Reflective Essay

Bachelor of Science (Honours) In Architecture

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE DESIGN [ARC 1413]/[BLD 60203]

Tutor: Ms. Suja

Farah Akmal 0315884

Lau Wei Ling 0315389

Lim Chin Yi 0315627

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 AIR POLLUTION 1

1.2 AIR POLLUTION INDEX (APII) 1

1.3 POWER GENERATION 2

1.4 THERMAL POWER STATION 3

2.0 IMPACTS

2.1 IMPACTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT 6

2.2 IMPACTS TO HUMAN 8

3.0 CASE STUDIES

3.0 MALAYSIA CASE STUDY 1 10

3.1 MALAYSIA CASE STUDY 2 13

3.2 INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES 16

4.0 REFERENCES 17

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Air Pollution

Air pollution happens when there are presence of pollutants such as chemical substances

and particulate matter in the Earth’s atmosphere. The pollutants in the air could cause

discomfort, harm and health issues to human and other living organism apart from causing

severe damage to the environment. Hutton (2011) stated that air pollution could be classified

into anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic origin in which the former is caused by human

activity and the latter is caused by natural events. In this essay, we will be focusing on

anthropogenic origin pollution caused by thermal plant in Malaysia.

1.2 Air Pollution Index (API)

Air Pollution Index is an indicator to generalized the air quality status at any particular area.

The air quality levels in Malaysia are measured based on 5 main air pollutants which are

Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, particulate matter, and ground level

ozone. An hourly index is calculated for each pollutant and the highest hourly index value will

be taken as the Air Pollution Index for the hour (Beychok, 2008).

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The air pollutions levels are then ranked on scale 0 for good air quality all the way up above

500 for emergency levels that are hazardous to the public health. Most of the time, the air

pollutions levels are ranked within index value 0-50(good), and there are times where the

index would reach within 51-100(moderate) and 101-200(unhealthy). Although the air quality

in Malaysia is good in average, it is still far away from achieving the optimum air quality as

Malaysia was ranked only 55th in air quality score based on the Environmental Performance

Index (2014). The main causes of air pollution in Malaysia are from power generation,

industrial activities, development activities, land clearing, open burning and motor vehicles

(General Info of Air Pollution Index Department of Environment, n.d.)

Figure 1.20 API Index Sources: (Beychok, 2008)

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1.3 Power Generation

Electricity is one of the necessities in the modern lifestyle of the society. The use of

electricity in domestic, industry, construction and transportation is increasing each year. In

the year 2013, the final energy demand in Malaysia had reached up to 51584 ktoe from

17728 ktoe in a ten year interval (Malaysia Energy Information Hub, 2015b). The electricity in

Malaysia is generated through three types of power sources. They are thermal power

stations which will be further explained in the next paragraph; hydropower station which

generate electricity by the conversion of energy of flowing water; and co-generation which

uses the left-over-steam from electricity generation to produce heat for other usages.

Figure 1.31 shows the percentages of electricity generated by power sources in Malaysia

2013. There was 10,627,000 tonne of oil equivalent of electrical energy generated by

thermal stations which made up 88% of the total electricity generated. Therefore, we could

conclude that the thermal power stations are the main sources of power generated in

Malaysia. Examples of thermal power stations in Malaysia are Connaught Bridge Power

Station in Klang, Genting Sanyen Kuala Langat Power Plant in Kuala Langat and Sultan

Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Power Station in Kapar.

Figure 1.30 Percentages of Electricity Generated by Power Sources in Malaysia Sources: (Malaysia Energy Information Hub, 2015a).

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1.4 Thermal Power Station

Thermal power is produced from the combustion of fuels to power the electrical generator

which converts the thermal energy to electrical energy. Figure 1.41 above shows the

percentages of fuels used in thermal plants Malaysia. Based on the data, the three main

fossil fuels used in the generation of thermal power in Malaysia are natural gas, crude oil

and coal& coke. Although the thermal plant has brought us benefits, the combustion of fuels

have also caused pollutions such as thermal pollution and air pollutions that brings negative

effects to the society, nature and environment.

