Why Singapore?
Despite having no significant energy resources of its own, Singapore is an important player in the energy industry. The country boasts the world’s third largest oil-trading hub and refining centre, and ranks in the global top ten petro-chemical centres.
Smart Energy, Sustainable Future
To drive sustained economic growth and enhance energy security, Singapore has been actively investing in smart energy infrastructure and systems.
Some S$350 million (US$234 million) has been pledged over five years in clean energy research, development and technology, co-ordinated by a Clean Energy Programme Office (CEPO), set up to plan and execute strategies to develop the island state into an innovation hub for clean technologies.
Singapore is committed to growing its clean energy industry so that the energy sector will add SGD34 billion (USD22.7bn) of value to the economy by 2015, employing 15,000 people.
Clean Energy ‘Living Lab’
Singapore provides an ideal living laboratory in which clean and renewable energy concepts are tested in the real world, such as the recently launched electric vehicle test-bed for industry players to test out different EV prototypes and vehicle charging technologies.
In November 2008, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority launched the Pulau Ubin pilot project aimed at transforming an offshore island into a ‘green’ island powered by clean and renewable energy. Once developed, a micro-grid on the island will distribute electricity generated by solar, wind, tidal and biomass resources.
At SIEW 2009, the Authority also launched a pilot project for an “Intelligent Energy System” aimed at the development and testing of comprehensive smart grid solutions. The pilot works towards realising an intelligent energy infrastructure that integrates advanced metering infrastructure and various communication, IT and data management systems.
In June 2010, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) opened the Energy Research Institute at NTU (ERIAN). ERIAN is a S$200M, 250-researcher global centre of excellence which focuses on R&D in sustainable energy, energy efficiency and infrastructure, specifically, wind and marine renewables, energy storage, green and smart buildings and fuel cells.
As an industry-oriented research facility, ERIAN has forged collaborations with multiple industry partners, including Robert Bosch GmbH (organic photovoltaics), Vestas Technology R&D (wind) and Rolls Royce (fuel cells).
Cost-effective solar cells and renewable energy storage, both of which are critical to the development of clean energy markets globally, and in June 2010, Singapore’s Clean Energy Programme Office announced the award of research grants totalling S$13 million to 5 research teams under the Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP).
Attractive Business Location
Singapore’s stable business environment and strategic location at the heart of Asia have established it as one of the world’s leading trading centres. Excellent infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce and extensive trade networks attract a steady stream of business and development opportunities.
Innovating to a greener future
Climate change, fossil fuel depletion and rapid urbanisation are driving up demand for cleaner and more sustainable solutions. In Asia, Singapore provides a conducive environment to advance the Cleantech sector. Besides initiating public private partnerships to develop and test bed solutions, it is also emerging as a talent hub for clean technology. With these fundamentals in place, Singapore is set to play a pivotal role as a Cleantech hub serving global markets .
Singapore is already home to a number of multi-national energy companies due to its efficient financial, legal and physical infrastructure as well as proximity to major commodity producing and consuming countries on the continent.
