Innovation Talk Series #11 was held on 17 July 2019 at XMUM by Innovation Center and Research Management Center to introduce the tidal current power as a marine renewable energy in the industry. This public talk was hosted by Dr. Yeap Swee Keong, Associate Professor of Marine Biotechnology at XMUM.

Prof. Lam Wei Haur was invited as a guest speaker to the public talk. He currently serves as Professor in Hydraulic Engineering as well as Ocean Engineering at Tianjin University. He obtained his PhD degree in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast in 2008. Prof. Lam was an awardee of JCI Ten Outstanding Young Person (TOYP) Malaysia 2017 – Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment.

According to Prof. Lam, marine renewables are lucrative energy resources with both challenges and opportunities. Tidal current power is considered to be the next big renewable to succeed the onshore and offshore wind industries with analogous needs for turbine manufacturing, gearbox, generator, electrical system, tower and installation facilities. The complexity of the preferable developer with political influences makes the tidal power implementation challenging in various countries, but it also creates opportunities for ocean science and engineering. In his speech, he shared his views on some prevalent global issues with renewable tidal turbine as the focus, and discussed about the ocean resource modelling, tidal power system, manufacturing, offshore installation, seabed scour and environmental impacts.  

Prof. Lam Wei Haur was making a presentation during his public talk.

The crowd of audience were listening to Prof. Lam Wei Haur’s speech.

Prof. Lam Wei Haur (standing) had a Q&A session with the XMUM staff and students.