Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research

What Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research does

TNB Research Sdn. Bhd. (TNBR) is the dedicated research and innovation arm of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia's largest electricity utility, operating since 1993 as a wholly-owned subsidiary headquartered in Kajang, Selangor. The organization delivers R&D, technical solutions, and advisory services across six focus areas — Future Grid, Digital Energy, Smart Utility Management, Decarbonisation & Renewable Energy (DARE), Energy Generation & Materials (EGEM), and Resilient Infrastructure & Sustainable Environment (RISE) — supporting TNB's national power infrastructure spanning over 420,000 km of grid, 18,000 MW of demand, and nearly 10 million customers.

Its core technology portfolio includes proprietary systems such as T-PEMS (an AI-driven predictive emission monitoring system compliant with US EPA 40 CFR Part 60), the Coordinated Voltage Control (CVC) system, SPS Digital Twin, AI-based ultrasound diagnostics for switchgear, SF6 gas analysis tools for Gas Insulated Switchgear, autonomous herbicide-spraying UAS, the Smart Voltage Detector (VOLTEC PRO), and Smart Street Light. Decarbonisation and renewable energy initiatives encompass Project DRAGON (Malaysia's first CCUS pilot), Project REACH (solar-powered green hydrogen), CURE (CO2 methanation), floating solar systems, and ammonia co-firing pilots. These technologies are commercialized through the TNB INNOVACE platform and developed within world-class laboratories.

TNBR operates a hybrid revenue model anchored by four streams: R&D services and consultancy to TNB Group and government agencies (its primary customer base), accredited technical laboratory testing and failure diagnostics through its wholly-owned subsidiary TNB Labs Sdn. Bhd. (formerly TNBR QATS, rebranded 2019, handling 250+ technical test cases), technology licensing and commercialization via the TNB INNOVACE platform, and government incentives enabled by MIDA R&D status granted in 1997. The company employs 251-500 staff and serves customers including TNB Group divisions (Genco, Distribution Network, Renewables), government agencies, universities, and commercial partners such as DayOne Data Centers. Its go-to-market combines enterprise field sales, channel partnerships with universities (Universiti Malaya, UNITEN, UTM, UiTM), international utilities (KEPCO, EPRI), and industrial players (PETRONAS, IHI), and event-driven engagement through structured facility visit programs.

Name

Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research

Legal name

TNB Research Sdn. Bhd.

Website

https://tnbr.com.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

TNB Research Sdn. Bhd. (TNBR) is the R&D and innovation arm of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Malaysia's national electricity utility. It delivers technical solutions, laboratory testing, and licensed technologies across smart grid, renewable energy, decarbonisation, and asset management for TNB Group, government agencies, and commercial clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kajang

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. R&D Services and Consultancy: TNBR provides technical solutions, R&D, and advisory services that support TNB operations, government policies, and the energy transition. Revenue is generated through contracted research and consultancy engagements with TNB Group, government agencies, and industry partners.
2. Technical Laboratory Testing and Diagnostics: TNB Labs, a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2012, provides accredited laboratory testing and failure diagnostics services to a wide spectrum of customers beyond TNB. The subsidiary accommodates more than 250 technical test cases and diversifies expertise to external markets.
3. Technology Licensing and Commercialization: TNBR commercializes innovations through the TNB INNOVACE platform, offering technology licensing, business collaboration, and co-development opportunities. Products include T-PEMS, Smart Street Light, EV Charging Station, CURE, Bio Fertilizer, Green Sediment Brick, and Dam Safety ERP among others.
4. R&D Status Incentives: TNBR was granted R&D status by MIDA in 1997, enabling access to government incentives that support its innovation capabilities and revenue sustainability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TNB Research Sdn. Bhd. (TNBR) provides contracted R&D, technical consultancy, and advisory services to TNB Group, government agencies, and industry partners across six research areas: Future Grid, Digital Energy, Smart Utility Management, Decarbonisation & Renewable Energy, Energy Generation & Materials, and Resilient Infrastructure & Sustainable Environment. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary TNB Labs, it also delivers accredited laboratory testing and failure diagnostics, and via the TNB INNOVACE platform, commercializes proprietary technologies through licensing, co-development, and business collaboration.

