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Generally, total energy consumption in Malaysia continues to grow from year to year.
Energy consumption per capita has grown from 1,100 kWh in 2010 to 4,460 kWh in 2014 as
country continues developing towards middle income status by 2020 [2]. Based on the data
obtained from Department of Statistic Malaysia, the population in Malaysia is estimated as
30.23 million people. [3] Hence, the energy consumption in Malaysia could be described as
huge amount if it is calculated as the product of energy consumption percapita and
population.
In Malaysia, there are a lot of energy resources available. Examples of those resources
are oil, natural gas, coal, and renewable energy such as biomass, solar and hydropower [1].
Production of electrical energy in Malaysia mainly depends on the fossil fuel type of sources.
Based on findings of Shafie et al., in 2009, from total electrical energy generation of 106.530
billion kWh, electricity generated by using fossil fuel such as coal, oil and natural gas
comprises of 94.5 percent. The rest are mainly generated by using hydroelectric. [1]
30.40%
63.00%
Total :
106,530 GWh
The situation above shows adverse effects to the energy sources in Malaysia. This is
because the fossil fuel is a non-renewable energy resource and will be used up in the future.
Renewable energy resources should be considered to totally replace the non-renewable
energy as soon as possible so that we will not face any problem in term of generation of
energy when non-renewable energy is totally used up.
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Details of proposed system:
Meanwhile, in San Jose, California, USA, Zero Waste Energy Development used
anaerobic digestion facility turn food scraps into renewable energy and compost for local
farms. [8] In this facility, biological bacteria are used to break down or digest the food waste
in oxygen-free environment provided by anaerobic digester. [8] Thus, food waste is converted
into methane biogas as a fuel to generate electricity. [8]
This facility can digest 90,000 tonnes of food waste and produce 1.6 megawatts per
year. [8] If this kind of facility could be widely used in Malaysia, two of the main problems
which are land-filling of food waste and replacement of non-renewable energy perhaps could
be solved.
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Other than that, by using food waste treatment via anaerobic digestion to generate
energy, its advantages will be more than disadvantage as compared to other renewable energy
such as wind energy and solar energy. Based on the study from Kumar G. et al., they found
that generally, food waste treatment has a higher conversion efficiency and capacity factor
than wind energy and solar energy. [9] However, food waste treatment needs lower
investment cost and operation cost as compared to wind energy and solar energy. [9]
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, I strongly recommend that use of biomass as main renewable energy for
Malaysia in the future. Biomass energy can last for an extremely long time, environmental-
friendly, low cost needed and help in reducing problems of food waste in Malaysia.
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Reference:
1. Shafie, S., Mahlia, T., Masjuki, H. and Andriyana, A. (2011). Current energy usage and
sustainable energy in Malaysia: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,
15(9), pp.4370-4377.
2. Electric, Power and Renewable Energy Malaysia. (2015). Energy Market in Malaysia,
opportunities abound. [online] Available at:
http://www.epremalaysia.com/home/index.php [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017].
4. Malaysia Biomass Industry Confederation. (2017). About Biomass. [online] Available at:
http://www.biomass.org.my/page/162/About-Biomass/ [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017]
6. The Star. (2016). Malaysians waste 15,000 tonnes of food daily [online] Available at:
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/05/24/malaysians-waste-15000-tonnes-of-
food-daily/ [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017].
7. Ismail, S. (2013). The challenge of future landfill: A case study of Malaysia. Journal of
Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 5(6), pp.86-96.
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9. Kumar, G., Thi, N. and Lin, C. (2016). Electricity generation comparison of food waste-
based bioenergy with wind and solar powers: A mini review. Sustainable Environment
Research, 26(5), pp.197-202.