Sunday, March 17, 2013

MY PATH IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDUSTRY

Some old and  new friends did ask  me...what is exactly I do for work or career...
Here is how I  describe it...
I graduated in Mechanical Engineering  from UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA  in 1997.I started to specialize in energy efficiency and energy conservation since I started my career as an energy consulting engineer with a local and small consulting firm in Dec 1997. My first in energy efficiency job involved in energy auditing for intensive energy using facilities at building and industrial sectors, as a trainer in energy efficiency applications and also business development to secure clients for the firm.

Then after about 2 years , I left to join a multinational company which provided total facilities management services at a manufacturing facilities with the intention to get hands-on experience in actual operations of facilities equipment and applying my knowledge in energy efficiency to reduce energy costs.One more reason was, I did not feel good and comfortable to consult my clients and conducted training as a trainer  without me myself had the actual experiences in operation and applying what I recommended to them.

After about one and half year, I feel much better with some experiences that I acquired at site and  rejoined consulting services industry with a UK based company with a operational office in Penang which I was the pioneer to start the 2nd office in Penang after KL.

This was the period that I finally realized that I started to enjoy the  work as a consultant.Sharing  my experiences and knowledge to make my clients' operations to become more energy efficient where I managed to be involved directly from the beginning until the results achieved...the feeling was so great and I started to think on how could I could build my career further in the industry.

After sometime in the industry as a consultant and a service provider and then as a consultant again,  I felt that the energy efficiency industry was still not moving or grow as all of players like me would love to see.After some soul searching and sharing of industry's updates with the market and fellow industry players, I decided to find an opportunity to explore my energy efficiency career at a different platform, in the government.




That made me landed my career in Energy Commission in 2004.I started as an enforcement officer to enforce energy related laws in electricity sector before I finally  had the opportunity to head the energy efficiency unit from the end of 2007.In the government, I served in three different entities namely Energy Commission, Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water and Sustainable Energy Development Authority  but  I was still specialized in energy efficiency as my duties.




I started to really specialize in one subject matter in energy efficiency which isSustainable Energy Management System after about 3 years since  I joined the government.I decided to pick one area after I was involved and exposed with so many other areas in energy efficiency friend such as regulatory, policy  development, technologies, capacity development and competencies,standard and labeling, fiscal incentives  and financing, technical project evaluation, promotion and awareness and etc. Combining all that will my hands-on experiences as energy efficiency industry player prior to that made me a very resourceful person as a government officer.That has created a very conducive and effective communications between me with other energy related government agencies, industry and professional associations and the general public and also  students at schools.




After about 8 years serving in the government, I rejoined the private sector as the industry player in early 2012. Now, with my business partners, I am trying to grow the energy efficiency industry as one of the expert services and technology solutions provider as a company and for fellow industry players through our  industry association, MAESCO.

So, what is exactly I am good at now after about 15 years of my career  energy efficiency field? Here they are in brief...

  • Sustainable energy management system- ISO50001 Standard, Strategic planning,development ,  implementation and performance monitoring
  • Energy management and energy eficienct technologies Capacity  development program design, development and implementation
  • Sustainable energy  policy studies, policy development and strategic planning and implementation plan  for organizations, state and national
  • Energy efficiency regulatory and financing options

Looking at the above, generally I do not  see myself as a technical expert despite my extensive experience and involvement in  various technical projects and assessment  in energy efficiency technologies and applications.
I am more of a strategist who is  looking  at the sustainability angle of energy efficiency at different levels and environment.



So, that is exactly what I have been doing and still do...what is exactly I am passionate to do and enjoy it so much for many many years... and I intend to move forward with it in my future.

