7.4.1 : Local community outreach for energy efficiency
Komuniti bot nelayan Mersing terima manfaat teknologi solar PV terasing UTM
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Clean Energy Outreach and Implementation Program for Local Communities
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) executes a robust local community outreach program that is defined by the direct implementation of clean energy technology, actively providing marginalized communities with practical knowledge and tools to benefit from energy efficiency and renewable sources. This hands-on approach directly addresses the need to educate and equip local communities on the importance of clean energy.
This commitment is realized through the CSR project with Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB), which focused on the Mersing fishing community in July 2024. The program's core was the successful installation of Solar PV (Photovoltaic) isolated system technology on 21 fishermen's boats.
This initiative served as a powerful, multi-faceted educational program for the local community by:
- Teaching Energy Efficiency through Direct Application: The primary aim of the project was to "reduce diesel consumption, thus increasing income for the fishermen" by replacing diesel-powered battery charging for critical electrical equipment (like sonars, GPS, and lighting) with solar power. This tangible action directly demonstrates the economic and environmental value of energy efficiency and clean energy to the beneficiaries. The boat owners are expected to enjoy "savings on diesel costs of nearly RM150.00 a month," providing a clear, financial incentive to adopt the clean technology.
- Skill Transfer and Education: The project was not merely a donation; it was a large-scale knowledge transfer effort involving 180 students and lecturers from 13 skill-based and higher education institutions. The project leader confirmed that the collaboration allowed UTM researchers to "provide exposure to knowledge and skills to collaboration partners about the application of solar photovoltaic technology on fishing boats" (translated). This systematic process ensures that the knowledge of clean energy application and maintenance is institutionalized within the local vocational training and educational network.
- Providing Off-Grid Clean Energy Access: The project is part of a broader commitment to provide solar PV systems to settlements lacking continuous electricity supply, demonstrating UTM's role in promoting clean energy access as a foundation for community development and environmental preservation.
By implementing, teaching, and demonstrating the tangible benefits of solar PV technology, UTM provides an impactful, real-world program for local communities to learn about the importance of clean energy and energy efficiency.
Source :
Brightening the Way: Solar Innovation Illuminates Fishing Jetties
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Community Program: Solar Innovation for Energy Efficiency and Safety
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) provides impactful local community programs that integrate solar-powered clean energy solutions with hands-on education, directly demonstrating the importance of energy efficiency and clean energy to underserved populations. This model ensures that knowledge transfer leads to tangible, positive change in community well-being and resource use.
This program focuses on the Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Layau fishing jetties in Kota Tinggi, Johor, where the absence of lighting previously made nocturnal activities hazardous. UTM researchers, in collaboration with several technical institutions (including ILP Mersing and IKBN Jitra), addressed this issue by:
- Implementing Energy-Efficient, Clean Technology: The researchers developed and installed an off-grid solar PV system featuring three spotlights and three LED ceiling lamps. This immediate shift to solar power eliminates the need for any fossil fuels for lighting, establishing a new model for clean energy use at the site.
- Demonstrating Energy Efficiency Features: Crucially, the system utilizes "timers and motion sensors," ensuring that illumination is provided only when needed. This technical feature directly teaches the local community the principle of energy efficiency—maximizing output while minimizing waste—integrated into the infrastructure itself.
- Conducting a Knowledge Transfer Program (KTP): The project culminated in a KTP specifically designed to "empower[ing] locals with the skills to manage and maintain the solar system independently." This education covered "solar PV operation, maintenance, and safety protocols," providing the community with invaluable insights and skills to maximize the system's longevity and efficiency.
By providing a reliable, safe, clean, and energy-efficient lighting system and backing it with technical training, UTM successfully transforms a community challenge into a powerful learning opportunity about the importance and application of clean energy and energy efficiency.
Source :
https://news.utm.my/2024/04/brightening-the-way-solar-innovation-illuminates-fishing-jetties/
