Scene from Grange Road, Singapore, captured on 27th December 2013 @de engineur
Merry Christmas!
From:
The Green Mechanics™
December 2015
Kota Kinabalu
Showing posts with label About The Green Mechanics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label About The Green Mechanics. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Merry Christmas 2015 - from The Green Mechanics
"May the splendor and beauty of this season remind you of the One who is worthy of all our praise."
Scene from Grange Road, Singapore, captured on 27th December 2013 @de engineur
Merry Christmas!
From:
The Green Mechanics™
December 2015
Kota Kinabalu
Scene from Grange Road, Singapore, captured on 27th December 2013 @de engineur
Merry Christmas!
From:
The Green Mechanics™
December 2015
Kota Kinabalu
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Happy New Year 2015
This is wishing you a very happy new year.
Every end is just a new beginning. Keep your spirits and determination unshaken and you shall always walk the glory road.
"Road ahead" - No one can go back in time to change what has happened, so, work on your present to make yourself a wonderful future.
May you, your loved ones, and those around you have abundance of blessings where ever you are, in whatever the situation may be.
From us at
The Green Mechanics™
1 January 2015
Kota Kinabalu
Every end is just a new beginning. Keep your spirits and determination unshaken and you shall always walk the glory road.
"Road ahead" - No one can go back in time to change what has happened, so, work on your present to make yourself a wonderful future.May you, your loved ones, and those around you have abundance of blessings where ever you are, in whatever the situation may be.
From us at
The Green Mechanics™
1 January 2015
Kota Kinabalu
Friday, April 4, 2014
1,000 postings and counting
I realised that I've reached another tiny milestone today with my 1,000th post, which, unfortunately talks about the last thing you want on a hot dry afternoon - load shedding by SESB.
Right now, though, I'll talk about blogging.
Writing, and in particular, blogging has become a passion as it has taught me more than I has imagine when I first started about five years ago. It made me read more to get my facts right and along the way I get the benefit of learning new things everyday.
Think of it this way - when you write, you learn something but when you read to get your facts right, you learn ten times more.
My header for the past one year. Mt Kinabalu taken from a suspension bridge at Kg Damat, Tuaran Sabah.
Green living?
I started of with 'green living' concept at the back of my mind and with the data explosion that was to inevitably happen, I also had one tool of interest - mobile device. Technology that dictates the way data (and information) are shared move forward at exponential pace especially one that concerns development of mobile devices. That is why I'm a gadget guy who keep himself updated with the latest that the technology has to offer (although I wont be able to afford them, LOL).
In 'green living', I am talking about sustainable lifestyle, sustainable sources of energy, energy efficiency, and saving mother earth from early demise. Okay, the last one will happen eventually no matter what, but I sure can contribute something to delay the inevitable, can't I?
My earlier postings were (...how I should put it) a bit hasty perhaps, but I have matured into (I hope I have) a more responsible blogger now. And I intend to keep it the way it is now - 'blog responsibly'.
Renewable Energy in Malaysia
I have kept myself updated with Malaysia's path in making renewable resources significant part of the nation's energy generation mix.
5% of the total electricity generation capacity is our target for Renewable Energy in the generation mix come 2015. With the current pace of RE development, this seem a tall order but with the right strategy it is not an impossibility.
SEDA Malaysia is on the right track with its dynamic approach to the implementation of the FiT mechanism. Too rigid a policy and we would be outdated in our approach before we realise it, so SEDA has to revise its strategy often (which it currently does) and keep itself alert of the changes in the critical success factors along the way.
My team had an attempt at bringing solar PV project into the state a couple of years ago hoping Sabah would be included in the coverage of the Renewable Energy Act 2011, only to find ourself disappointed at the exclusion then. Now that Sabah and FT Labuan are in, we would try again to get things moving and mobilise our resources towards winning some quota.
Right now, though, I'll talk about blogging.
Writing, and in particular, blogging has become a passion as it has taught me more than I has imagine when I first started about five years ago. It made me read more to get my facts right and along the way I get the benefit of learning new things everyday.
Think of it this way - when you write, you learn something but when you read to get your facts right, you learn ten times more.
My header for the past one year. Mt Kinabalu taken from a suspension bridge at Kg Damat, Tuaran Sabah.
Green living?
I started of with 'green living' concept at the back of my mind and with the data explosion that was to inevitably happen, I also had one tool of interest - mobile device. Technology that dictates the way data (and information) are shared move forward at exponential pace especially one that concerns development of mobile devices. That is why I'm a gadget guy who keep himself updated with the latest that the technology has to offer (although I wont be able to afford them, LOL).