Figure 1.40 Percentages of Fuels Used in Thermal Plants Malaysia Sources: (Malaysia Energy Information Hub, 2015c)

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2.0 Impacts

2.1 Impact to the Environment

Chemicals released from the rotting vegetable and erupting volcanoes caused the acid rain,

but the major culprit is the burning of fossil fuels by coal-burning power plants, factories and

automobiles. When Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emitted into the

environment, it reacts with the water and other compound and form various acidic

compounds, including fine particles and ozone. Then, it will fall to the earth in either a wet

form like rain, snow and fog or in a dry foam like gases and particles which will affect the

human health and the environment.

Emission from the power plant react with the water molecules in the atmosphere and

form acidic compounds that harm lakes and streams and caused them to absorb the

aluminium that makes its way from the soil into lakes and streams. This combination makes

the water toxic to crayfish, dams, fish and other aquatic animals, thus, making them unable

to support the fish and other aquatic life. However, in an interconnected ecosystem,

whatever impact one species also affect many other species throughout the food chain and

this is including non-aquatic species as well.

Besides, acid rain also brings harm or damage the forest ecosystem by directly

damaging the plant tissues, especially those at higher elevation. It releases the aluminium

from the soil by rob it, essential nutrient to a tree. This will also affect the tree’s leaves and

needles. Likewise, when acid combines with ozone it can weaken the trees and make them

unable to withstand to the threats such as pests, which cause mortality. In addition to this,

acid rain can affect the forest ecosystems indirectly by changing the chemistry of the forest

soils, including the leaching of plant nutrients from soils. It can increase the levels of

aluminium in soil water which can impair the ability of trees to use soil nutrients and can be

directly toxic to plant roots. Sample collection of the forest in Malaysia has been done and

analysis showed that the mean annual rainfall pH at Bukit Cerekah and Bukit Bujang in first

year was between 5-5.1 and it gradually dropped to 4.8 in the third year. The drop in pH

means that acid precipitation is going to make its presence. Bukit Lagong was 5.64 and 5.22

Figure 2.10 Emission Process Sources: (Usa EPA Archieve Document, 2015)

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in first and third years respectively and this is because of noxious gases like NOx and SO2

have been transported during the wetter seasons from area like Shah Alam, Sg. Buluh and

Kepong. (Philip, E. , M. Rizal, M.K and Siti Mariam, S, n.d)

Furthermore, acid rain can caused a great damage to a significant number of

properties of aesthetic and historical value including monuments, buildings, and statues.

Acid particles and deposition has increased the rate of weathering for these materials,

eventually resulting in aesthetic and structural damage such as structure that are made out

of limestone and marble which are particularly sensitive to acid deposition..

Nitrogen deposited from the atmosphere is a substantial source of nitrogen in many

estuaries and coastal waters. The estuaries and coastal waters is essential to marine but

large amount of nitrogen in it can have significant ecological impacts such as massive die-

offs of estuarine and marine plants and animals, loss of biological diversity, and degradation

of essential coastal ecosystem habitat such as sea grassbeds. These seagrass beds are

essential nurseries for fish and shellfish as it also provides a place to hide and escape from

predators. Excessive amounts of nitrogen in coastal waters from atmospheric deposition can

caused the harmful algal blooms from enhanced nitrification, some of which are toxic such

as red tides that kills millions of fish each year and a toxic to humans.

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2.2 Impact to the Living Organism

Fine particles like sulphates and nitrates in the air scatter light and create hazy conditions,

decreasing visibility contributing to regional haze. These will spoil the scenic vistas across

broad regions of the country, reduced visual range by as much as 80% to 10 miles or less on

the haziest days and it impaired urban vistas nationwide.

A mixture of solid particle and liquid droplets found in the air will create a large

proportion of sulphate and nitrate particles which are larger proportion of a fine particle in

most part of the country. These mixtures will cause an increase incidence of premature

death, especially those with heart and lung disease and the elderly. Aggravation of

respiratory and cardiovascular illness will lead to hospitalizations the worst comes to worst is

the emergency room visits for children and individual with heart or lung disease. Decreased

lung function and symptomatic effects, including acute bronchitis, especially among children

and asthmatics as well as new cases of chronic bronchitis, changes to lung structure and

natural defense. In the end, all these illness will increase the work loss days, school

absences and emergency room visits.

Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and volatile organic compounds react in the atmosphere with

the presence of sunlight and form a ground-level ozone, a major component of smog in the

cities and in many rural areas as well. These will affect our respiratory illness and other

health problems, including decreases in lung function resulting in difficulty breathing,

shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Respiratory symptoms such as those associated

with bronchitis, aggravated coughing, and chest pain. Increased incidence or severity of

Figure 2.20 Comparison of Pood and Goor Visibility Left image : Poor Visibility , Right Image : Goor Visibility

Sources: (Colorado State University, 2015)

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respiratory problems resulting in more hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

Chronic inflammation and irreversible structural changes in the lungs, that, with repeated

exposure that can lead to premature aging of the lungs and other respiratory illness.

Mercury is a product of coal-burning, which can be transported over a range of

distance through the atmosphere before being deposited into the water bodies. It will

transform into methyl-mercury and bio-accumulate when it reaches the lakes. These are the

effects of the gas emission to the environments which have caused a lot of problems to the

environment. The primary symptoms of mercury exposure are the disorder of the body

nervous system, including brain damage, lack of motor skills, impaired cognitive skills and

difficulty speaking and hearing. These effects are obvious during the development of the

nervous system, such as fetuses and young children.

In conclusion, the main issues cause by thermal plants are acid rain, haze, and health

problems. Among all, acid rain is the main issue and it indirectly causing other problem as

well like nitrogen deposition, increase of regional haze and effect on the human health.

Therefore, serious attention or measures has to be taken to tackle the main problem, acid

rain, in order to solve the others.

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3.0 Case Studies

3.1 Malaysia Case Study 1

The use of renewable energy

Thermal power based on fossil fuel combustion remains as the major source of energy

globally and hence making the decommissioning of it difficult and impractical. Therefore, in

order to reduce the pollutions caused by thermal power production, it is essential to reduce

the energy generation by thermal power plant. Renewable energy cause lesser pollution to

the environment. Renewable energy is energy source that can be replenish and reproduced

in a short interval or a decade. Renewable power projects are carried out by Malaysia

government through investment as announced in the Tenth Malaysia Plan. Other than that,

Malaysia had started to implement the use of renewable energy in the year of 2011 under

the Renewable Energy Act 2011. More than 70 of renewable energy plant are built in

different places in Peninsular Malaysia. For example, KLIA had installed solar photovoltaic

system that can generate 19 MW solar energy each year.

In the search of new sources of energy that can replace the production of thermal

energy, Malaysia government formed an association that does research on the sustainable

energy.

“The Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) is a

statutory body formed under the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Act 2011 [Act

726]. The key role of SEDA is to administer and manage the implementation of the feed-in

tariff mechanism which is mandated under the Renewable Energy Act 2011 [Act 725].” (About

SEDA, 2015)

Their vision and mission are to develop sustainable energy as for economic concerns

and environment conservation. They had run several of sustainable energy programmes and

ensure it is managed prudently and efficiently.

One of the programmes introduced by SEDA is Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) where it is a new

mechanism to catalyse the generation of renewable energy, up to 30 MW in size. The

generation license is distributed among private sector to generate clean energy and enable

them to sell back to the licensee for a fixed number of years. Renewable energy that is

eligible to be licensed are biogas including landfill gas & sewage, biomass including solid

waste, small hydropower and solar photovoltaic. The duration of the license are between 16

to 21 years. (FEED-IN TARIFF (FiT) IN MALAYSIA, 2015)

Figure 3.10 Different types of Renewable Energy that are eligible for FiT.

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The introduction of the FiT programme had motivated the private sectors to

participate for the long term incentives and contribution to the environment. Among the 4

types of renewable energy, the solar photovoltaic are promoted and installed widely in

domestic and private sectors.

