Dubbed as ‘Zero Energy Office (ZEO) building’, PTM is showcasing sustainable and green building design in Malaysia as well as in the South East Asia region.

The design of building incorporates energy efficiency from passive techniques, orientation and vegetation, to active features i.e. highly efficient lighting systems, floor slab cooling, double-glazed windows, a thermal wall at its east and west facing facades, etc. Thus, the point of differentiation in this ZEO building (when compared with the other energy efficient buildings in the country) lies in its self-sustainability, the ability to be self sufficient with power generated from the building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems.

The first of its kind in Malaysia, PTM ZEO sets a new standard of energy efficiency by generating sufficient electricity from its BIPV system for the entire office use! To achieve this, a ceiling energy index target of less than 50 kWh/m2/year has been set for this building. The total floor area of the ZEO building is around 4200 m2 with a capacity to accommodate up to 111 staff.

Four different PV systems using four different technologies are installed in this building. The first and biggest comprises 47.28kWp of polycrystalline modules on the main roof. The second uses amorphous silicon units with a capacity of 6.08kWp. This is incorporated as the second main roof.

The atrium of the building is glass-glass semi transparent PV modules with a capacity of 11.64kWp, while the car park roof is integrated monocrystalline PV modules with a capacity of 27kWp.

All PV systems are connected to high quality and highly efficient grid-connected inverters complete with PV monitoring system.

With a total PV capacity of 92kWp, the expected yearly electricity generated from the BIPV systems is about 101,200 MWh. This is based on PV energy yield in Kuala Lumpur of 1,100 kWh/kWp/yr. With this estimated amount of electricity produced by the BIPV systems, the building consultants are confident that the electricity generated is sufficient for the electricity load of the entire building.

The building construction was started in March 2006 and fully completed in September 2007. The four BIPV systems were fully installed and commissioned in June 2007.
                                                  
Project team:

Client: Pusat Tenaga Malaysia

Architect: Ruslan Khalid Associates
Project Manager: KLCC Projeks Bhd
Civil & Structure: Arup Jururunding
Mechanical & Electrical: Five-H Associates
Quantity Surveyor: Jurukur Bahan Majubina
Energy Consultants: IEN Consultants
Interior Designer: Onions Design Consultants
Landscape Architect: Laguna Associates