In 'green living', I am talking about sustainable lifestyle, sustainable sources of energy, energy efficiency, and saving mother earth from early demise. Okay, the last one will happen eventually no matter what, but I sure can contribute something to delay the inevitable, can't I?
My earlier postings were (...how I should put it) a bit hasty perhaps, but I have matured into (I hope I have) a more responsible blogger now. And I intend to keep it the way it is now - 'blog responsibly'.
Renewable Energy in Malaysia
I have kept myself updated with Malaysia's path in making renewable resources significant part of the nation's energy generation mix.
5% of the total electricity generation capacity is our target for Renewable Energy in the generation mix come 2015. With the current pace of RE development, this seem a tall order but with the right strategy it is not an impossibility.
SEDA Malaysia is on the right track with its dynamic approach to the implementation of the FiT mechanism. Too rigid a policy and we would be outdated in our approach before we realise it, so SEDA has to revise its strategy often (which it currently does) and keep itself alert of the changes in the critical success factors along the way.
My team had an attempt at bringing solar PV project into the state a couple of years ago hoping Sabah would be included in the coverage of the Renewable Energy Act 2011, only to find ourself disappointed at the exclusion then. Now that Sabah and FT Labuan are in, we would try again to get things moving and mobilise our resources towards winning some quota.
2 percent surcharge in your electricity bill?
Next thing that SEDA (the statutory body administrating and managing the implementation of the feed-in tariff mechanism in Malaysia) need to do is to ensure there is sufficient fund to keep the Renewable Energy industry going.
I can see that you'd hate me for this but I believe that 2% levy will be the way to go, not too far in the future already. Two percent is still very low compared to other countries with FiT implemented but it is also one of the hardest variables to get people into agreement.
TheGreenMechanics conclude: I will keep writing, if not for others, I'd do it for myself as it'd in a way 'force' me to keep abreast with things of interest and in a small way the advertisement on this website help me pay for my subscription with web-hosting provider, GoDaddy. I've received a couple of cheques from Google for my participation in AdSense.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas 2013 from The Green Mechanics
Merry Christmas from The Lion City.
Let us make peace with each other,
Let us make peace with the past,
Let us march forward to the future,
With God's grace.
©The Green Mechanics,
Sentosa Island,
Singapore
25th December 2013,
"...And Happy New Year 2014"
Friday, April 5, 2013
Change of blog header
Just for my own future reference:
Prior to April 2013
From April onward
Other change of header in the past.
Prior to April 2013
From April onward
Other change of header in the past.
Friday, January 4, 2013
2012 REVISITED: Locally flavoured articles
Year 2012 has been the turning point for this site as far as content is concerned. Since its inception three years back, that year it managed to produce 365 articles which is about a post a day on average.
Content is also mostly of local taste as it tried to portray Sabah and Malaysia at global stage. However, as the focus was more on Renewable Energy and technology, it also captured global news on progress and advancement of the same. The followings are selected articles this site was trying to promote - renewable energy, energy, technology, environment culture and art:-
1) International Folklore Festival 2012
Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) was a compilation of beautiful performances by troupes from 18 nations including China, Finland, Czech Republic, Philippine, Egypt, to name a few.
2) The wakid - can you mix technology and culture?
The newest international airport located in Kota Kinabalu suggests hint of the popular traditional basket used by indigenous people of Sabah.
3) Jatropha for BioDiesel - Terengganu mulls planting Jatropha
One State wants to take Jatropha to the next level - planting a large area of shore land with this cash crop to produce bio-diesel in large scale. Yeap, why not?
4) Malaysia: 5.5% of total energy from Renewable sources by 2015
Pretty much about what the header says. By 2015 Malaysia would have generate 5.5% of its energy from Renewables.
Excerpt from PM Najib's keynote address during IGEM 2012:
Objective : National energy generation mix to have 5.5%
from renewable source
Timeline : 2015, and 11% by 2020
Job created : 50,000 (by 2020)
Economy : RM70 bil worth of economic activity (by 2020)
CO2 avoidance : 42.2 mil tonnes, or about 40%
5) What to expect in 2013: 50 Green projects to be approved
Malaysian Green Technology Corp expects over 50 green projects to be approved by financial institutions under the Green Technology Financing Scheme (SPTH) in 2013, compared with 30 in 2012.
The Finance Ministry has allocated another RM2billion (on top of what has been spent) to the SPTH to further push up the production and use of green technology-based products, with the scheme extended until Dec 31, 2015.
6) Poop-powered motorcycle that can travel 300km
Not literally, as you can't just poop in there and expect 'it' to power-up the motorcycle. But that's basically the idea.
7) Worst blackout in history
That happened in India in July 2012. Over 600 million people were affected!