Solar voltaic panels are devices that can generate energy from the solar energy and

converts light and heat energy into electrical energy without causing any air and water

pollution to the environment. Compared to other type of renewable energy and thermal

power plant, solar photovoltaic can only cause a lower impact to surrounding environment

and has a relatively lower need of maintenance.

Figure 3.11 The generation of electricity by crystalline silicon solar cell.

Besides that, hydropower is also research and installed widely in Malaysia. Malaysia

is a country which is rich in natural resources. Hydropower is generated by harnessing the

power of flowing water from lakes, rivers, and streams. Small hydro is based on simple

concepts. Moving water turns a turbine, the turbine spins a generator, and electricity is

produced. Many other components may be in a system, but it all begins with the energy

already within the moving water. There is less environmental impact caused by the

generation of small hydropower throughout the process. (Seda.gov.my, 2015)

According to the statistics provided by SEDA portal, there is a continuous instalment

and application of renewable energy in Malaysia. As seen at the table below, the installed

capacity of commissioned renewable energy is maintained each year. This could be seen

from the application of instalment of solar photovoltaic energy that has a drastic increase

that is 89 % for private sector and 213% for domestic sector in one year interval after the

introduction of FiT programme.

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Figure 3.12

Comparison between the approved application of FiT in the year of 2012 and 2013

Figure 3.13

In a nutshell, solar power generation had reach up to almost 98% of the renewable

energy source in Malaysia. The reason behind the choice of solar energy as renewable

energy is due to geographical location of Malaysia that has abundance of sunlight. Besides,

solar energy is easy to be installed and doesn’t require much maintenance and manpower

after installation. It also has the least environmental impact. The success of the FiT

programme by SEDA had motivated the use the renewable energy in Malaysia. As a long

term benefit, it is essential for the SEDA and Malaysia government to ensure the existing

programme to be managed prudently and efficiently. This will eventually ensure Malaysia to

have a growth of sustainable energy generation and reduce the relying on thermal energy

production. Thus, this will lower the impact to the environment especially the pollutions

caused by thermal power production in Malaysia.

Figure 3.14

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3.2 Malaysia Case Study 2

As another long term solution towards the air pollution cause by the thermal power

plant production on fossil fuels, it is advisable for the public to reduce energy consumption

thus reducing the pollution. The most important factor in reduction of energy consumption

would be the implementation of green building. Green buildings use lesser energy, lower

aggregate operational cost and fewer carbon dioxide emissions. The lesser the energy

consumption of the users, the lower the demand on electricity, the lower the generation of

thermal energy.

“Construction sector consumes as much as 40% of the world’s energy, 12% of

water and contributes to 40% of the waste sent to landfill”- Tony Arnel, chairman of world

green building council. (Greenbuildingindex.org, 2015)

As known, construction sector is a major contributor to the energy usage. In

response, the introduction green building can be seen as a necessary to reduce the energy

consumption as green building has characteristics of energy efficiency, indoor environment

quality, water efficiency, sustainable planning and management, innovative design, and

sustainable material and resources. Each of the characteristics leads to a low energy

requirement for daily operation and low impact towards the environment.

To motivate the construction of green building to replace traditional building, the

Board of Architects Malaysia (PAM) had introduced Green Building Index (GBI) to the

construction industry in Malaysia. GBI is a measure of the degree of green building by rating

marks to each of the quality and characteristics of the building. Energy efficiency is rated as

the first or second important criteria as a green building whether it is for residential or non-

residential building. (Greenbuildingindex.org, 2015)

Implementation of GBI system in Malaysia is an effort to reduce the construction

energy. From the statistics provided below by the GBI organisation, the construction of green

building is trending in the construction industry in Malaysia as in every year, the certified

projects are gradually increased. This trend can help to reduce energy and waste efficiently

from a long term sight of view. From the introduction of GBI building in Malaysia, the total

reduction of carbon dioxide emission by the electricity energy reduction had reach up to a

total of 668,006.43.