Product overview

TNB Research operates as a multi-product energy technology company offering both technology platforms and specialized products. The core offerings include TNB INNOVACE (a technology licensing and collaboration platform), TNB Labs (accredited laboratory testing and diagnostics services), and a diverse portfolio of innovative products across energy management, grid infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability. Key products include AI-powered diagnostic tools (T-PEMS, AI ultrasound testing, GIS analytical tools), smart grid solutions (CVC System, Smart Street Light, PD Mapping), renewable energy systems (EV Charging with Solar, CURE, Bio Fertilizer), and environmental solutions (Green Sediment Brick, MAT-P Water Treatment, Dam Safety ERP). The company also maintains research units (DARE, EGEM, RISE) focused on decarbonisation, energy generation, and sustainable infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TNB INNOVACE A technology licensing, business collaboration, and co-development platform offering innovations across asset management, power generation, renewable and green technology, smart grid, and sustainable environment for commercial partnership.
• TNB Labs A wholly-owned subsidiary offering comprehensive and extensive laboratories accommodating over 250 technical test cases, specializing in testing solutions and failure diagnostics for various industries, including renewables and sustainable solutions.
• TNB Predictive Emission Monitoring System (T-PEMS) An intelligent system delivering reliable real-time emission estimation monitoring using AI, deep machine learning, and data analytics, ensuring DoE compliance (US EPA 40CFR Part 60/PS16 accepted) and significantly reducing plant maintenance costs. Achieves 99.5% emission data availability and reduces lifecycle cost by up to 50%.
• Coordinated Voltage Control (CVC) System A hardware and software system that remotely adjusts reactive power control equipment to achieve optimal voltage profiles and minimize system losses through wide area voltage coordination.
• EV Charging Station with Hybrid Solar PV System A hybrid power system combining 24.15 kW solar panels with the electrical grid, storing energy in batteries with both fast (125Amp) and slow charger options, controlled by an integrated control system with customizable time-of-use.
• CO2 Utilization Using Renewable Energy (CURE) A mobile pilot facility for CO2 methanation using renewable hydrogen, equipped with solar PV system to power electrolysis for H2 production, applying circular economy principles in thermal power plants.
• Gas Cleaning / Carbon Capture & Regeneration System A modular amine-based gas cleaning and carbon capture system designed to handle critical gaseous emission components such as CO2 and H2S in coal, biomass and petroleum coke gasification systems.
• Autonomous Herbicide Spraying using Advanced UAS An innovative autonomous herbicide spraying system using advanced Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for efficient vegetation management at utility grid sites, incorporating radar, GPS and obstacle sensors.
• Smart Voltage Detector (VOLTEC PRO) A tested and proven wearable smart voltage detector with vibrating alarm indicator, LED alert, and embedded smart live sensors to detect electromagnetic signals from live parts of primary equipment.
• Smart Street Light A smart street lighting solution for smart city deployment with centralized control, advanced monitoring, individual switching and dimming capabilities, real-time fault detection and instant notifications.
• AI Based Ultrasound Testing for Switchgear An AI system that automatically classifies corona, surface discharge and arcing inside switchgear, delivering consistent and reliable diagnostics to enhance asset uptime and reduce maintenance costs.
• Analytical Tool to Diagnose Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Using SF6 Gas Analysis An analytical tool to identify defect types inside GIS equipment including protrusion, surface discharge and floating particles by converting SF6 gas decomposition data into clear diagnostic results.
• Pilot Cable Fault Detection System An intelligent system that accurately detects the location of underground supervisory control cable (pilot cable) faults using advanced high-frequency pulse injection and electromagnetic wave (RF) detection principle.
• Mobile Aqua-Treatment Plant (MAT-P) A mobile water treatment system using proven technology to treat industry and community water quality problems, featuring skid-mounted, container and trailer options for various capacity flowrates.
• Green Sediment Brick Construction bricks developed from sediment of Ringlet reservoir using a mixture of sediment, concrete and water, featuring compressive strength of 6.3-12.8 MPa and fire resistance certification (passed SIRIM, certified by BOMBA).
• Bio Fertilizer A sustainable bio-fertilizer derived from waste that recovers valuable fertilizer components to provide nutrients and enhance plant growth as a circular economy approach.
• Green Cable Protection Slab An eco-friendly cable protection solution for underground power cable infrastructure.
• Dam Safety Emergency Response Plan A comprehensive solution assisting dam owners in identifying, monitoring, responding to and mitigating dam safety emergencies, integrating flood modelling and community-based early warning systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1GW of renewable energy contracted under CRESS scheme through DayOne Data Centers partnership
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature24 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DayOne Data CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026DayOne Data Centers (Singapore-headquartered digital infrastructure company) signed landmark renewable energy supply agreements with TNB Renewables and TNB Power Generation, covering approximately 1.5GWp of solar capacity and 2.2GWh of battery energy storage under Malaysia's CRESS scheme. Combined with a June 2025 agreement, DayOne secures over 1GW of renewable energy in Malaysia. Witnessed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, this partnership supports Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap and net-zero by 2050 goal.
• KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKEPCO is listed among TNBR's strategic partners on the Strategic Partners page, indicating ongoing collaboration in energy technology and research. Nature of partnership likely involves knowledge sharing, joint R&D, and technology exchange in power systems and energy transition technologies.
• PETRONAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNBR, through TNB Genco, collaborated with PETRONAS and IHI on a pilot-scale ammonia co-firing study assessing feasibility of co-firing ammonia with sub-bituminous coal at pilot scale, evaluating combustion performance and emission characteristics.
• IHI CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHI (IHI Power Systems) partnered with TNB through TNB Genco and TNBR on the ammonia co-firing pilot study. This collaboration supports TNB's decarbonisation of power generation under NETR.
• EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute)coreTechnology or IntegrationEPRI is listed as a strategic partner, indicating collaboration on power system research, technology benchmarking, and knowledge sharing in energy technology innovation.
• Universiti Malaya (UM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint study with Universiti Malaya on innovative production of bio-hydrogen from palm oil mill effluent. TNBR received award recognition for this collaboration.
• Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Dato' Ts. Dr. Kamaruzzaman Sopian, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UTP, serves as a Board Member of TNBR. UTP is a key academic partner in renewable energy research.
• Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNITEN (owner of TNB) is a key academic partner. Managing Director Dato' Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Yusoff formerly served as Deputy Vice Chancellor at UNITEN. Multiple MOU and collaboration activities exist.
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTM is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, with collaboration in power systems, electrical engineering, and energy research.
• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSM is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, indicating ongoing academic collaboration in energy research and technology development.
• Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNIMAS is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, with collaboration in energy and environmental research specific to the Borneo/Sarawak region.
• UiTM (Universiti Teknologi MARA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Hairun Aisyah Mohiyadin served as Adjunct Lecturer for Civil Engineering course at UiTM Shah Alam. TNB Labs received appreciation letter from UiTM Energy & Facilities Sdn Bhd for transformer damage investigation at UiTM Solar Park 1, Gambang.
• Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTHM is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, indicating ongoing academic collaboration in energy and engineering research.
• Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMK is listed among TNBR's strategic partners.
• University of Liverpool (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among strategic partners, indicating international academic collaboration in energy research.
• FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRIM is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, with collaboration likely in biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and nature-based solutions research.
• MIMOS BerhadcoreTechnology or IntegrationMIMOS is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, indicating collaboration in technology development, particularly in digital and IoT applications for energy systems.
• SEDANIA InnovatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNB Research & SEDANIA collaborated to harness energy from excess water at Johor Dam (2022). SEDANIA is listed among strategic partners with joint project execution in sustainable energy.
• SWCORP (Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWCORP is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, indicating collaboration in waste management and environmental sustainability research.
• CRADLE (Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRADLE is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, likely supporting technology commercialization and startup ecosystem engagement.
• PLN (Perbadanan Labuan Nacional) — Malaysian contextminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLN is listed among TNBR's strategic partners.
• Fathopes EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFathopes Energy is listed among TNBR's strategic partners, likely in renewable energy and sustainability collaboration.
• CEE (Centre for Energy Efficiency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEE is listed among TNBR's strategic partners.
• INTEKMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTEKMA is listed among TNBR's strategic partners.
• Detik Aturan (Kepri, Indonesia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNB Research partnered with Detik Aturan Kepulauan Riau for joint collaboration on biomass water washing technology (2018), as documented in newsclip archives.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hitachi Energy: Global leader in transformers, grid integration, substations, and digital energy. Overlaps with TNBR's smart grid, substation automation, and digital energy focus areas but operates as a much broader commercial portfolio company.
• GE Vernova: GE's power, wind, and grid equipment business covering generation, transmission, and digital grid. Competes broadly in the utility technology space TNBR serves, but as a much larger diversified incumbent.
• Siemens Energy: Global energy technology company spanning gas power, wind, transmission, and grid software. Offers overlapping capabilities with TNBR but at global incumbent scale and product breadth.

