Creating an energy future sustainable for all

Action one in the outcome document of the Asian Productivity Organisation international conference in Taipei mid-March called for targets to be set for cities and countries in the Asia Pacific to meet at least 20% of energy demand from renewable sources by 2020 and to achieve up to 20% improvement in energy efficiency across the board by 2020.  Read More

Top 10 actions to help counter ‘climate departure’ in Asia Pacific

By Ken Hickson in Eco-Business.com   21 March 2014

Ten recommended actions on energy, consumption, and cities were outlined in an outcome document at the end of a three-day conference by the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) last week in Taipei.

The APO International Conference, under the Eco-Products International Fair 2014, focused on the impacts of climate change, particularly the concept of ‘climate departure’ or the projected timings of when countries will face the dangerous repercussions of climate change from 2020 onwards.

This refers to the findings of a University of Hawaii study reported last October in Nature, which detailed the clear indication that this ‘climate departure’ is expected to occur earlier than previously thought in Asia and the Pacific.

The APO document stressed the “need for a sense of urgency” – to set in motion “actions to make our cities and countries more sustainable, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, speed up the introduction of renewable energy, increase energy efficiency measures, and promote the prudent use of natural resources”.

The document, which will be delivered to the United Nations and its agencies, is seen as a wake-up call for all countries in the region. The targets listed demand that cities and countries in the Asia Pacific to meet at least 20 per cent of energy demand from renewable sources by 2020, as well as “to achieve up to 20 per cent improvement in energy efficiency across the board by 2020”.

Other calls to action include the promotion of “sustainable consumption and production”, calling on governments to set examples for green purchasing and procurement, and the need to build “resilience into sustainable, smart, liveable cities”, such as by introduction of “sustainable technologies and transport in urban areas”.

This document reflects APO’s strong commitment to making a positive contribution in line with the objectives of producing “action-oriented, concise, and easy to communicate” sustainable development goals following the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and “The Future We Want” outcome document adopted at Rio+20. Here are the ten recommended actions:

Creating an energy future sustainable for all

Action 1: Set targets for cities and countries in the Asia Pacific to meet at least 20% of energy demand from renewable sources by 2020

While there is an awareness of the amount of work done by various enterprises to initiate and fund renewable energy projects in the Asia Pacific, greater recognition must still be given to these efforts, along with more funding and policy support from international agencies and governments.

Other countries in the region continue to be constrained in terms of importing energy supply, although some nations are already ahead with their use of renewable energy. The EU has increased its renewable energy target to 27% by 2030; therefore, a regional approach with regional targets is required in the Asia Pacific.

Action 2: Set targets for cities and countries in the Asia Pacific to achieve up to 20% improvement in energy efficiency across the board by 2020

Since energy efficiency is the quickest way to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, countries and cities in the Asia Pacific should commit to a target of 20% improvement (compared to 2014 levels) in energy efficiency across the board by 2020. They should also standardise the energy efficiency criteria for industries, buildings, automobiles, and home and office appliances in the region.

More collaboration between the public and private sectors is required in every city and country to commit resources and funding to achieve the required level of energy efficiency.

Action 3: Encourage greater participation and partnerships among diverse stakeholders to enable access to sustainable energy for all

International and regional agencies, along with APO member governments, should encourage greater participation by all stakeholders and increase partnerships between the public and private sectors. This is to ensure that all have access to energy from sustainable sources and energy security is achieved.

This is in line with the objectives of the UN initiative on “Sustainable Energy for All” and other similar “Energy for All” campaigns. Greater media and community involvement is required to draw attention to what governments, businesses, and NGOs are currently doing. Establishing a Clean and Green Energy Day (or Week) and intensive information campaigns would help focus attention on this, especially if promoted across all cities and countries in the region.

Action 4: Adopt low-carbon technologies along with other energy management initiatives

Low-carbon technologies, along with the use of renewable energy sources, must be considered as an important part of environmental solutions and a key factor in introducing and managing energy security, productivity gains, sustainability of supply, and technological innovations.

For example, advancements in solar panels have significantly brought down costs and led to wider adoption of solar technologies by businesses and households in many countries. Similarly, feed-in tariffs have incentivized purchases of solar systems. These help encourage the use and production of low-carbon technologies, especially in countries where there are subsidies for fossil fuels.

