Energy from sun, wind, water

TWO landmark studies have identified solar, wind, and hydroelectric power as the most viable alternatives for the Sultanate to address two energy wasters: transport and appliances.

The excerpts of the studies were bared during yesterday's press conference organised by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS) in partnership with the Energy Division at the Prime Minister's Office.

The full results of these two studies, together with their recommendations, will only be released and discussed at an upcoming energy conference on July 27 where 180 relevant stakeholders and policymakers will be attending.

The studies, one on alternative energy and the other on energy efficiency and conservation (EEC), were carried out by foreign consultants hired by the CSPS and the Energy Division.

The three alternative energy sources were found to be the most feasible when looking at a medium-capital, low-risk and short-term solution. Canadian consultants Powertech Labs Inc carried out the alternative energy study which looked at bioenergy, hydroelectricity, hydrogen, nuclear, ocean, solar and wind.

The next three forms that were suggested for long-term development projects were bioenergy, hydrogen and ocean.

Dr Diana Cheong, senior researcher at CSPS, told The Brunei Times that if these three forms of energy were seriously considered for the future, "strategy and development needs to start now". Alternative energy in Brunei is "minimal" but "oil and gas alone can't fuel growth (as outlined in the Wawasan 2035 Vision)", she added.

She added that if these options were considered and acted upon, it would be "possible to promote Brunei as a first class research and development (country) for alternative energy in the region".

The EEC study carried out by the Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI) underlines transport and cooling as primary reasons for energy usage in the Sultanate.

It pinpoints the regulation of the fuel economy and the setting of appliance standards as the start of more energy-efficient usage here.

Introducing the recommendations "would bring our energy usage down, considerably", Dr Cheong said.

She added that when considering the Wawasan 2035 Vision, CSPS "wants to see a multi-energy solution to the whole thing".

CSPS Executive Director Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail Hj Duraman said the think tank wants implementation to follow with the conclusion of the two separate studies.

"We don't want to have studies just to be kept in the library, but we want it to be taken up by the relevant authorities, which is what His Majesty said during the 65th birthday titah on the need to explore alternative energy, but EEC is also another area to look into and take action on," Dato Dr Hj Ismail said.

He added: "A study is just a study, action needs to be taken."

CSPS' intention is to ensure that the outcome of the conference is to be passed on to relevant stakeholders for action.

Dato Dr Hj Ismail said that these studies complement each other in a way. EEC is on the micro side while alternative energy is more towards macro, he explained.

"People need to be aware of saving energy, but at the same time, we need to increase energy capacity," he said.

"This is how we reduce the gap between macro and micro," the director said, adding that when related to Wawasan 2035, alternative energy sources would have already been identified and subject to relevant authority to come up with an implementation policy later on.

He stressed the need to avoid over-reliance on oil and gas and alternative energy will help fuel future potential industrial growth sectors.

Meanwhile, the upcoming national conference on 'Energy Efficiency and Conservation and Alternative Energy: Policy Options for Wawasan 2035 has been organised into three forums.

The Brunei Times