SESB to upgrade power supply in Kiulu

This should be good news for Kiulu folks.

Utusan Malaysia reported that SESB is in the process of upgrading the power supply system in Kiulu, among others include replacement of existing bare cable to the insulated type. I presume ABC cables for distribution.

Via Utusan Online -  Nov 13, 2012

Last year SESB aimed to supply power to at least 95% of the state population by the end of 2012 and as expected, it was warmly welcomed by the rural folks. I was in touch with the People's Development Leader (Kiulu) earlier this year and one of the reason some of the villages not supplied with power is that the existing overhead lines were already overloaded and needed to be upgrade. I took his word at face value.

Let's hope the upgrading exercise will then enable SESB to fully supply to this area.

Out of the nearly 60 vilages in Kiulu constituency, there are two more that have not been supplied (or should I say deprived of their basic rights) with electricity in Kiulu namely [Source: UPKR Kiulu]:

1. Kg Sinansag, 3.5km from the nearest pole & 4 km from Kiulu main road,
2. Kg Bambangan Baru, 2km from Ranau (old) main road.

I understand that consultants and SESB personnel have visited, estimated and gave a good-to-go confirmation to the relevant government agencies. What is so difficult with the implementation? Why the overlook?

Power outage: SESB vs SEB

I read with great interest a comment made by one of Daily Express readers published on July 22, 2012. If you still have your weekend copy, you can find it in the forum section.

A comparison was made on the two separate power outages in Sabah and Sarawak which happened in April 2012 and July 2012 respectively. It stresses the big gap in terms of how the situations were handled and of how much SESB is alleged to be lagging behind SEB. An interesting compilation is summarised as follow:

Daily Express, July 22

Just to clarify, SEB is Sarawak Energy Berhad, not as quoted, and it is the holding company that owns SESCO which generate, transmit, distribute and supply electricity throughout Sarawak. In a way, SEB is like TNB while SESB is like SESCO. But, leaving the organisational structure alone, every utility company has the same responsibility, that is to give the utmost care and service to its customers. After all what is quality if the bar on customer satisfaction is never reached.

I will leave it to you the readers to decipher the above information but to be fair to SESB, they did apologise promptly the next day during the 30 April 2012 massive power outage. The press release to offer the consumers thorough explanation was made much later and I suppose the writer was refering to this one when quoting '24 days after the event'.

Furthermore, 'Other event' should include a consequential load shedding excersice many hours after the initial 16-hours power outage on April 30. SESB was struggling to stabilise the power supply to a number of bigger consumers in the West Coast, particularly in Tuaran area. In our case there were places (end users) that had their power supply normalised (totally) the next day.


People can give explanation and choose to disagree, but from the comparison table, we can - without digging further - make some conclusions, or at least perception, among others:

1. Capacitive Voltage Transformers, CVT, contrary to what SESB mentioned in its press release, can cause little disruption to the supply of power.
2. We know that SESB is continuously upgrading its transmission/generation capacity, but we perceive here that compared to Sarawak and West Malaysia, it still has a lot to catch up.
3. Excess in power generated does not guarantee fail-safe operations. SESCO has ample safety margin in its power generation capacity but other factors will still cause outage. Note however, that they will have the luxury of better back up from other sources. Hence, the lesser power disruptions.
4. I have this nagging feeling that we in Sabah are 'fire fighting' rather than doing Planned Preventive Maintenance. The SEB case showed that we can carry out maintenance (unplanned emergency, or planned parts replacement) without putting the whole power network out of service. In other words, don't put the whole State without power just because of one small equipment failure.

A copy of the SESB press release pertaining to the massive power outage has been stored in this blog for future reference.

Let's hope for a blackout-free weekend ahead.


**UPDATE**: Responses by SESB as well as the general public - in the internet or print media - will be quoted/recorded in the Comment section. Do check it out.

SESB: Facebook account not our baby

How would you feel when one day you see yourself appearing on the net divulging and transacting  information both familiar and unfamiliar, or damaging to you? You would feel uncomfortable, insecure, or at the least feel 'curtailed' though nothing bad has happened yet. You would want to go all out to try and nab that culprit and clear your name. Or, pay your way to freedom.

Last year Apple Inc bought iCloud.com domain from Sweden-based company, Xcerion for a rumoured fee in excess of $4 million (although Apple never disclosed the actual amount). That's because icloud was seen as valuable addition to the company's business progression. Apple Inc bought its way to freedom.

Recently some name-mongers tried registering SESB as their pseudo-names on social networking site, Facebook. It was not immediately known if they intend to cash in on the company's name or they are trying to do funny things to erode the company's corporate image. Whatever their reason maybe, SESB is not amused. [read SESB's MD's statement at the end of this article]


Tried googling for fun and I found the followings:

Search result for 'SESB'

Search result for 'SESB facebook'

One of the facebook pages supposedly belong to SESB. This is fake according to SESB MD.

SESB says not our baby (Bernama Report)

KOTA KINABALU, June 23 -- The Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has clarified that several Facebook accounts under the name SESB is not the official Facebook page of the company.

The existence of these accounts has caused confusion among SESB customers thinking that they are managed by the company. These Facebook accounts have been found to be not updated, while providing responses that are incorrect towards comments that are posted up by customers.

According to SESB’s Managing Director Ir Abd Razak Sallim, all statements put up on these accounts were not the official statement and news by the company.

As such, customers are advised not to disclose vital information to the Facebook account owners. Official statements and updated information by the company are uploaded onto the official SESB website www.sesb.com.my, he said

Razak said the company's official statements and updated information had been uploaded onto its official website (www.sesb.com.my) while those facing power supply problems could contact the company at 15454 or 088 515000.


Complain to SESB boss directly

I wrote an article previously pertaining to SESB's new website and that you can actually submit your complaints and grouses directly to SESB boss himself.

Rather than wasting your time commenting on such fake facebook account, why not email the boss himself, agree?

You maybe skeptical about a boss even looking at the tiny little email you send to SESB. I had a chat with one of SESB's staff in Tuaran the other day but I am keeping to myself what I gathered regarding such move by the organisation's head. You have a doubt, the best way is to try sending an email. Of course send one with genuine complaint in it.

Fancy a long Earth Hour this weekend?

