SEDA Malaysia: Low Energy Office (SEDA LEO), Sabah

Source: www.seda.gov.my    

    Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia or SEDA Malaysia is serious about renewable energy and energy efficiency effort in the country. As the implementer of Feed-in Tariff program for Renewable Energy Development in Malaysia, SEDA has opened the first retrofitted energy efficient government office in Sabah which demonstrates integration of energy efficient measures and optimization to achieve cost-effective energy efficient solutions. Located at Likas Square Commercial Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah this office has the potential to achieve more than 40% energy savings on lighting and equipment compared to conventional air-conditioned office building.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    With a space of 1,182 square feet, the office known as SEDA Malaysia Low Energy Office (SEDA LEO) becomes the trendsetter of energy efficiency prospects in Eastern Malaysia. SEDA LEO is the exhibition platform for best practices and appropriate technologies in efficient energy use and it aims to become a reference for state government agencies, developers, contractors and building services professionals to design energy efficient buildings. SEDA LEO represents SEDA Malaysia’s commitment and continuous effort to push for sustainable energy sector especially with a wider segment in Sabah. SEDA Malaysia is committed to lead the way by providing examples on sustainable energy practices and to share the knowledge on energy efficiency concept for building services in Sabah. Here are the energy efficient features of SEDA LEO :

Source: www.seda.gov.my

1) Building Orientation:

-The office has a correct orientation as the windows are facing north and there is low heat gained from the sun light.

2) Natural Day Lighting and Glazing:

-Large window area and the glazing is clear glass which allows ample diffuse daylight into the building and serves as a primary source of lighting to save energy.

-Daylight is also much cooler than the direct sunlight, thereby avoiding increased cooling load and avoiding excessive glare.

3) Energy Efficient Interior Design:

-The interior of the office is painted with light color which helps to promote better reflection of light and less dependency on artificial lighting.

-Work desk orientation is parallel with the windows to avoid or minimize glare problems.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

4) Space Planning:

-Frequently-used working area such as officer’s work stations are located near the windows to fully utilized daylight and save energy.

-Areas such as meeting room, store and ICT services room are positioned at the inner part of the office.

-The layout provides more conducive environment to improve motivation and reduce stress at the same time.

5) Efficient Distribution of Cooling System:

-The ducting for distribution of cooling system was revamped in the office to prepare a balanced and efficient air conditioning distribution for the human comfort.

6) Energy Efficient Lighting System:

-High efficiency lighting T5 fluorescent tube with electronic ballast and LED lights are used with innovative lighting control.

-Lighting intensity level design is according to MS1525:2007 Code of Practise Use of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy for Non-residential Buildings (300-400 lux level for office).

-Lighting power density is within 5-6 Watt compared with conventional design 12-20 Watt.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

7) Intelligent Lighting System Controller:

-Combination of photocell sensors and occupancy sensor automatically control lighting switches when areas are not occupied.

-Day light photocell sensors (day light system) is deployed at the perimeter of the room to control switching of the light fitting for the purpose of energy savings.

8) Energy Efficient Office Equipments:

-The equipments used at SEDA LEO provide energy saving and improved working condition as compared to conventional equipments.

-Some examples are 5-star rated energy efficient appliances such as laptops to reduce electricity consumption and operational cost of SEDA LEO.

9) Online Energy and Power Monitoring System:

-The system provides a platform to monitor and record the total energy consumption of lighting system, office appliances and general equipment.

-The total energy recorded is displayed in real-time and in situ, additionally these data can be remotely accessed via the internet.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

10) Low Energy ICT Network System:

-The office fully deploys wireless network technology for integrated low energy ICT system.

    Estimated annual energy saving is 9,660 kWh which accounted about RM 3,800 annually with payback period of 3.4 years can be gained by SEDA LEO. However, additional 6.8% of the capital cost of retrofitting the office is required but the contribution to the environment is truly priceless. You can visit SEDA LEO office and experience these features yourself and perhaps, you can talk to the person-in charge as well if you are interested in retrofitting your own energy efficient building. Let us revisit SEDA Malaysia roles in implementing the FiT-in Tariff as part of the sustainable energy and energy efficiency effort in the country as taken from www.seda.gov.my.

Source: www.seda.gov.my

    Malaysia’s Feed-in Tariff system requires the Distribution Licensees (DLs) such as Tenaga Nasional Berhad and NUR Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (NUR) with this year’s addition of Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd (SESB) to buy electricity from independent renewable energy producers. FiT rates are set by SEDA Malaysia with approval from KeTTHA.By having access to the grid and setting a favorable price per unit of renewable energy, the FiT mechanism also ensures that renewable energy becomes a viable and sound long-term investment for companies, industries and individuals. This can happen  easily if consumers are registered under SEDA Malaysia as one of the producers of renewable energy through solar PV, small hydro power, biomass and biogas at their homes or private lands.

    The Cabinet has also agreed for the surcharge on consumers’ electricity bills that has been gazetted and collected from consumers. 1% surcharge is needed to achieve the target capacity of renewable energy in the long run. As of 2013, 1% surcharge was imposed on all electricity customers and domestic electricity consumers are obliged to contribute to the surcharge only if their monthly electricity consumption exceeds 300 kWh or RM 77 a month.

Source: www.nusolar.com.my/images/leftpic-fitseda.jpg

    This money is channelled into the Renewable Energy Fund (KWTBB) and administered by SEDA Malaysia to pay the premium Feed-in Tariff rate to those producers who generate electricity from renewable resources at homes or in industrial companies. However, as of January 2014, this surcharge has been increased to  1.6 % . This increase will also affect the consumers in Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan as they are charged with 1.6% of their electricity bills for the first time from RM69.00 above. Please refer to www.seda.gov.my for more news and information about this tariff. Thank you everyone for reading, take care and God bless you!