8) First Green Building: Art Gallery Conservation Centre
Sabah’s first Green Building is the Art Gallery Conservation Centre which can save as much as RM400,000 ($125,000) a year in energy.
9) SESB offers explanation: The 30 April 2012 total blackout
This (pic) is a typical current voltage transformer, CVT, the equipment blamed for the state-wide power failure on April 30, 2012.
Yet another total breakdown in the power supply system in Sabah. But who would be surprise anymore. Time and again SESB comes out with explanation and excuse. Irony is that, SAIDI (method of measuring performance) is so much on a downtrend and yet one doesn't feel much improvement in terms of power failure.
For Malaysians in Sabah, SAIDI tells nothing but a number
10) Harvest Festival 2012
The annual celebration of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest was capped on 31st May 2012 at KDCA in Penampang, Sabah. Miss Melinda Louis was crowned Harvest Festival queen.
11) Solar PV Powers the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Renewable energy is the way to go, even for football stadium. One of these in Brazil, the Mane Garrincha Stadium will be embedded with solar module and other sustainable technologies.
12) Taxpayers to get refund in less than 30 days
As far as I am concerned, this is nonsense!
It has been almost a year now and I haven't receive a penny from Inland Revenue Department for the refund of my year 2011 tax excess. Read the IRB statement here.
13) One maid, one task not logical
14) The (only) upside down house in Borneo
The first of its kind in Malaysia, although not so much to shout about. A good 'pit stop' though for travellers travelling from Kota Kinabalu to the East Coast.
Have a prosperous and peaceful year in 2013!
Content is also mostly of local taste as it tried to portray Sabah and Malaysia at global stage. However, as the focus was more on Renewable Energy and technology, it also captured global news on progress and advancement of the same. The followings are selected articles this site was trying to promote - renewable energy, energy, technology, environment culture and art:-
1) International Folklore Festival 2012
Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) was a compilation of beautiful performances by troupes from 18 nations including China, Finland, Czech Republic, Philippine, Egypt, to name a few.
Proud in their traditional costumes. (From L-Right): Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Latvia.
More here: SIFF in Penampang, Sabah
More here: SIFF in Penampang, Sabah
2) The wakid - can you mix technology and culture?
The newest international airport located in Kota Kinabalu suggests hint of the popular traditional basket used by indigenous people of Sabah.
Lifesize wakid at one of the traditional celebration.
Also, see the World's biggest wakid in Sandakan water treatment works in Sigaliud, no doubt.3) Jatropha for BioDiesel - Terengganu mulls planting Jatropha
One State wants to take Jatropha to the next level - planting a large area of shore land with this cash crop to produce bio-diesel in large scale. Yeap, why not?
4) Malaysia: 5.5% of total energy from Renewable sources by 2015
Pretty much about what the header says. By 2015 Malaysia would have generate 5.5% of its energy from Renewables.
Objective : National energy generation mix to have 5.5%
from renewable source
Timeline : 2015, and 11% by 2020
Job created : 50,000 (by 2020)
Economy : RM70 bil worth of economic activity (by 2020)
CO2 avoidance : 42.2 mil tonnes, or about 40%
5) What to expect in 2013: 50 Green projects to be approved
Malaysian Green Technology Corp expects over 50 green projects to be approved by financial institutions under the Green Technology Financing Scheme (SPTH) in 2013, compared with 30 in 2012.
The Finance Ministry has allocated another RM2billion (on top of what has been spent) to the SPTH to further push up the production and use of green technology-based products, with the scheme extended until Dec 31, 2015.
6) Poop-powered motorcycle that can travel 300km
Not literally, as you can't just poop in there and expect 'it' to power-up the motorcycle. But that's basically the idea.
Poop-powered motorcycle. Well, 3-wheel to be exact.
7) Worst blackout in history
That happened in India in July 2012. Over 600 million people were affected!
Massive traffic jam in India during the power outage. Read further HERE.
8) First Green Building: Art Gallery Conservation Centre
Sabah’s first Green Building is the Art Gallery Conservation Centre which can save as much as RM400,000 ($125,000) a year in energy.
Sabah Art Gallery conservation centre during construction. Pic by Insight Sabah.
9) SESB offers explanation: The 30 April 2012 total blackout
Yet another total breakdown in the power supply system in Sabah. But who would be surprise anymore. Time and again SESB comes out with explanation and excuse. Irony is that, SAIDI (method of measuring performance) is so much on a downtrend and yet one doesn't feel much improvement in terms of power failure.
For Malaysians in Sabah, SAIDI tells nothing but a number
1) Lower SAIDI recorded in recent years look nice on paper but did little to a better power supply experience in general.
