JOHOR BHARU, 11 October 2015 – UTM is on the path to be the first university in Malaysia to build a pilot biogas power plant from food waste in collaboration with Ronser Bio-Tech Berhad, Gait Rungkai Sdn Bhd and IRDA.
An MoU signing ceremony between UTM and the 3 parties was held in conjunction with the Low Carbon Network (LoCARnet) 2015 annual meeting and the International Conference of Low Carbon Asia (ICLCA 2015) held in Johor Bharu. The event was attended by over 200 international and local participants.
The biogas power plant project was one of the initiatives by UTM to achieve sustainable waste management while fulfilling one of the main thrusts of the nation’s policy on green technology by using food waste as a source of renewable energy.
The electricity generated will be used on-site in UTM, effectively reducing UTM’s carbon footprint as more fossil based electricity consumption can be avoided. UTM Office of Asset and Development reported that about 1,300 tonne of food waste is produced in UTM annually and cost close to RM 0.5 million for disposal.
The biogas power plant which will be constructed in UTM is estimated to treat up to 5 tonne of food waste per day and expected to produce an estimated power of 0.2-0.5 MW.
The collaboration between all three parties with UTM will also result in the transfer of knowledge and expertise and promote research activities with the ultimate aim of tackling the issue of solid waste management, and renewable energy development while creating more sustainable environment and cutting down carbon footprint.
UTM was represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Ir Dr Wahid Omar at the signing ceremony. He said the collaboration will be effective for 3 years.
During this ongoing collaboration, in addition to constructing the biogas power plant, UTM researchers led by Assoc Prof Dr Haslenda Hashim from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering will also carry out researche with Ronser Bio-tech Berhad and Gait Rungkai Sdn. Bhd to enhance biogas production, upgrading and utilization.
He also highlighted the fact that the collaboration between UTM, Ronser Bio-Tech Berhad, Gait Rungkai Sdn Bhd and IRDA showed that UTM is committed to realising the government’s inspiration to achieve 11% energy from renewable energy in Malaysia in 2020.