You are on page 1of 5

1.

Introduction

Malaysia is a small developing country located in South East Asia. With a landmass of
330,000 square kilometers, a population of 31.62million people and a vast growth of industrial
produces, high priority is put to deliver and provide power with highest efficiency to the
masses. One of the initiatives from the main power supplier, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is
to introduce digitalization and grid of the future to the table. This effort is going to cost
RM18.8bil over the next three years and the effects is debated amongst engineering scholars.

Over the past years, a lot of plans were made to increase efficiency of power
production. Mainly to make it more economic and environment-friendly. One of the plan was
to introduce power generation in the means of nuclear diffusion [1]. According to Malaysia
Nuclear Power Cooperation (MNPC) CEO, Dr Mohd Zamzam Jaafar, in Malaysia, it is still an
unpopular solution although it is needed to meet future power demands.

Coal is seen as the traditional way of generating energy in Malaysia. In 2016, TNB
awarded contracts to four Malaysian shipping companies to ship coals from Indonesia under
10-year and 15-year for power generation [2]. This effort is an indirect effort to lower the cost
of power production and promoting the growth of Malaysian-owned shipping companies at
the same time.

Malaysia is also seeking to dive into the renewable energy era. Located at the equator,
Malaysia receives enough solar radiation to receive 1.643 MWh as of 2012. Total of renewable
energy contribution is only 0.007% as of 2015 [3]. The numbers is thought to increase
significantly if Malaysia invested more of its land for solar plants. However, the average daily
solar radiation received shows an unstable trend yearly.

Malaysia boosted its GDP growth of around 6%, 4 years prior to 2014 and it is and
indicator that Malaysia needs to increase power production to meet the demand due to the
economic growth [4]. Malaysia sees power sector as an input to the economy. To stabilize
profit, TNB implemented an incentive-based regulation to allow power prices to move in line
with fuel costs.
2. Discussion

2.1. Malaysia’s current grid’s reliability and efficiency


In 2018, Malaysia is estimated to generate a total of 168.849 TWh and
consumes a total of 161.3 TWh [5]. A traditional power plant runs at the efficiency
of 38% and a cogeneration power plant runs at the efficiency of 87%, 45% of it in
form of thermal power [6]. From that values, the losses through the transmission
lines varies from the types of conductors used.
The types of conductor used is based on the usage. Old overhead lines use ACSR
cables because of its easy availability. A newer overhead lines would use either
Aluminium Conductor Composite-Carbon Core (ACCC) or The Low Loss, High
Capacity Conductor (TACSR(SA)/TW), both reducing 20% of losses from ACSR
cables [7].
The means of calculating transmission line reliability is the transmission
reliability margin (TRM) available transfer capability (ATC). Reliability rate differs
from one place to another but as of 2012, the transmission line was deemed
reliable [8].

2.2. Advantages of digitalization

Power is distributed to a lot of places far from the location of power production
now more than ever. The current one-way electricity flow is not as viable as it used
to be and a two-way flow is more preferred, thus requiring better management of
supply and demand. A smarter power system is needed.

Digital substations can incorporate digital communication through fiber optic


cables instead of copper connections using analog signals. It will increase the
flexibility, availability, safety and reduce operation cost. A digital controller will also
provide protection and control to power equipment better than the traditional
models [9].
2.3. Role of smart meters

Smart meter is the heart of the grid of the future. It is will enable a wider use
from the traditional meter. The meter can be utilized to monitor water, gas,
electricity and heat. With the easy and more comprehendible meter, it can
increase customers’ awareness of the actual resources consumed and can be
timely adapted to their demands [10].

All of this can bring a new level of lifestyle that could benefit the people and
the nation. Overconsumption can be avoided and transparency is practiced.

2.4. Coal-fired plants with ultra-supercritical technology, its sustainability and


environment-friendly level

REFER THIS MR. FAIZ T:


https://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/print/volume-25/issue-
3/features/critical-thinking.html
3. Conclusion
References

[1] Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi, “Can Malaysia embark on nuclear power? Not quite yet, say
experts,” New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/265429/can-
malaysia-embark-nuclear-power-not-quite-yet-say-experts.

[2] Bilqis Bahari, “TNB inks RM2.3b coal shipment deals,” New Straits Times.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/141849/tnb-inks-rm23b-coal-shipment-deals.

[3] Christopher The Boon Sung, “Electricity from solar energy in Malaysia: Clean,
renewable, and abundant energy source, so what’s the problem?”.
http://www.christopherteh.com/blog/2012/05/solar-malaysia/

[4] Power Engineering International, “Malaysia's changing power sector,” 25 Aug 2014.
https://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/print/volume-22/issue-7/regional-
profile/malaysia-s-changing-power-sector.html.

[5] BMI Research, “Malaysia Power Report, Executive Summary,” 1 April 2018.

[6] Siti Suhaila Ahmad, Noor Haniza Noordin, Maimunah Zubir, “Towards A World-Class
Energy sector,” Energy Malaysia, 8 Sept 2015.

[7] Ir. Zulkifli Mohd Yusos, “TNB Initiatives Towards Energy Efficient Transmission Lines,”
ASIA CLEAN ENERGY FORUM 2015, 16 June 2015.

[8] N.A. Salim, M.M Othman, I. Musirin, M.S. Serwan, “ The Impact of System Cascading
Collapse and Transmission Line Outages to the Transfer Capability Assessment” UiTM, 2015.

[9] Alexander Sonneck, “ The Future of Grid is Digital,” ABB Group. 19 Jan 2017.

[10] Willem Strabbing, “The Role of Smart Metering in Smart Grids,” European Smart
Metering Industry Group, Oct 2011.

You might also like