There are few essential utility supplies you cannot afford to go without, such as:

1) water
2) gas
3) electricity

Or, should I rephrase the above and strike out electricity from the list, owing to the fact that electricity is not essential and its absence can be tolerated? Well, at least in this IT age, you shouldn't allow yourself to be deprived of these basic 'needs'. Needs because these are not merely 'wants' anymore.



SESB announcement posted on its website.


16 hours of blackout?

As far as schedule is concerned, many people will be without power supply tomorrow (June 23) beginning 10.00pm until 2.00pm the next day. That would be 16 long hours of blackout. And there goes my EURO football match between France and Spain! Affected areas include most parts of Putatan district, to part of old Papar road, to Kepayan including most parts of Penampang and Luyang, and the busy Karamunsing/Sadong Jaya in Kota Kinabalu.

But why 16 hours, and why the power cut in the middle of the night? Can we not do the maintenance works during daytime when people are not confined at home? This maybe acceptable thirty years ago but not today. Not anymore. You cannot just simply cut the power off and think that it is okay.

This is all about the tidak apa (it's okay) attitude some people are clinging on to. "It is okay to leave half of the city without power supply. It is okay if the services we provide is sub-standard. It's okay, people will soon forget about it." And the list goes on.


Be prepared to spend more and shorten the power interruption

Being the monopoly in the business, SESB should shoulder the social obligation to supply power with minimum interruption. Sixteen continuous hours is just unacceptable.

If the intended tasks permit it, break the job into several shorter hours. If it is not possible to be carried out in stages, then SESB must put a provision to deploy mobile generator sets to the affected areas. Quite surely, substations are equipped with the necessary switchgear to take-in power from sources other than transmission/distribution main.

This exercise is not cheap, and it may not be required or stated in the supply contract but you are morally and ethically obligated to do it.

I will be directly affected by this lengthy power supply shutdown and I am very disappointed by the way the utility company schedule its maintenance works.

HAVE A BLAST EVERYONE, AND ENJOY YOUR LONG EARTH HOURS TOMORROW!

SESB offers explaination on the 30 April 2012 total blackout

I would like to share what SESB explained in detail in one of the local dailies which is not made available in its website www.sesb.com.my. Some slight changes made on the text to simplify the article, but leaving the clarity and meaning intact.

Formally expressing its sincere apology, the company through its MD highlighted four significant aspects of the incident, namely:

1. What triggered the incident?
2. Why the 66kV Capacitive Voltage Transformer (CVT) failed?
3. Why it took a long time to restore supply in some areas?
4. The SAIDI figure integrity.

Typical 132kV main intake station (Pencawang Masuk Utama, PMU)

What triggered the incident?

The disruption to the supply system was initiated by a failure of a 66kV CVT at the Main Intake Station (PMU) Penampang at 3.23am. This had in turn caused cascading trippings to 2 of the anchor power stations in the West Coast totalling 290MW out of the 550MW load at the time of the incident. These had caused the relatively small capacity generating sets running in the East Coast at that time to experience overloading and their protection systems tripped them off also.

With the tripping of the 2 anchor power stations in the West Coast which represent >50% of the demand at the time of incident and the subsequent protective trippings of the small power stations in the East Coast had caused the Grid frequency to plunge to a critical level that eventually brought down the whole Grid, i.e. blackout. This is a standard fail-safe mechanism designed for any Grid operation to prevent more widespread damage to the other components under similar circumstances.


Why the 66kV CVT failed?

Having studied and analysed the event log available at the SESB State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) in Penampang by the engineers from TNB and SESB, it was found out that the particular CVT had experienced an intermittent and transient over-voltage. Unfortunately the intermittent and transient over-voltage which occurred in milliseconds was not readily detectable as it is not a standard power utility practice to install a real time monitoring facility for this type of equipment even for some bigger power utility entities. This had therefore been diagnosed to be as the reason for the CVT failure.

For the record, the failure of this particular CVT was the one and only incident in the 24 years of its installation. The CVT had been religiously maintained in accordance to the standard and mandatory requirement for such installation among which are:

i)   Last preventive maintenance, PPM: 2009 (5-yearly interval)
ii)  Last routine maintenance: 4 April 2012 (monthly)
iii) Last condition-based maintenance (thermo-scan and ultrasound): 9 March 2012 (6-monthly interval)

All the results from the latest maintenance activity as above had shown no anomalies. SESB also highlighted that the size of this CVT is of no significant relevance in the way it affects the Grid System operation because the manner in which an equipment failure affects the Grid System operation also depends on many other factors such as generation capacity, power transfer from one point to another within the Grid, generation balance within the Grid, the fault level it triggered and the generator assigned as the system frequency control at the time of incident besides not forgetting the exercise of a prudent economic despatch regime.

SESB said that it is definitely not an apple to apple comparison to say that the CVT to the Grid System operation is the same as a compass to a ship. It is more like a choked fuel filter on an engine of the ship which will cause the engine to stall and leaving the ship immobilised and stranded in the open seas until the engine is operational again.


Why it took a long time to restore supply in some areas?

As part of SESB's standard operating procedure, SOP, under such a situation, an established Emergency Response Plan (ERP) was immediately activated with the Managing Director or the Senior General manager (asset Management) being the Commander and the General Manager (System Operation) will act as the overall coordinator for the Grid System restoration.

Under such conditions the Grid Operation will be split into 6 independent islanding operations to facilitate safe, orderly and speedy restorations. The 6 'islands' are Patau, Pangi, Salut, Melawa, Sandakan and Tawau. This was what had been activated during the incident on the 30th April 2012. The extent in which supply restoration can be achieved in these separate independent islands depends primarily on the generation capacity compared to the load demands within the island.

If the generation capacity far exceeds the load demands then a safe, full and speedy restoration could be achieved. Conversely, the island in which the generation capacity is lower than the load demands, at best only partial restoration could be achieved in a safe manner. Full supply restoration could only be achieved once all the independent islands are safely connected to the Grid again with all identified generator achieved full and stable operations.