INTERESTING STATEMENTS AND NEWS RELATED TO EE POLICIES IN MALAYSIA

OCTOBER 15, 2012
ENERGY MASTERPLAN TO BE FINALISED BY YEAR-END
By Azli Jamil
The masterplan is meant to be the catalyst to Malaysia’s efforts towards efficient energy usage and conservation.
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Energy Efficiency Master Plan (NEEMP) will be finalised before the year ends, some 2½ years since it was first mentioned in the media.
“By end of the year, I am revising the numbers,” said Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water secretary-general Loo Took Gee to a question from The Malaysian Reserve on when the plan will be finalised after the closing ceremony of Green Purchasing Network Malaysia’s (GPNM) expert meeting on green procurement here last Friday.

The masterplan is meant to be the catalyst to Malaysia’s efforts towards efficient energy usage and conservation. The meeting resulted in a Declaration of Commitment to Sustainable Public Procurement/ Green Government Procurement.
Also present were Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Peter Chin Fah Kui and GPNM president Dr Izmee Che Ismail.

The declaration covers policies, strategies and regulations relating to sustainable procurement practices as well as training programmes and knowledge sharing platform.
Implementing green procurement would benefit Malaysia’s long-run environmental preservation, apart from lowering the cost of green material.
“There is a definite advantage for the long run, environment-wise. In terms of dollars, it would depend on to what extent our policy is adopted,” Chin said.
Chin added that there is no point in buying green if one does not have the affinity to practise prudent usage of the products.
According to United Nations Environment Programme, studies have indicated that sustainable public procurement offers a tremendous opportunity towards green innovation and sustainability where it has the potential to transform markets, boost competitiveness of eco industries, save money, conserve natural resources and foster job creation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

27 September 2012
THE FOURTH ENERGY FORUM 2012
OPENING ADDRESS 
BY 
YB DATO’ SRI PETER CHIN FAH KUI,
MINISTER OF ENERGY, GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND WATER
Hotel Sheraton Imperial, KL.

.... In addressing the challenges surrounding the energy supply, the Government is embarking on energy efficiency (EE) initiatives. EE is an effective and efficient policy instrument that can offer an excellent solution to reduce our energy demand but at the same time retain or improve the benefits derived from the energy utilisation. Presently, the Government is carrying out several EE initiatives on various segments of energy users in the country. Among them are the development of Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) to help energy users to identify and attain energy savings potential; Sustainability Achieved Via Energy Efficiency (SAVE) Programme to promote market penetration of energy efficient appliances in the household sector as well as energy efficient chillers for the commercial sector by providing cash rebates; and energy efficiency improvement in buildings by demonstration projects and enhancement of buildings code. In addition, the Government is also providing various fiscal incentives such as investment tax allowances, pioneer status and import duty and sales tax exemptions for EE improvement initiatives by the business entities.
7.    The above initiatives have provided some notable achievements. However, we believe we can achieve better results if there is a more comprehensive and systematic approach towards energy efficiency. In this respect, my Ministry is developing the National Energy Efficiency Master Plan to streamline efforts in addressing the issues of energy supply and demand together with issues related to energy-use such as greenhouse gas emission and climate change. To ensure the success of these initiatives, the Energy Efficiency Policy will be further strengthened by improving the enforcement of the prevailing regulations. To ensure the successful implementation of energy efficiency, the Government is also enhancing the existing regulations and guidelines such as the Minimum Energy Performance Standards regulations. In addition to these, the Government will also enhance and strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework as part of the Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) reform initiative which is being spearheaded by my Ministry. 

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JULY 19, 2011
ENERGY EFFICIENCY MASTER PLAN SOON
PUTRAJAYA, July 19 (Bernama) : The National Energy Efficiency Master Plan (NEEMP) that will strategize Malaysia's efforts in addressing energy security, global warming and climate change issues, has been finalised.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Loo Took Gee said the Peer Review Team from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) had also reviewed the plan.

"We take positively their comments and confidence in this master plan. It would be submitted to the Cabinet very soon," she said when launching the Asean Energy Management Scheme (AEMAS) and Conference here Tuesday.

With the NEEMP, she said, Malaysia would have a comprehensive and systematic approach towards energy efficiency.

"The master plan would also complement many energy efficiency initiatives that have been carried out in the past with notable achievements," she said.


