Research Institute

Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI)

INSTITUTE OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE (IEI)

Overview

Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI) was formally established in December 2016. As one of the core research institutes in Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), IEI aspires to be a globally known research institute in development and advancement of sustainable infrastructure in the energy sector. In 2024, IEI has been recognized as a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia. The HICoE Research Grant is being granted from March 2024 until February 2027. 

Vision

A globally known research institute in development and advancement of sustainable infrastructure in the energy sector.

Mission

To discover, develop, and deliver innovative solutions in order to provide a better sustainable infrastructure in energy sector.

Our Research

The Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI) is a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) focused on the resilience, sustainability, and safety of civil infrastructure within the energy sector. Unlike other institutes that focus on power generation (electrical), IEI specializes in the "physical" and "environmental" assets such as dams, transmission towers, and power station foundations ensuring they withstand natural disasters and climate change.

Research Areas

  • Geospatial Intelligence:

    • Utilization of Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS for infrastructure asset management.

    • Visual spatial intelligence and satellite monitoring of transmission corridors (e.g., CB-TNB satellite projects).

  • Energy Water Security:

    • Dam Safety & Sustainability: Reservoir sedimentation analysis, dam break analysis, and hydrodynamic modelling.

    • Flood Resilience: Flood forecasting and mitigation technologies for hydropower plants.

    • Sustainable water resource management.

  • Sustainable Built Environment:

    • Green energy management and ecological restoration.

    • Innovative construction engineering and materials for energy assets.

    • Environmental pollution management.

  • Disaster Risk Reduction:

    • Geohazard assessment (landslides, slope failures) affecting power stations.

    • Emergency preparedness and community-based disaster management.

    • Risk assessment for "disaster blackouts" and infrastructure sabotage.

  • Geotechnical & Geological Labs: Facilities for rock engineering, soil mechanics testing, and slope stability analysis.

  • Computational Modelling Lab: High-performance servers equipped for hydrodynamic simulations, flood forecasting, and dam safety modelling.

  • Forensic Engineering & Site Investigation: Investigation of slope failures, landslides, and structural integrity issues at power plants.

  • Dam Safety Consultancy: Comprehensive dam safety reviews, surveillance, and emergency response plan (ERP) development.