Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post
Icon-facebook Icon-instagram-1 Linkedin
Newsletter
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post

Energy & Technology

Cover Stories, Energy & Technology, ESG

NanoMalaysia: Breaking the Stigma of the Hydrogen Economy

/

KUALA LUMPUR: The topic of renewable and clean energy has been making headway in recent months, with automotive companies racing to roll out their EV cars, trucks and buses, as global acceptance continues to increase. In Malaysia, the government launched the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap (HETR) in October 2023, highlighting the country’s plans and aspirations to become a regional leader in the renewable energy (RE) industry. Spearheading this mission behind the scenes is NanoMalaysia Bhd, an agency operating under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to develop innovative technologies revolving around the hydrogen economy. According to NanoMalaysia Bhd Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad, there has always been an interest in hydrogen energy solutions, going back as early as the 60s. However, the usage of fossil fuels as a source of energy was already rising at the time and has remained a widely used commodity to this day since it is ‘faster and easier’ to get. “Fossil fuel was considered cheap back then. When it’s cheap, people don’t care about the pollution it causes,” Dr Rezal commented. This caused the hydroeconomy to experience several false starts. But now, the interest is back – so much so that the HETR launched by the government estimates that the industry will be worth over US$189.19 billion (RM824 billion) by 2050. Dr Rezal revealed that NanoMalaysia drafted its own hydrogen roadmap that predated the one launched by the government. Because of this, the company was appointed as the lead consultant who engaged with various stakeholders to create the HETR – a subset of Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). “We were given the mandate because the government recognised one of our early investments in hydrogen technology in 2016, demonstrating that NanoMalaysia has the competency, the commercial know-how and market insights for us to draw up a comprehensive roadmap,” Dr Rezal explained. The Energy Trilemma According to Dr Rezal, the hydrogen economy revolves around the philosophy of the energy trilemma: accessibility, affordability and sustainability. “Hydrogen checks all the boxes. It’s accessible because it is a resource that is available everywhere in everything around us (including biomass, domestic waste, hydrocarbon from fossil fuels, etc.) It is truly the people’s fuel,” Dr Rezal said. He explained that while solar power is a non-solid energy that can be stored and utilised through solar batteries and solar panels, hydrogen typically comes in the form of gas that can also be harnessed and stored for long-term use through fuel cell technology, similar to fuel cell electric vehicle (EV) batteries. “This could be an opportunity for the government to democratise access to energy. By doing so, we could mitigate the risks that could affect fuel prices, like geopolitical crises, which would end up victimising people like us,” Dr Rezal continued. “We want to give the people the ability to generate hydrogen anytime, anywhere and store it for a long time right in your backyard, which you can’t do with fossil fuels,” he added. Having that in mind, NanoMalaysia is working on developing the technology that could achieve just that, known as the electroliser (looks and functions similar to a water filter system) to decentralise hydrogen for personal use. “We’ll first seed the idea of innovation of the hydrogen economy and we’ll bridge industry players with academic researchers to turn the idea into a commercial technology to benefit the people at large at an affordable price. “The government, through us, will provide the catalytical nudge, allowing us to develop prototypes for us to make demonstrations to make the idea/technology investable for the private sector to take up,” Dr Rezal went on. Currently, the hydrogen being widely produced is known as ‘dirty hydrogen’, which is extracted from fossil fuels and emits carbon dioxide (CO2), globally priced at US$1.5 (RM7.15) per kg. He explained that the cleanest version of hydrogen is categorised as ‘turquoise hydrogen’ and can be produced through the process of pyrolysis, which is what Dr Rezal believes Malaysia should be looking into. With further research and development, NanoMalaysia aims to provide turquoise hydrogen at only US$1 (RM4.75) per kg. Through pyrolysis, NanoMalaysia can produce hydrogen without emitting CO2, turning it into a sustainable energy source. “As it is now, the domestic waste being decomposed in landfills and dumping grounds produces biomethane where hydrogen can be extracted from. If we can leverage these sites and turn them into small-scale heavy production centres in various locations, it could cater as a sustainable energy source to the mass public, even in rural areas,” Dr Rezal opined. The Hydrogen Hyper Reactor Another one of NanoMalaysia’s innovations for the hydrogen economy is its patent-pending ‘hyper reactor’, which is hydrogen that has been transformed into a solid state. Dr Rezal revealed that the hyper reactor has already been integrated into many of NanoMalaysia’s transportation prototypes to be used as demonstrations, to successfully commercialise this innovation in Malaysia. “We are working with companies like Prasarana to allow them to plug a hyper reactor ‘battery’ into the testing vehicles to replace their fossil fuel engines. By doing this, we’re hoping to create more demand for this innovation,” Dr Rezal said. He also mentioned that NanoMalaysia will be given 3 Toyota Mirai from BMW Mobility to conduct test runs on the car model for the next 2 years, demonstrating to the public how safe and economically viable hydrogen fuel is. Additionally, the company is also communicating with numerous bus and truck companies to adopt fuel cell EVs (that utilise hydrogen) as early as October this year. When asked about how hydrogen energy will disrupt the EV industry, Dr Rezal commented, “We are not rivalling the EV battery industry – we are supporting it. Our overarching target for EV is to reach 14% of total industry volume by 2030 and 38% by 2040.” However, one of the main concerns that would significantly affect the success rate of hydrogen adoption is the public’s level of acceptance. “There needs to be a gradual wean of processes and how

