TRANSLATIONAL COMMUNITY PROGRAM BY UNITEN
About
Harnessing Hydro-Energy: A Sustainable Hydropower Project Empowering Local Communities Near Sultan Abu Bakar Dam, Cameron Highlands
Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) as a leading university in the focus Area of Energy Sustainability has been awarded the 2023 Translational Research Grant by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) to a group led by Prof Ir. Datin Lariyah Mohd Sidek from the Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI) and has come into force on last 9 November 2023.
Aims to produce comprehensive solutions to current issues in Cameron Highlands through social innovation and help improve socio-economic standards and community well-being.
Harnessing Hydro Energy : Infographic
Our Objectives
Driving impact through research, innovation, and collaboration.
Develop a community-centric small hydroelectric power technology tailored to meet the energy requirements of indigenous and/or farming communities.
Apply the community-based resilient and flexible large hydropower dam using smart risk-informed decision-making technology to mitigate the risk of dam failure, considering the impact of climate change.
Apply design thinking principles to evaluate the disaster resilience of community dams through the Malaysia Energy Literacy Program (MELP)
Project Deliverables
Location: Pos Lenjang, Lipis, Pahang
Community: Orang Asli
- A continuous electricity supply from the Micro Hydro project.
- Access to information and quality of education and livelihood.
- Development of Mobile Apps for Energy Awareness.
- Technology Transfer and Training on Microhydro Electric System
- Assessment on Potential Circular Economy-Value Added Creation from Hydro Dams for Orang Asli.
Location: Sekitar Empangan Sultan Abu Bakar; Ringlet dan Habu
Community: Farmers & Students
- Reducing the risk of dam disasters.
- Saving lives of residents around Sultan Abu Bakar Dam.
- Sustaining livelihoods through continuous income generation.
- Community-Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA) for Communities
- Assessment on Potential Circular Economy-Value Added Creation from Hydro Dams for Farmers.
Location: Sekitar Empangan Sultan Abu Bakar; Ringlet dan Habu
Community: Farmers, Students & Orang Asli
- Development of Living-farm model for vegetable farms for Edu-tourism in CH.
- Transformation of local agricultural activities into Agro-Edutourism
- Preparation of sustainable edu-tourism package for CH farming community
- Provide English for Edu-tourism module for Orang Asli and villagers to become tour guides for CH.
- Empowering Education and Techno Economic Analysis: Fostering Community Engagement and STEM Learning in Sustainable Energy
INFOGRAPHIC : HARNESSING HYDRO ENERGY
A Visual Overview of Community-Centric Hydropower Solutions for Sustainable Development
Overall Project Timeline
Community Project Timeline
Social Innovation
Our commitment to community engagement and sustainable practices
Small Hydroelectric Power Technology
The development of a community-centric small hydroelectric power technology tailored to meet the energy requirements of indigenous and farming communities.
Aiming to access basic services, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities that electricity enables.
Achievement
1.Monitoring system installation progress:
- MHS Sg. Tengering – 85% complete
- MHS Sg. Kenerung – 90% completed
- MHS Sg. Jelai Kecil – 80% completed
- MHS Sg. Lenjang – 98% completed
2.New supporting grant secured
3.Technical report on micro-hydro technology drafted for further review
Electricity Tracker App
A mobile application designed to track electricity generation, distribution, and revenue. The app enables real-time data monitoring, data visualization, and analytics, empowering users to make informed decisions about energy usage.
Aiming to optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and promote environmental conservation. The surplus electricity can be sold, further benefiting the community.
Achievement
1.Electricity Tracker App has been developed
2.Website ECO-TRIBE has been developed
3.Copyright for the application and website has been submitted
4.New supporting grant has been secured
Safeguard Hydropower Dam
Applying the community-based resilient and flexible large hydropower dam using smart risk-informed decision-making technology (Inspire & Famous) to mitigate the risk of dam failure, considering the impact of climate change.
Applying Community-Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA) to measure & identify key building blocks of community resilience, and assess the attribution of development/ humanitarian interventions in attaining resilience characteristics.
Achievement
1.Smart Risk-Informed Decision Making successfully implemented, including: Dam screening and Risk analysis
2.Community-friendly maps produced for local use: Consequence Map and Risk Map
3.Dam failure modes identified for enhanced safety planning
4.Training modules developed: CoBRA and ESCP
5.One community program conducted with farmers
SLOPE PROTECTION INNOVATION (BIOVEGEGROUT)
BioVegeGrout through effective soil management fosters soil binding, leading to improved physical and mechanical properties. This not only enhances slope stability but also elevates overall soil quality.
Aiming to Cultivate Sustainability through Waste Transformation and Eco-Friendly Solutions
Achievement
1.BioVege Grout Module successfully developed
2.Two community programs conducted with farmers
3.Implementation of BioVege Grout at selected locations
4.Waste management initiative through collection of vegetable residues carried out at selected sites in Cameron Highlands
5.Copyright applied for Bio-vegegrout technology
EDU-TOURISM
Edu-tourism offers educational activities and experiences while exploring the local environment, the technical aspect of dam operations, sustainable water management practices, and a way of life of the indigenous or farming communities living near the dams.
Empowering Education through Gamification,
AtomWise: Educational Initiative for Nurturing Nuclear Literacy
Erosion Sediment Control Plan for Agriculture (ESCP-A)
Achievement
1.Copyright application submitted for the STEM Module
2.Student engagement programs conducted at two schools
3.“Living Farm” initiative is continuously being implemented
4.Four modules drafted for further development