TNB Research and Sedania Collaborate to Explore Harnessing Energy from Johor Dam
TNB Research Sdn Bhd (TNBR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), has collaborated with Sedania Technologies Sdn Bhd (STSB) to assess the feasibility of harnessing energy from excess water in dams and reservoirs in Malaysia.
TNB and STSB said in a joint statement recently that under the agreement, STSB, Sedania Innovator Bhd's (Sedania) sustainable energy arm, deploys energy-efficient micro-hydropower turbines designed by TNBR to generate electricity from dam water.
Each micro-hydropower turbine has a capacity of 30–40 kW and may generate up to 305,000 kWh of electricity per year.
“With over 70 water dams and reservoirs located throughout Malaysia, the potential micro hydropower energy source is estimated at over 40 gigawatt-hours per year, enough to provide carbon-free electricity to about 10 thousand homes,” they said.
STSB will oversee the project's financial and technical aspects, while TNBR will contribute technical knowledge through the design and installation of the micro-hydropower turbines.
TNB stated that the partnership's first project involves a dam project in Kota Tinggi, Johor, where STSB was tasked by a large multinational oil and gas company to assess the viability of deploying energy-efficient micro hydropower technologies to generate electricity from released water.
Sedania's CEO, Daniel Ruppert, stated that the partners intend to equip all dams in Malaysia with energy-efficient micro-hydropower turbines that will use the dam's surplus water as an energy source.
“As an environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)-driven organisation with a vision of helping corporations reduce their carbon footprint, Sedania is well-positioned to accelerate the sustainability agenda, together with the support of TNBR,” he said.
TNBR managing director Dr. Mohd Hariffin Boosroh said TNB is championing a responsible and inclusive energy transition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“With that goal in mind, TNB is investing in new green technology, such as this efficient micro-hydropower turbine developed by our researchers at TNBR.
“This partnership illustrates how research and industry collaboration plays an influential role in the development of innovative and sustainable solutions for Malaysia,” he said.
TNB stated that when the technology is developed in the country, it will help local firms involved in the manufacturing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of micro-hydropower turbines.
Source: Sedania Technologies Sdn Bhd
