COVER FEATURE
INGENIEUR
Geothermal Energy Potential in Malaysia
By Fredolin Javino , Meteorological Department Malaysia ( MET Malaysia )
Note : This article were partially presented by the author , at the Stanford University Programme , San Francisco , California , USA in 2016
In Peninsular Malaysia , there are at least 51 thermal spring sites ( see Figure 1 ) in granitic systems , that have been recognised and about 23 of these were selected by the author ( in the years 2009 and 2010 ) in collaboration with Tenaga Nasional Berhad ( Research ) Branch ( TNB ), for studies on their sub-surface reservoir temperatures , using data collected since 1980s by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia ( JMG ).
The range of reservoir temperatures for the selected thermal springs was calculated and it was found that the reservoir temperatures ranged from 105.3 o C-154.2 o C ( using the T-quartz method ), 127.3 o C-199.7 o C ( using the T Na / K method ) and 115 o C-208 o C ( using the T Na-K-Ca method ). Estimations of reservoir temperatures however , using the T-Chalcedony method are generally low and do not truly reflect the temperature geothermal systems . This is probably due to dilution during the ascent of the geothermal fluids . Therefore , the T-quartz method was used , together with cation geothermometers to more accurately estimate the reservoir temperatures . The findings of the reservoir temperatures are encouraging and warrant further geothermic investigation ; however , drilling is needed to confirm the exact temperatures .
In the Sabah region , based on a survey in the Apas Kiri area in Tawau , which was conducted by the author during the years 2001 to 2009 , the estimated geothermal resource potential was 67 MWe ( one million watts of energy ) and after further detailed studies done by Tawau Green Energy Sdn Bhd ( TGESB ), the potential was recalculated to be 85MWe . Another area surveyed by the author
Figure 1 : Location map of all thermal springs in Peninsular Malaysia ( compiled from previous works ).
for geothermal resource potential , included areas such as Segaria-Sungai Jipun-Gunung Pock . Based on a preliminary calculation , this has a minimum capacity of 40.25MWe .
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA REGION Ulu Slim Area
The geothermal survey at Ulu Slim ( see Figure 2 ), Perak was conducted in collaboration with SEDA Malaysia and JMG from January 2014 until April 2016 . Based on the survey , the estimated
14 VOL 91 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2022