Malaysia is committed to reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by up to 40 per cent by 2020.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 APRIL 2012
EAST ASIA LOW CARBON GROWTH PARTNERSHIP DIALOGUE
SUNDAY, 15 APRIL 2012, 
HOTEL NIKKO, TOKYO, JAPAN
SPEECH BY HON. DATO’ SRI PETER CHIN FAH KUI
MINISTER OF ENERGY, GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND WATER MALAYSIA

....One of the greatest requirements for the promotion of green growth is the political will at the highest level and the related national vision. Our Prime Minister is deeply committed for green growth in Malaysia. When he assumed premiership in 20098, he prioritized green technology at ministry level. He has also made a commitment at the UNFCCC-COP 15 in Copenhagen in 2009, that Malaysia will cut its carbon intensity of GDP up to 40% in 2020 with 2005 as the base year. Considering Malaysia is not an Annex I Nation, that commitment is not only bold, but indeed magnanimous. Henceforth, we have established the National Green Technology and Climate Change Council, with a membership of all related Ministers, and chaired by the Prime Minister.
3.    Secondly, we need to institute the relevant strategies and programs to promote green growth. Malaysia has implemented the Renewal Energy law and the associated feed-in tariff (FiT) mechanism in December 2011, with a target of 2,080MW generated through renewable energy in 2020. We are now currently finalizing the energy efficiency master plan and contemplating an energy efficiency lawWhilst we have established the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) to drive green technology and growth, we are now contemplating the need for a legislation to support green growth in Malaysia.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 April 2012
LUNCHEON TALK BY
YB DATO’ SRI PETER CHIN FAH KUI,
MINISTER OF ENERGY, GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND WATER 
AT  THE MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (MICCI)
HOTEL RENAISSANCE KUALA LUMPUR
“THE FUTURE OF ENERGY IN MALAYSIA”
.....Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C)
Ladies and Gentlemen
20.    The Government had carried out many energy efficiency initiatives in the past with notable achievements. However, we believe that we can achieve better results if the country has a more comprehensive and systematic approach towards energy efficiency. In this respect, the National Energy Efficiency Master Plan (NEEMP) has been developed to strategize our efforts in addressing the issues of energy security, global warming and climate change. The Master Plan had also been reviewed by the Peer Review Team from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and we take positively their comments and confidence in this Master Plan.

21.    The proposed National Energy Efficiency Master Plan has set a target for a period of 10 years from 2012, where the total accumulated energy savings from the 3 sectors identified which are Industrial, Commercial and Residential is 79.8 TWh. This will enable the reduction of 59.16 million tonne of CO2 from polluting our environment and warming our mother earth. In terms of energy security, the total energy saved is equivalent to the power generated from a 3.6 GW generation capacity based on current generation load.

22.    Each of these deliverables represents a targeted reduction of at least 9.5% in 2021 over business-as-usual (BAU) energy consumption scenario. These targets however are to be achieved through effective implementation of the strategic actions which has laid down the programmes that would be implemented within the 10 year plan. The programmes have been carefully crafted to overcome the barriers identified that persistently hinder the success of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C).

23.    In order for us to ensure that efficient energy management is practiced at all levels of society and in all social and economic activities, there must be greater understanding, support, co-operation and willingness from Government, industries, companies and individuals. We need to work together in order to enjoy a more sustained and cost efficient power supply for us and our future generation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PETALING JAYA (Oct 16, 2012): The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry has announced phasing out traditional light bulbs – also known as incandescent bulbs, that will eventually lead to a complete ban in 2014.

The policy is part of the government's initiative to reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2020, and to enable consumers to use energy efficiently by using energy-saving lights such as the compact fluorescent lights (CFL), T5 tube lights and light emitting diode (LED) lights.

The implementation of the policy is being done in two phases, with the first phase in 2011, seeing a ban on the sale and import of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs.
The second phase is currently being carried out from Jan 1 this year until Dec 31 next year where the government will ban the manufacture, import and sale of the 100-watt lights.