Energy & Technology, Investment & Market Trends

Huawei Launches F5G-A Products and Solutions to Enable Industrial Intelligence in APAC

/

BANGKOK: During the recent Global Optical Summit (GOS) that was organised by Huawei in Bangkok, Huawei launched a series of F5G Advanced (F5G-A) products and solutions for the Asia Pacific region, and initiated OptiX Club member recruitment event worldwide, enabling industrial intelligence within the region. In the opening speech, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Optical Business Product Line President Bob Chen said, “Optical connectivity and sensing have been the cornerstones of intelligent industry transformation. “Industrial intelligence brings 3 trends to the optical industry: fibre-in copper-out, fgOTN-in SDH-out, and optical-sensing-in hard-work-out. Huawei has been deeply engaged in the industry and continuously explores innovative optical technologies to enable industrial intelligence.” Meanwhile, Huawei President of Enterprise Optical Business Domain Gavin Gu said “Industrial intelligence brings three new trends to the optical industry. F5G-A shows us a clear technology evolution roadmap for these trends. I believe that with the joint efforts of customers, partners, and Huawei, we will achieve win-win results in industrial intelligence.” Homes and campuses are embracing “fibre-in copper-out”, with copper cables needing to be replaced by optical fibres. Home broadband technologies are developing from fibre to the home (FTTH) to fibre to the room (FTTR), providing the ultimate experience for home digital life. Against this backdrop, Huawei launched the ISP’s all-optical target network for the FTTR era. For “fiber-in copper-out” on campus networks, Huawei launched the next-generation FTTO 2.0 Solution, in which Huawei uses XGS-PON Pro and Wi-Fi 7 technologies to upgrade bandwidth, networking, and O&M, achieving 12.5/25G to rooms and 10G to APs so as to build a green 10 Gbps all-optical campus. In addition, Huawei launched the industry’s first 50G POL solution for commercial use, satisfying the requirements of high-performance campus scenarios. For “fgOTN-in SDH-out” in the electric power and transportation industries, Huawei launched the industry’s first all-optical communication network solution that supports fgOTN standards, building a solid and reliable communication network for the industry. In the third trend of “optical-sensing-in hard-work-out”, intelligent remote operation is leveraged to drastically reduce the amount of manual onsite workload, enabling employees to move from outdoor sites to offices in scenarios including smart transportation and perimeter inspection. Huawei integrates sensing capabilities of vision, radar, and optical fibres with the advanced intelligent model to build an industry-leading multi-dimensional sensing solution, facilitating production and operations. At the summit, Huawei released Installation Process and Construction Guidance for Passive Optical LAN and fgOTN Technical white paper to further empower customers and partners, promote industry standardization of all-optical networks, and accelerate application implementation. Huawei also announced the initiation of the OptiX Club member recruitment event worldwide. By building industry technical communities, Huawei aims to promote regional industry data intelligence.