During the incident on 30th April, the first partial area restored was in Tawau at 4.20am, while the last 11kV feeder restored was in Balung, Tawau at 7.47pm. The main reason for the long delay to achieve full Grid operation was due to some of the generators had unfortunately not been able to achieve full, safe and stable operation faster. For this, a further analysis had been commissioned by both TNB and SESB engineers to ascertain the root cause which will also cover all aspect of generator start-up requirement such as, among others, auxiliary relay settings, gas supply conditions and gas to distillate change-over facilities on the relevant power stations, both which belongs to SESB and the IPPs.


The SAIDI figure integrity

Find out how to calculate SAIDI in my previous article.

SESB is required by Energy Commission Malaysia (EC), through regulatory compliance of one of the License Conditions, to submit reports on supply status on a daily basis. The actual official figure for SAIDI announced by SESB from time to time is that which had been endorsed by Energy Commission. Only EC can certify certain SAIDI figure to be officially taken as true number.

It should be noted that SAIDI is just one of the internationally accepted measure for electricity supply performance. Electricity supply performance is also the result of the existence of adequate basic infrastructure such as logistically balanced anchor generation sources and capacity, strong complete-loop transmission network as well as distribution infrastructure. Hence, highlighting the persistent efforts by SESB to implement projects in the East Coast to help create generating balance in the Grid System.


Prevention of recurrence of similar fault

To prevent future happenings of similar incident, SESB with the technical collaborations from experts in TNB had embarked to re-assess the network defence system to effectively and efficiently match the ever increasing demand in Sabah

Date published: 24th May 2012
Newspaper: Daily Express, Sabah

RM700 mil Hybrid Solar power for schools

With the huge sum of money spent on rural school electrification, it is hoped that we can close the digital gap between urban and rural students. It should. But of course the main issue is the educational aspects of the rural areas.

 A solar-diesel generator hybrid power unit in one of the rural schools in Sabah

Malaysian Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zakarshi told newsmen recently that the government has allocated RM700 million (US$223 mil) for the implementation of the hybrid solar supply system for 179 rural schools in Sabah that have yet to receive electricity supply.

Out of the total, RM300 million had already been spent for the first phase involving 78 schools which had been fully completed. Another RM400 million was for the implementation of the second phase of the hybrid solar project involving 101 schools.


Facts and figures

Total pledged       : RM700 mil (US$223mil)
Utilised               : RM300 mil
No. of schools     : 179    or    RM3.9 mil per school
Phase 1              : 78 school completed
Phase 2              : 64 schools completed

Currently on-going projects (18 schools):
1. Beluran          - 13 schools
2. Ranau            - 3 schools
3. Kota Belud     - 1 school
4. Sipitang          - 1 school



More hybrid systems are needed?

The 179 rural schools were selected from an initial total of 270 schools in Sabah that do not have electricity from the power grid -  as at 2010. With SESB's target of 95% power supply coverage in 2012, this number should have been significantly reduced.

Electricity coverage by region: Economic Planning Unit and Rural and Regional Development

My personal opinion is that, in a long run, grid connected power is the way to go as the maintenance of the stand-alone solar system components is very much higher than the grid connected system. A study on two of Sabah's rural school hybrid solar power units showed that batteries contributes about 45% of the lifetime cost.

Battery maintenance is crucial. Facts source1

TheGreenMechanics' two cents

Spending millions of Ringgit for rural schools electrification is indeed a noble idea. It opens up a lot of opportunity to the rural students as well as benefiting the community around the school. It close the gap on the availability of online information, as well as getting rid of the limitation to carry out school (and social) activities only during daytime.

The community  - and this must start from the affected schools - must be taught to take care of the facilities. This does not necessarily means they must be able to troubleshoot or repair faulty components but they could start with relaying the information to the agency responsible for maintaining the system.

At the same time they can learn to clean the solar panels and to take important readings from a user-friendly monitors and/or indicators.

source1: Abdul Muhaimin Mahmud - Carl von Ossietzky University

How do you calculate SAIDI

SESB power supply reliability issues

Tomorrow is the final day for the English Premier League current season. If you love watching live football broadcast like I do, you wouldn't want another statewide blackout tomorrow at 11.00pm Malaysian time, or at any time for that matter. 

However, Sabah's SESB is notoriously known for power failure during crucial times. Reliability is not in their dictionary, they are far from being reliable.

Typical main intake substation (PMU): Do you think SESB is a reliable power provider?

Since SESB takes pride of itself for having improved SAIDI significantly, one would be interested to know if the lower SAIDI figure (lower is better) is translated into better quality in actual daily experience. SESB's past 6 years SAIDI record is as follows (source -SESB website):

2006 - 4,030 minutes per customer per year
2007 - 1,986
2008 - 1,855
2009 - 2,867
2010 - 687
2011 - 494
2012 - 362 (as at April)

Supposing the 2012 figure did not take into account the statewide power failures on 30 April - 1 May, this year's SAIDI could probably surpass the 2011 figure.

System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI)

This index measures the total duration of an interruption for the average customer during a given time period. This is the most often used performance measurement for a sustained interruption and is normally calculated on either monthly or yearly basis.

SAIDI calculation

To calculate SAIDI, each interruption during the time period is multiplied by the duration of the interruption to find the customer-minutes of interruption. The customer-minutes of all interruptions are then summed to determine the total customer-minutes. To find the SAIDI value, the customer-minutes are divided by the total customers served.

Formula:

SAIDI = Σ(r_{i *} N_i ) / N_T

where:
.
SAIDI  = System average interruption duration index, (minutes)
r_i          = Restoration time, (minutes)
N_i        = Total number of customers interrupted
N_T       = Total number of customers served


Example:

What is the SAIDI for 30th April and 1st May given the following data? 

Table 1 shows each power outage, the duration of the outage, and the customer-hours. As of August 2011, SESB has 456,406 customers.

Table 1: Calculating customer-hours:

Date	Time	Customers	Duration (minutes)		Customer-hours
April 30, 2012	03:23	456,000	0.33 hrs	or   20 min	151,985
April 30, 2012	03:23	100,000	8 hrs	or  600 min	800,000
April 30, 2012	03:23	10,000	13 hrs	or  300 min	130,000
May 1, 2012	12:05	60,000	2 hrs	or  120 min	120,000
					1,201,985

From the table, the first outage was at 3:23 in the morning and 456,000 (approx.) customers were out of service for 20 minutes (0.33 hours). The 20 minutes was based on the statement made by SESB that the utility started normalising supply in stages as early as 3.40am that day. 