Promoting sustainable consumption and production

Action 5: Recognise the need for governments to set examples for green purchasing and procurement

Governments should adopt policies and practices that only allow the purchase of sustainable products and services, such that these use less energy and raw materials, produce less waste, and these support small producers and fair trade. This would minimize the overall environmental footprint in the region.

Governments also need to work with the private sector to encourage behavioural changes in the purchasing departments of public and private organisations. Sustainable consumption and production should likewise be mainstreamed as an overarching development framework in the planning process of each country.

Action 6: Emphasise the importance of designing and producing sustainable products and services among businesses

Businesses must manage the environmental and social impacts of their production and operations. They should design products and packaging that can easily be reused, repaired, or recycled. The private sector should also examine new business models for turning products into services, so that consumers pay for access rather than ownership of products.

Action 7: Encourage public-private sector partnerships to promote sustainable products among consumers

The public and private sectors should develop effective educational campaigns that enlighten consumers on the environmental impact of their choice of products and services. Businesses should ensure that their products and services are certified by recognized eco-label and green certification programmes so consumers can consciously opt for green products.

They also need to conduct shared research studies and surveys on consumer attitudes toward green products and services, eco-labels, and how these affect their purchasing behaviour.

Building resilience into sustainable, smart and liveable cities

Action 8: Develop benchmarks and best practices for more resilient, sustainable, smart and liveable cities

With the growing threat of climate change, cities in vulnerable locations need to prepare for the worst and adapt to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and possibly more frequent storm surges. There is a need to recognise the role of various stakeholders in promoting urban planning practices that take into account sustainability and smart liveability. Cities that have started to take the lead in these areas should be duly recognised.

Action 9: Encourage more test bedding of projects with public–private partnerships

Test-bedding projects should be encouraged within public–private partnerships since this leads to smart, sustainable solutions and technologies for cities, which can be shared among countries in the region.

Governments should also initiate holistic programs in the urban sector to promote renewable energy use, deploy electric vehicles or special-purpose vehicle systems, design self-sustaining buildings, and adopt municipal and industrial waste or biomass-to-energy projects.

Action 10: Introduce sustainable technologies and transport in urban areas

More sustainable transport systems and measures should be introduced in urban areas. This will help manage the mobility and settlement of people, reduce poverty, create jobs, and resolve other social issues, as well as reduce traffic congestion and air pollution that occur in a number of cities in the region.

Transforming cities for the better through sustainable technologies should be prioritized. With the need to improve quality of life and economic competitiveness, cities must become more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly. Technology is a key lever for sustainable city development.

Effective infrastructure contributes to economic prosperity and an improved quality of life. Urban residents need clean air, potable water, security, efficient buildings, a reliable power grid, and mobility solutions.

Source:  www.eco-business.com

Featuring Clean Energy Applied Research : SERIS

What started as a research project by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at National University of Singapore (NUS) has culminated into a spin-off that helps light up rural communities. With a grant from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), the team initiated the concept of affordable solar-powered street lamps that can be used in areas not connected to an electricity grid. The development of the idea led to the formation of start-up Fosera Lighting Pte Ltd to commercialise the product. Read More

Solar energy start-up lights up rural communities

NUS News: 03 January 2014

What started as a research project by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at NUS has culminated into a spin-off that helps light up rural communities.

With a grant from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), the team initiated the concept of affordable solar-powered street lamps that can be used in areas not connected to an electricity grid. The development of the idea led to the formation of start-up Fosera Lighting Pte Ltd to commercialise the product.

The COMMLIGHT is a streetlight with an intelligent microprocessor and motion-sensor that automatically adjusts to the brightest level upon detection of activity. Otherwise, the lamp goes into dimmed mode when full lighting is not required to save energy. The integrated design with a built-in solar panel uses energy-saving LED lights and long-lasting Lithium-ion batteries to minimise maintenance.

By implementing the NUS-patented passive cooling concept for the battery and the microcontroller-driven power management algorithm with adaptive lighting, the system is highly efficient with an expected lifespan of up to 10 years. The electronics components housed in waterproof and durable aluminium ensure prolonged operation in tough climates. The lamp is easy to mount and uses theft-proven fixtures.

Typical applications are small streets, walkways, markets, small businesses, parking lots, bus stops, rural communities and places where the electric power grid is unavailable or a grid connection would be too expensive.