Energy & Technology, Investment & Market Trends

CATL and Beijing Hyundai Sign Agreement on EV Batteries

/

BEIJING: CATL and Beijing Hyundai signed a strategic partnership agreement at the Auto China 2024 to cooperate on Beijing Hyundai’s EV projects, which will power future Beijing Hyundai electric models with CATL batteries. As a joint venture with a deep presence in China for 21 years, Beijing Hyundai has sold over 12 million vehicles in China, proving reliable vehicle manufacturing capabilities. Since its cooperation with CATL began in 2017, Beijing Hyundai has launched a series of popular models with cumulative sales exceeding 200,000 units. With the new agreement in place, Beijing Hyundai is expected to unleash a wave of over 10 leading global models equipped with CATL’s latest battery technology including CTP and NP. Meanwhile, CATL will leverage its technological advantages to work with Beijing Hyundai to create high-quality automotive products and support Beijing Hyundai’s business growth in China. The agreement marks a shared focus on product development and ensures a win-win situation for both companies. CATL has established and strengthened its partnership with Hyundai over the past years. In October 2021, CATL and Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. (MOBIS) signed a technology licensing and partnership agreement. From that, CATL will introduce and disclose its cell to pack (CTP) technology to MOBIS as well as support MOBIS in the supply of related CTP products not only in South Korea, but also worldwide.

Energy & Technology, News

HP Introduces New AI-Integrated Laptop Series to Make Work Even Easier!

