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Several mathematical models have been developed in the past to consider reliability when designing energy systems. However, these models focus on the system reliability which only considers the operability of the system. Hence, a reliability indicator called supply reliability is introduced to explicitly assess an energy system's reliability meeting the desired energy demand. Besides, previous models can only allocate equipment with identical sizes and equipment reliability. This could overdesign systems and ignore the possibility of allocating a combination of different equipment sizes and reliability. This paper presents a combinatory matrix methodology for allocating equipment with different sizes and reliabilities to improve supply reliability of an energy system design. This combinatory matrix method is a novel feature that allows decision-makers to efficiently evaluate various configurations of equipment based on size and reliability. A case study consisting of a power distribution network is first presented and solved as a pedagogical example to illustrate the methodology and features of the proposed approach. Then, a large-scale power system case study in Malaysia combining existing conventional power equipment and a palm-based bioelectricity supply chain is solved. Based on the optimized results, the redundancy allocated increased the energy generated from the bioelectricity supply chain by 74.14% and cost by 82.96% to achieve the desired energy demand at high supply reliability. This allows decision-makers to determine the cost associated with improving supply reliability for an energy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The growth of the world's population has increased energy demand. Malaysia, as a developing country, also requires significant energy to drive economic development and address population demand. Malaysian conventional power generation system is highly dependent on natural gas, coal, and oil power systems that have had significant environmental impacts. This paper explores the energy status in Malaysia to highlight the advantages of fuel cells as an advanced alternative energy source. The discussion on energy status in Malaysia involves population situation, energy demand, energy sources, and energy policies. Then, the ability and type of fuel cells to provide this advanced alternative energy source in Malaysia are described. The prospects for introducing portable fuel cell devices and residential applications have been comprehensively described as the most relevant application for the residential sector to implement this technology in Malaysia. Highlights: A comprehensive review of fuel cell systems as a source of renewable energy for the residence sector in Malaysia is presented.The introduction of fuel cell‐based portable devices and residential applications are the most relevant applications for the residence sector in Malaysia.The prospects for the introduction of fuel cells are discussed, including costs and maintenance, the plan and strategy, and the availability of a research center in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Energy consumption has risen in Malaysia because of developing strategies and increasing rate of population. Depletion of fossil fuel resources, fluctuation in the crude oil prices, and emersion of new environmental problems due to greenhouse gasses effects of fossil fuel combustion have convinced governments to invest in development of power generation based on renewable and sustainable energy (RSE) resources. Recently, power generation from RSE resources has been taken into account in the energy mix of every country to supply the annual electricity demand. In this paper, the scenario of the energy mix of Malaysia and the role of RSE resources in power generation are studied. Major RSE sources, namely biomass and biogas, hydro-electricity, solar energy, and wind energy, are discussed, focusing more toward the electrical energy demand for electrification. It is found that power generation based on biomass and biogas utilization, solar power generation, and hydropower has enough spaces for more development in Malaysia. Moreover, minihydropower and wind power generation could be effective for rural regions of Malaysia. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Thermal stress causes reduction in the open circuit voltage of photovoltaic (PV) modules which results in a reduction in overall power generation. Photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collectors have been used to mitigate this issue by providing both cooling of the cell temperature and yielding thermal energy in the same space. However, the implementation of PV/T systems in the industry is still lacking and requires further innovative solutions to achieve higher electrical and thermal efficiencies. In this article, a case study experimental and parametric analysis of a PV/T system with nano‐phase change material and nanofluid, as the heat transfer fluid, is presented. The system was tested in Bangi, Malaysia and the findings have been compared with previous studies in the literature. The findings of the evaluation show average and peak overall PV/T efficiencies of 61.6% and 77.8%, respectively. Moreover, the electrical efficiency of the PV and PV/T averaged at 9.9% and 13.1%, respectively. The main reason for the drop in the PV module was its average cell temperature which was around 45.6°C, while the PV/T's average cell temperature reached 39.2°C. Finally, the average thermal efficiency of the PV/T was around 48.5% when the mass flowrate was 0.175 kg/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The urge for Electrical Power is escalating regularly at an increased rate due to the internationalization and progression of civilization. However, proper economic consumption of additional energy produced from the Islanded Hybrid Microgrid System (IHMS) that has not been consumed by the load is a major challenge globally. To overcome the above mentioned summon, this research focuses on a multi‐optimal combination of stand‐alone IHMS for Tioman Motel located at Tioman Island, Malaysia with an efficient exertion of redundant energy. To avail of this excess energy efficiently, an electrical heater along with a storage tank has been designed concerning diversion load having proper energy management. Furthermore, the system design has adopted the improved hybrid optimization by genetic algorithms (IHOGA) software for profitable and practical analysis of the designated configuration. Moreover, the optimal size of every module has been tested and analyzed through MATLAB Simulink and stabilized the whole system by representing the values of 1297 and 15 096 kW have been determined as the approximated peak and average load per day for the Motel, respectively. Moreover, the optimized IHMS is comprehended of Photovoltaic (PV) cells, Diesel Generator, Wind Turbine, Battery, and Converter. Adjacent to this, the optimized system ensued in having a net present cost (NPC) of $19.77 million, Renewable Fraction (RF) of 23%, cost of energy (COE) of $0.175/kWh, CO2 of 1 726 825 kg/year and excess energy of 532.26MWh per annum. Whereas, the system involved with the diesel generator lead a COE of $0.315/kWh, CO2 of 6 213 353 kg/year and NPC of $22.12 million. Additionally, this design alone with diesel generator has a higher CO2 emission rate, COE and NPC compared to optimized IHMS. On the other hand, the amount of excess energy is effectively utilized with an electrical heater as a diversion load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Building‐integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is an innovative green solution that incorporated energy generation into the building façade with modification on the building material or architectural structure. It is a clean and reliable solution that conserves the aesthetical value of the architecture and has the potential to enhance the building's energy efficiency. Malaysia's tropical location has a high solar energy potential to be exploited, and BIPV is a very innovative aspect of technology to employ the available energy. Heriot‐Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) has a unique roof design that could be utilized as an application of the BIPV system to generate electricity, reducing the carbon footprint of the facility. Eight BIPV systems of different PV technologies and module types and with capacities of 411.8 to 1085.6 kW were proposed for the building. The environmental plugin software has been integrated with a building geometry modelling tool to visualize and estimate the energy potential from the roof surface in a 3D modelling software. Additionally, detailed system simulations are conducted using PVSyst software, where results and performance parameters are analysed. The roof surface is shown to provide great energy potential and studied scenarios generated between 548 and 1451 MWh yearly with PR range from 78% to 85%. C‐Si scenarios offer the best economical profitability with payback period of 4.4 to 6.3 years. The recommended scenario has a size of 1085.5 kW and utilizes thin‐film CdTe PV modules. The system generates 1415 MWh annually with a performance ratio of 84.9%, which saves 62.8% of the electricity bill and has an estimated cost of 901 000 USD. Installation of the proposed system should preserve the aesthetical value of the building's roof, satisfy BIPV rules, and most importantly, conserves energy, making the building greener. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]