AN INNOVATIVE and revolutionary method to save energy has turned global attention to Brunei Darussalam as the Sultanate took the first runner-up and second runner-up places in the prestigious Asean Energy Awards under Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) project competition respectively.
The annual awards generally seek sustainable projects that exhibit originality, market-based solutions, environmental benefits and significant socio-economic contributions.
Brunei Darussalam put forward four entries. Two entries in the Renewable Energy (RE) category were joint submissions by the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO), Department of Electrical Services (DES), the Brunei National Energy Research Institute (BNERI) and BIT Computer Sdn Bhd and two other entries in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) category were submitted by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO).
According to a statement from the EIDPMO, under Renewable Energy (RE) project competition, Brunei Darussalam bagged second place in ‘Off-Grid’ category with a project titled ‘10.8 kWp Solar PV System at a Private Residence in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei Darussalam’.
The awards were presented during a gala dinner held in conjunction with the 34th Asean Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM) on September 21, 2016 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Receiving the award in the ‘Off-grid’ category was Loo Kuan Look, Director of BIT Computer Sdn Bhd, and receiving the award on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in the Energy Management in Building category was Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Colonel (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Paduka Haji Basir, Brunei Darussalam Ambassador to Myanmar.
The project owner, Loo Kuan Look started utilising the Solar PV system in June 2014 at his private residence in Kg Pengkalan Gadong. The objective of installing the system was primarily to understand the technicalities of Solar PV system.
In addition, the installation also aims to lower his expensive electricity bills and reduce his contribution to carbon emission.
He has dedicated most of his time in the last three years to set up a Solar PV system by himself through ‘trial and error’.
Loo Kuan Look of BIT Computer Sdn Bhd receives the first runner up prize for his project titled ‘10.8 kWp Solar PV System at a Private Residence in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei Darussalam’ under the Off-Grid Renewable Energy Category.
Installation of Solar PV panels on Loo Kuan Look’s container cabin rooftop at his private residence.
The Solar PV system is capable of supplying most of the regular-used loads in his house such as lighting and several electrical appliances including air-conditioners. The system includes storage, which made use of 3,200 Ah deep-cycle batteries to provide enough electricity to the loads throughout the night or during cloud cover. The system is also coupled with inverters to cater for the AC loads and charge controllers to ensure longevity of the batteries.
Loo has set a great example by implementing the sustainable and rewarding project that also help others to better understand the importance of conserving the energy and environment through the use Renewable Energy (RE) technologies. He has also transformed his container cabin into a Solar PV training facility for capacity building exercises for his employees and also for those interested to learn on Solar PV installation, operation and maintenance. What initially started as a small project, turns out to be an educational Solar PV centre which can give a large impact to the economy and nation as a whole.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Colonel (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Paduka Haji Basir, Brunei Darussalam Ambassador to Myanmar receives the second runner-up prize on behalf of the Ministry of Defence for their project ‘Energy Conservation at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre: Optimisation to Chill Water Pumps and Chiller Scheduling’ under the Energy Management in Building (Small & Medium Building) Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EEC) Project. – PHOTOS: EIDPMO
Photo shows the BRIDEX Hall 1 and the Dome. The Ministry of Defence won second runner-up in the prestigious Asean Energy Awards under Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EEC) project competition for their ‘Energy Conservation at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre: Optimization to Chill Water Pumps and Chiller Scheduling’ under the Energy Management in Building (Small & Medium Building) Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EEC) Project.
Under Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Project Competition, Brunei Darussalam took third place under Energy Management in Building (Small & Medium Building) with a project titled ‘Energy Conservation at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre: Optimisation to Chill Water Pumps and Chiller Scheduling’. This project is owned by the Ministry of Defence and fully supported and facilitated by the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO).
BRIDEX International Conference Centre is an integrated development project built in 2009 which comprises two exhibition halls, a VIP viewing gallery and a banquet hall.
The conversion of a constant flow chilled water plant to a variable chilled water system along with optimisation of chiller operation scheduling has offered better control on plant usage and better flexibility to operate the facility. It ultimately resulted in improved indoor built comfort, preserving building furniture, prolonging equipment life, enhancing energy conservation and tremendous cost saving. The facility is now able to operate five times more the number of events and banquet functions with the same amount of energy consumed as a result of energy conservation effort.
The implementation of the project has improved the energy efficiency of the air-conditioning plant even without spending major capital expenditure to replace the existing chiller.
The Ministry of Defence plans to replicate the success of this project in other buildings within the ministry itself that have the same type of equipment in the near future. The success of the project will also be shared with other government ministries and departments on the basis of ‘best practice’.
Brunei Darussalam also shared fourth position with Malaysia on another submission under Renewable Energy (RE) project competition with a project titled ‘Tenaga Suria Brunei – 1.2 MW Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant, Brunei Darussalam’. Meanwhile, another submission from the Ministry of Defence under Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) Project Competition, Brunei Darussalam bagged fifth position with a project title ‘Energy Conservation at Officers Accommodation, Berakas Garrison: Rectification Works to Officers Accommodation’.
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