Current Situtation of Wind Energy in Malaysia (2010)

Rosly Nurhayati (PhD student. Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics. Research Institute of Applied Mechanics) Malaysian Green Technology Corporation 2010/06/01-2010/07/31 Keywords: Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Malaysia 1. Introduction
Recently with increasing negative issues related to global warming, the awareness in promoting renewable energy has arisen significantly. Renewable energy source such as wind are considered as the perfect solution for the environmental issues as well as to counter the limited fossil fuel reserves. The neighboring country in the Southeast Asia region has move forward in making use of the wind energy in their country. Northwind Power 2.2 The Wind Speed Distribution The highest mean monthly wind speed for Malaysia in overall is recorded at Mersing throughout the 3 years (2007-2009) observations period. The mean wind speed distribution is graphically represented in the figure 1. The stations are locate at Alor Setar, Bayan Lepas, Ipoh, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Kuching, Labuan, Malacca, Mersing, Miri, Senai and Subang. The data for this study consists of hourly wind records over the 3 years period starting from 1st Jan 2007 until 31st December 2009. The data consist of wind directions and wind speeds measured at height of wind sensor above ground at 10m.

Development Corp has built the $50-million Bangui wind farm in Ilocos Norte, Philippines in 2005. Meanwhile, Indonesias first Wind Conversion Energy System (WCES) project was initiated in Jepara, Central Java. Thailands current biggest project in ind energy is the 2.5 MW Lam Thakong Wind Turbine Power System build at Propinsi Nakhon Ratchasima. Thus, it is about time for Malaysia to also joining our neighboring country in introducing wind energy conversion in Malaysia right now.

2.3: The Potential Location 2.3.1 Kota Kinabalu Basically the most potential location of installing wind turbine generator in Malaysia can be selected according to the place which records the highest wind

2. Theory
2.1 Geographical Location of Malaysia Malaysia is located between 2 and 7 degrees north of the Equator. The weather condition in Malaysia is tropical climate with warm weather all year round and the temperatures range from 22 C to 37C. consists of two noncontiguous areas: Malaysia Peninsular

speed amongst all the 14 stations. The highest value of wind speed in 2007, 2008 and 2009 was recorded at Kota Kinabalu as depicted in the Figure 2.

2.3.2: Mersing Mersing is considered as one of the potential site for Malaysia based on the value of higher mean wind speed compared to 13 other stations. Further studies should be carried out at Mersing to locate the best point that can trigger the highest wind energy power. The mean wind speed during the NorthEast (NE)

Malaysia and East Malaysia. The meteorological data used in this study comes from the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Petaling Jaya. There are fourteen stations chosen for this study.

monsoon ranging from 2-5 m/s. The lowest value of mean wind speed are recorded during the transition period (Apr & Oct). Whereas, mean wind speed is low and almost constant during the SouthWest (SW) monsoon season ranging around 2-3 m/s. The Northeast monsoon season plays in important role as this monsoon season usually imply high value of mean wind speed.

step to carry out is by performing a general assessment of the wind energy potential nationwide. This can then be followed with detailed assessment in promising locations.

2.4.1 FirstLook software provided by 3TIER By using this FirstLook software, the annual mean

2.4: Discussions and Suggestions To Access The Most Potential and Suitable Location for The Installation of WTG in Malaysia Collection of site specific data for wind speed and direction is crucial to determining site potential. The first

and monthly mean wind speed values; and the view of wind speed distribution can be obtain. The FirstLook software suggested that Kota Belud, Kudat and Langkawi as the most promising location to install wind turbine generator in Malaysia as depicted in Figure 3.

Figure 1: Mean Monthly Wind Speed for 14 stations all over Malaysia

Figure 2: Maximum wind speed recorded at fourteen stations in Malaysia for 2007-2009

Figure 3: Global Wind Rank at Kota Belud (78%) based on FirstLook software

2.4.2

Micro

Siting

techniques

using

develop a numerical model called the RIAM-COMPACT for micro siting process. By using this software, an appropriate point and an inappropriate point for locating a wind turbine generator were shown based on the numerical results obtained.

RIAM-COMPACT software As meteorological wind data alone is not sufficient for accurate siting of a large wind power project, a group of researcher from Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM) of Kyushu University in Japan has

Figure 4: RIAM COMPACT can predict the exact point to install wind turbine generator at selected location. Source: RIAM-COMPACT. 2.5: Present Successful Projects On Wind Energy In Malaysia Considering the fact that wind potential in Malaysia is not as promising at it can offer in the European country, Japan, or US; iWind Energy (M) Sdn Bhd brings in the technology from Taiwan into Malaysia. As Taiwan and Malaysia has similar weather climate; the technology is found suitable to be implemented in the wind energy conversion effort in Malaysia. At present, iWind Energy (M) Sdn Bhd has successfully installed 40 units of its iWind VAWT all over Malaysia. Figure 5: iWIND Vertical Axis Wind Turbine(VAWT) on the roof top of GreenTech Malaysia

The main advantage for using vertical axis wind turbine over horizontal axis wind turbine is it can produce energy at lower wind speeds. VAWT are able to operate efficiently with wind coming from any direction. VAWT have several additional advantages in terms of its quieter sound (almost no noise), occupied less space, and suitable to be installed on a rooftop more seamlessly. VAWT are also safer for wildlife such as birds and bats.

one with a long diffuser with a large brim. The compact wind-lens turbines showed power augmentation of 23 times as compared to a bare wind turbine.

3. Summary
The wind energy can now be easily converted into usable energy source. However, deliberate and thoughtful considerations on positioning the wind turbine to best capture the wind are the main idea of ensuring the

2.6 A Shrouded WTG With Wind-Lens Technology As A Suggestion On The Possible WTG To Install In Malaysia Research Institute for Applied Mechanics

profitable productivity of these wind turbines generators to the respective nations. The basic idea of positioning the generators in order to produce efficient power output is to install it in the less obstructed areas with greater wind speeds. According to the mean wind speed value in Malaysia, Mersing is the most potential. However, if according to instantaneous maximum wind speed, Kota Kinabalu is the most potential location for the installation of wind turbine. Whereas, according to FirstLook software, Kudat is the best location to install wind turbine. These indicate that Malaysia has enough wind to produce wind energy. However, proper plan and studies on the logistical problems of sighting the wind turbine should be taken into account during the preliminary work. Vertical Axis WTG seems to be the best option to capture wind energy in Malaysia. At present, iWind Energy (M) Sdn Bhd has successfully installed 40 units of its iWind VAWT all over Malaysia.

laboratory of Kyushu University has successfully developed a diffuser-type structure that is capable of collecting and accelerating the approaching wind. Namely, they have devised a diffuser shroud with a large brim that is able to increase the wind speed from approaching wind substantially by utilizing various flow characteristics.

Figure 6: 5kW wind-lens turbine (rotor diameter 2.5m) Source: RIAM-COMPACT.

To add another option, Malaysian government should try to implement the shrouded WTG with wind-lens technology that is suitable for the low wind

The shrouded wind turbine equipped with a brimmed diffuser demonstrated power augmentation by a factor of about 45 compared to a standard micro wind turbine. For the practical application to a small and mid-size wind turbine, they have been developing a compact-type brimmed diffuser. The combination of a diffuser shroud and a brim is largely modified from the

speed condition in Malaysia as it offers more practical application to a small and mid-size wind turbine. Overall, it can be concludes that the

implementation of wind energy conversion in Malaysia can be a reality if there are enough funding and supports from government and industry.