Curtin Malaysia engineering student takes tropical power plant research to international stage

Miri, Sarawak – 15 September 2026 – Research into how Malaysia’s hot and humid climate affects power plant performance has earned a Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) final-year engineering student an opportunity to present his findings to researchers and industry professionals from around the world.

Electrical and Computer Engineering student Ling Chong Hong represented Curtin Malaysia at the 2026 IEEE PES 18th Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference (APPEEC 2026), held from 24 to 27 August at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

His research paper, ‘Ambient Temperature and Humidity Effects on Combined-Cycle Power Plant Performance: A Modelica-Based Decomposition Study Under Tropical Conditions’, was co-authored by Dr. Wong Kiing Ing of Curtin Malaysia and Eddie Sim Chow Ping of Ultech Engineering Sdn. Bhd.

The study examines a pressing challenge for power generation in tropical regions: how high temperatures and humidity affect the efficiency of combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants.

Using the open-source OpenModelica and ThermoPower simulation platform, the research team analysed the separate effects of ambient temperature and humidity on a 500 MW combined-cycle power plant.

The findings showed that elevated ambient temperature is the main factor behind reduced gas turbine output, while the heat recovery steam generation system helps offset the loss by recovering waste heat from turbine exhaust. Humidity, meanwhile, was found to have a comparatively smaller effect on overall plant performance.

The findings could help engineers and power plant operators in tropical countries better understand the factors affecting power generation efficiency and reliability under challenging climatic conditions.

For Ling, presenting the research at an international conference offered more than an opportunity to showcase his work; it gave him first-hand exposure to the global engineering research community.

“Presenting my research at APPEEC 2026 allowed me to share our findings with researchers and industry professionals from around the world. It was an excellent opportunity to receive feedback, exchange ideas, and gain exposure to the latest developments in power and energy engineering,” he said.

The research formed part of Ling’s final-year engineering project under the supervision of Dr. Wong. The project was strengthened through industry collaboration with Ultech Engineering Sdn. Bhd., which provided technical guidance and support for Ling’s participation and conference registration.

Dr. Wong said the project demonstrated the value of connecting academic research with industry needs.

“This project demonstrates how collaboration between universities and industry can provide students with opportunities to work on real-world engineering challenges. Through this partnership, students gain practical experience while contributing to research that addresses issues relevant to the energy sector in tropical regions,” he said.

Sim, meanwhile, said industry involvement plays an important role in developing future engineering talent.

“Industry has an important role to play in supporting the development of the next generation of engineers. Providing students with opportunities to present their research on an international platform not only builds their confidence and professional experience, but also allows industry to connect with emerging engineering talent and gain insights into research that may have practical applications in the energy sector,” he said.

The successful acceptance and presentation of the paper at APPEEC 2026 highlight the quality of research undertaken by Curtin Malaysia students and the university’s commitment to developing industry-ready graduates through research, innovation and industry engagement.

Dr. Chew Ing Ming, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said Ling’s achievement reflected both the strength of the department’s research culture and its commitment to giving students meaningful opportunities to tackle real-world challenges.

“Chong Hong’s presentation at APPEEC 2026 is a testament to the quality of our students and the strong research culture we nurture in the department. We are committed to providing our students with opportunities to engage in meaningful research that addresses real-world challenges, and this achievement reflects the dedication of both our students and academic staff,” he said.

Curtin Malaysia gratefully acknowledges Ultech Engineering Sdn. Bhd. for its industry collaboration, technical guidance and financial support towards Ling’s participation and conference registration.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Ling Chong Hong presents his research at APPEEC 2026 in Singapore.