/

KUALA LUMPUR: HP Inc has introduced its most comprehensive lineup of commercial and consumer AI PCs, aiming to leverage AI capabilities for enhanced productivity, creativity, and user experiences in hybrid work environments. The unveiling comes in response to a recent work survey conducted among Malaysians, revealing a significant 63% of employees anticipating a revolutionary impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on their work methodologies. Moreover, 70% of respondents either currently employ or plan to integrate GenAI within the next year. Employers share this sentiment, with 84% of them expecting GenAI to augment flexible working arrangements. HP Malaysia Managing Director, Alex Tan emphasised the transformative potential of AI, stating: “AI creates a level playing field ensuring that we all can be creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs.” Tan underscored AI’s role in boosting productivity by automating tasks, thereby allowing talents nationwide to focus on higher-level creativity and innovation. The latest HP Elite and Pro PC solutions are powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 and 7 processors, featuring dedicated NPUs for optimised AI performance with Microsoft Copilot that helps improve productivity. According to Microsoft, 57% of employees tend to spend time communicating via meetings, emails and chats while 43% spends more time on documents and spreadsheets. With Microsoft’s Copilot, users will be able to increase their productivity rate simply by inputting prompts into the Copilot feature, which is able to summarise meeting notes, gather key information from other documents without even having to leave your working file, generate tables graphs from a tediously long documents in mere seconds! It can even simplify your live video meetings by extracting crucial information from the conversations via a few short command prompts, ensuring that users can start taking action on the points discussed as soon as the meeting is over. Among the offerings, HP Smart Sense stands out for its ability to anticipate and adjust to user PC behaviour and work patterns so that the device can adjust its performance based on the user’s personal working routine, ensuring an optimal balance of performance and power efficiency. HP Elite 1000 Series G11 Notebook PCs: Offers portability, performance, and up to 21 hours of battery life. Enhanced AI capabilities result in up to 80% better graphics performance and up to 132% faster AI video editing compared to previous generations. HP EliteBook 800 and 805 Series G11 Notebook PCs (starts at RM5,999): Tailored for enterprise knowledge workers, equipped with Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 and 7 processors for AI-driven productivity. HP EliteBook 600 and 605 Series G11 Notebook PCs (starts at RM4,699): Crafted for corporates that need to maximise value and flexibility to equip a range of users in hybrid environments, tackling demanding business applications so work can be done efficiently and reliably. HP ProBook 400 and 405 Series G11 Notebook PCs (starts at RM4,399): Designed for hybrid workers, offering AI-powered workflows and essential performance, with upgradeable storage and memory options. HP Pavilion Plus PCs (starts at RM4,299): Geared towards Gen Z consumers, providing a premium computing experience tailored to their dynamic lifestyles. HP Envy x360 Series (starts at RM4,399): Featuring a flexible design for seamless transition between work and play, equipped with built-in AI engines for enhanced performance. HP Spectre x360 Series (starts at RM7,699): Designed to maximise AI capabilities, delivering faster multitasking and productivity improvements. The company also introduced the Z by HP lineup (which will be available at HP.com within the year) that offers high-performance computing solutions, including the newest generation of AI HP ZBook mobile workstations that are capable of tackling demanding workflows while ensuring reliability, security, and mobility for creative professionals. The Z by HP lineup comprises the HP ZBook Power G11, HP ZBook Fury G11, HP ZBook Studio G11 and the HP ZBook Firely G11. Protection For Your PCs Notably, HP puts security as top priority by introducing firmware protection against quantum computer hacks, namely the upgraded Endpoint Security Controller (ESC) chip that enhances manageability and data protection, reducing the risk of data breaches and downtime. The HP Elite and ProBook notebooks as well as the Z by HP workstations are equipped with HP Wolf Security (HP Wolf Protect and HP Wolf Connect) for business to protect end users no matter where and how they work. HP also launched HP Cloud Endpoint Manager SaaS32, which is purpose-built for mission-critical devices to help IT secure endpoints from threats with automated device monitoring and remediation. Take Gaming to the Next Level For gaming enthusiasts, HP unveils the OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop (starts at RM7,999), featuring advanced 14-inch OLED display, slim design, and light superior-grade internals for a versatile gaming experience. The new OMEN Transcend 14 features: Exceptionally vivid display for immersive gameplay with IMAX Enhanced Certified 2.8k 120Hz VRR OLED display and lattice-less sky-printed RGB keyboard. Compact and portable design that weighs 1.6kg with up to 11.5 hours battery life and a type-C PD 140W adapter. Redesigned chassis that utilises inbound airflow to create a pressurised zone using a vapour chamber for direct heat dissipation through rear vents, co-engineered with Intel’s dual channel flow technology. The world’s first gaming laptop with audio tuned by HyperX elevates clarity and spectral balance, ensuring subtle details won’t be overshadowed by louder sounds. HP has also updated its OMEN and Victus 16.1-inch gaming laptop PC (starts at RM7,399) with Intel® Core™ i7 HX processors.

Energy & Technology, ESG

Transformative ESG Project to Kick Off Today as MIGHT Signs MoU with Pantas Software

/

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and Pantas Software Sdn Bhd have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embark on a transformative environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) project. The partnership aims to pioneer a Proof of Concept (PoC) Carbon Accounting and Management Software Services towards a new era of corporate sustainability practices starting 1 May 2024. MIGHT said the project will kick off with a 6-month PoC phase, which will enhance understanding, awareness and commitment to carbon accounting by implementing robust software solutions to monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions accurately. The technology think tank said that this collaboration will leverage innovative technology to analyse emissions data, pinpoint areas for enhancement and establish emission reduction goals. “The PoC collaboration represents a significant milestone in integrating ESG principles into corporate governance strategies. “This venture will empower organisations to address the challenges of a rapidly evolving world while promoting sustainable business practices,” it said. According to MIGHT, the initiative will give its employees valuable exposure and hands-on experience in adapting to emerging trends and innovations related to emissions for sustainability reporting and management. “The partnership established underscores MIGHT’s unwavering dedication to fostering a more sustainable future and driving positive change within its ecosystem,” it added. Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the biggest contributing factors to global warming, which is mainly attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation. A study by Statista showed that in 2022, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy consumption in Malaysia amounted to approximately 272.9 million metric tons, an increase compared to the previous year. The amount of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel energy consumption in Malaysia was at its highest in that same year. — BERNAMA