2) SESB sets SAIDI target of 600 minutes in 2012. Let's compare this with other states:
State
|
Target
( 2011 )
|
Achievement
(minutes per customer
per year)
|
Sabah
|
700
|
494
|
Penang
|
99
|
76
|
Kelantan
|
75
|
72
|
Selangor
|
74
|
61
|
Johor
|
99
|
78
|
See also: How to calculate SAIDI
10) Harvest Festival 2012
The annual celebration of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest was capped on 31st May 2012 at KDCA in Penampang, Sabah. Miss Melinda Louis was crowned Harvest Festival queen.
Miss Melinda Louis. Find out more HERE
11) Solar PV Powers the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Renewable energy is the way to go, even for football stadium. One of these in Brazil, the Mane Garrincha Stadium will be embedded with solar module and other sustainable technologies.
Mane Garrincha stadium for World Cup 2014. Read the full story HERE
12) Taxpayers to get refund in less than 30 days
As far as I am concerned, this is nonsense!
IRB headoffice, Kota Kinabalu.
It has been almost a year now and I haven't receive a penny from Inland Revenue Department for the refund of my year 2011 tax excess. Read the IRB statement here.
13) One maid, one task not logical
No, thank you! Read about it HERE
14) The (only) upside down house in Borneo
The first of its kind in Malaysia, although not so much to shout about. A good 'pit stop' though for travellers travelling from Kota Kinabalu to the East Coast.
The upside down house. Read further HERE
Have a prosperous and peaceful year in 2013!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
A little milestone II
This is just for my own benefit, to lay another tiny milestone in this blog. Today this blog reach a humble 200,000 pagehits doubling the figure of June 20, 2012. I realised I like writing/blogging very much as it broaden my perspective and it encourage me to dig and search further on things and issues that interest me.
This blog is mainly about Green Technology, but of late there were many articles on IT especially gadgets and tools that affect our daily routines in big ways. Also, pictures from my photography passion seem to crop up more. However, in no way this would take away my focus on renewable energy and green technology.
By the way, you can read about the Solar-powered motorbike by Sunred, captured in the above snapshot. It's a very interesting armadillo 'scaled' scooter.
 |
| The Green Mechanics' 200k |
This blog is mainly about Green Technology, but of late there were many articles on IT especially gadgets and tools that affect our daily routines in big ways. Also, pictures from my photography passion seem to crop up more. However, in no way this would take away my focus on renewable energy and green technology.
By the way, you can read about the Solar-powered motorbike by Sunred, captured in the above snapshot. It's a very interesting armadillo 'scaled' scooter.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
A little milestone
This is for my own reference sometime in the future. A couple of days ago this humble blog reached a tiny milestone, a 100,000 pagehits although I must admit is nothing compared to the seasoned bloggers like Teh Ramuan, Bluedianthus.com and Dunia Realiti, to name a few.
A big salute to the senior bloggers as I take inspiration from their non-stop pursue in writing responsibly in the netizen. Let's continue writing in the hope of sharing info with others and at the same time improving ourselves through research/readings in the process.
For the record, this blog is biased towards Green Technology, preserving the nature, preserving our cultural heritage and a bit of here and there to keep the mind tickled.
 |
| The Green Mechanics' 100k |
A big salute to the senior bloggers as I take inspiration from their non-stop pursue in writing responsibly in the netizen. Let's continue writing in the hope of sharing info with others and at the same time improving ourselves through research/readings in the process.
For the record, this blog is biased towards Green Technology, preserving the nature, preserving our cultural heritage and a bit of here and there to keep the mind tickled.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Change in website Template
Many months/years later I'll have something to look back on in terms of how my old blog page looked like. Obviously this post has no tangible benefit to anyone other than for my own future reference.
I've grown tired of reading not-so-bright fonts on a dark background and I decided to change the appearance of the webpage to a simpler template. Dark font on white/bright background suits my mobile devices screen better. And on bigger screens, reading is much more at ease.
I've grown tired of reading not-so-bright fonts on a dark background and I decided to change the appearance of the webpage to a simpler template. Dark font on white/bright background suits my mobile devices screen better. And on bigger screens, reading is much more at ease.
Old page, prior to 2012.
Header photo shot during sunset at Magellan Sutera man-made beach.
New page, Jan 2012.
Header photo (Mt. Kinabalu) shot from a suspension bridge in Telibong, Tuaran.
Header photo shot during sunset at Magellan Sutera man-made beach.
New page, Jan 2012.
Header photo (Mt. Kinabalu) shot from a suspension bridge in Telibong, Tuaran.
More pictures are available at my dedicated photo page.
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