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GBI CERTIFIED PROJECTS BY YEAR/QUARTER

GBI Projects by

Year/Quarter

Registered

Projects Certified Projects

2009/Q2 17 0

2009/Q3 5 1

2009/Q4 12 0

2010/Q1 21 0

Year One Total 55

(Average 4.5/month)

1

(Average 0.08/month)

2010/Q2 14 6

2010/Q3 23 1

2010/Q4 20 5

2011/Q1 34 3

Year Two Total 91

(Average 7.5/month)

15

(Average 1.25/month)

2011/Q2 27 10

2011/Q3 25 13

2011/Q4 39 7

2012/Q1 30 12

Year Three Total 121

(Average 10.1/month)

42

(Average 3.5/month)

2012/Q2 27 15

2012/Q3 45 22

2012/Q4 27 13

2013/Q1 22 18

Year Four Total 121

(Average 10.08/month)

68

(Average 5.67/month)

2013/Q2 30 12

2013/Q3 21 22

2013/Q4 37 30

2014/Q1 36 24

Year Five Total 124

(Average 10.3/month)

88

(Average 7.3/month)

2014/Q2 26 21

2014/Q3 28 13

2014/Q4 29 17

2015/Q1 13 23

Year Six Total 96

(Average 8/month)

74

(Average 6.17/month)

2015/Q2 (15 MAY) 12 10

Year Seven Total 12

(Average 6/month)

10

(Average 5/month)

Figure 3.20

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CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) EMISSION REDUCTION OF GBI CERTIFIED BUIILDINGS

CO2

REDUCTION

PROJECTION

TOTAL

as of

15 MAY

2015

NRNC

Non

Residential

New

Construction

RNC

Residential

New

Construction

NREB

Non

Residential

Existing

Building

INC

Industrial

New

Construction

IEB Industrial

Existing

Building

CO2 Emission

Reduction

(tCO2e/annum,

based on

electricity energy

reduction only @

1kWh =

0.741 kg CO2-

Peninsular

0.872 kg CO2-

Sarawak

0.546 kg CO2-

Sabah)

668,006.43 404,705.39

(60.58%)

178,324.75

(26.70%)

76,390.67

(11.44%)

6,865.33

(1.03%)

1,720.29

(0.26%)

Figure 3.21

As an example of green building that is certified in the highest category of GBI which

is platinum, Zero Energy Office is a building with zero net energy consumption, so that the

amount of consume energy is equivalent to the amount of on-site produced renewable

energy. The example of ZEO in Malaysia is shown below.

Figure 3.22 Zero Energy Building

Diagram 1.0 shows the Pusat Tenaga Malaysia Zero Energy Office Building, which is

a national energy research centre completed in 2007 in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. The

carbon neutral status of the building is achieved through the incorporation of various energy

efficiency technologies and strategies (CleanEnergy | ACTION PROJECT, 2015). For examples,

the use of double pane windows to reduce the absorption of heat into the building; use of

high efficiency pumps and fans in the building systems; installation of integrated cooling

system with coils positioned beneath the floor slabs; and installation of solar photovoltaic

panels for renewable energy generation. As a result, the energy use intensity of the building

is reduced to approximately 35-40 kWH annually, which is around the 15% of energy

consumption of a conventional Malaysian office buildings. The building has set a great

example in energy saving; if these strategies could be widely applied in Malaysian building

construction, the overall energy consumptions of the nation would reduce drastically, thus

lowering the thermal energy production and pollutants produced.

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3.3 International Case studies

The direct solution to reduce the air pollution caused by thermal power plant is to use

cleaner fuel and higher productivity of thermal power technology. By the use of cleaner fuel,

less air pollutants are released to the atmosphere. The energy transmission turbine can also

be improved by bring in the newest technology from Japan and Europe country. Projects

such as EAGLE and THERMIE were carried out in the European countries to research on

and increase the efficiency of energy production.

The process of thermal power generation is by moving of turbine by the combustion

of fossil fuels through the plant. In the process, there might be waste heat that is loss due

different factors. The improvement of technology can increase the efficiency of energy

production by reducing waste heat and generates more energy within the same amount of

consumption of fossil fuels.