Energy & Technology, ESG

Sustainable Products Gaining Popularity Among Gen Z, Millennials

/

KUALA LUMPUR: People within the Generation Z (Gen Z) age range, along with millennials, are willing to pay a higher price for sustainable products, but a majority of them are not willing to commit any additional resources to be more sustainable in their energy usage. This is the result that was derived from a recent Ernst & Young’s (EY) Energy Transition Consumer Insights report. The survey found that 81% of Malaysian energy consumers believe they are doing their part to promote sustainability, 85% believe energy providers are responsible for managing sustainable energy use and 31% are unwilling to pay more for sustainable products. EY Asia Pacific Energy and Resources Customer Experience Transformation Leader Mark Bennett said, “Consumers are grappling with uncertainty as we enter a new phase of energy transition, amid higher energy prices, geopolitical volatility and growing concerns around energy equity. “While efforts on the supply side are gaining momentum we need a fundamental shift in how we encourage sustainable consumer behaviour. Consumers want a clean energy future but need a broad range of support to make personal energy choices,” he added. He also mentioned that to close the gap between consumers’ intentions and actions, everyone in the broader energy ecosystem, including energy providers and the government, must work together to do their part. Additionally, the index found that energy consumers from Southeast Asia (SEA) were more confident about their energy future than global respondents, with Indonesia ranking second with a score of 72.2, Malaysia ranking third with a score of 69.4 and Singapore in sixth position with a score of 61.7. “The findings reveal a correlation between the progress of countries in the energy transition and energy consumer confidence. As a market progresses through the energy transition process, consumer confidence rises first, reflecting positive sentiment around the future before falling sharply. “This might be because as the energy transition process shifts from concept to implementation, the magnitude, intricacy and extent of disruption inherent in this journey become increasingly apparent to consumers,” he added. Bennet elaborated that SEA is still relatively in the early stage of its energy transition and consumers in the region remain more confident about their energy future than global respondents. “Building and maintaining consumer confidence throughout the transition journey is an important determinant of a country’s ability to achieve its decarbonisation goals. “SEA is in a unique position to learn from the experience of countries that are further along in their transition journey and choose to do some things differently in achieving its net-zero commitments,” Bennet added. — BERNAMA

Energy & Technology, News

Straits’ Unit Fast-Tracks Energy Transition with First ISCC EU Certified Marine Biofuel Delivery in Malaysia

/

KUALA LUMPUR: Today, Straits Energy Resources Berhad (“Straits” or the “Company”), a publicly listed entity on Bursa Malaysia, proudly announced a significant milestone. Its subsidiary, Tumpuan Megah Development Sdn Bhd (“Tumpuan Megah”), has achieved what is believed to be a groundbreaking feat: the successful delivery of the first-ever International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (“ISCC EU”) certified marine biofuel by a Malaysian supplier. In collaboration with Minerva Bunkering Pte Ltd, the world’s largest physical bunker supplier and a prominent international marine fuel provider, Tumpuan Megah supplied approximately 4,500 metric tonnes of ISCC EU-certified B24 marine biofuel to a containership operated by one of the world’s top three largest integrated logistics companies. This momentous bunkering operation took place on April 25, 2024, at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor state.   Dato’ Sri Ron Ho Kam Choy, Managing Director of Straits Energy Resources Berhad, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “We are thrilled to announce the successful delivery of ISCC EU certified marine biofuel by Tumpuan Megah, in collaboration with Minerva Bunkering, at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas. This achievement marks a significant milestone as it represents the first delivery of certified sustainable marine biofuel by a Malaysian supplier. It underscores our unwavering commitment to facilitate the industry’s transition towards alternative fuels and mitigate its environmental impact.”   He further emphasized the potential of sustainable marine biofuels in substantially reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the overall carbon footprint of maritime operations. However, he stressed the importance of ensuring the sustainability of biofuels, highlighting the significance of ISCC EU certification in assuring feedstock sustainability, supply chain traceability, and verified emission reductions.   “As Malaysia’s inaugural ISCC EU-certified supplier and trader of maritime biofuels, and a prominent provider of quality bunker fuels in the nation, we are poised to play a pivotal role in driving the industry’s sustainable growth,” Dato’ Sri Ron Ho Kam Choy remarked. “As the demand for marine biofuels continues to surge, we anticipate this segment to significantly contribute to our future earnings growth.”   Tumpuan Megah primarily engages in ship-to-ship bunkering services and barging operations. In January 2024, Straits Energy Resources Berhad announced Tumpuan Megah’s pioneering achievement as the first Malaysian industry player to attain ISCC EU certification as a supplier and trader of biofuels, leading the charge in reducing shipping’s carbon footprint. This milestone also paved the way for Straits’ entry into the rapidly expanding marine biofuel trading and bunkering sector.   With ISCC EU certification, maritime industry stakeholders can demonstrate compliance with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction criteria outlined by the European Union (EU). This includes adherence to the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), which establishes stringent guidelines for identifying sustainable biofuels. Notably, ISCC certification holds recognition in key energy markets such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Singapore.

