Curtin academic gives public talk on biomass conversion technologies to accelerate renewable energy development

Miri – 24 July 2023 – Associate Professor Bridgid Chin Lai Fui from the Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), an esteemed academic in the field of renewable energy, recently delivered a public talk to Mirians on biomass conversion technologies and their role in accelerating renewable energy development.

Entitled ‘Fuelling the Future: Harnessing Biomass’ Potential through Thermochemical Conversion’, the talk took place at Pustaka Miri. It was organised by Curtin Malaysia’s School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE) as part of its ongoing ‘Skills Development’ public talk series aimed at encouraging discourse and knowledge sharing with the Miri community in collaboration with Pustaka Miri.

Those attending the public talk included students, industry professionals, and individuals of various backgrounds interested in renewable energy and sustainable development.

According to Associate Professor Chin, as the world strives to transition towards more sustainable and cleaner energy sources, the importance of renewable energy development cannot be overstated. Biomass conversion technologies have emerged as a leading solution in this pursuit, presenting numerous opportunities for the sustainable utilisation of biomass resources.

Associate Professor Chin has dedicated her research to exploring innovative biomass conversion technologies. Her expertise and extensive knowledge in this area make her exceptionally qualified to shed light on the latest advancements and potential applications of biomass conversion. Her current research interests focus on the conversion of lignocellulosic waste and plastic waste into value-added bioproducts and biohydrogen using green technology.

During the public talk, Associate Professor Chin highlighted how global warming and greenhouse gases (GHGs) have become pressing environmental concerns that demand immediate attention and action. In response to these challenges, countries worldwide, including Malaysia, have prioritised the development of renewable energy sources. The Malaysian government has made substantial efforts to explore new alternative energy solutions, particularly in the field of biomass conversion.

As part of its comprehensive energy diversification strategy, the Malaysian government has been actively promoting research on renewable energy, including biomass, through its 8th to 12th Malaysia Plans. The objective of these plans is to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change.

“Biomass is considered a promising candidate for inclusion in the national energy matrix as Malaysia produces a lot of it. The conversion of biomass into energy can be achieved through two primary process technologies: thermochemical and biochemical conversion,” said Associate Professor Chin.

She explained that thermochemical conversion encompasses combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis, and in recent years, significant attention and research efforts have been directed towards thermochemical conversion of biomass due to its potential for bioenergy and biochemical production.

At the close of her talk, Associate Professor Chin said, ‘I firmly believe that scientific information should not be confined within academic circles. It should be accessible to everyone. It is through open communication and engagement with the public that we can foster a greater appreciation of the wonders of science and its potential to drive positive change in our society. I am really glad to be given the opportunity to share this knowledge with the people of Miri.

SPACE was established in 2021 with the aim of creating educational and training opportunities for youth so that they can unlock their potential, including foundation and diploma pathways to undergraduate study at Curtin Malaysia and the other Curtin campuses in Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. SPACE also provides professional education for working adults, including corporate training, short courses, and micro-credentials, to enable them to upskill and take their careers to the next level.

To find out more talks by SPACE or the School itself, visit the SPACE website at cmspace.curtin.edu.my, or send an email to cm.space@curtin.edu.my.

Curtin Malaysia is the largest global campus of Curtin University, Australia. As a global university, Curtin is committed to research, innovation, and knowledge exchange that addresses global challenges and makes a positive impact on the world. Curtin Malaysia offers a wide range of pre-university, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across various disciplines.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit www.curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Associate Professor Bridgid Chin delivering her public talk at Pustaka Miri