Based on the figure below, the heat loss of the thermal energy in the furnace can be

caused by several reasons. According to the Waste Heat Reduction and Recovery for

Improving Furnace Efficiency, Productivity (2004), “when the energy transfer reaches its

practical limit, the spent combustion gases are removed (exhausted) from the furnace via a

flue or stack to make room for a fresh charge of combustion gases. At this point, the exhaust

flue gases still hold considerable thermal energy, often more than what was left behind in the

process. In many fuel-fired heating systems, this waste heat is the greatest source of heat

loss in the process, often greater than all the other losses combined. The first step in

reducing waste heat in flue gases requires close attention and proper measures to reduce all

heat losses associated with the furnace. Any reduction in furnace heat losses will be

multiplied by the overall available heat factor. This could result in much higher energy

savings. The multiplier effect and available heat factor are explained in greater detail in the

following sections.”

Figure 3.30 Heat Losses in Industrial Heating Process

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To deal with the waste heat, several solutions could be taken. Minimizing the exhaust

gas temperature and volume is a way to reduce the waste heat. Exhaust gas temperature

happens when the heat produced by the combustion are unable to transfer effectively in the

furnace. In order to reduce the exhaust gas temperature, the proper rate of heat transfer

must be controlled by not overloading the amount of gas in the furnace. In addition, the

exhaust gas volume would also be controlled. Other than that, the use of oxygen enriched

air in the furnace will also increase the energy efficiency of the production. The use of

ambient air (21% oxygen and the 79% inert gas) or 100% oxygen can reduce the total

volume of exhaust gas. Indirectly, this is also fuel saving throughout the combustion. Lastly,

waste heat recovery is also a way to increase the energy efficiency. For example, the waste

heat could be reused by directing the waste heat to the product. This step will preheat the

combustion air which will be combust while reusing the waste heat. To conclude, waste heat

is unavoidable as when there is combustion, there would be waste heat throughout the

process. Nevertheless, the minimizing waste heat is a priority to increase the efficiency of

the energy generation whereas the impact towards the environment could be reduced as

much as possible. (Waste Heat Reduction and Recovery for Improving Furnace Efficiency,

Productivity, 2004)

Another essential precaution that should be taken to increase the energy efficiency is

through upgrading the electricity distribution transformer which functions as the part of

generation of the thermal energy power plant. ENERGIE is funded under European Union’s

Fifth Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration

(RTD). ENERGIE covers research, development of better technology innovation to better

generation of energy.

According to report for THERMIE project from ENERGIE, 2% of the total power

generated is estimated to be lost in the distribution transformers, nearly 33% of overall

losses from the system. Through saving the energy loss, it can cater the needs of nearly 5.1

million household use of energy. (The scope for energy saving in the EU through the use of energy-

efficient electricity distribution transformers, 1999)

System losses in the energy utilities in Europe have a drop after some time intervals

as the technology are advancing with the times. Nonetheless, effort should still be taken to

reduce some of the system losses in Europe. From the graphs below, Ireland and UK have a

relatively higher rate of system losses compared to Germany. It is noticeable that the Europe

countries even had a small increase in the late 21 century. Malaysia as a developing country

should see these countries as a good example and improved the technology in energy

production.

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Figure 3.31

The replacement of energy-efficient transformer is recommendable by ENERGIE by

chance: l oil-filled transformers: range C-C’ (HD428.1) and D-E’ (HD428.3) l dry-type

transformers up to and including 24kV: 20% lower than specified in HD538.1. HD538

mentions one list of preferred values, but explicitly allows the possibility for national

standards to specify a second series with load and/or no-load losses at least 15% lower.

Some transformer manufacturers offer dry-type transformers in normal and low-loss versions

l dry-type transformers 36kV: 20% better than specified in HD538.2, analogous to the

previous category. These transformers can reduce the energy loss during the transmission

of energy by having a good quality of conductor.