This will save consumers about RM336 million a year if they buy energy-saving lights as incandescent bulbs are less energy efficient and are not as environmentally friendly.
Other countries have also initiated similar policies, with China banning imports and sales of certain incandescent light bulbs starting this month, and gradually extending the ban to those over 15-watt in Oct 2016.
Anticipating huge global demand for LEDs, the Department of Standards Malaysia will help local companies adopt international standards and speed up the industry's adoption of Malaysian Standard (MS) to ensure production of high quality LEDs for export and domestic use.
A total of 12 MS have been published so far, covering safety, testing and performance of LEDs. These international standards were adopted from the International Electrotechnical Commission, where compliance to MS will increase local manufacturers' access to international markets.
International certification within Malaysia is also available, with the first LED-SSL certification centre outside of the US was set up in Penang in 2011 to perform testing in accordance with the standards of the American National Standards Institute.
SOurce: The Sun daily
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 AUGUST 2011
THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM 2011
 KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY
Y.B. DATO' SRI PETER CHIN FAH KUI
MINISTER OF ENERGY, GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND WATER
AT THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM 2011
THE ROYALE CHULAN KUALA LUMPUR

...On another perspective, the country certainly needs a comprehensive and systematic approach towards Energy Efficiency and conservation (EE and C). Energy efficiency and conservation is an important strategy to ensure we manage and use our energy resources efficiently. EE&C will ensure rational use of energy which will slow down energy consumption while renewable energy grows in capacity. Thus a National Energy Efficiency Master Plan (NEEMP) was developed to strategise our energy efficiency measures which I am pleased to inform is now ready and will be submitted to the Cabinet soon for its approval.

17.    The NEEMP will be implemented in two (2) phases. Phase 1 are the no cost measures while Phase 2 are the measures which incur cost but with greater impact on the overall EE achievements. Phase 1 is easily implemented by all sectors whether the Government or the private sector. Measures such as energy management system and energy management practices could easily be done no costs. This initiative would enable us to save between 3 - 7 percent of the energy required in a building.

18.    For the second phase, measures incurring cost will be implemented. These measures are unique to the three (3) identified sector which are the industrial, building and equipments. In this phase, energy efficiency measures such as Minimum Energy Performance (MEPS) standards will be introduced. This move is to ensure low efficient technologies are not dumped in our market. In addition, energy efficient initiatives through the implementation of energy audits on large and medium industrial facilities as well as energy management to mandate industrial facilities to implement good energy management to reduce energy wastage will be introduced for the industrial sector. These similar measures will be implemented for the building sector. Eventually, all these efforts require a legal framework and my Ministry is now in the process of drafting the EE and C Act.

19.    As a start, the Government has implemented two (2) major initiatives on energy efficiency this year. The first is the roll out of the Sustainability Achieved Via Energy efficiency (SAVE) on 7th July 2010. The SAVE Program provides rebates for home appliances, which is the refrigerator and air-conditioners, and one commercial equipment which is the industrial chillers. The key objective of the SAVE program is to promote the sale of energy-efficient electrical appliances for the domestic and commercial users. This is one of the methods adopted by many countries around the world who have successfully managed their energy demand and increased the sale of energy-efficient equipments in the market.

20.    Under the SAVE Program, domestic users will be able to enjoy a rebate of RM200 per unit for refrigerators, RM100 per unit for air-conditioners and RM200 per RT (Refrigeration Ton) for chillers for the commercial users. The rebates are available on a first come first serve basis until end of 2011. The Government is investing RM50 million on this Program which will generate a GNI (Gross National Income) of RM5.1 billion by 2020 and save 127.3GWj of energy in the same period of time. This saving is equivalent to the supply of electricity to 425,000 homes annually.  The SAVE Rebate Program allows Malaysians to enjoy lower entry point of purchase and subsequently drive demand for energy-efficient appliances. The initiative is supported by three (3) electricity providers – Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Syarikat SESCO Bhd and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) as well as the energy regulator, Energy Commission.