From the Table, customer-hours = 456,000 * 0.3333     (for the first power outage on 30th April)
                                               = 151,985 hours

Total customer-hours                 = 1,201,985 hours or    
                                               = 72,119,088 customer-minutes


Therefore, SAIDI = 72,119,088 / 456,000
                         = 158 minutes

This means that the average customer was out for 158 minutes on the 30th April - 1st May 2012.


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. Take for example these states in West Malaysia, they achieved SAIDI of less than 80 minutes per customer per year in 2011:

State	Target ( 2011 )	Achievement  (minutes per customer per year)
Sabah	700	494
Penang	99	76
Kelantan	75	72
Selangor	74	61
Johor	99	78

3) If you are living in Sabah, last year you would have experience 494 minutes of power outage, or slightly over 8 hours for the whole year. Take this year's 30th April statewide blackout into account and you are already more than 8 hours without power supply. Expect double of that figure by year end.

Parting shot: Who verify your figures?

We now know how SAIDI is calculated. What we need next is transparency in terms of data verification. Someone has to look into the utility's method of calculating it, just like what is done in financial audit or quality audit.

SESB massive power interruption in 2012

If you are residing in the West Coast of Sabah, you'd understand what 'lengthy power failure' means.

Wait, you don't have to. The East Coast is no different. In fact, of all the states in Malaysia, Sabah wins hands down when you talk about figures for SAIDI. Not that it is something good. Several power failure in a month or even week is not something extraordinary.


Power outage too often for comfort

We had business visitors from Singapore early this month (April) and while they were setting up the multimedia projector, the power supply suddenly act against them and died for a good couple of hours. The standby generator set for the building was good only for several power socket outlets and we were without lights and air-conditioners for the whole duration of the presentation.

30-April 2012 is another day to remember for the wrong reason as well. At about 3.00 o'clock in the morning most parts of Sabah West Coast went without power and several places lasted until late afternoon. The worst thing is you don't know what is being done by the power utility company and their customer complaint lines won't help either.


I did this:

Called 15454, and was told: "Sir, you are calling from Sabah, so, please call this number 088-515000.

Called 088-515000, the line was engaged. After several attempt, finally there was ringing tone but no one answered.

Called the number provided in their new website (088-088 282699 / 282500). The lady at the other end of the line politely redirected me to 15454 because 'this is a complaint on power supply interruption'.

Called 15454, knowing that this will be handled by TNB, thousand of km away from Sabah. The person again asked me to call the number above. I told her I'm calling to ask for other numbers to call as 088-515000 seem to be unresponsive and that I we have emergency situation back at the workplace. The person said there's no other numbers other than this. Alright, okay, I'm done.

Screenshot: SESB will be experiencing power shortage until the 60W IPP resumes operation.


Power supply shortage vs. outage

While not speculating on the reason/s for the massive power disruptions on April 30 and May 1, the snippet from SESB website tells us that the power utility is currently operating at peak capacity. As at August 2011 Sabah maximum demand, MD, is 830 MW. The SESB installed capacity from its own generators is about 490 MW. Although no official mention on the total installed capacity from IPPs, the effect of the 60 MW outage is significant and the utility company is living on the edge trying to supply power to the current load distribution.

It will come at no surprise if there are more disruptions between now and May 10, 2012 whereby the 60MW IPP resumes operations, and June 2012 when the new RM80mil., 64MW, Kubota power station in Tawau is commissioned.

In the meanwhile, let's hope that SESB keep the public informed on the progress of power supply restoration on a daily basis, so that we consumers can plan our daily routine. Their new website is a good place to disseminate the information.

How about the large consumers?

As for the large industrial and commercial consumers, it is only courteous on the part of SESB to inform them in writing of major interruptions such as this one, and it is best to give them estimate on the expected date of full normalisation of power supply.

Note that almost all of the larger consumers have standby generator sets and they too, have to plan for fuel purchases and inventory during the interruptions.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

Let's work even harder for better power! (SESB's tagline: Working Harder For Better Power)

Lastly, I'll quote the MD's message: "If not us, who? If not now, when?"

Complain to SESB boss directly

Tired of having to write a letter of complaint or finding it troublesome to ask your local print media to highlight your grouses in their Hotline page? I bet you are.

We want everything simplified and done in a super fast and effortless manner these days. Who wouldn't. Especially so when you are dealing with one of the basic necessities in your daily routine - power supply. A couple of months ago I bumped into this stumbling block when trying to highlight my 'problem' with the utility  company, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB). In its website, the 'Contact Us' link only allow you to send a short SMS-type correspondence or feedback. There are 3 types of feedback - Enquiry, Suggestion, and Complain.

My experience

I had a lengthy explanation to make and it was in the form of an official letter. The system doesn't allow this. I ended up typing sms-text with the hope they will understand it and to come back to me ASAP. You may ask why I didn't just pick up the phone and call? Let's just say I have my reason for that.

Anyway, today's Daily Express carried an article about SESB's new website and it went on to say that starting Tuesday (that would be yesterday, 24th April 2012), consumers especially the registered users can now channel their complaints and grouses through the website that has an email system that will directly go to the MD.

The MD, Ir. Abd Razak Salim said, "I will be able to monitor the problems faced by consumers and can follow-up the complaints personally. At the same time, I can also forward and liaise with the concerned divisions in the agency to look into the grouses, effectively".

Old method of interaction

The following is the previous sole method of contacting SESB in writing via electronic. Not really an elaborate way and certainly not  interactive. You can see it here.

Simple feedback Form, still in use today, if you so prefer.

I tried sending enquiry through this method and the system returned some sort of error message. I ended up editing my message short enough in an attempt to fit the system requirement. Still, no luck. Maybe not my lucky day.

It keep 'saying' that message is Too Long.

Okay, cut the crap! How to contact SESB via e-mail?

Forget about the short message way of sending feedback. You can contact them through e-mail: crm@sesb.com.my That's at least what is available in the website after scouring through (with some difficulties). I hope this is the mail address that would go directly to the Managing Director.