Energy & Technology, News

M’sian Enterprises Urged to Make AI Top Priority

/

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian enterprises are encouraged to prioritise responsible artificial intelligence (AI) to fully tap into the potential benefits of generative AI and its innovations, according to the AI and analytics platform provider SAS Institute Inc. Its Regional Vice President and Head of Digital Transformation for Emerging Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Amir Sohrabi emphasised the importance of business leaders to prioritise responsible AI, whether they are already implementing AI use cases or are still in the planning phase. He said organisations need to recognise that ensuring responsible AI is a collective responsibility involving all stakeholders in an AI system. “(Effective) oversight must be spearheaded by the executive management team, focused on ensuring that responsible and trustworthy AI is a top priority across the board. “By closely monitoring and auditing AI operations, organisations can quickly identify and address any issues, thereby proactively mitigating concerns before they escalate,” Amir said. Citing a MyDigital report, he pointed out that generative AI has the potential to unlock US$113.4 billion (RM541.37 billion) in productive capacity in the Malaysian economy, equivalent to one-quarter of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022. The Malaysian government has also planned to introduce a framework for governing AI and establishing ethical guidelines, given the increasing adoption of AI by various organisations. According to Amir, the regulations aim to promote innovation by creating a conducive environment, addressing risks and promoting ethical and responsible AI use. He further highlighted that responsible AI practices enhance human well-being, safeguard personal data and avoid discrimination. The foundation for such features lies in transparency and accountability, but unfortunately, many organisations deploying AI systems struggle to uphold these principles. “Taking proactive measures will not just reduce risks, but also enhance cyber resilience, ultimately positioning Malaysian organisations to thrive in the AI scene,” he said. — BERNAMA

