GEORGE TOWN: A bus of the future was unveiled in town yesterday.
Using recycled oil palm as fuel and solar energy to operate its electrical system, the bus went on display at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in conjunction with the "1st Regional Conference on Sustainable Development: Local Solutions For Global Problems".
Associate Profesor Faridah Ibrahim from the Centre for Education, Training and Research in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CETREE) said the bus, called the Solar 2U SUNsational Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Outreach Bus, provided hands-on experience on how one could travel on an environment-friendly and sustainable method.
"Inside the bus, there will be educational computer games and energy-efficient lighting to help increase awareness of the usage of solar energy and energy-efficient equipment," she said here yesterday.
Faridah said they were planning a roadshow to promote the bus in schools and shopping malls.
"The use of solar energy is very popular in Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Japan.
"Its only just gaining popularity in Malaysia."
She said that with solar energy, people could enjoy a sustainable, energy-efficient lifestyle minus the high cost.
Earlier, USM vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Dzulkifli Abdul Razak opened the conference, which will run for two days, with 200 participants attending.
Dzulkifli, in his speech, said the main purpose of organising the conference was to showcase local and regional knowledge, research activities and resources which could be utilised to address the challenges in confronting the region's energy crisis.
He added that these challenges would ultimately determined the prospects for sustainable developement.
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This article was published in the New Straits Times on 20 August 2008, page 18