Figure 3.32 Distribution Transformer

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In serious search of better technology to be applied in the thermal power plant,

ENERGIE had launched a collaborative research on the newest technology for years. It is

essential for a more practical application of CO2 removal technology and improvement of

power generation efficiency to be research on thermal power plant. (Ito et al., 2008)

As known, thermal power plant usually emit carbon dioxide and produce other

harmful by-product during the combustion of fossil fuels. In Japan, they had used both

gasification and combustion methodology to generate energy. Gasification is a process that

converts fossil fuels into carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen by reacting the

material in a extremely high temperature. To add on, gasification is a relatively cleaner

method of energy production. (Gasification.org, 2015) To compare with, the combustion

method of energy production will results in a higher impact to the environment. This

technology is not introduced in thermal power plants in Malaysia.

Figure 3.33 The concept of gasification.

As discussed by Ito et al, 2008, combustion method of thermal power attains high

efficiency with increasing pressure and temperature of steam cycle but also a high risk of

efficiency loss with a possible higher chance of pollutions. To dealt with the potential risk,

Japan had develop the 0, 600°C-class USC (ultrasupercritical) pressure technology to

decrease the leakage of fluid flows and deformation of structure.

Other than that, the Hitachi Company in Japan had conducted a research on so-

called Carbon capture and storage method where the carbon dioxide released is recovered

and removed from the high pressure syn gas before it is input into a gas turbine. From the

diagram below, there is an act of CO2 recovery during the process of gasification whereas

emission of carbon dioxide is greatly reduced. (Ito et al., 2008)

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Figure 3.34 Carbon Capture and Storage Method

As a conclusion, better implementation of technology in thermal power plant can results in

good returns as in lower environmental impact and a better long-term reliability. From the

better method of conversion of fossil fuels to better generation of gas turbine until better the

energy transmission throughout the thermal power plant will only bring benefits to the

environment until the use of fossil fuels as generating fuel of electricity is replaced by a more

sustainable energy. It is a responsible for our country to inspect and research on better

technology to reduce the pollutions by the thermal power plant.

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4.0 References

Association, S. (2015). Photovoltaic (Solar Electric). SEIA. Retrieved 1 June 2015, from

http://www.seia.org/policy/solar-technology/photovoltaic-solar-electric

Beychok, M. (2008). Air quality index. The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved 1 June 2015,

from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/149935/

CleanEnergy | ACTION PROJECT,. (2015). Pusat Tenaga Malaysia Zero Energy Office

Building (PTM ZEO) | Case Study. Retrieved 18 May 2015, from

http://www.cleanenergyactionproject.com/CleanEnergyActionProject/CS.Pusat_Tenaga_Mal

aysia_Zero_Energy_Office_Building___Zero_Net_Energy_Building_Case_Study.html

Colorado State University,. (2015). A photo that illustrates pollution in 1990 and in 2010 in

Great Smoky Mountains National Park.. Retrieved from

http://www.news.colostate.edu/content/photos/GRSM%20full%20size.jpg

Environmental Performance Index,. (2014). Air Quality. Retrieved 28 May 2015, from

http://epi.yale.edu/epi/issue-ranking/air-quality

E, P. (2015). Philip, E. , M. Rizal, M.K and Siti Mariam, S (1st ed., pp. 1-3). Malaysia: Philip,

E. , M. Rizal, M.K and Siti Mariam, S. Retrieved from

http://www.ipicex.com/docs/posters/Philip%20et%20al.pdf

FEED-IN TARIFF (FiT) IN MALAYSIA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from

https://www.wko.at/Content.Node/service/aussenwirtschaft/my/FiT-Brochure-Malaysia.pdf

Gasification.org,. (2015). The Gasification Technologies Council » GTC. Retrieved 5 June

2015, from http://www.gasification.org/

General Info of Air Pollution Index Department of Environment (1st ed., pp. 1,3,9-10).

Retrieved from

http://apims.doe.gov.my/apims/General%20Info%20of%20Air%20Pollutant%20Index.pdf

Greenbuildingindex.org,. (2015). Greenbuildingindex.org - What & Why Green Buildings?.

Retrieved 5 June 2015, from http://www.greenbuildingindex.org/why-green-buildings.html

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