đź“ť Summary
UTM-OTEC strengthened its ocean energy collaboration with IOES and Saga University through a working visit, focusing on deepening research collaboration, establishing remote technical systems, and exploring educational framework models for ocean energy. The visit led to the definition of requirements for remote monitoring and control systems, with plans to link UPM-UTM Hybrid OTEC facilities with Saga University via a secure VPN by August 2026. UTM-OTEC also plans to adapt IOES’ educational models for implementation in Malaysia to foster ocean energy awareness and build local technical capacity.
IMARI, Jul 17 – Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurul Huda Ahmad, a Research Fellow from Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), completed a working visit to the Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University (IOES) in Imari, Japan. The visit, conducted under the IOES Joint Research Task (Acceptance No. 26A18), was aimed at deepening research collaboration, establishing remote technical systems and exploring educational framework models for ocean energy.
Exploring OTEC Systems and Remote-Control Technical Requirements
During the initial phase of the visit, Dr. Nurul Huda conducted site inspections and an orientation session with the IOES expert, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Morisaki Takafumi and Master Student, Shun Inatomi. The team reviewed various core thermodynamic cycles, including the Karina, Uehara, and Rankine cycles, alongside desalination plant flash chamber setups. Further technical sessions focused on optimising evaporator-condenser flash chambers and evaluating existing data acquisition, sensor capabilities, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and automated system alert mechanisms.
A primary outcome of these technical briefings was defining the requirements for remote monitoring and control systems. The IOES facility in Imari currently operates a remote access structure controlled by Saga University’s Honjo Campus. Building upon this, discussions led by Prof. Dr. Yasuyuki Ikegami, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Morisaki Takafumi, and Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Sathiabama T. Thirugnana focused on establishing communication protocols to link the UPM-UTM Hybrid OTEC (H-OTEC) facilities located at the International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS) UPM, Port Dickson, directly with Saga University via a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN).
To facilitate this link, UPM-UTM H-OTEC will determine the specifications for a High-Performance Computer (HPC) setup and finalise network configurations in coordination with the Office of Quality and Digital Transformation (UTMDX). Full operational integration for remote monitoring and control between UTM Kuala Lumpur and Saga University is targeted for completion by the end of August 2026.
Promoting Ocean Energy Education in Malaysia
In addition to technical infrastructure, the visit featured discussions with Dr. Morisaki regarding public engagement and educational programmes.
IOES currently conducts a range of structured programs to promote OTEC awareness within society. These include academic courses that combine lectures at the Honjo Campus with hands-on facility tours in the Imari Satellite Laboratory for undergraduate and master’s students.
The institute also offers specialised training programmes comprising week-long sessions at the Imari Satellite Laboratory and the Kumejima OTEC plant for university staff, researchers and students. These programmes are supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Saga University.
In addition, IOES actively engages the wider community through public and school outreach initiatives, including open-day visits, interactive ocean energy-themed competitions for school students, and online courses covering tidal, wave, wind and OTEC technologies.
UTM-OTEC plans to adapt these educational models for implementation in Malaysia to foster ocean energy awareness, build local technical capacity and ensure the long-term sustainability of OTEC research initiatives.
