Rethinking Wind Energy in Malaysia: How Prof. Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong Is Redefining Wind Energy for Malaysia’s Climate
- UM Research
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Professor Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Area of Expertise
Mechanical Engineering > Renewable Energy and Green Technology > Industrial Aerodynamics
Most Malaysians rarely think of wind energy as a viable option for our country. Unlike places such as the Netherlands, Denmark, or the United Kingdom, where strong and steady winds make turbines a common sight, Malaysia’s tropical climate produces gentler and more inconsistent wind conditions that are often seen as unsuitable for energy generation. Because of this, when we talk about renewable energy, we tend to associate ourselves more with solar power than wind. Yet behind the scenes, one Malaysian researcher has made it his mission to challenge this assumption by developing wind energy technologies tailored specifically for our local conditions.
That researcher is Prof. Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong, a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Universiti Malaya and one of the country’s leading figures in renewable energy innovation. Over the past two decades, he has focused on wind turbine aerodynamics, low-wind-speed energy harvesting, and new turbine systems that can work effectively in both urban and offshore environments. As Head of the UM Centre for Energy Sciences, Director of the UM Centre of Industry Relations, and a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, he plays an important role in shaping Malaysia’s clean energy landscape.
From Student Experiments to Lifelong Mission
Prof. Dr. Chong’s interest in wind energy began during his undergraduate years. “My passion for wind energy began during my undergraduate studies, where I first worked on a small turbine project,” he recalls. His curiosity deepened during his Master’s and PhD studies, both of which focused on wind turbine aerodynamics and performance improvement. He then spent a decade in industry, including at Dyson and Sony, gaining hands-on experience in airflow systems, design innovation, and practical engineering. As he explains, “This combination of academic foundation and industrial experience sparked the journey that ultimately led to the development of the Cross-Axis Wind Turbine concept and my continuing commitment to advancing sustainable energy systems.”
“Master the fundamentals, embrace hands-on experimentation, and remain patient with challenges, then you will grow through them” - says Professor Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong
Returning to Universiti Malaya marked an important turning point. “I am grateful to Universiti Malaya for providing me the opportunity to return to academia as a lecturer after 10 years working in industry. This transition allowed me to continue pursuing research in renewable energy,” he says. He also acknowledges the guidance of senior academic colleagues who shared their experience and encouraged him to pursue high-impact research. The High Impact Research (HIR) initiative played a pivotal role in supporting early-stage collaboration and funding, enabling his team’s work to expand into a significant research program. When asked about his personal philosophy, he replied “Do the right thing and do it right enthusiastically.” He also advises young researchers to “Master the fundamentals, embrace hands-on experimentation, and remain patient with challenges, then you will grow through them.”
The Cross-Axis Wind Turbine: A Malaysian Innovation
Among his most notable contributions is the patented Cross-Axis Wind Turbine (CAWT), an innovative design that rethinks how wind energy can be harvested in low-speed and multi-directional wind environments like Malaysia. The CAWT uses vertical and horizontal rotors arranged perpendicularly, allowing it to capture wind from different directions with better torque and improved resilience.
According to Prof. Dr. Chong, “The CAWT addresses limitations of both conventional Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines VAWTs, offering enhanced torque, broader directional responsiveness, and greater resilience in complex wind conditions.” The innovation has received national and international recognition, including the National Intellectual Property Award (Gold/First Prize), the WIPO Medal for Inventors, and the Best Award and Gold Medal at PECIPTA. As he notes, these recognitions “reinforced the importance of pursuing solutions that bridge scientific rigor with practical, real-world applications.”
Building on the success of CAWT, his largest recent project is a RM2.28 million collaboration with PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd. (PRSB) titled Novel Floating Cross Axis Augmentation Wind Turbine for Offshore Application. The aim of the project is to develop a floating CAWT system for offshore wind harvesting. “Through comprehensive aerodynamic studies, wind tunnel experiments, and prototype development, the CAWT successfully achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 in August 2024 and is currently progressing toward TRL 7,” he explains. The turbine achieved a validated 20 W output in wind tunnel tests and shows simulated potential of up to 3 kW. With a power coefficient of up to 0.5, the CAWT not only outperforms typical VAWTs but approaches the efficiency of conventional horizontal-axis turbines. For Prof. Dr. Chong, this project “has contributed significantly to advancing next-generation wind energy technologies and strengthens local research capabilities in sustainable ocean-energy systems.”
Expanding Impact Through Research, Collaboration, and Future Vision
Throughout his career, he has led more than 20 research projects and secured over RM9.5 million in funding as principal investigator. His work spans a wide range of applications, including hybrid wind-solar street lighting systems, green walls for urban cooling, wave breaker systems for seaweed farming in Sabah, as well as analysis of water filtration system. He collaborates with various agencies and institutions, including PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd (PRSB), the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA), Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), as well as National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan. He is also active in public and policy engagement, frequently appearing in the media and serving as a technical advisor and chief juror for innovation awards. He has been featured in the documentary film, Berita RTM (Jentera dan Mekanikal) – Teknologi Kincir Angin Berprestasi Tinggi in November 2020.
Looking ahead, Prof. Dr. Chong hopes to contribute to a future where clean energy is mainstream, affordable, and seamlessly integrated into everyday life. “My aspiration is to see renewable energy technologies, particularly wind and hybrid systems, become more accessible, efficient, and scalable across diverse environments, from dense urban areas to deep-ocean offshore settings.” His future plans focus on advancing the floating CAWT toward real-sea deployment, strengthening its structural, aerodynamic, and hydrodynamic robustness. “We will continue scaling the technology, integrating energy storage and smart control systems, and exploring hybrid designs combining wind, wave, and solar energy.
Additionally, we aim to expand research into AI-based performance optimization and modular green infrastructure for urban and coastal sustainability. Beyond offshore renewable systems, we will also expand research in indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy-efficient ventilation technologies.” Prof. Dr. Chong also welcomes partnerships with collaborators who are interested in co-developing and commercializing hybrid renewable systems, floating energy platforms, and smart ventilation and IAQ solutions.
“My aspiration is to see renewable energy technologies, particularly wind and hybrid systems, become more accessible, efficient, and scalable across diverse environments, from dense urban areas to deep-ocean offshore settings” - says Professor Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong
At the heart of his work is a strong desire to contribute to environmental sustainability. “The opportunity to contribute to a sustainable and cleaner future drives my work,” he shares. Watching his ideas turn into real prototypes that may one day benefit community remains one of his greatest motivations. “Innovation in sustainability is not only a technical challenge, but also a journey of communication, collaboration, and patience.” Through his persistence and vision, Prof. Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong continues to challenge long-held assumptions about wind energy in Malaysia. His work shows that with the right engineering approach; even modest tropical winds can become a valuable resource. By reimagining what wind technology can be for this region, he is helping to build a cleaner and more resilient energy future for generations to come.
#Renewable energy #Wind energy #Low-wind-speed turbines #Cross-Axis Wind Turbine (CAWT) #Offshore wind systems #Sustainable energy technologies #MalaysiaRenewables #SustainableDevelopment #UniversitiMalaya #UMResearchers #SDG7AffordableCleanEnergy
Researcher featured:
Professor Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03- 79676842
Author:
Farah Hannan Abd Nasir
A PhD student from the Physics Department who’s eager to blend science and storytelling - my goal is to make science relatable and exciting for everyone. When I’m not researching organic electronics, I enjoy playing the viola and painting with watercolours.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
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