Mohd Zamri Ibrahim

Wind Resource Investigation of Terengganu in the West Malaysia

The analysis of wind data collected from the Renewable Energy Research Center, University Malaysia Terengganu (RERC UMT) using NRG Symphonie data retriever in Kuala Terengganu between the years 2004 and 2007. The RERC UMT station is located at 4°13.6′ N and 103°26.1′ E. Wind data were recorded at a height of 18 m above the ground level. This paper presents wind characteristics of the study site in Terengganu. The daily, monthly and annual wind speed values have been studied together with their prevailing direction. The monthly average wind speed and yearly mean wind speed for Kuala Terengganu ranged from 2.0–5.2 m/s and 2.9 m/s respectively. Northeast monsoon season (November to March) mean wind speed was 3.9 m/s for the same period. The average Weibull shape parameter k and scale parameter c were 1.76 and 3.21 m/s respectively for this period. The wind power is lowest during southwest monsoon season and highest during the northeast monsoon season (mean value 84.60 W/m2). The wind energy density is lowest at 11.33 W/m2 in June 2005, highest at 154.02 W/m2 in January 2007. The monthly average wind energy density and probability of wind to exceed of electricity generation wind speed 2.5 m/s were found as 40.52 W/m2 and 0.51 based on Weibull distribution, respectively. The annual average turbulence intensities were 0.58 and no significant seasonal variation in turbulence intensity was observed. In conclusion, wind energy could be used to provide power during the northeast monsoon season at the study site, using small (kW range) wind machines.

The feasibility study of offshore wind energy potential in Kijal, Malaysia: the new alternative energy source exploration in Malaysia

Nowadays, many countries have been endeavoring to explore and exploit the offshore wind energy in terms of solving the problem of limitations of onshore wind energy. Wind energy is one of potential alternative for generating electricity in Malaysia. The offshore wind speed is better compared to onshore, so there is more potential contribution by offshore wind power in terms of electricity generation. This paper provides a summary of the offshore wind resources of the Kijal, Malaysia by analyzing the QuikSCAT satellite data which is available and can be downloaded from the WindPRO application. Based on these datasets, wind resources are assessed, and economical efficiency is evaluated by means of the expected capacity factor. Research was conducted using WindPRO and WAsP software to assess the potential of wind energy along the South China Sea in Kijal, Terengganu. Seven models of the wind turbines with different rated power; 110kW, 225kW, 275kW, 600kW, 850kW, 1000kW and 1250kW are taken for energy and economic feasibility analyses. The wind turbine with rated power 850 kW was indicated as the best wind turbine for installation in Kijal based on its best capacity factor, 26.8% In economical aspect, Malaysia does not have Feed in Tariff (FiT) rates for offshore wind projects, thus the range of predicted FiT rates, RM 0.30 to RM 2.00 were tested by using Net Present Value (NPV) and Payback Period (PBP) calculation. Finally, the conducive FiT rates for wind projects with secured investment were identified and the rates were in range RM 0.80 to RM 1.38. The overall results suggest that the wind energy has a bright future for use as an alternative source for generating electricity in Kijal, Malaysia.

A Review of Ocean Wave Power Extraction; the primary interface

This paper aims to describe the importance of data, data collection methods, parameters to estimate the potential of wave energy and environmental impacts. The technical and economical status in wave energy conversion is outlined. Power and energy efficiency relationships are discussed. Many different types of wave-energy converters have been detailed. The progress in wave energy conversion in Malaysia is reviewed.

Wind Energy Potential Investigation and Micrositting in Langkawi Island, Malaysia

The aim of this study was to predict the wind energy potential over the Langkawi Island, Malaysia. The wind data for year 2009 was collected from Malaysia Meteorology Department (MMD) and then extrapolated to the hub heights of various turbines. Wind turbines with rated powers between 1 kW and 110 kW were chosen for annual energy production calculations and best fitted ones were used for the micrositting analysis. In this study, the turbine with 22 kW rated power with hub height 30 m was selected based on its best value of capacity factor. The wind speed frequency per year is highly peaked in the range 1–6 m/s, this indicate that most of the wind speed at Langkawi Island lies in this range. The ‘WAsP’ and ‘WindPRO’ softwares were used for the wind statistics and energy calculations. Calculated energy production of located 10 turbines with total capacity of 0.22 MW was 111.1 MWh. Suitable sites were selected according to the created wind power and energy maps. The future cost of maintenance and the status of area either its reserved or conserved by the government were the factors that be considered for selection of site area.

Time Series Analysis of Surface Ozone Monitoring Records in Kemaman, Malaysia

Time series analysis and forecasting has become a major tool in many applications in air pollution and environmental management fields. Among the most effective approaches for analyzing time series data is the model introduced by Box and Jenkins, ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average). In this study we used Box-Jenkins methodology to build ARIMA model for monthly ozone data taken from an Automatic Air Quality Monitoring System in Kemaman station for the period from 1996 to 2007 with a total of 144 readings. Parametric seasonally adjusted ARIMA (0,1,1) (1,1,2)12 model was successfully applied to predict the long-term trend of ozone concentration. The detection of a steady statistical significant upward trend for ozone concentration in Kemaman is quite alarming. This is likely due to sources of ozone precursors related to industrial activities from nearby areas and the increase in road traffic volume.