Warning Against Energy Saving Devices

If you haven't heard yet about Energy Saving Device (ESD), it refers to the small 'black box' aimed at reducing domestic power consumption. Marketers claim that such devices can save 20% to 40% of energy resulting in lower electricity bill.

Does it really work, or is energy saving a mere myth?

If you are referring to domestic households my answer is NO! It doesn't work. At least not as per what's advertised. Equipment, machines, gadgets, black box, or whatever they may call it and sold as ESDs had capacitors, which improved the power factor (PF) and reduced the electrical current flow. But the electricity bill will be based on how much power was consumed.

The PF is the ratio between the power required to run a machine compared with the power originating from the utility supply, e.g., TNB, SESB, Sesco. The slight drop in current flow shown in the device often lead the public to think that it equates to a lower electricity bill.

What it does is:

1) improve the power factor,

2) lower the current (normally starting current) flow slightly for a moment depending on the size of the load in relation to the capacitor in the ESD.

As a domestic consumer, you are not significantly affected by both of the above. You do not need to improve your power factor at home as the utility company will not penalise you for lower PF. For the record, TNB requires that all (only) industrial consumers maintain PF at their premises at 0.85 or above.

At the most, you would probably save 1% to 3% but definitely not 40% as claimed by some ESD marketers. Energy saving devices are known to have been sold for around RM200 to RM400, depending on its usage capacity. However, there are also version that are sold at RM1,000 or above.

I have one at home

Out of curiousity, and wanting to find out what's inside the small black box, I purchase a certain ESD for RM250 not too long ago. I don't support such claim, and I didn't expect to save from this but I just need to get the 'feel' of it and to see how the gadget would look.

I will share the picture, here later.

Read the rest of the news piece from Bernama

'Consumers warned against Energy Saving devices'

KEPALA BATAS, April 17 (Bernama) -- Energy Commission Regional Head for Penang, Kedah and Perlis, Ir Md Zakuan Ibrahim has advised the public not to buy energy saving devices which promise to save power consumption by 40 per cent.

The devices which have been sold widely recently, do not live up to its claims and the commission has also retracted its recommendation on the device three months ago.

"The recommendation issued by the Energy Commission is only in regards to safety, not in terms of reducing power consumption. The device confuses consumers as it only allows savings of between one to five per cent, and not 40 per cent," he told reporters after a programme with Penang community leaders.

He said the device, which has been in the market for 10 years, is not a controlled item under the Energy Commission and has no specific legal provision should consumers be cheated.

However, Md Zakuan said the Energy Commission can take legal action through the Consumer Protection Act under the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC).

So, they are all big fat liars?

I would say not totally.

There are also those that are specifically manufactured for large industrial applications. Of course, in this case, the design is more complex and are suited for specific energy reduction objectives. Industrial applications are more of a solution package, where they are offered as a system rather than a single small 'magic' gadget.

They can be in the form of inverters, power factor capacitor banks, etc., to cater for different purposes related to energy saving. This should not be mistaken for the domestic applications where saving generated is not documented.

For further readings, see what Datuk Peter Chin (Malaysian Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water) posted in his blog about ESDs.

Cypark and TNB signed Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement

Cypark Resources Berhad is one of the earlier takers of the RE quota made available by the federal government under the Renewable Energy Act 2011. 

Through this Act, the government formed Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia), a statutory body that administers and manages the implementation of the feed-in tariff (FiT) mechanism. Four renewable energy sources covered by this Act are Biogas, Biomass, Small Hydro and Solar PV.

I understand that another winning bidder of the non-individual category is Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC) in a joint-venture exercise with Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), a subsidiary of Tenaga National Berhad. The JV secured but all the available quota for the state of Sabah. Not very healthy for a noble intention to get more Corporations involve in reaping the benefit of the FiT.

Cypark's initiative can be seen moving aggressively; refer to the following images. We are yet to hear where and when is the JV of SEC-SESB going to start.

Dec 2011 file pix of Cypark's solar plant under construction, next to the Pajam landfil.
Image by The Star Online

Cypark's solar farm - Image by The Edge Malaysia

The rest of the news:

As reported by Business Times on 30-3-2012, environmental engineering and renewable energy specialist Cypark Resources Berhad, via two wholly-owned subsidiaries, has signed the renewable energy power purchase agreement (REPPA) with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) for a FiT concession period of 21 years.

The deal sealed by Cypark Suria (Pajam) Sdn Bhd and Cypark Suria (Negeri Sembilan) Sdn Bhd is for electricity generated from the parent company's 8MW solar park in Pajam, Negri Sembilan.With the deal signed under the Renewable Energy (RE) Act 2011, Cypark can sell its solar energy to TNB grid starting from March 28 this year.

"Cypark will start receiving payment from TNB within 21 days after monthly billing is issued. The total green energy sales from the 8MW solar plant is about RM11 million annually," Cypark group chief executive Daud Ahmad said in a statement.

He said Cypark is now focusing its effort in building other new solar projects in four states, with targeted additional solar power installed capacity of 25MW by year-end.

Starting from year 2013, Cypark expects to generate annual combined revenue of up to RM45 million from the implementation of 33MW solar farms alone and the revenue will be recurring until year 2033. Cypark's Pajam solar park, identified under Economic Transformation Programme, is part of the 15MW integrated renewable energy park project undertaken by the Main-Board listed company.

Kimanis RM1.5bil gas-fired plant

Last month myself and a group of colleagues travelled South to Beaufort on a tour of duty. After about an hour of driving, we passed by Kimanis, Papar. This is the location of the (soon-to-be) biggest - designed for 300MW - power plants in Sabah to address the power supply issue in the state. It is still in the early stage of construction.

Not exactly the Power Plant but this SOGT project site should give you an idea of where the generators will be sited.

The power plant costs about RM1.5 billion (US$485 mil) to build and it is owned by Kimanis Power Sdn Bhd (KPSB), a 60:40 joint-venture initiative between Petronas Gas Berhad and NRG Consortium (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, a company under Yayasan Sabah.

The gas-fuelled plant consists of 3 nos of 100MW generating blocks, each of which consists of Gas Turbine Generator (GTG), Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) and Steam Turbine Generator (STG). This makes it 300MW in total and this should take care of at least short term electricity demand in Sabah. But it is also understood that the plant has allocated a space for future upgrading and the expansion infrastructure can cater for additional 100MW of supply.

