KUCHING, July 17: Sarawak Energy signed an agreement with Pestech International Bhd yesterday to explore alternative renewable energy solutions to replace diesel generators or other chemical-based energy storage solutions.
According to Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili, the need to shift towards sustainable electric generation has created the opportunity for both Sarawak Energy and Pestech via its subsidiary Pestech Energy Sdn Bhd (PEN) to work together.
“This collaboration to explore into efficient establishment of the solutions also supports Sarawak Energy’s desire to promote open innovation in our research and development works besides looking forward to a successful implementation of the “Containerised Solar Hydrogen Research Project”.
“By cultivating innovative ideas and partnering with industry experts, we believe that we will be able to develop and offer new technologies that can replace conventional practices for greater and more sustainable production,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile Pestech International Bhd managing director and group chief executive officer Paul Lim Pay Chuan, said Pestech will give full support and commitment to engage, deliver and adapt renewable energy initiatives for a sustainable energy future.
“Our goal goes beyond electrifying rural areas, but also to leave a significant impact on various aspects of the community’s lives, including providing long-term environmental and economic benefit,” he added.
The signing ceremony was held virtually yesterday, attended by Sharbini, Lim as well as senior management and staff from both corporations.
Through the agreement, Sarawak Energy will work together with Pestech on a research project to explore clean alternative energy solutions to replace diesel generators or other chemical-based energy storage solutions predominantly used in rural electrification.
Both parties will also conduct research, design and develop a self-recharging autonomous hydrogen solution to be deployed at Rumah Bangau in Song over the next 15 months as an initiative to explore the potential of hydrogen storage solutions for rural electrification.
The focus will be on how hydrogen and super-capacitors can be used to power microgrids in remote areas via sustainable distributed energy resources.
This allows it to be brought into rural areas in smaller parts, providing a modularised option to scale up and down based on localised power systems to meet exact energy demands while minimising wastage.
The outcome of this project is also expected to be addressing the issue of battery disposal from solar powered systems as the Sarawak Government progresses its ambition to provide full electricity coverage in Sarawak by 2025. — DayakDaily