Prospect of parallel biodiesel and bioethanol production from jatrophacurcas seed

This study focuses on the utilization prospect of JatrophaCurcas seed solely as transport sector renewable fuel for producing biodiesel and bioethanol in a parallel system. Diesel (biodiesel) and petrol (bioethanol as petrol additive) engine fuel could be produce from J. Curcas seed oil portion and its’ seed residue, respectively. Ultrasonic-assisted reactive extractions were used for simultaneous oil extraction and esterification/transesterification of J. Curcas seed. The use of acid/alkaline catalyst and ultrasound resulted in a completely de-oiled seed residual by extracting about 50% oil which is equivalent to the Soxhlet extraction performance. The seeds were being chemically and physically characterized with ultimate analyses and TGA for its suitability as bioethanol raw material. Ultimate analyses revealed similarity with other bioconversion feedstock having carbon and oxygen as the major chemical compositions; with slightly lower carbon content in the residuals due to the oil extraction during the in-situ process. However, TG profile exhibited better decomposition of mass in the ultrasonicated residues having easier accessible and better degradable fiber for bioethanol production process. These shown positive effects on the J. Curcasseed pre-treatment during biodiesel reactive extraction process and for further bioconversion toward bioethanol.

Study of Enhanced Reactive Extraction Process Using Ultrasonication for Jatropha curcas Seed

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and positive effects of ultrasonication toward Jatropha Curcas seed reactive extraction process. Ultrasonic-assisted oil extraction from Jatropha seed were compared with conventional stirring method of a shaker bath at varied conditions such as seed sizes (<1.0 – 4.0 mm), temperature (30 – 60°C) and time (1 – 60 min). The results revealed that a swift and complete Jatropha oil extraction can be achieved with the aid of ultrasound influenced mostly by temperature and reaction time differences. Transesterification conversion were confirmed with NMR revealing the presence of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) in the solution mixture. Enhanced effect by the ultrasonication were evidenced for a better and faster extraction whilst simultaneously converting Jatropha oil into biodiesel.

Mapping the Spatial Distribution of Criteria Air Pollutants in Peninsular Malaysia Using Geographical Information System (GIS)

Air pollution is defined as the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances into the air which results in harmful effects of such nature as to endanger human health, harm living resources and ecosystems, cause material damage, interfere with amenities and other legitimate uses of the environment (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], 1999). The air pollution sources is categorized according to form of emissions whether gaseous or particulates. Air pollution sources also can be distinguished by primary or secondary air pollutants. Primary air pollutants are in the atmosphere that exists in the same form as in source emissions, whereas, secondary air pollutants are pollutants formed in the atmosphere as a result of reactions such as hydrolysis, oxidation, and photochemical oxidation (David Liu & Liptak, 2000). World Health Organization (WHO) had been listed six “classic” air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), lead, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM) sulphur dioxide (SO2) and tropospheric ozone (O3) (World Health Organization [WHO], 1999).

Wind turbine rank method for a wind park scenario

This paper aims to present a method of the wind turbine ranking, either stall or pitch-regulated wind turbine (WTG), to determine the suitability of wind turbine in a selected site.,The method included the wind park target capacity, the maximum hub-height, the standard rotor diameter and the characteristic of wind speed on the site. As the method had been applied to a wind park, with more than one wind turbine, the wake losses had been considered by subtracting the gross capacity factor. Besides, the turbine-site matching index (TSMI) was computed by dividing the net capacity factor with the total installed capital cost per kilowatt.,The components of the total installed capital cost were cost of turbine, installation, as well as operation and maintenance. Meanwhile, the target capacity index (TCI) was calculated by dividing the estimated wind park capacity with the target wind park capacity.,Both TSMI and TCI were used together to rank the wind turbines. Furthermore, a site in the eastern part of Kudat was selected as the case study site, where ten models of wind turbines were tested and ranked.

Assessment of electricity generation by wind power in nine costal sites in Malaysia

In this article, the wind power potential in Malaysia is examined. Hourly wind speed data for nine sites in Malaysia are used to optimally design wind power systems for remote housing electrification. These nine sites are Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Kudat, Mersing, Sandakan, Tawau and Pulau Langkawi. The designed wind power systems are supposed to supply hourly load demand 6.13 kWh/day, 0.52 kW peak with 1% loss of load probability. The unit cost of the energy produced by each system is calculated and compared to the unit cost of the energy produced by a standalone photovoltaic (PV) power systems and a diesel generator power systems. The results show that the average unit cost of the energy produced by a wind power system in Malaysia is 1.6–7.29 USD/kWh while it is 0.35–0.5 USD/kWh and 0.27–0.30 USD/kWh for PV power system and diesel generator power system, respectively. Based on this, the use of wind power systems as standalone systems is not recommended for the selected sites.