According to SESB's data, Sabah recorded a highest peak demand (MD) of 830MW on June 28, 2011. The independent power producer (IPP) could not have came at a better time.

Engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning works for the combined cycle gas power plant is to be done by Synerlitz Sdn Bhd (Taiwan owned) and SCHB Engineering Services (a subsidiary of Suria Capital Holdings Berhad).

The Kimanis Power Plant project is one of the bigger spin-off activities from the proposed Sabah Onshore Gas Terminal (SOGT) project, located in Kimanis and implemented by Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd. Site preparation works for the SOGT project was undertaken by Montis Sdn Bhd, a Penampang-based local company.

SOGT site preparation works - local company benefited.

The power plant project is scheduled for full completion in 32 months' time, from Apr 1, 2011 and the first commercial operation date for the first generating block is December 1, 2013.

Once completed, the Kimanis Power Plant will be the biggest IPP plant Sabah (until such time that a bigger one comes in) and it will take great responsibility in supplying reliable and clean electricity to Malaysians in Sabah.

Power plant summary

Power supply requirement fulfilled?

The short term energy demand should be taken care of for now but more such facilities must be constructed to meet the fast increasing peak demand. According to SESB, electricity demand in Sabah is expected to reach 1,500 MW by the year 2020.

Preferably, there should also be some investment in renewable energy such as hydroelectric, biomass/biogas and solar photovoltaic.

SESB Shocked by Tresspassing

Well, don't be! With appropriate tools, anyone can trespass any of the the restricted sub-stations.

I have conducted a number of investigations (not SESB properties) on stolen cables, station transformers, HT switchgear and their fittings and the people who stole these equipment are clearly those with some sort technical knowledge of electricity. They have special tools, or what we call dedicated tools for working with live apparatus.

It's about time SESB make full use of the internet, webcams and wireless communication to put 'eyes' on all the sub-stations. Perhaps they can start with the critical loads/clients and slowly cover the rest of them.

One of SESB's facilities near KKIP

As reported by Daily Express yesterday:

Kota Kinabalu: SESB was once again shocked by a trespassing incident at the electricity substation by some individuals who then stole electrical equipment in the substation at 1:57 pm on Monday.

Following this incident, power to Wisma Merdeka and Wisma Perkasa was immediately cut off for several hours until SESB employees managed to find the cause and replace the lost electrical installations, it said in a statement Saturday.

It findings at the scene also found a number of important installations for the supply of electricity to both buildings had been lost and SESB estimated losses of about RM10,000 due to the greedy and inconsiderate actions.

Electricity supply in the area was resumed fully at 5.30 pm on the same day. SESB once again sought cooperation from the public to immediately report to the SESB on-line number 088-282455, if they notice individuals who look suspicious and do not look like SESB employees working in the electrical substation/SESB premises.

SESB: Kemukakan Segera Permohonan

Salam sejahtera.

Selari dengan hasrat kerajaan untuk mensasarkan liputan bekalan eletrik kepada 95% di Sabah tahun ini, SESB telah menggesa mana-mana kampung dan peserta Projek Bantuan Rumah yang belum mendapat bekalan elektrik agar membuat permohonan rasmi di pejabat daerah atau pejabat SESB terdekat.

Berikut disertakan keratan akhbar mengenai kenyataan tersebut.

Harian Express: 2 Februari 2012

Sekiranya anda merasakan Unit Pemimpin Kemajuan Rakyat, UPKR, atau pihak bertanggungjawab lain di tempat anda tidak memberikan khidmat sebagaimana yang anda harapkan, apakata anda sebagai badan JKKK membuat permohonan rasmi terus kepada Pejabat Daerah dan SESB?

Gunakan keratan akhbar ini sebagai testimoni dalam surat permohonan anda, yang juga menunjukkan pendekatan pro-aktif pihak TNB/SESB untuk memastikan semua kampung, jauh atau terpencil, mendapat peluang yang sama rata.

Sekiranya anda tercari-cari masa dan peluang keemasan untuk melobi pembangunan luar bandar di tempat anda, inilah masanya! Buat surat permohonan rasmi, sertakan salinan kertaskerja terdahulu, minta pengesahan atau perakuan YB ADUN dan hantar sendiri permohonan atau surat susulan tersebut kepada SESB.

Come on, 95% for 2012 and let's do our part to make it 100% by 2013. Nothing is impossible as, where there is a will there is a way!

100% Power Supply coverage in Sabah by 2012

This was what some local media reported in October 2011. As misleading as the headlines seem, that is what exactly the people deserve after seeing SESB (formerly known as SEB and NBE) in operations for more than 50 years.

A better fit for purpose title would have been 'Towards 100% power supply coverage in 2012' so as to ward of unrealistic expectations. The then Managing Director of SESB, Ir. Baharin Din said it was targeted that Sabah would reach 95% electricity coverage by the end of this year.

Something the utility company must strive to achieve to walk their talk on "WORKING HARDER FOR BETTER POWER". This is also the least that the people can expect from the RM962.5 million of allocation for electricity supply in rural areas in Sabah under The 2012 Budget.

SESB grid and generating capacity, 2010. Source: SESB

As it now stands, electricity coverage in Sabah is about 80%, and by looking at the development plans and data released by SESB from time to time, I'm confident that the additional 15% more of coverage is realistic and achievable probably by 2013.

Also, an interesting fact worth mentioning is that, by percentage, SESB is currently the biggest taker in the country on Renewable Energy initiatives. The contract for take-off in 2010 accounted for more than 30MW capacity or about 3% of Sabah Energy Generation share. In comparison, the national average is less than 0.5%.

The new SESB MD, Ir. Abd Razak Salim is expected to continue to steer the utility company to play major role in encouraging such RE initiatives, in line with the national objective to minimise the impact of power generation on environment.


TheGreenmechanics' two cents:

The allocation of almost RM1 billion is huge and whoever is entrusted to carry out the task is duty-bound to deliver the goods. Infrastructure network, especially in the rural areas has been the stumbling block for rural electrification due to the geographical condition of the state. It is a huge challenge we know but it is a good opportunity too.