Energy & Technology, ESG

Nornickel Develops Palladium Solutions to Address Environmental Challenges

/

BANGKOK: Mining and smelting company Nornickel is developing innovative palladium solutions to address key climate challenges in the Asia Pacific region. The solutions include improving water treatment for over 2 billion people, facilitating the implementation of green energy projects, reducing harmful emissions and optimising the transition to biodegradable packaging. For this, Nornickel has allocated a total of US$100 million to be used for research and development of palladium applications by the end of 2030. Currently, water that has been disinfected with chlorine poses significant environmental risks in its production, transport and storage. A palladium alloy catalyst combined with electrolysis technology allows the disinfectant to be produced close to the water supply, reducing environmental risks. “Palladium is a critical mineral for the future, especially for hydrogen and solar energy projects. “Palladium-based catalysts in the hydrogen energy sector show efficiency gains at every stage of the production chain, from the extraction of hydrogen from water through electrolysis, to its transport and even in the fuel cell itself. In the solar energy industry, palladium chalcogenide can be used to make highly efficient photovoltaic (PV) cells,” said Norilsk Nickel Palladium Centre’s Head Dmity Izotov. The key raw material for the production of biodegradable packaging is currently glycolic acid, which is derived from formaldehyde, a dangerous carcinogen. The new palladium-based catalyst eliminates the need for carcinogenic formaldehyde and provides better raw material yields. Palladium technology not only helps manufacturers meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations but also reduces production costs and improves safety. “In the era of global digitalisation, technologies such as neural networks, big data analysis and machine learning play an important role in accelerating processes. Nornickel is actively using digital technologies to model and predict the structures and properties of materials. “Tight international cooperation in the development of digital technologies is needed at all levels and is crucial to accelerate the adoption of green technologies and achieve sustainable development goals. The Palladium Technology Centre is poised to act as a pilot site for testing new digital tools,” said Dmitry. Palladium is widely recognised around the world for its significant role in resolving environmental challenges. It is already being actively used in the automotive industry to develop emission control systems. Palladium is highly catalytic, hydrogen-permeable and when combined with other elements, has good optical properties. This gives palladium enormous potential to improve the performance of green technologies and make them cheaper to implement.

Energy & Technology, News

STDCx Enters Partnership with Orangeleaf, Mendix to Foster Tech Advancement in Selangor

/

HANOVER, GERMANY: The Selangor government’s technical professional development centre, Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDCx) and globally renowned low-code application development platform, Mendix signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Orangeleaf Consulting, the leading low-code consultancy in Malaysia. The event took place at the Hannover Messe 2024 trade show in Germany, which is the world’s largest industrial technology exhibition where companies from the energy, digital, and mechanical and electrical engineering sectors gathered to map solutions for the future of energy supply and manufacturing. With topics exhibited including digitalisation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, the strategic partnership between STDCx, Orangeleaf Consulting and Mendix aims to foster technological advancement with Mendix’s low-code, nurture local talent, and promote digital transformation initiatives within these industries in Selangor, Malaysia. In tabling the 2024 Selangor State Budget in November 2023, Chief Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari committed RM13.85 million to elevate the role of technical and vocational education in Selangor to a higher level. Additionally, Mendix’s low-code platform was catapulted into the Parliament’s spotlight as the cutting-edge technology set to transform the state’s technological development. During the event, Selangor Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said, “What sets Mendix apart as a low-code platform is its speed to market as opposed to the traditional form of coding.” According to Amirudin, those who do not have a coding background can also rapidly adapt to Mendix’s low-code and seamlessly develop software that caters to an organisation’s needs. Therefore, the partnership aligns with Selangor’s mission to promote technological advancement, reduce the digital divide, and further increase economic growth in the state. “We are committed to collaborating closely with Mendix and other stakeholders to maximise the benefits of this partnership. “This understanding with Orangeleaf Consulting is a testament to our commitment and we intend to invite similar partnerships with interested parties in this rapidly growing space of the digital economy,” he added. Meanwhile, Orangeleaf Consulting Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Ellice Ng Pui San said, “We are happy to be recognised as the sole consultancy in Malaysia that will be working closely with the STDCx to equip the workforce with Mendix’s low-code technology that is needed to thrive in this vibrant digital economy.” Ellice also mentioned that there is great potential in the talent pool development in Malaysia, and low-code can play an important role in raising tech talent to compete locally and globally. “Low-code transforms the way programmers develop systems and applications by enabling business users and tech individuals with different technical levels to build applications quickly and efficiently, utilising a visual interface through the Mendix platform. “Thus far, we have successfully groomed local tech talents to support businesses globally, especially with the rise of low-code solutions from various industry sectors,” she added. With over 296,656 members, the Mendix low-code community is all across the globe. The global low-code platform market revenue is valued at almost US$22.5 billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach approximately US$32 billion in 2024.

Icon-facebook Icon-instagram-1 Linkedin
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2024 The Exchange Asia. All rights reserved. Powered by Web Design Malaysia.

Scroll to Top

Subscribe
FREE Newsletter