Dr Chan confident bio-fuel would help reduce Sarawak’s dependence on fossil fuel to generate power

MIRI: Sarawak campus of Curtin University of Technology is conducting research on bio-fuel by setting up a pilot plant at its campus in Senadin.

EXPANSION: Alex (centre) briefs Dr Chan (right) and Twomey (left) on the campus’ expansion.

“The research is undertaken by the university with grants from Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The pilot plant has been completed and the research ongoing and in the advanced stage,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan who is also chairman of the university’s board of directors.

Dr Chan said the pilot plant was designed by the university’s researchers and they are fine-tuning it.

He said bio-fuel would help reduce Sarawak’s dependence on fossil fuel to generate power.

Bio-fuel was not only environment-friendly but cheap to produce with abundant raw materials available.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with former university vice-chancellor Professor Lance Twomey visiting the campus, Dr Chan said they were looking into expanding the research project.

“What they are trying to do is use the kernel and other parts of the oil palm and convert them into fuel gas and hydrogen which can be used in the industry instead of using fossil gas to power the plant,” he said.

“We could only imagine how much the industry could save (in cost) and they don’t even have to get rid of any part of the palm. All waste could be turned into energy and not pollute environment,” he added.

Dr Chan believed the success of the bio-fuel research project or pilot plant would be cost-saving in terms of energy.

The research will move one step further by expanding to rural areas through other biomass, such as padi husk to generate power while other end-products like ashes can be used as fertilisers.

He said the university was excited about the research which was in line with Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s aspiration and vision to make Miri an educational centre in the state, especially in the northern region.

Dr Chan said they were doing their best to make sure that Curtin was a great success for Sarawak and the focal point of education in this part of the state.

Hence the importance of all higher learning institutions working together to establish an integrated hall of education here.

“It won’t be too long before we call everyone involved in education together and have a special seminar or forum where each one gives ideas and input on what would be best for Miri as an educational hub,” he said.

“With Shell, Petronas and some oil company here, I think it is important that we also take into account their presence here and how we can make use of them, and they can make use of us for mutual benefit. This is something very important that we would like to share with the public,” Dr Chan said.

Twomey meanwhile believed that applied research conducted by Curtin would be useful to Sarawak in particular and Malaysia as a whole.

“I was delighted looking at the work (research) of chemical engineering students on bio-fuel from palm oil waste including manufactured palm oil. They are not only testing the plants but going all the way in their research,” said Twomey.

“This day in higher education, everything is about collaboration and this is a wonderful collaboration between Malaysians and Australians. The research goes to show what could happen when a group of people decide to work together in harmony,” Twomey said.

On the setting of Curtin University in Senadin, he said: “This is a very unique partnership — the only partnership I know between a foreign university and a state government and it has been highly successful. And that’s wonderful to see because there has been a lot of critics at both ends — both in Australia and Sarawak.”

Twomey assured that the quality and standard of courses offered by campuses in Perth and Sarawak were similar.

He said the engineering and hard science offered would be a great tribute to the state and its people.

After the closed door meeting, Dr Chan accompanied Twomey on a tour of the campus.

They were accompanied by Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Lee Kim Shin who is also the chairman of the management board and chief operating officer Alex Chung.