Direct peers

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): US DOE national renewable energy and energy efficiency lab; conducts applied research and technology commercialization in solar, wind, storage, and grid integration. Highly analogous public-affiliate renewable/clean-energy research mandate.
• KEPRI (KEPCO Research Institute): R&D arm of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Already a TNBR strategic partner. Operates a directly comparable applied-research, lab-testing, and technology-commercialization mandate supporting a national utility.
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI): US-based non-profit R&D organization for the electricity sector, covering power delivery, generation, renewables, and grid modernization. Already a strategic partner of TNBR — directly analogous national-utility R&D mandate with multi-disciplinary energy focus.
• Hydro-Québec IREQ: Hydro-Québec's research institute spanning power generation, transmission, distribution, and energy efficiency with first-in-world HV testing facilities. Direct structural analog as a utility-affiliated applied research lab.
• CSIRO Energy: Australian national science agency's energy research unit covering renewables, grid, hydrogen, and decarbonization. Direct match for mission, funding model, and applied-research through commercialization role.
• Fraunhofer IEE: German applied research institute for energy economics and energy system technology; covers grid integration, renewables, storage, and digitalization. Closely comparable profile in applied research and lab testing for the energy sector.
• EDF R&D: Central research arm of Électricité de France (EDF), focused on power generation, grid modernization, storage, and decarbonization. Directly analogous multi-disciplinary utility R&D structure serving a national electricity franchise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tnb.research
• Facebookfacebook.com/tnbresearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tnb-research
• Instagraminstagram.com/tnbresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research