I say, if the mountainous terrains of Sabah is to blame it is about time that we turn to Greener Source of energy. It is no doubt more expensive but that is what the big allocation is for.

Last year, Malaysia through SEDA, has embarked on feed-in-tariff initiatives for 4 sources of renewable energy and it will be all the more meaningful for the state take que from and be aggressive in its effort towards environment-friendly power generators.

COME ON! Let's go for 100 percent. That will do for the rural rakyat!

SESB Names New Boss

Kota Kinabalu: Ir. Abd Razak Salim has been named the new SESB Managing Director - the first Sabahan to assume the post since the privatisation of the State's utility agency on Sept 1, 1988.

Abd Razak, 53, who was SESB Senior General Manager takes over from Datuk Ir. Baharin Din effective Dec 1, 2011. An electrical engineer by training, Abd Razak rose through the ranks after starting his career with the Sabah Electricity Board in 1986.

Baharin would be returning to TNB in Kuala Lumpur. During Baharin's tenure, SESB managed to lower Sabah's System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) from 2,717 minutes (average per consumer) in 2007 to 687 minutes in 2010.
Source: Daily Express, 1/12/2011.

Big congrats to Ir. Abd Razak. I've attended some of SESB events where he is a speaker and he is a person who is easy to understand and he cuts down on the un-necessaries.

I have no particular preference for who heads the utility company although common sense would tell you a Sabahan should head a Sabah State Federal agency. In this case, TNB, a GLC under the federal administration. But being someone who hails from the place he is currently serving, it is the least to hope that Ir. Abd Razak would better understand the sentiment of the people and the ultimate goal of 100% power supply coverage in Sabah by 2012.

Ir. Baharin managed to lower the interruption index from more than 2,700 to just slightly more than 680 minutes last year. Ir Abd razak should have his sight on the 70-minute mark set by some states in West Malaysia. As a benchmark Singapore recorded 2-minutes interruption index (SAIDI) a couple of years back. Refer here, and scroll to page 19.

100% coverage and 70-minute interruption index.

Which should be SESB's priority? As a person residing in the interior, I would say go for 100% coverage, but I live in Kota Kinabalu and I'm also entitled to my rights to stable, interruption-free power supply. It is always a question of quantity or quality.

Do you know that to a kampung folk, a power supply is all that is needed no matter how it is generated - gasoline generator, small turbine, diesel powered, coal fired plant, hybrid solar PV, you name it. Whether the supply is stable or flickery, is secondary. They just need the donkey power.

To the urbanites, sorry but we have different priorities. And by urbanites, I mean the leaders who sit comfortably in their air-conditioned office.

So, we shall leave it to the new MD's wisdom to muster his way and negotiate with the state government to come to a compromise, preferably killing the two birds with one stone - quality quantity.

Best wishes to the new head, and hoping for the best for a solution to Sabah's power supply issues.

Energy Efficiency by SESB

Being the sole licensee for the supply of electricity in Sabah, SESB has initiated a drive to promote energy efficiency in the State. The Energy Efficiency Steering Committee (EESC) meeting is to be called this week at power company's head office in Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu.

The main focus is to accomplish noble objectives such as:

1. To identify challenges and solutions to the promotion of Energy Efficiency or energy saving initiatives amongst consumers in Sabah,
2. To build a strong and effective collaboration of ideals, efforts and results amongst key industry players,
3. To accelerate a culture of responsible consumerism and an effective energy demand management in Sabah.

There were few other initiatives by SESB in the past but let's hope this one - with the involvement of some ministries and key industry players - would bring about better results towards preserving energy via efficiency.

Stay efficient, save energy, save money!


Let's see if this'd come out in the local dailies tomorrow.

RM5.2bil solar glass plant in KKIP didn't materialise due to Power Supply issue

There's this old saying that reads "opportunity only knocks once".

It may not necessarily be an opportunity that suits everyone or every situation but if it does come one needs to be ready as it will not stay around very long for it to be exploited.

The following is a classic case for Sabah.

Slightly more than a year ago a global player in solar PV industry pledged more than RM5 billion (USD1.7bil) to build a solar glass plant in KKIP, Sabah. That company is Sun Bear Solar Ltd of Hong Kong.

That plan now, as far as I'm concerned, is as good as history. Sun Bear reviewed its position and realised that Sabah is incapable of providing one critical aspect of setting up a sophisticated production complex - POWER SUPPLY.

Insufficient power supply means no manufacturing plant. You can't burn silica with the 'heat' generated from you domestic bickering, can you?

While we were busy debating how we should come up with sufficient power supply for the people in the East Coast, and while people argued on the viability of the Lahad Datu Coal-fired power plant, an opportunity to learn first-hand new technology, and to provide jobs for the locals evaporates in a blink of an eye just like mist in a dry morning.

Fine. There'll always be another chance, you say.

Wrong.

A couple of days ago, US-based Solexel pledged to invest RM2.8 billion to build a photovoltaic cell manufacturing plant in Senai Hi-Tech Park in Johor. Sun Bear initially picked Sabah simply because of the abundant supply of silica here, especially the Northern part of our state. Do you think Solexel would even consider Sabah anymore?

"Sorry Sabah, you are too engrossed with your domestic problem and you are unwilling to accommodate to our fundamental need. Thanks, but no thanks. We'll do business elsewhere for now."

I'd very much like to blame someone else for the opportunity loss, really. But how and why? It is obviously our fault and ultimately it's our loss.

As the leaders of the day, you've got to feel guilty, even if it was just for the slightest of your conscience. Your mighty hands failed to create opportunity for the eager youth to acquire new knowledge, earn decent income, and be proud members of a community of highly skilled human capital.

Come on now! Bring on Kimanis Petronas Power, Lahad Datu Thermal power and Banggi solar farm!

Where there is a will there is a way.

Power tariff restructuring - Some win, some lose, and some are losing big time

The sweeping statement by SESB regarding the recent tariff rate increase is somewhat misleading, and to some extent disappointing even if one can understand the justification for the restructuring.


Granted, the more-or-less 75% domestic consumers are safeguarded. Some 70,500 consumers even get kind of pleasant surprise as a result of the exercise, they stand to pay less than the amount they are currently paying.

Those who are currently paying a monthly bill of RM20.00 and below continue to enjoy the rebate from the government. In other words they enjoy electricity for free until further notice.

