We examine the dynamic relationship among energy consumption in transportation sector, income and CO 2 and also attempts to validate the environmental Kuznet curve (EKC) hypothesis. We used a multivariate approach based on VECM. The inverted U-shape EKC hypothesis is not valid in the case of Malaysia. Uni-directional causality exists from emission to income, energy consumption and renewable energy use. Income Granger-causes energy consumption and renewable energy use, and both structural change and renewable energy use Granger-cause energy consumption in road transportation. a r t i c l e i n f o b s t r a c tThis paper examines the dynamic relationship between income, energy use and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions in Malaysia using time-series data during 1975 to 2011. This study also attempts to validate the environmental Kuznet curve (EKC) hypothesis. Applying a multivariate model of income, energy consumption in the transportation sector, carbon emissions, structural change in the economy and renewable energy use, the empirical evidence confirmed that there is a long-run relationship between the variables as shown by the result of co-integration analysis. The results indicate that the inverted U-shape EKC hypothesis does not fully agree with the theory. The coefficient of squared GDP is not statistically different from zero. The time duration and the annual data used for the present study do not seem to strongly validate the existence of EKC hypothesis in the case of Malaysia. Causality test shows that the relationship between GDP and CO 2 is unidirectional. The Granger causality test results reveal that emissions Granger-cause income, energy consumption and renewable energy use. Moreover, we find that income Granger-causes energy consumption and renewable energy use, and both structural change and renewable energy use Granger-cause energy consumption in road transportation.

This empirical study examines the relationship between environmental quality, economic development, renewable and non-renewable energy (RE) consumption in 13 developing countries in Asia. We use panel data in the period from 1980 to 2014 and panel cointegration, fully modified ordinary least squares (OLS) and dynamics OLS estimators are employed to test for cointegration in the long-run. The study confirms the existence of the inverted U-shape Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis in 13 Asia countries for both estimators with the increment of GDP per capita and conventional energy consumption decreasing the environmental quality. However, the empirical finding suggests that RE consumption is insignificant in contributing to less pollution regarding CO 2 emissions. This study concludes that to comprehend better the potential factors affecting the CO 2 emissions, the sampled countries can design a strategic plan to mitigate the rate of global warming and climate change, while at the same time stimulating economic development and promoting energy from eco-friendly resources.

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In this paper, a new population-based metaheuristic optimization algorithm, named Simulated Kalman Filter (SKF) is introduced. This new algorithm is inspired by the estimation capability of the Kalman Filter. In principle, state estimation problem is regarded as an optimization problem, and each agent in SKF acts as a Kalman Filter. An agent in the population finds solution to optimization problem using a standard Kalman Filter framework, which includes a simulated measurement process and a best-so-far solution as a reference. To evaluate the performance of the Simulated Kalman Filter algorithm, it is applied to 30 benchmark functions of CEC 2014 for real-parameter single objective optimization problems. Statistical analysis is then carried out to rank SKF results to those obtained by other metaheuristic algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed SKF algorithm is a promising approach, and has a comparable performance to some well-known metaheuristic algorithms.

Abstract:The government of Malaysia has recently decided to explore the feasibility of wind energy to generate electricity in the country. Their ambition is to achieve a measureable target in the percentage contribution of electricity generated by renewable energy technology in the national electricity generation mix. As part of this initiative, a study of wind energy policy has been conducted by identifying the optimal feed-in tariff (FiT) rates to support the development of wind energy in the country. The aim of this paper is to calculate the optimal level of tariff that is suitable with local wind conditions. A closed-form equation for optimal feed-in tariff rate of wind energy with consideration of the availability of capital allowance has been developed. The focus is on small-and utility-scale wind turbine installations. As a result, by considering the availability of capital allowance, the optimal FiT rates for small-scale wind turbines in Malaysia are between 0.9245-1.1313 RM/kWh, while utility-scale rates are between 0.7396 and 0.9050 RM/kWh. The level of FiT is changed with the changing value of economic parameters. Kudat, in northern Borneo, has been identified as a prime site for wind energy development in the country; however, more work needs to be conducted, including the development of a regional wind map and measurement of wind data at more new potential sites.