Last year, Fosera Lighting initiated the “Streetlights for Cambodia” campaign on Indiegogo.com. This campaign was a corporate social responsibility project to help improve the standard of living and safety of people in the Kampong Chhanang province of central Cambodia. “By this new way of raising money through crowd funding, we not only create an impact according to our vision, but also generate product volumes and visibility,” said Mr Robert Haendel, Founder and CEO of Fosera Lighting.

Conducted in partnership with Asian non-governmental organisations “Base of the Pyramid” Hub and the World Toilet Organisation, the campaign collected sufficient funds to install 16 COMMLIGHT lamps in the villages of Kraing Learve, Toek Laak and Trapaing Kravann.

Since starting operations in August this year, the young company has already sold its products to more than 18 countries globally.

“We will continue to develop further products with our own resources and in cooperation with SERIS,”said Mr Haendel. Currently, the firm is testing a wireless hotspot system integrated into the COMMLIGHT and focusing on cost reduction, he disclosed.

In recognition of its innovation, Fosera Lighting won first prize at the INSEAD Boot Camp Business competition and SMART business contest in 2012. It also clinched the title of the “Most Promising Start-up” in the engineering category at Techventure 2013, a networking platform for regional start-ups to present their ideas and projects to potential investors and develop business plans.

Source: www.news.nus.edu.sg

Asia new global leader in new PV installations

With at least 37 GW of newly-added capacity globally, 2013 was another record-year for photovoltaic (PV) installations, with Asia taking the lead over Europe as the number one region for new PV installations.  This, according to preliminary figures gathered by the European Photovoltaic  Industry Association (EPIA).  Read More

 Record-year for photovoltaic markets in 2013, Asia taking over the leading role

With at least 37 GW of newly-added capacity globally, 2013 was another record-year for photovoltaic  (PV) installations. The internationalisation trend of PV markets already observed in 2012 accentuated in 2013, with Asia taking the lead over Europe as the n°1 region for new PV installations.

Brussels, 06 March 2014 – According to preliminary figures gathered by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and presented today during its 9^th Market Workshop in Brussels, the world added at least 37 GW of new PV capacity in 2013. The global PV cumulative installed capacity reached an impressive 136.7 GW at the end of last year, which represents a 35% increase compared to the year before.

These globally positive figures result from a much qualified situation at regional level, with Europe losing its leading role in the PV market in 2013. While it concentrated more than 70% of the world’s new PV installations in 2011 and still around 59% a year later, with more than 10 GW of new capacity installed in 2013, Europe only accounted for 28% of the world’s market.

Dynamic Asian markets, led by China and Japan (around 11.3 GW and 6.9 GW respectively), partially explain this trend reversal, as the Asia-Pacific region represented 57% of last year’s global market. Such trend is expected to continue, with China experiencing a robust and sustained growth which should enable the country to remain the number-one market in the coming years.

Conversely, the relative slowdown of European PV markets should not be underestimated. “In a number of  European countries, harsh support reduction, retrospective measures and unplanned changes to regulatory  frameworks that badly affect investors’ confidence and PV investments viability have led to a significant  market decrease”, said Gaëtan Masson, EPIA Head of Business Intelligence. This is particularly the case for Italy – third global market in 2012 – which experienced a 70% market decrease compared to the year before. Germany – formerly the top global market – also experienced in 2013 a steep PV market decrease (57% decrease compared to 2012), originating from intentional regulatory changes.

“Despite our preliminary 2013 results, solar photovoltaics remains on the way to becoming a major source of energy for Europe and the world.  Last year, PV was the second new source of electricity generation  installed in Europe. From 0.3% of Europe’s electricity needs in 2008, PV already covers as much as 3% only five years later”, added Winfried Hoffmann, EPIA President. “Only with coherent, dynamic, stable and predictable support policies can Europe regain a leading position in the energy revolution and further  develop PV markets. In view of that, a truly ambitious climate and energy policy framework for 2030, that  would include a meaningful and binding renewables target for each individual Member State, is absolutely  crucial”, he concluded.

Note: Figures included in this press release and the related annex are valid at the time of issue. EPIA will publish in June 2014 consolidated and detailed historical figures and forecasts in its “Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2014-2018” report.

About EPIA

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association – represents members active along the whole solar  PV value chain: from silicon, cells and module production to systems development and PV electricity  generation as well as marketing and sales. EPIA’s mission is to give its global membership a distinct and effective voice in the European market, especially in the EU.

Source: www.epia.org