Summary
A visit to Malaysia Energy Centre (Pusat Tenaga Malaysia - PTM) at Bandar Baru Bangi was successfully held by the Chemical Engineering Technical Division (CETD) on 19 March 2009, with a total of 37 participants. The group departed from IEM at 2.30 pm and arrived at PTM at 3.15 pm. A talk was then given by PTM on its various activities on energy planning, energy efficiency, as well as research and development. This is followed by a visit around the Zero Energy Office (ZEO) Building, the main building where PTM is situated. The visit was completed by 5.15 pm and the group returned to IEM by 5.30 pm.
Overview of ZEO Building
ZEO Building is the main administration and research building for PTM. It is a demonstrator building which promotes sustainable building concept, where energy efficiency and renewable energy are demonstrated. The ZEO building was designed to be energy efficient, with an energy index of 35 - 40 kWh/m2.year, compared to a typical office building in Kuala Lumpur of 250 to 300 kWh/m2.year. In principle, the energy consumption of the building is balanced by its renewable power generation system. The building demonstrates that the ZEO concept can be realised using readily available technology while making use of an environment where solar generated electricity and daylight are plentiful.
The building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) panels are integrated into the building design such that it is both architecturally and aesthetically pleasing, besides providing the electricity needs for the building users. This BIPV system is connected to the national electricity grid by feeding electricity into the network and shaving the peak power demand of the grid during the peak daylight hours.
Reported by
Assoc Prof Ir Dr Dominic Foo
Chemical Engineering Technical Division