21.    Secondly, the most recent effort by the Government is the announcement I made after the Green Technology and Climate Change Council meeting on 11th August 2011 i.e that the temperature in all government buildings must be set at 240C. However, buildings which have a critical need for lower temperatures such as hospitals will be allowed to set temperatures according to the requirements. It is important to note that 35 – 40 percent of energy use in a building is for cooling and every degree of temperature increase will see a reduction of between 4-7 percent of energy consumption which will eventually reduce the electricity bills.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

22.    We at the Ministry believed that continuous consensus between the stakeholders is an essential element in ensuring a viable, practical and efficient path towards a greener and more sustainable Mother Earth, not only for us but for our future generations who will inherit what we have left them. Hence, this Forum will be a perfect opportunity for all of you here to share your views and ideas with us. I urge you to further discuss on the on-coming issues and challenges you foresee in the making of our Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency sector as a leading new economic frontier for the country.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 August 2011
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 11 (Bernama):All government offices will have to observe minimum air-conditioning temperature of 24 degrees Celsius soon.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said the energy saving step would come into force once a circular on it is issued by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

"The Prime Minister has instructed that in the interests of energy efficiency, all government offices must observe the directive (minimum 24 degrees Celsius) for air-conditioning.

"Exceptions will given for critical places like hospitals where low temperatures is necessary," he told a joint press conference with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah Embas here today.

Earlier, the two ministers had attended a meeting of the National Green Energy and Climate Change Council, which was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Perdana Putra Building here.

Commenting further, Peter Chin said the temperature (24 degree Celsius) was suitable for office work and could also help reduce energy bills overall.

"We are setting 24 degree Celsius. If were to drop it by one degree to 23 degrees Celsius, it means we have to increase expenditure from 4 to 7 per cent," he said.
He said the step had already been taken at his ministry and it had helped reduce the energy bill up to RM700,000 a year.
He added that the ministry was also drafting a bill on the same to get the private sector to follow suit.
"We hope by 2013, all privately-owned buildings will follow this ruling," he said, adding that at the meeting, the prime minister also asked all government departments to change conventional light bulbs in stages to energy saving ones.
The prime minister also asked for a detailed 'road map' on green technology development for the country, he said.
On the government's pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2020, Douglas said the effort was on track and that the target would b achieved on time.
"To date, we have reduced intensity by 29.7 million metric tonnes. To meet the 40 per cent target, we need to reduce by 40 million metric tonnes. This is our contribution to global efforts on the world's climate changes," he said.
-- BERNAMA

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 APRIL 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) : The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is working on the National Energy Efficiency Master Plan and a study has been commissioned to restructure and realign the Malaysian electricity sector.


Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the National Green Technology Action Plan to be proposed soon would streamline all the plans to create a holistic and sustainable approach to the country's national economic development.

He said this in his keynote address read out by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui at the Asian Metrocity Summit, themed "Sustainable Development Solutions for Planning and Urbanization of Cities", here Monday.

"We hope that with the creation of all these plans, we will be able to spur the economy by encouraging entrepreneurs to construct green buildings, hydro power plants, manufacture solar panels, wind turbines as well as industrial and building energy efficient equipment," said Muhyiddin.

He said that delivering in each of the areas would require new governance structures and more efficient management.
Muhyiddin said the governance structures needed to deliver holistic solutions, which might mean a new non-departmental approach to the management of cities.

On sustainable development, he said most of the sustainable choices were in the hands of individuals and the future depended on "what we do in the present and we must be the change we seek to see in the world,".

At a news conference later, Chin said the new model of the plan would come out within three years.
He said the study, which was started a few years ago, had looked at various areas including generation, transmission and distribution.
"The cabinet has given the green light, so we are now setting up a project management office that cooperates with an international consultant to do a restructuring that we have never done before.
"So, now we are talking about green energy, green technology and so on... many countries have done it and shown various degree of success," he said.