| Danial Norjidi |
A STUDY is being conducted to explore ways to make Temburong a low-carbon district – a “smart city” that is self-sufficient in terms of its energy resources and other natural resources, and that emits net zero carbon.
The project was highlighted during a workshop on Energy Mix Analysis on the Temburong Smart City Project yesterday at The Empire Hotel & Country Club, organised by the Brunei National Energy Research Institute (BNERI), the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO), and the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA).
Professor Hidetoshi Nishimura, the President of ERIA in his opening remarks at the opening session of the workshop said, “This project is one of the important pillars of the ERIN (Energy Research Institute Network) projects named Eco-town model.”
“ERIA in collaboration with ERIN started this project two years ago,” he said. “Energy demand in Asean has grown about 2.5 times since 1990 and is expected to triple by 2035. Therefore, the aim of this study is to apply the concept of a low-carbon city or eco town for Asean to curb increasing energy demand and to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases.”
Professor Nishimura said that in phase one, the eco town project study focusses on the introduction of current and future energy efficiency technologies on buildings and road transport as well as smart grid technologies.
“In phase two, this project focuses on one particular place, the Pekan Bangar area, Brunei and assesses appropriate capacity of power sources to provide electricity to Temburong area, which consists of Solar/PV and Diesel power generators, by computer simulation,” Professor Nishimura said.
Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office also gave a speech at the opening session yesterday.
“We are very honoured and thankful for the assistance and collaboration opportunity in conducting the ‘Temburong Smart City’ project,” said the minister.
He explained that the project is a study that seeks to explore ways to make Temburong District a “smart city” that is self-sufficient in terms of its energy resources and other natural resources including water, and most importantly one that emits net zero carbon.
“Temburong is a very special district in Brunei, known for its pristine forests,” he said. “It is important for us to retain this identity and even enhance Temburong’s ‘green’ image.”
He highlighted that turning Temburong into a smart city will be part of the national goal to reduce the country’s carbon emission under the Paris Agreement that came into force a year ago.
“Brunei Darussalam is firmly committed, as a responsible member of the international community, to play its part in addressing global climate change,” said the minister, who underlined that this commitment reaffirms the importance placed by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on climate change and the need for collective action and responsibility.
The minister shared that the district is currently powered by diesel with a generation capacity of about 12 megawatts to provide for its 10,500 population.
“The demand’s average growth rate of three per cent per year is expected to double as we anticipate more economic activities in the coming years, especially when the Temburong Bridge opens by 2019. Therefore, we need to manage this demand outlook in a more strategic and sustainable manner.
“We are looking at introducing Solar PV to the Temburong District, which will be in various configurations,” he explained. “The study on this is currently being undertaken, with the main aim of getting rid of diesel consumption in the district.”
“Initial studies indicate 25 per cent reduction in diesel consumption, but this is not what we want for Temburong – this is not good enough. We need to work towards reaching a sustainable net-zero-carbon energy mix.”
The minister noted that the ‘Temburong Smart City’ by ERIA has made its key reference based on the government’s Temburong District Plan. “This will ensure that the recommendations arising from this study will complement the existing plans we have for the district,” he said.
“Developing a ‘smart’ and ‘net zero carbon’ city for Temburong will require close coordination and synergy among various agencies and stakeholders. Let us work together to realise this,” he added.
Yesterday’s event saw the attendance of Motohiko Kato, the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam. Also present were officials from the government and private sectors, as well as higher education institutions.
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