Joint research project focusses on green energy

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The Sarawak Energy and Curtin University Malaysia signed a partnership agreement yesterday to commit to the research collaboration involving an integrated analysis of energy consumption, indoor environmental quality, and occupant satisfaction in Sarawak Energy’s premises, according to a press statement.

The joint research project focusses on improving energy efficiency in all the buildings, some of which were built decades before there was a green architecture movement.

The aim was to promote prudent energy management and efficiency, reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing the workspace environment for occupants.

The research effort will explore via an open innovation model for the energy efficient building performance of Sarawak Energy’s premises and is supported by Sarawak’s predominantly green electricity.

Menara Sarawak Energy, the company’s headquarters in Kuching, is the first certified green building in East Malaysia.

Sarawak Energy and Curtin University Malaysia representatives in a group photo during the agreement signing ceremony. PHOTO: CURTIN UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

The signatories were Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili; Sarawak Energy General Manager for Legal George AW Chapman; Curtin University Malaysia’s Pro-Vice Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Professor Simon Leunig; and Curtin University Malaysia’s Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen.

Sarawak Energy’s senior human resources vice president Dr Mak Met and its general manager for research and development Dr Ng Sing Muk were also in attendance.

Curtin representatives included Curtin University Chief Operating Officer Fiona Notley from Perth; Curtin Malaysia’s Chief Operating Officer Ir Pieter Willem Pottas; Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Science Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu; Dean of Faculty of Business Professor Andreas Zins; Deputy Dean of Research and Development and the research project leader Professor Agus Saptoro; project team member Ir Meheron Selowara Joo; Head of Intelligent System, Design and Control Research Cluster, Faculty of Engineering and Science Associate Professor Garenth Lim King Hann; and Faculty of Business’ Associate Dean of Research and Development representative Dr Oladokun Nafiu Olaniyi.

Research activities under the agreement will be done by the research and development teams of Curtin University Malaysia and Sarawak Energy with the Sarawak Energy Miri Regional Office serving as the research site.