The Future of Energy Optimisation with Artificial Intelligence
- UM Research
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
"Never Ever Give Up"
The above quote, though simple in plain words, requires the essence of grit and determination borne by those who sacrifice silently - and this is the quote that fuelled Prof Hazlee’s endeavours in academia and work in the expanding field of green energy.
As global energy demand continues to rise, the need for smarter and more efficient energy systems has become increasingly urgent. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a transformative tool in this landscape, enabling engineers and researchers to optimise energy consumption, enhance system reliability, and ultimately achieve sustainable development goals. At the forefront of this evolving field is Professor Ir. Dr. Hazlee Azil bin Illias from Universiti Malaya, whose work bridges traditional power engineering with modern AI-driven solutions to address real-world energy challenges.
Introduction & Scholastic Beginnings
Professor Ir. Dr. Hazlee Azil bin Illias is a distinguished researcher and academic leader, specialising in high-voltage engineering and power systems. Currently, Prof Hazlee serves as a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Malaya (UM), as well as in key leadership roles in research and institutional development. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from UM in 2006. Upon graduation, he joined Freescale Semiconductors Malaysia as a product engineer, gaining early industrial experience in electronics and semiconductor engineering. Fuelled by a passion for academia, Prof Hazlee pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, earning his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2011.
Following his PhD, Professor Hazlee returned to UM and began his academic career as a Senior Lecturer from 2011 to 2016. He later rose to the ranks of full professorship in 2024. Prof Hazlee also leads the UM Voltage Laboratory and Research Group, which serves as a hub for teaching, advanced research, industry collaboration, and professional training in high-voltage engineering.
Professor Hazlee is also active in professional and academic service, to which he is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), has served in leadership roles within the IEEE Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society (Malaysia Chapter), and contributes to scholarly publishing as an Associate Editor of IET Science, Measurement & Technology. Additionally, he is a registered Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.) and Fellow of IET, reflecting his professional standing in the global engineering community.
Research Pursuits and Career Development
Prof Hazlee’s research contributions throughout the years are extensive and impactful. His work focuses on high-voltage insulation systems, lightning protection, and dielectric materials, to name a few. He has also incorporated artificial intelligence and optimisation techniques into power system analysis and fault diagnostics, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to modern engineering challenges. His research publication record includes over 80 Web of Science (WoS)- journal papers and numerous conference proceedings, with research spanning topics such as corona discharge behaviour, transformer diagnostics, renewable energy systems, and smart grid technologies.
Beyond research, Prof Hazlee has secured competitive research funding totaling nearly RM3 million and has supervised a significant number of postgraduate students, including PhD and Master’s candidates. Solidifying his pursuit and striving for the development of the future scientific community, his mentorship has contributed to the development of new researchers and professionals in the field of electrical and power engineering.
Solar-Powered Smart Monitoring System
In an effort to curb energy inefficiency and enhance energy utilisation, Prof Hazlee and his collaborator, Dr Nasiru Yahaya from the Department of Electrical Engineering, UM, have developed a solar-powered smart monitoring device to achieve this endeavour. In a paper titled "Solar-Powered Smart Monitoring System for Occupancy and Energy Use in Lecture Rooms" by Nasiru et al., published in a top 10% journal, the Journal of Building Engineering, Elsevier, the key findings of the device's development and testing were illustrated.
The paper proposes a solar-powered IoT monitoring system designed to reduce energy consumption in lecture rooms, attributed to unnecessary air conditioning in unoccupied halls. The prototype envisioned an Arduino-based IoT device that integrates room-occupancy detection using a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor, temperature sensors, and a communication system via Telegram and Blynk applications to alert officers of inefficient energy use.
Experimental results showed that the system successfully achieved approximately 41.12% in weekly energy savings (8.64kWh per week), demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing electricity consumption and supporting environmentally sustainable energy management.
The Future
Prof Hazlee and his team plan to implement the device within the fraternities of UM. They also aim to explore applications in other sectors, as well as continue refining the system to improve its functionality in the future.
Overall, Professor Ir. Dr. Hazlee Azil bin Illias is widely recognised for his contributions to high-voltage engineering research, academic leadership, and the advancement of electrical engineering education in Malaysia. Ultimately, the future of energy systems is dependent on both efficient energy generation and efficient energy management. With this, his work continues to influence both theoretical developments and practical applications in modern power and energy systems.
Researcher Featured:
Professor Ir. Dr. Hazlee Azil bin Ilias
Department of Electrical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya
Electrical Engineering > High Voltage Systems > Sustainable Energy
For further inquiries, please contact:
Email: h.illias@um.edu.my
Tel: 03-79674483
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5061-1809
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hazlee-Illias
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=y0bep7wAAAAJ
Author:
Ms Eng Pink Huey
Pink Huey is currently a final-year medical student at the Universiti Malaya. Outside clinical wards, her enthusiasm for writing and classical music drives her appreciation for the harmonious union of art and life. For a tinge of adrenaline, she enjoys hiking and chasing sunsets!
Copyeditor:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
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