The electricity supply provider, however, FAILED to mention the painful fact that there would be certain consumers (especially Commercial and Industrial sectors) that would suffer an increase of as high as 45% in energy cost. Now that's what I call HUGE jump! I have few case studies and this is exactly what I found out.

Few weeks ago I found myself in the wrong place at the right time to be sitting among journalists in a press conference. During the briefing, SESB's Managing Director, Datuk Ir. Baharin Din explained that:

The cost of producing 1 (one) unit of electricity in Sabah is -

75.54 cent - without subsidy on gas by Petronas, and
44.60 cent - without government subsidy on fuel.
31.69 cent - WITH govt subsidy.

How much does SESB charge consumers for each unit of electricity? That's 29.25 cent on average. From every angle one look at it, it is a losing business model. But, should it be that way?

Ir. Baharin further explained that even with the revision of tariff rates, the utility company is still not making money yet and it still need the assistance from the government to keep going.



Ir. Baharin Din explaining the tariff restructuring to journalist


In the water industry there is a term Non-Revenue Water (NRW) to denote water that is lost between point of production and the consumer's tap. Sabah's NRW is currently among the highest in Malaysia. Let's not let SESB fall in the same pit as the Water supply. I recon that SESB's immediate challenge is the non-revenue electricity (if I can call it that) in the form of, or due to

• power theft


• equipment/cable theft


• frequent power outage


• ageing equipment


• human resource restructuring

While calling for human resource restructuring may not be justified (and it may not even be an issue), the first four are factual. In fact, if one compares SESB's situation to SESCO and TNB, it is still lagging behind in terms of managing the above.


Table 1: Summary of the impact of SESB electricity tariff revision on consumers.


I mentioned earlier that some consumers (such as industry players) are affected by increase of power cost by more than 40%. The following is a typical scenario:

EXAMPLE
Company XYZ is taking supply at low voltage and is consuming 320,000 kWh of energy every month with Maximum Demand of 500kW.

Prior to July 15, 2011 Company XYZ would be categorised under Tariff ID2:
MaxDemand - RM7,500.00 (500 x RM15.00)
Energy Usage - RM64,000.00 (320,000 x RM0.20)
TOTAL MONTHLY: RM71,500.00

After July 15, 2011 Company XYZ is re-classified to Tariff ID1 (due to new criteria):
MaxDemand - none (no M.Demand charges)
Energy Usage - RM102,400 (320,000 x RM0.32)
TOTAL MONTHLY: RM102,400.00

Increase = RM30,900.00 or 43.2%

That is RM370,800 annually. Maybe the boss would think twice now about giving out bonus this year end. Sadly, this could be true for many enterprises.

The bigger industrial consumers do have associations of their own. They should bring their issues up to SESB through special meeting and or dialogue.

For your reference, check out the new rates you are paying in New Tariff Book. If the link is not working or is slow in downloading, check the simplified table here.

Electricity Tariff: Another Revision?

The title of this entry is not a question. It is an expression of disbelief and in some way in amusement at how the powers that be deal with one of our basic necessities in the modern day. 

Firstly, the far-reaching hands and mighty government of the day must take good care of the welfare of the people to ensure good quality of life. Secondly, for an oil and gas producing country such as Malaysia, it is obligatory for the  government to provide for a reliable and affordable supply of electricity to the people.

Not my saying. I was trying to put myself in the shoes of those opposing "resiliently" the idea of power tariff increase.

I am NOT against the idea of increasing the rate. If done the right way, and I'm not going to elaborate what is that right way, I am all for it. All for it? That sounds a bit on the extreme but what I'm saying is that I will agree to a properly drafted revision, that's all. I am a consumer just like all of you and I don't want another hole in my already shallow pocket. But why not? All good things like cheap stuffs will come to an end someday. So is our cheap electricity.

If you google  enough you will find that Malaysia's power cost is one of the lowest in South East Asia and Sabah's SESB electricity tariff is still low compared to Sarawak's SESCO and Peninsula Malaysia's TNB. SESB rates are however less interesting as it lacks the peak hour variaty and industrial sector has less 'optimazation' options. You can compare electricity tariff of ASEAN member countries in what Beni Suryadi compiled here.

Let's take a look at the current tariff in Sabah (since 25 years ago):

Source: SESB

Sarawak's SESCO tariff effective April 2007:

 Source: SESCO website.

West Malaysia Domestic tariff. Source: TNB

For industrial, commercial and others, visit TNB Industrial Tariff here.


TNB have just announced its tariff restructuring and SESCO did it in 2007, while SESB's last revision was about 25 years ago. To be fair to SESB based on the timeline alone, I'd say review is overdue.

However, while setting their eyes on the imminent, SESB must:

1. Not equate low tariff to unreliable supply. They are not the same although we hear poorly-advised leaders claiming so.

2. Translate low SAIDI to real life elimination reduction of power supply interruptions. I can give monthly data for power interruptions of several West Coast city/townships in Sabah if required and I'm not at all impressed. Three to four power failures in a month is not uncommon and this rate would drive some people nuts if it happens to TNB facilities.

3. Beef up its power theft eradication Task Force. Do you know that SESB is losing some RM3mil in revenue due to power theft? Some one can set up a SME entity and work around this figure to provide SESB with solution, in my humble opinion.

4. Be transparent. On how SESB manage itself is none of my business. What I hear on a daily dosage is complaints and all sort of allegations (both baseless and those with facts) by certain quarters. So, do what you need to do and what needs to be done. You do have a lot of wise heads in your organisation.

Talking about SAIDI (average power outage/blackout duration for each customer), TNB's record for the last two years was around 70 minutes. Our neighbour, Singapore records an average of 2 minutes (check it out Here and scroll to page 19) per customer. SESB recorded 867.4 minutes per customer last year. That's ten times of what was recorded in Peninsula Malaysia. Compare that with those of Singapore's!

Are you happy with what you see? Are you happy with the frequency of power outage in Sabah? I am not.

Again, don't equate LOW TARIFF to UNRELIABLE power supply. Of course, having more money will solve many supply issues but I can't see it as the sole justification for increasing the power cost. It is how efficient you manage the resources that matter.

Finger crossed SESB will come good.