systems are considered “low-head” because the height from which the water falls is fairly low. Low-head hydropower systems are generally less than 20 feet high.

FIGURE 6 : IMPOUNDMENT SYSTEM

An impoundment is simply a dam that holds water in a reservoir. The water is released when needed through a penstock, to drive the turbine.

This illustration shows the parts of a standard hydroelectric dam. Most large, high-head hydropower facilities use impoundments. 

FIGURE 7 : A RUN-OF-THE-RIVER SYSTEM

A run-of-the-river system uses the river’s natural flow and requires little or no impoundment. It may involve a diversion of a portion of the stream through a canal or penstock, or it may involve placement of a turbine right in the stream channel. Run-of-the-river systems are often low-head.